The Journey Behind the Training

My name is Mackenzie Duplechin, and I am the trainer behind K9 Genius Training Co. I am an AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator, a Fear Free Certified Professional, and a CPDT-KA candidate.

My work is rooted in ethical, force-free training and a focus on the relationship between dogs and their people. I came into this work through my own experience with service dogs, especially my second service dog, Graham. He completely changed how I understood training. It stopped being about teaching commands and became about developing a dog that is stable, aware, and capable of truly supporting someone’s life. Living with a service dog gave me a real understanding of what these dogs represent. They provide independence, safety, and stability for the people who rely on them, and that level of responsibility shaped how I approach this work.

My path into training started with a desire to better understand the animals I have always loved, but over time it became something much deeper. I moved away from traditional methods that rely on pressure and instead focused on communication, clarity, and how both the dog and the handler learn. I went on to work in both veterinary medicine and professional dog training, gaining hands-on experience with puppies, adolescent dogs, behavior cases, and service dog teams. Over the past several years, I have worked professionally as a dog trainer, as well as in veterinary support roles, which has given me a well-rounded understanding of behavior, health, and handling. Along the way, I saw where a lot of training falls short. Quick results and surface-level obedience do not always hold up over time, especially in more complex environments. That is what shaped my approach. I focus on helping both sides understand each other, building something that is consistent, fair, and actually usable.

Service dog development is a major focus of my work, and it requires a higher level of thought and honesty. These dogs may assist with mobility, psychiatric, or medical needs, and their training has to be approached with care. Not every dog is suited for that path, and I am upfront about that from the beginning. At the same time, I work with pet dogs at all stages including puppies, adolescents, and behavior cases because the same foundation applies. My goal is always the same. Help dogs and their people understand each other, build trust, and create a partnership that lasts.

The Foundation of Our Approach

Training is not about control or forcing behavior. It is about creating clear communication between the dog and the person. Every dog is different, and every handler brings a different level of experience, which is why my approach focuses on understanding how each individual dog learns and what each person needs in order to be clear and consistent. I use ethical, force-free training because it allows dogs to learn without pressure and creates more thoughtful, stable behavior over time.

Progress is not measured by how quickly a dog performs a behavior, but by how well that behavior holds up and how clearly both sides understand each other. The goal is not quick fixes. The goal is a dog and handler team that can move through the world together with confidence, clarity, and trust, with a relationship that continues to strengthen long after training sessions are over.

I also take a welfare-first approach to every dog I work with. That means looking at the full picture, including physical health, stress levels, environment, and the dog’s ability to cope. Training is not just about what a dog can do, but how they feel while doing it. When those pieces are in place, learning becomes more effective, and the results are more sustainable over time.

Relationship-Based

We view the dog as a partner, not a tool. Training is a collaborative process that builds trust and mutual respect.

Force-Free

Using positive reinforcement and natural consequences, we ensure that learning is enjoyable and sustainable for the dog.

Ethical and Welfare First

Training decisions are made with the dog’s full picture in mind, including their health, stress, and ability to cope, not just performance.