ABOUT US
PHANTOM K9 TRAINING
PHANTOM: THE G(DOG)OAT
It all started with Phantom, a Craigslist pup I got right out of high school. The time I spent training him sparked a passion for the craft and helping other achieve a strong bond with their dogs.
Though he’s no longer here, I feel his presence and influence and his memory continues to inspire me daily.
Phantom’s legacy lives on in every dog trained, every lesson learned, and every life changed through the work we do.
DIVING INTO RESCUE WORK
Inspired after rescuing Phantom, I began working with local Arizona rescues and shelters. I wanted to make a difference for the dogs who struggled to find homes because of complex behavioral challenges.
Over time, the passion for rescue work grew, and we continue to work with the rescue dogs daily. Who knows, you may even adopt your next pup from a local shelter and receive pro bono training!
TODAY
Operating out of our facility in Mesa, our growing team has trained hundreds of dogs from all different breeds, backgrounds, and lifestyles.
Every dog has unique challenges and needs, and their training reflects that. No dog or day is the same at Phantom K9, and that’s exactly how we want it to be!
MEET OUR TRAINERS
DAVID
Founder & Head Trainer
David’s journey to dog training started with his own dogs and expanded to work with rescues (primarily those facing euthanasia). His dedication to training is because he believes that all dogs deserve a second chance.
His skill set and purpose has evolved over the years, working with dog owners on everyday obedience to raising and training highly-skilled protection dogs. His credibility ranges from dozens of local rescues and training or rehabilitating thousands of dogs.
Today, as he continues running Phantom K9 Training, he enjoys life with his wife, Angela, daughter, Eleanor, many personal dogs, and even a pet cat.
EMILY
Trainer
Emily joined us nearly seven years ago as an intern, driven by a keen interest in dog training.
Over the years, she has honed her skills by working with a diverse range of unique breeds and cases, building a wider skillset and deeper passion for the job.
She is an invaluable asset to the dogs that come through our program, bringing dedication and knowledge to every training session.
In her free time, Emily loves to travel, find a good coffee shop, and bring her mini Aussie, Jemma, into work to bark at David.
ANGELA
Chief Distraction Officer
Angela has been behind the scenes with Phantom K9 since it’s inception. With arguably the best job of all, she serves as a great distraction for the dogs when they need it to proof their commands, and gets to enjoy all the snuggle and play time when the dogs are not actively working.
She is a commercial Interior Designer by profession, but being a mom, wife and lover of animals makes her an important part of the Phantom K9 story.
