Conifer Canine’s Dog Trainer College has comprehensive programs that students need in order to become a professional dog trainer. Our programs use innovative training methods, employ humane means, and will be resourceful to the beginning trainer as well as enhancing a current career.
One of the valuable strengths of the Dog Trainer College is that the student receives the opportunity to view a premier facility in its day-to-day operation: its highs and lows, challenges and successes. This gives the student a real-life look at the dog training industry. Classes are uniquely geared towards learning to training dogs on a professional level. Additionally, the College cooperates with local Shelters by bettering a dog’s chances of being adopted.
Our goal is produce professional canine trainers of the highest quality through an excellent education and practical experience. The Dog Trainer College extends certification to successful graduates of our programs.
The Dog Trainer College has been reviewed by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and has been declared exempt from regulation by the Office for Career and Technical Schools under Indiana code 22-4.1-21.
This school for dog trainers is located at 717 Beaver Hollow Rd, Spencer, IN.
Conifer Canine Dog Training
Dog training is conducted at our gorgeous rural location in Spencer, Indiana, by appointment. All appointments are on Eastern Time.
Location
Conifer Canine is near Spencer, Indiana – within easy driving distance of Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Martinsville and Bloomington. We can easily serve Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. Due to the professional quality and the variety of services we offer, many clients travel from even farther distances, literally from coast to coast. Our wooded acreage is conducive to raising sound working prospects and training dependable dogs.
Spencer, Indiana Training Appointments:
Our Spencer facility is located at 717 Beaver Hollow Rd. From SR 231/67, turn west onto Coon Path Rd. Go almost a mile and turn right onto Beaver Hollow (the road sign is currently down after a car accident). Look for a row of mailboxes. Conifer Canine will be one half mile on the left. We are only a total of 1 1/2 miles off of SR 231/67.
Experience
We have trained many breeds of dogs since beginning in 1992 and have bred/trained German Shepherds since then as well. For a dog to be a well-rounded member of the family, quality dog training and proper socialization is a must. Our experience with many different types of dogs in several different venues has given us a solid training strategy and the skills necessary to accomplish training goals. All of our trainers are certified by quality dog trainer schools (some by our own Dog Trainer College), ranging from obedience trainer, protection trainer, to Police K9 trainer, service dog trainer, Master Trainer, and more!
Our Dog Training Passion
Our interest in working dogs evolved from a desire for security but also wanting a partnership with a dog that has a demanding job to do. The basset hound lazily lying on the front porch has its attraction, no doubt. However, our passion is working side by side with a dog that is properly and knowledgeably trained and seeing him perform his assignment to his maximum potential! Nothing compares with working a dog that possesses a stable temperament, steady nerves, and an overwhelming desire to work for his/her human. Our dogs are more than pets, more than “stock;” they are family.
Police Dog Training
Conifer Canine’s police dog training produces capable and reliable K9 teams. We offer some of the highest performance standards in the industry. The K9 unit will only be as strong as the training it receives. That is why Conifer Canine training is thorough, real, and effective. Police dogs should be trained in both on-leash and off-leash obedience for reliability on the street and control by the handler as well as the reduction of liability. The police dog should generally possess balanced drives that are environmentally sound and mentally stable. K9s can be trained in suspect apprehension, handler protection, building searches, area searches, structural agility, drug or explosives/firearms detection, and tracking/trailing. Conifer Canine offers both domestic and imported prospects as well as free annual re-certifications for the dog teams we train. Conifer Canine offers both handler and dog training for patrol work, detection work, and obedience work.
Conifer Canine is recognized by the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in offering K9 training and K9 handler training as well as to support personnel.
Police Dog training is conducted at our Spencer, IN location with occasional seminars and conventions off-site.
Our Staff
Tim Miller
Tim Miller is a certified Master Trainer and the Operations Manager at Conifer Canine. Tim has trained thousands of dogs since 1992. Desiring to be more than a backyard hobbyist, Tim received professional Certification in every training venue that Conifer Canine offers. He has the experience desired by our clients, who have learned to value his input and expert advice. He has taught extensively in a public setting, including dog training seminars and Conifer Canine’s Dog Trainer College, where trainers are trained. Tim is a perpetual student, always ready to soak in a fresh idea or method. His goal is always to maintain relevancy and competency. He is a member of several working dog training groups such as the RSVglobal, the International Association of Canine Professionals, and Dogs of Law Enforcement, and is an Instructor at the Answers in Genesis annual K9 Conference.
Moriah Hatfield
Moriah Hatfield started out as a kennel technician, then as a trainer apprentice, who later finished the Master Trainer program, with Honors, at our Dog Trainer College. Moriah started young and has been successfully training dogs for well over 10 years. Her intuitive ability and hands-on experience enable her to train dogs on an elite level. In her spare time, Moriah likes to ride her horse, hone her dog’s explosive detection skills, or take a hike. We’re glad to have Moriah on board.
Melody Hobelman
Melody Hobelman also started very young in the dog world. She was a kennel tech who worked her way to a trainer apprentice and eventually graduated from our Dog Trainer College, with Honors, in the Master Trainer program. Melody is a solid trainer with the patience and experience needed to train well. She enjoys working her self-trained bed bug detection dog Malu and riding horses. We know she will continue to work hard for years to come.
