About Us
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Sylvie Pleasant Certified Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant A dog lover her entire life, Sylvie became a professional dog trainer after watching her fear aggressive Corgi gain confidence to the point where she interacted with joy with other dogs and people instead of lunging and snapping at them! Sylvie studied with several of the Greater Raleigh Dog Training Club trainers before and during teaching her own group classes. While studying at conferences nationwide, she also branched off to private sessions and aggression. Sylvie was certified in 1999 by Canine Training Inc. |
| An avid community supporter, Sylvie started the volunteer companionship program at the SPCA of Wake County in 1992 and coordinated many facets of the volunteer force until 1996. This included training volunteer adoption counselors to educate and serve customers in selecting their pet. And Sylvie also formed and coordinated the volunteer lost/found program. A corporate burn out, Sylvie made the plunge and started Sylvie's K9 Solutions Inc. in 2001 and later merged with Donnie Hult to form K9 Solutions LLC. "I approached our first class with sincere apprehension. Having owned large stubborn breeds before I thought "what on earth can this woman talk about for over 2 hours that I haven't already heard?" Well talk you did but more importantly you gave me concrete tools that I immediately implemented into my home and for my dog. Your discussion on leadership changed my approach. From the moment I walked back into my home a designated leader it changed my dogs reaction and interaction with me. My life and dog became manageable." A.L., client |
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Donnie Hult With over 27 years of experience under his belt, Donnie is a master at understanding the true nature of canines. His vast, hands-on knowledge of dog behavior and training has saved many dogs from a last trip to the vet or a shelter. He covers high-level aggression in all forms. He feels blessed to be living his passion--training owners to help their dogs thrive in our community.
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| "Donnie came and worked with our shepherd and our daughter's Chow. They wanted to, literally, kill each other. The dogs get along great now. They live together as best friends and constantly want to go outside at the same time. With our daughter's new baby, we thought there would be jealousy or more fighting but everyone seems to get along great. I never thought it would happen. Thanks again to Donnie," C.P., client "Hi, Sylvie – It was great (as usual)! Donnie is so good. Amazing what difference a few tips and some immediate feedback can make. We continue to learn and, of course, Nutmeg responds beautifully." Susan King, client |
| "We met with Donnie yesterday and had a great session. It's like being in the middle of an episode of "The Dog Whisperer"! We learned some new techniques for helping our dog to handle his aggression issues and for encouraging him to walk alongside us ... I would recommend you and Donnie to anyone who has a pet that needs training." H.C., client |
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Robina Thornton Certified Dog Trainer Robina has been a dog lover all of her life. She trained her first dog when she was only 12 years old and has been training dogs ever since! She currently has two dogs, Quasar a 7-year old crazy black lab and a sweet 4-year old rescued shepherd mix named Trey. After over 20 years in corporate America in the software industry, she broke free to devote herself to training canines and educating owners to create a positive relationship between them. Though ten of her working years were spent training adults to use SAS software, Robina comments that "Dogs are easier to train because they cannot talk nor use computers. Following my passion as a second career is truly a blessing." Robina graduated from K9 Solutions Academy where she participated in kennel operations, private in-home consults, and group classes. Robina volunteers weekly at Saving Grace Adoptions helping dogs that are awaiting forever homes. She currently teaches Basic and Advanced Manners classes. |
| "This was awesome. I was able to ask kinds of questions so it was the best. I have learned so much about how to interact with my dog." Kendall Bridges, client "She was wonderful! I have a very big dog and she handled him very well. I learned A LOT! I went to one prior class with no success--this one works! He respects me a lot more and we have bonded even more." Samanth Sutphin, client "Robina is a terrific instructor--patient! Time was well spent teaching us to teach our dog. I am much more confident of my leadership abilities." Antoinette Brown, client |
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Meghan Flaherty Certified Dog Trainer Meghan is making dogs her life's work and passion. A graduate of K9 Solutions Academy, Meghan has been involved in various group classes including Basic Manners, Advanced Manners, and Feisty Fidos as well as private consultations. She is an active volunteer and employee of Saving Grace Adoptions where she helps dogs become more adoptable. Meghan is also studying grooming. |
| "We received excellent training recommendations. We also appreciate and was impressed with the promptness and willingness to respond to emails with questions both within and outside the course curriculum." L.S., client "Meghan was a great instructor!" S.C., client "We are not going to put him on Craig's List! Just kidding, we do understand more him and his needs now. Thank you!" T.W., client "She is so much better. I have seen a major improvement in her behavior and self control. Thank you so much for all the advice and help you gave us after class." K.M., client |
