It’s Our Mission!
Locally owned and Veteran founded, Next-Door K9 Solutions was founded on 3 basic principles. Following these steps with your dog can be ground breaking! Let us help you build the relationship your dog needs!
- COMMUNICATION
- FAIRNESS
- UNDERSTANDING
Next-Door K9 takes pride in making your dog’s training our mission! Next-Door K9 Solutions was founded in order to promote well-rounded, balanced, and healthy dog training. At Next-Door K9 Solutions we train and board all dogs in our homes. Composing our daily routine around your dog's needs, we use our homes and communities to assist in your dog's training.
Meet Your Trainers!
Owner & Lead Trainer
Hannah
Hi, I’m Hannah! I’ve spent my entire life knowing I’d work with animals! As a young child my mom studied and trained dolphins. I have vivid memories of watching in awe as she communicated with these magnificent, intelligent creatures through a combination of whistles and hand signals. She was my inspiration.
As an adult I’ve worked with dogs and other animals for the last 7+ years. I spent 3 years managing a dog daycare in Colorado, during which time I completed multiple courses in dog behavior and socialization. After rescuing my own dog and struggling with her then-severe reactivity issues I ended up being mentored and ultimately hired by a renowned CO dog trainer who changed my dog’s life and mine. Since moving back to the DMV area, I have managed dog daycares, worked at an animal shelter, fostered various species, and have trained dogs of all sizes and temperaments. There’s nothing I find more rewarding than helping a fearful dog learn to trust and gain confidence!
Operations Manager & Trainer
Matt
Hi, I’m Matt! (bio coming soon)
Trainer
Melissa
Hi, I’m Melissa! Dog training started out as a hobby I shared with my husband and has turned into a great unexpected career. Helping a client be able to enjoy walking their dog again, remove unwanted behaviors that allow a dog to remain in their current home or learn to relax is extremely rewarding. I am an AKC evaluator, AKC FitDog instructor, AKC Performance Farm Dog Judge, and a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. I am always looking for ways to expand my knowledge to provide the best service I can to my clients and their dogs. My professional background is in obedience training for puppies and adult dogs, as well as several behavioral issues including anxiety and reactivity. My personal dogs and I enjoy competing in dock diving, training for protection sports, scent work and I hope to add tracking and some AKC trails to our resume soon! I look forward to helping you and your dog work better, together!
Trainer
Nicole O.
Hi, I’m Nicole! I honestly never thought I’d train dogs as a career. I’m a Marine Corps veteran and mom of 3. I’ve been around my dogs my whole life and bought my first personal Labrador in 2013. From that point on, I knew dogs would forever be a part of my life. I didn’t start out like most, because I actually bred labs first and started donating them for service work. That was in 2017. From then on, I was training dogs on the side while still working. Covid hit and I had a new puppy that I had big plans for and well, that didn’t happen. I took learning to train and learning the psychology of dogs from then on.
My biggest joy that I have is seeing a dog gain confidence in themselves and owners as well. I just wanted to see owners enjoy their dogs and take them places again. I still have a big passion for puppies, and building that foundation from the start, but I’ve also really grown to love working with a dog that’s had a past. They have stolen my heart in this industry.
My passion is to give back and I’ll be raising, training, & donating my own dogs specifically for veterans fighting the PTSD, TBI, and MST battles.
Trainer
Shannon
Hi, I’m Shannon! I was exposed to the world of animal training through exotics. I also keep and breed parrots, and have spent many years studying their behavior in my free time and befriending and learning from behavioral consultants in the IAABC community. Parrots, and birds in general, have an intelligence that is hard to compare to other species in the animal world… besides great apes and humans. That ongoing experience combined with the knowledge of science based animal training is what has easily paved my way into dogs. I actually started completely force free, but have since become more open-minded on tool use and corrections for dogs. I still lean very heavily on modifying and teaching behaviors through force free methods as much as possible though. I am a big proponent of building engagement and training through play.
I spend my free time caring for all of my birds and training my personal dog, a Doberman named Judas. My goal with him is to compete in a protection sport called PSA and we regularly travel as much as 10 hours to train with some of the best in the business. Judas is very young, but we have already managed to obtain a few titles and are always working towards more.
Trainer
Emily
Hi, I’m Emily! The world of dog training came to me after I married USMC Ret. Husband in 2019. We thought he was going to get deployed 6 months after we got married. So a month into our marriage he bought me a male German Shepherd, Apollo. I had owned GSDs as a kid but never as a “protection dog” per se. So… we hired a trainer when we realized we needed some help. My trainer really took me under their wing and showed me everything I could possibly want to know and learn. I am grateful for my trainer back in NC because he brought me to where I am today.
Today I own 3 dogs, Apollo as mentioned above, Dwight Schnoot a Golden Retriever and Drama, a Belgian Malinois x Dutch Shepherd. Together we live on a farm in Howard County with our cats, goats, rabbits, chickens, ducks and one horse. If you choose me as your trainer (or we are paired), your dog will have not only exceptional care but receive great amounts of exposure to farm animals and wild life.
I look forward to meeting you and your pup!
Sales & Training Program Consultant
Nicole B.
Hi, I’m Nicole and I am your Training Program Consultant for Next Door K9 Solutions of Central Maryland! I have enjoyed working in Communications and Consulting for over 17 years in various industries. I majored in Philosophy and Communications at UNC-Charlotte in Charlotte, NC. My brother, a USMC veteran and professional dog trainer, introduced me to the world of dog training. My passion for animals and my love for people has always been a driving force behind my career! It is a privilege to assist in the journey of helping families all over the world provide the best care for their pups! I love getting to know people and help to improve their quality of life. There is no better way to do that than to help direct you to quality training and support for your furry family members! I look forward to speaking with you soon, and welcome you to the Next Door Family!