MY SERVICES
Every Dog Deserves the Right Program.
I help you choose the right program for your dog.
Every dog is different and my job is to understand both ends of the leash and find what will work best for you and your dog long term.
I HAVE OPTIONS FOR ALMOST EVERY HUMAN & DOG.
From the backyard to the backcountry... we focus on real life and design the program around you and your dog.
PRIVATE LESSONS
One-on-one coaching with me, you and your dog for real life skills.
DAYCAMP PROGRAM
Your dog spends the days learning with me and nights with you.
RESIDENCY PROGRAM
Your dog lives with me on my property full time for the program.
VIRTUAL COACHING
Online one-on-one coaching for real life skills from wherever you live.
PATHWAY TO PRO
Hybrid online/in-person apprenticeship returning in 2027.
Most behavior problems aren't caused by lack of obedience.
They're often the result of mismatched lifestyle, unclear expectations, inconsistent structure and missing skills.
Regardless of the service you choose, my "Living With Dogs" approach focuses on four areas...
Fit - Structure - Skills - Freedom
In each program we go way beyond just teaching obedience commands or correcting unwanted behaviors like most trainers focus on.
Don't get me wrong... those are important.
I'm about building a bigger life for your dog and you. Walks in the neighborhood, trips to get coffee, hikes on the trails... these are all things we train for.
With my no-nonsense straight forward approach, certified expertise, and a passion for dogs, I want to make your training journey memorable and rewarding.
So whether we work one on one, I have your dog during the whole day or most of the month, we work remote or you are learning how to do this as a career... we'll get there.
Why choose me? Because although I have the experience and knowledge (I've been doing this FULL TIME as a professional for over 12 years now), but it's been a hobby since the early 90's.
I want every session to follow the 4 F's... it should be fun, fair, functional and flexible. There should be some laughter, some play, and your dog's tail should do some wagging.
Like I said, I've got the experience, certifications and insurance to prove my professionalism, but what truly sets me apart is the genuine love for what I do.
So, whether you're looking to start from scratch and just be able to walk your dog through the neighborhood, get coffee with your pup or go on a multi-day hiking and camping adventure, I can tailor a program just for you.
And rest assured, I'll always prioritize yours and your dog's well-being and individual needs, because I understand that every dog and human is on a different journey.
-John
THE PROCESS
Let's Find the Right Path Together.
Your eval/intro lesson is an indepth process where we discuss your dog, your goals, and assess what matters most.
Then we'll choose the program that is the best fit for your dog and your lifestyle.
FILL OUT A CONTACT FORM
MEET FOR THE EVALUATION
CHOOSE A PROGRAM
GET STARTED!
Real People. Real Results.
"John Imler IS the gold standard in dog training. John is truly an expert and has years of experiential wisdom, working with dogs of all types and backgrounds. His professionalism and reputation are impeccable. John simply is the best. And when it comes to personality and character, John Imler is top notch there too, and happens to be one of the friendliest, nicest guys you’ll ever meet. You get what you pay for, and sometimes you get a lot less than what you pay for. With Top Dog you get superior training that is competitively priced. If you find someone better than John, please let me know, and good luck!."
Brian Sosnin
"I worked with John on handling behavior issues with a 1 year old rescue dog our family adopted. We had an incident where after having our dog for 2 years he got out of our fence and bit another dog. The other dog was much smaller and was injured (it did heal and is fine now). However animal control was involved and we had to prove that our family pet was not a dangerous dog. John helped me identify the mistakes we had made in the past and explained the behavior that had happened. John had us start from scratch and we were able to actually show video proof that after training our dog was not a threat and had responded to training completely. 2 years later he is still doing great!."
Matt Duncan