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Ulli Mattern Certified Dog Trainer A counselor by day and dog trainer by night, Ulli's passion is to help her community be the best that it can be. Ulli is the president of Johnson County Animal Protection League, an organization that educates the public on pet care, as well as rescues and places homeless pets. Ulli has been active with K9 Solutions since almost its beginnings by teaching basic and advanced group classes, and is also responsible for the Foster Education Program where K9 Solutions trains foster homes to be even better dog handlers. |
| "Ulli, Thank you again for such a wonderful experience in getting to bond with Lucy and with helping me teach her the best ways to behave. I really appreciate all of your help and assistance with her!! You have a gift and I am so fortunate !!you share it with others!! Thank you" S.L. and LUCY!!! "Really learned a lot. Wish I'd taken the class earlier! Would definitively recommend." T.G., client |
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Karen Payne Certified Dog Trainer Dogs have always been a part of Karen's family. Her mom used to tease her that she only came home from college to see her dogs and get groceries (and she was mostly right). In 2002, Karen rescued Chester from the SPCA. Officially, he was the first dog she ever trained. Although he was very smart and could learn anything, he had severe emotional and aggressive issues. Before Chester, Karen knew very little about how to train a dog, how they think and learn, or why they do the things they do. She only knew that she loved dogs. After a very hard year of taking him to classes, reading books, researching on the internet, talking to vets, trainers and other people, and essentially doing anything she could to try to help (fix) him, she made the toughest decision and let him cross the Rainbow Bridge. Even though Chester had a short life, Karen believes he fulfilled his purpose. Through him, she was able to learn things about herself that she never knew and found the desire to become a dog trainer. Since Chester, she has adopted two other dogs, Arley (the dark brown dog in the picture) and Lucille (the blonde in the picture). |
| Karen has earned a BA in Psychology and a minor in Russian language from UNC-Greensboro and knows sign language. She has also completed the Thompson Education Direct online course in Dog Obedience Training. Karen worked professionally with Petsmart then Teamworks before moving on to the K9 Solutions LLC team. "A wealth of information and great suggestions." A.L., client "Before the class, I was overwhelmed. I sometimes dreaded to go home or take him on a walk. Now every single walk is a good one. I love my dog and enjoy spending time with him." K.A., client "We loved the clss. My daughter (8 yrs) has developed a greater bond and leadership with our dog." S.M.G., client "Listens better, and is now well behaved. 100% better, and I enjoy him a lot more." C.B., client |
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Pam Pettit, ABCDT Certified Dog Trainer Dog training and behavior is truly a passion for Pam. It all started thanks her shy Stella, a Lab mix, who taught Pam about patience and socialization. It was so rewarding to watch Stella blossom and gain confidence. On the other extreme is Pam's boy, Cole, who has aggression issues. Both dogs have taught Pam the true meaning of leadership in a way that dogs understand so both owners and canines can thrive. She loves watching the owners and canines reach a level of trust and mutual respect. Pam earned her Dog Obedience Instructor certification from Animal Behavior College as well as her Dog Trainer certification from K9 Solutions LLC. |
| "Great job! C and I are very pleased! We have clearly obtained respect and are viewed as 'pack leaders'." B.M., client "Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed Pam's obedience class with Leia! She is a great teacher! Leia has a bit of a stubborn streak it seems but by the end of the classes I had her doing everything that I asked! I'm looking forward to doing some more training with her some time in the new year! Also hoping that Donnie can help me with this dog behind fences issue." P.R., client "This is the best class I have been to!" J.S., client |
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Kathy Pashby Certified Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant Having been raised around dogs, Kathy has learned about canine behavior through observing how the dogs socially related to one another. Her training has been all hands-on, gaining experience through boarding and caring for other people's dogs, volunteering at shelters and working with packs of her own dogs. Kathy sees her role as a trainer as one that facilitates better communication and a more profound understanding between the owners and their dogs, beyond just obedience training. |
A.M., client
"I can't say enough nice things about Kathy. Somehow she managed, class after class, to give everyone so much individual attention that it was almost like having a private class--only with the advantage of getting to socialize with other dogs. She's so enthusiastic and encouraging. You can tell she loves working with people and their dogs."
G.E., client
"My dog listens to me much better and sees me as a leader. Before he would only listen to my fiance."
K.R., client