Local Dog Trainer Transitions from Iraq to Civilian Work
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A local man is using skills he learned in the military to build his own business. After spending years working with military dogs, he's now training pooches here at home.
Cute as she is, Bella needed a little work. That's where Tommy Doehler comes in. About a month ago he started American K9 Training Services.
"The business itself really is your classic dogs with issues, dogs in need of obedience," says Doehler.
But it's not every dog trainer that can advertise that he's certified by law enforcement and the Department of Defense.
"When I got out of high school I joined the Marine Corps, got accepted into the K9 program there," says Doehler.
He's also worked with the Secret Service, and most recently as a private K9 contractor in Iraq.
"We'd go out, we'd get certain intel, and we'd go looking for individuals who pose a threat to Americans or friendly forces and we'd try to find them," says Doehler.
Bella may not be tracking enemies or sniffing out bombs, but Tommy says the basics of how to train her are the same.
"If you can't tell the dog to sit or stay, things of that nature, you're not going to be able to find explosives, find bad guys, things like that," says Doehler.
With a military background, you might think Tommy's training involved a degree of toughness, but it's actually quite the opposite.
"Come here Bella," he yells to her in a sweet, affectionate voice. "You're a good girl!"
His philosophy is not about treats, but rather affection.
"It has to be taught into them, and ingrained into their heads, 'oh, that's the word that I was trained on. Okay, I'm coming back because Daddy or Mommy's going to love me,'" says Doehler.
He says he's an example of how to use military training to build a civilian career.
"I was lucky enough to be selected in certain units that allowed me to enhance my K9 abilities and yes, eventually come back to my hometown and hopefully share that with the Rochester area," says Doehler.
It's already working with Bella, an early customer in what Doehler hopes will be a lifelong business.
American K9 Training Services