Lance Nogosek, head trainer and owner of Ultimate K9® Dog Training, began his career training dogs in the United States Air Force at F.E. Warren Air Force Base Wyoming; Lance ended his military career in 2010 at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland where he was a handler/trainer for the elite Presidential K-9 Unit. Lance has also worked in conjunction with many other agencies, both local and federal, such as the United States Secret Service, Cheyenne Police Department, Prince Georges Police Department, Department of Justice, Department of State and Explosive Countermeasures International to increase his insight into the dog training world. Lance has over ​19 years of experience training all types of dogs with all types of problems. Lance continues his training, recently graduating NEPOPO® Silver in November '23 and NEPOPO® gold in January '24. Whether it is Lance, or one of his staff, you can be assured you’re going to receive the attention you need to reach your dog training goals.

TRAINER

Colby Nuthall has loved animals since he was young. He studied them in school and always tried to find a job where he was able to work with animals. From pet stores to pursuing a career in animal behaviors at the National Aquarium, animals have been a must-have in his workplace, not just his personal life. After adopting a timid and troublesome puppy he looked to UK9 for help. The transformation he saw in his dog after he completed the program was so incredible he joined the team to help other people experience the same. Colby will work tirelessly with you and your dogs to reach your goals and allow for a more rewarding life with your pup!

TRAINER

Robert Smith has been around working dogs his entire life. His passion for training dogs ignited while watching his father, a Rehoboth Beach Police Officer, doing daily obedience training with their family dog Magnum, a male Doberman Pincher. Rob’s training became more serious in 2007 after adopting a female German Shepherd from the DC Humane Society.

Realizing his young family needed some guidance, he volunteered and trained at a local K9 Academy. This training focused on leash/collar methods, understanding dog behaviors and learning how to help dog owners become handlers. All of this culminated into Rob leading and assisting in group and private lessons in Basic Obedience, Advanced/Off-Leash Obedience, Agility, Personal Protection and Tracking classes. Retiring after 21 years of military service in the US Navy and US Air Force, Rob and his new German Shepherd, Micah are starting their next chapter with Ultimate K9®. Rob is also a AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. He is able to test all levels of the Canine Good Citizen Test, Trick Dog, and much more! Along with that Rob is a certified K9-Caring Angels Service and Therapy Dog Trainer.

Using modern K9 training methods Rob & Micah are eager to help solve any issues you may have and achieve your dog training goals.

TRAINER

Ritchie Heishman started out with Ultimate K9® as a customer turned trainer. For the last eight years he has continued learning and training using the Ultimate K9® program. Ritchie has always had a love for dogs which greatly increased with his first job working at a kennel that raised German Shepherds and Huskies. Since then he has trained many dogs of his own. He also adopted two dogs through rescues. Ritchie believes a well trained dog is socially more enjoyable to be around and less likely to hurt themselves or others. He is eager to solve any issues you may be having along with providing dog obedience training.

TRAINER

Hayliegh grew up living with animals and knew working with them would become her passion. For several years Hayliegh professionally groomed dogs of all breeds. On days Hayliegh wasn't in the grooming salon she was volunteering her time to assist with training with service and therapy dogs!

Soon after Hayliegh found Uk9 to help improve her relationship, communication, and overall obedience skills with her dog Ichiro. That was when she realized how much she enjoyed learning and working with her dog. Which lead her to join the UK9 team!

Hayliegh aspires to share the perks of owning a well-behaved dog. Guiding and encouraging her clients every step of the way! Just as she had experienced when she started as a client.

Hayliegh is also a AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, she is able to test all levels of the Canine Good Citizen Test, Trick Dog, and much more!

Hayliegh and her flat coated retriever Navi are often found training, bonding, and working towards their goals. Hayliegh and Navi have tilted with AKC Canine Good Citizen, Urban & Advanced. AKC Trick Dog Novice. AKC Junior Hunter.

TRAINER

Growing up, Sarah always had a love for dogs. It wasn't until her adulthood that she fell in love with finding new ways to better communicate and build a relationship with her own dog. Starting as a client with Ultimate K9 Dog Training, she found confidence with her ability to build concrete foundational skills that not only allowed her to better communicate with her dog, but to understand the behaviors she was seeing to better assist her training and every day to day life. Being able to help others who feel lost and hopeless find their confidence not only in their dogs but in themselves is a fulfilling product of where this has led her. Her goal is to ensure that everyone lives a happy, loving life with their FURever best friends.

TRAINER

Matt also a former client of Ultimate K9® is a hard working and highly motivated trainer who first started as a client. Matt has spent his life around dogs and has dedicated much of his time studying dog behavior. Matt and his dog Riley are aspiring to compete in AKC hunt tests in the Maryland Sporting Dog Association and the National Bird Dog Circuit. Matt continues to expand his knowledge in training and will work diligently to provide you with training solutions to meet the needs of you and your dog.