Who We Are
Cole K9 is built on a passion for dogs and a belief that effective training should prepare dogs and their handlers for real life. Training isn't simply about teaching a list of commands. It's about creating clear communication, structure, confidence, and reliability between the dog and the person responsible for it.
Every dog is approached as an individual. Age, temperament, behavior, environment, genetics, previous training, and the owner's goals all influence the way training should be approached.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help owners build dogs that are easier to understand, manage, and live with. Whether the goal is a better-behaved family companion, improved obedience, behavior modification, or developing a working-capable dog, our focus remains on practical results.
We believe owners should understand their dogs rather than simply depend on a trainer to do the work for them. That's why handler education and communication are an important part of the training process.
Protection Training
At Cole K9, protection training is built around structure, clarity, control, and responsible working ability. We specialize in working-line dogs and develop protection skills by channeling natural drives into controlled, reliable behavior.
The objective is not uncontrolled aggression. A capable protection dog must understand obedience, remain responsive to its handler, and have the stability necessary to distinguish between everyday life and a working situation.
Equally important is the education of the handler. Owners learn how to read their dogs, maintain control, understand working behavior, and responsibly manage a dog with advanced capabilities.
Every dog is evaluated individually, and protection work is tailored to the dog's temperament, genetics, ability, and intended role. Safety, stability, obedience, and responsible handling remain central to the process.
Meet the Owner
Mike Cole
Dogs have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. At just six years old, I grew up alongside our family dog, Sassy—a 100+ lb mastiff who was always by our side and fiercely protective of our family. That early bond sparked a deep respect and appreciation for dogs, even though I never imagined it would one day become my career.
As I grew older, the desire to work with high-level dogs never faded. At 18, my fiancée (then girlfriend) and I took ownership of Kujo, a sable working-line German Shepherd with deep roots in protection work, border patrol, and other demanding K9 roles.
Kujo embodied true working-dog drive—no wall, task, or challenge stood in his way. Whatever he was asked to do, he did with maximum effort and unwavering commitment.
That experience pushed me to fully immerse myself in the world of dog training. Since then, I've spent time shadowing and training with police departments, attending numerous seminars to continue my education, and working hands-on with clients.
My experience spans protection training, behavior modification, and foundational obedience, always with the goal of building reliable, confident dogs and helping owners better understand their K9 partners.
I'll never claim to be the world's best dog trainer—but I can say with absolute certainty that I will never stop pursuing my goal of helping dogs reach their full potential.
What Sets Cole K9 Apart
- Real-world reliability — Training is designed to carry over into everyday situations rather than only working in a controlled environment.
- Clear communication — Dogs and handlers both need to understand what is expected.
- Individualized training — Every dog has different strengths, challenges, temperament, and goals.
- Handler education — Owners learn how to continue the training and maintain the behaviors at home.
- Long-term results — The goal isn't a temporarily obedient dog. It's a better relationship between dog and handler.
Our Commitment
At Cole K9, we don't believe in shortcuts. Every dog is given the time, structure, and consistency needed to progress. Our goal isn't simply trained dogs—it's confident owners, reliable communication, and dogs that can succeed in the environments where their owners actually need them to.