Meet Marsha Durfee | Certified Master Dog Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marsha Durfee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marsha, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
17 years ago I adopted a puppy from the local shelter I was given one free training class, where the trainer cranked and yanked my puppy around and when she couldn’t get her to do anything she tossed the end of the leash at me and said ” your dog is stupid ” I than knew there was a better way to train dogs and began to research dog training methods. I enrolled years later in an online course I was also mentored by a dog trainer that had spent many years in California training police K9s Search and Resuce Dogs. He had told me to keep learning and find what methods work for me and my clients that I should not try to do the exact same as him. I began to train my own dogs while reading dog training books such as ( Don’t shoot the dog) (Monks of new skeet ) to name a couple these books helped me achieve the goal of training the ( puppy that was stupid) she became my demo dog for my business for many years.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started out doing obedience training and over the years by expanding my knowledge though classes and workshops am able to offer classes for service dogs, therapy dogs, Tricks, Canine Fitness, Animal Actors,. Now moving into the Search and Resuce area for live tracking and human Remains as well as Detection K9s for the private sector. Since we have expanded to having our 45,560 Sq foot outdoor training center we are able to host large group classes, special events for our local veterans as well as our first responders. One big goal is to have a building put up so we can offer indoor classes and classes for upcoming trainers. We also enjoy working with kids and clubs teaching kids how to handle dogs, what to do if a strange dog approaches them. Both my husband and I attend many classes both in person and online to keep our skills and knowledge to the most up-to-date as in the training world new tools, new methods are always coming out.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well since we are rual area we would take them to the best pizza place in our area we get people that drive in from Las Vegas just to eat. Great American Pizza best owners best food around. Would also take them to Oatman AZ to see the old Town walk around the cool shops. And let them watch the old gun fight show. Depending on the time of year bearizona in Williams is a fun trip and must see for anyone coming in from out of town.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My success wouldn’t be possible without the support from my Husband Randy Durfee Sr, Maureen Bissonette who nominated me for this story. All the amazing Dog owners who have come to me for training. And the support of my certifying organization
American Society Of Canine Trainers International,
Do More with Your Dog

Thank you everyone

Website: www.k9pawsbehaviordogtraining.com

Instagram: K9pawsdog

Facebook: @K9PAWSTRAINER

Image Credits
All photos taken by Randy Durfee Sr