Lance Nogosek, head trainer and owner of Ultimate K9® Dog Training, began his career training dogs in the United States Air Force at F.E. Warren Air Force Base Wyoming; Lance ended his military career in 2010 at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland where he was a handler/trainer for the elite Presidential K-9 Unit. Lance has also worked in conjunction with many other agencies, both local and federal, such as the United States Secret Service, Cheyenne Police Department, Prince Georges Police Department, Department of Justice, Department of State and Explosive Countermeasures International to increase his insight into the dog training world. Lance has over ​19 years of experience training all types of dogs with all types of problems. Lance continues his training, recently graduating NEPOPO® Silver in November '23 and NEPOPO® gold in January '24. Whether it is Lance, or one of his staff, you can be assured you’re going to receive the attention you need to reach your dog training goals.

TRAINER

Ritchie Heishman started out with Ultimate K9® as a customer turned trainer. For the last eight years he has continued learning and training using the Ultimate K9® program. Ritchie has always had a love for dogs which greatly increased with his first job working at a kennel that raised German Shepherds and Huskies. Since then he has trained many dogs of his own. He also adopted two dogs through rescues. Ritchie believes a well trained dog is socially more enjoyable to be around and less likely to hurt themselves or others. He is eager to solve any issues you may be having along with providing dog obedience training.

TRAINER

Hayliegh grew up living with animals and knew working with them would become her passion. For several years Hayliegh professionally groomed dogs of all breeds. On days Hayliegh wasn't in the grooming salon she was volunteering her time to assist with training with service and therapy dogs!

Soon after Hayliegh found Uk9 to help improve her relationship, communication, and overall obedience skills with her dog Ichiro. That was when she realized how much she enjoyed learning and working with her dog. Which lead her to join the UK9 team!

Hayliegh aspires to share the perks of owning a well-behaved dog. Guiding and encouraging her clients every step of the way! Just as she had experienced when she started as a client.

Hayliegh is also a AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, she is able to test all levels of the Canine Good Citizen Test, Trick Dog, and much more!

Hayliegh and her flat coated retriever Navi are often found training, bonding, and working towards their goals. Hayliegh and Navi have tilted with AKC Canine Good Citizen, Urban & Advanced. AKC Trick Dog Novice. AKC Junior Hunter.

TRAINER

Matt also a former client of Ultimate K9® is a hard working and highly motivated trainer who first started as a client. Matt has spent his life around dogs and has dedicated much of his time studying dog behavior. Matt and his dog Riley are aspiring to compete in AKC hunt tests in the Maryland Sporting Dog Association and the National Bird Dog Circuit. Matt continues to expand his knowledge in training and will work diligently to provide you with training solutions to meet the needs of you and your dog.

TRAINER

Robert Smith has been around working dogs his entire life. His passion for training dogs ignited while watching his father, a Rehoboth Beach Police Officer, doing daily obedience training with their family dog Magnum, a male Doberman Pincher. Rob’s training became more serious in 2007 after adopting a female German Shepherd from the DC Humane Society.

In 2003 realizing his young family needed some guidance, he volunteered and trained at a local K9 Academy. This training focused on leash/collar methods, understanding dog behaviors and learning how to help dog owners become handlers. All of this culminated into Rob leading and assisting in group and private lessons in Basic Obedience, Advanced/Off-Leash Obedience, Agility, Personal Protection and Tracking classes. Retiring after 21 years of military service in the US Navy and US Air Force, Rob and his German Shepherd, Micah have worked with Ultimate K9® fulltime for 4 years. Rob, Micah and 2 1/2yr old Mini Goldendoodle, Mihlo are starting their next chapter with Ultimate K9®in Lewes DE. Rob is also a AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. He is able to test all levels of the Canine Good Citizen Test and is a certified K9 Service, Therapy Dog and ESA Trainer and evaluator.

Using modern K9 training methods Rob, Micah, and Mihlo are eager to help solve any issues you may have and achieve your dog training goals.

