Trainer
Meet Your Trainer
MARK CASSITY
OWNER | HEAD TRAINER
Welcome - I am the owner and Head Trainer of Aktiv Dog and I specialize in what I call “Dogs with Jobs”. I spent the first 13 years of my dog training career working with K9 teams and working dog programs around the country. My work with Police K9's and Therapy dogs would often lead to pet owners asking for my assistance. I found that the issues pet owners are facing are very similar to the behaviors I address with my working dog clients. Regardless if its your pet chasing a squirrel into traffic or a police officer tracking a bad guy we must be able to call our dogs back to us. Clients that want to bring their companions out in public must have a high level of control in unfamiliar territory similar to therapy dogs. This realization led me to develop training programs that teach the training principles I've developed for my working dogs teams to the general public. Although I'm still actively involved in the training of working dogs for police, security contractors and hospital organizations, I now focus my energy on helping pet owners and sport dog enthusiasts establish strong bonds and clear lines of communication with their dogs.
- Dual Purpose Explosive Detection Dog Handler | Contractor for Department of Defense in support of NATO forces in Afghanistan.
- K9 Program Manager | Developed, implemented and maintained Wisconsin 1st hospital K9 program.
- Graduate | Numerous K9 programs and certifications for the handling and training of dual purpose K9s.
- Certified Trainer | T.R.S. School for Dog Trainers - Training Academy for professional dog trainers for past 49 years. Graduated with multiple "First in Class" certificates.
- Police K9
Instructor| Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board
- FEMA / DHS Instructor | Incident to Terrorist Bombings
- Pet CPR/First Aid Instructor
| Pet Tech
- Licensed | A.T.F. - Licensed Exp. Owner Possessor
- Professional Member
| International Association of Canine Profesionals
- Member | North American Versatile Hunting Dog
- Evaluator | AKC Canine Good Citizen,
“I've dealt with many trainers that are focused on their style and their style alone, and Mark knows that all dogs are not the same.”
K.S. - Knox
“Mark is passionate about his work and making sure each dog he comes in contact with excels!”
F.M. - Q
