Our Training Team
SDK has been offering professional training programs since 2007. Collectively our trainers have over 3 decades of experience. This dynamic team consists of three CGC evaluators and two ATT testers. Between them there is not much in the dog world they haven’t seen!
Lydia
Trainer Lydia is SDK’s Training Department Manager. Lydia’s lifetime passion for animals led her down to Texas after high school where she attended and graduated from Starmark Academy for Dog Training in 2005. She has been helping humans and dogs build stronger bonds through working relationships ever since. Lydia joined Team SDK in 2014 where she teaches all levels of group classes, trains Stay ‘n Train students and puts on various seminars including CGC Testing.
Talon
Trainer Talon began working in the dog world while still in high school part time at boarding and daycare facilities and full time after high school. With his natural ability to read dogs, he knew working with dogs was a career path he wanted to pursue. Talon joined Team SDK in January 2019 and began an Apprentiship under Trainer Lydia. Talon teaches group classes, trains Stay ‘n Train students and is the head of the new Dock Diving program.
Aubre
Trainer Aubre discovered her passion for dog training a few years ago when she watched a local obedience show right here in Sioux Falls! She has had dogs her whole life, all different shapes, sizes, and breeds. She also used to be an equestrian (for those who don’t know what that means. She used to work with horses.) She lived on a big acreage in Nebraska, where she was born and raised and had up to 15 dogs at a time. Aubre has been in the pet care industry for quite some time. When she was younger she would volunteer at vet clinics and Humane Society‘s, but knew she wanted to branch out more and that’s where her path lead her to find SDK. She currently only has two dogs. Ares, a Siberian husky German shepherd mix and Bowser, a Dalmatian. They are what a lot of people reference as the dynamic duo. Her heart has always been with dogs and she is glad to help people speak dog!
Libbie
Trainer Libbie has always had a passion for animals. She realized her true passion for dogs when she adopted her first dog in 2021. It became evident training dogs was her future and she was enamored by hunting dogs. Libbie attended school in Hutto Texas, in January of 2024, where she became Certified as a Training and Behavioral Specialist. There she got hands on experience working with all types of dogs and training, ranging in doing basic obedience, agility, tricks, and behavioral modifications. She currently has two dogs, Tucker and Vojai, both German Shorthair Pointers. Trainer Libbie joined SDK in August of 2024. Libbie teaches Group Classes, Stay N’ Trains, Puppy Preschool, Day School, and does Private Lessons.
Kara
Trainer Kara has always been fascinated by animals and grew a love for dogs when her family adopted a yellow lab at age 5. She dog sat all throughout high school and started gathering knowledge. Kara always wanted a career involving animals so she started working at SDK in August of 2023. She currently has two dogs, Thorin Oakenshield and Arwen Shelob, both German Shepherds. Kara teaches Puppy Preschool, Day School, and Stay N’ Trains.
Shane
Owner Shane trained his first retriever at 16 years old. Retriever Training got in his blood and never left. Since then he has trained 100’s of hunting and hunt tests dogs, titling dozens of Hunting Retriever Champions. Shane retired from professional training in the Fall of 2018 and now focuses all of his time on his personal dogs and running in Licensed Field Trials. Most recently he was one of 15 finalists at the 2021 National Derby Championship and he is qualified for the 2022 National Amateur Retriever Championship.