TRAINER

Colby Nuthall has loved animals since he was young. He studied them in school and always tried to find a job where he was able to work with animals. From pet stores to pursuing a career in animal behaviors at the National Aquarium, animals have been a must-have in his workplace, not just his personal life. After adopting a timid and troublesome puppy he looked to UK9 for help. The transformation he saw in his dog after he completed the program was so incredible he joined the team to help other people experience the same. Colby will work tirelessly with you and your dogs to reach your goals and allow for a more rewarding life with your pup!

TRAINER

Growing up, Sarah always had a love for dogs. It wasn't until her adulthood that she fell in love with finding new ways to better communicate and build a relationship with her own dog. Starting as a client with Ultimate K9 Dog Training, she found confidence with her ability to build concrete foundational skills that not only allowed her to better communicate with her dog, but to understand the behaviors she was seeing to better assist her training and every day to day life. Being able to help others who feel lost and hopeless find their confidence not only in their dogs but in themselves is a fulfilling product of where this has led her. Her goal is to ensure that everyone lives a happy, loving life with their FURever best friends.

TRAINER

Deanna has had a passion for dogs since she was a little girl. Her first dog was a Labrador Retriever named Shiloh. With no formal training she had taught her how to sit, bow, speak, roll over, spin, sit pretty, play dead, jump, and down. When she turned 17, she worked at a large boarding kennel where she interacted with many breeds and assisted with grooming at times. Throughout her college years she continued to work there, coming home for holidays and summers to help. After her 2007 graduation, Deanna became an IT professional. In 2012, she adopted Red, her first German Shepherd from Maryland Dog Fest. This decision changed her life. That is when her passion for the German Shepherd started! Over the next couple years, she volunteered as a foster for two rescues working mainly with shepherds and labs. In 2014, she purchased her first working dog, Isen as an 8-week puppy. Through her research she discovered the world of IGP (formally Schutzhund/IPO). The precision-based sport consists of three phases tracking, obedience, and protection that showcases the harmony between handler and dog. Deanna has been competing with her dogs as a hobby since 2014 (mostly German Shepherds) enjoying the bond it creates with the dog! Over the years she has trained and titled multiple dogs in IGP and AKC to include:

V Isen vom Kavallerie IPO3 TC CGCA CGCU TKI KKL (Lifetime Breed Survey)

G Devka von der Felsenstadt IGP3 FH1 FPr1 AD CGCA CGCU TKN TC

Aifera von der Evansstadt IGP2 AD FDC CGC

Brakana von der Evansstadt BH/VT

Lady Lorelei’s Gypsy Love BH CGCA

YOLO Chan CGCA TKN TC

SG1 Ori vom Haus Morrisson AD CGCA CGCU TKI TC

VD Barbie Ethen IPO3 ZVV2 CGCA TKN TC (IPO3 and ZVV2 completed in Czech)

Kimber on Fleckenstein BH

Red CGC

D’Venn von der Evansstadt BH/VT

For the last 6 years, Deanna has bred Working Line German Shepherds that she trains and competes with. She currently has two young upcoming competition dogs; D’Venn (Venny) and Fievel that are training in IGP from her breeding program. Some other activities she enjoys with her dogs are hiking, dock diving, and swimming. Dogs are a lifestyle and a major part of who she is. She loves dog training, learning and helping others. Her years of experience in dog sports and working breeds combined with her strong desire to help others lead Deanna and her working dog Aifera to join the UK9 team! She is excited about being able to help people and their dogs succeed!

TRAINER

Jeremy Kiessling is a dedicated dog trainer with a unique blend of discipline and passion, shaped by his six years of service in the U.S. Air Force as a vehicle mechanic. Born and raised in La Plata, Maryland, Jeremy developed a love for animals early on, often caring for strays in his neighborhood. After enlisting in the Air Force at 18 he honed his technical skills and leadership abilities, maintaining complex vehicle systems under high-pressure conditions. His military experience instilled a strong sense of structure, patience, and problem solving qualities he now applies to work with dogs. Upon leaving the Air force Jeremy pursued his lifelong passion for canine companionship. Jeremy’s military honed work ethic and calm demeanor make him a trusted figure beside the team, where he’s quickly gaining a reputation for transforming even the most challenging pups into loyal well mannered companions.