Better Relationship Better Dog Better Life

I’m Andrew Kurtz, a professional dog trainer in Columbus, Ohio, with a background that’s a little different from most trainers. Before I became a dog trainer, I spent a decade working in the mental health and education world — supporting at‑risk youth, counseling families, and helping people navigate real‑life challenges. I hold Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Sociology from The University of Toledo and a Master’s in School Counseling from The University of Dayton.

That experience shaped everything about the way I train dogs today: clear communication, emotional awareness, structure, and meeting each family exactly where they are.

My journey into dog training started with my first dog, Mack — a rescued German Shepherd who came to us in rough shape after spending his first year chained to a tree. We were living in a tiny apartment, working long hours, and juggling grad school, but we knew he needed us. Mack was smart, anxious, loyal, and complicated… and he taught me more about behavior than any textbook ever could.

A couple years later we adopted Dexter, a goofy pitty-lab mix with separation anxiety and a talent for destruction. He and Mack became the perfect yin and yang — one cautious, one carefree — and together they sparked my interest in fostering. Over time, we fostered multiple dogs, and I learned how much you can understand simply by watching dogs interact, adapt, and settle into a new environment.

In 2016, after losing my father to leukemia, I decided to follow the path I truly cared about. I completed the National K9 Master Trainer Program with credentials in Advanced Obedience, Off‑Leash Obedience, Tracking and Trailing, Scent Detection, Service Dog Training, and Personal Protection. That same year, I launched my first training business and quickly found myself working everything from tough behavioral cases to helping a Police K9 team.

Then life changed again. In early 2017, my 18‑month‑old son was diagnosed with leukemia. I stepped away from training to become his full‑time caregiver. Treatment lasted 3.5 years, and while I continued helping neighbors and past clients when I could, my focus was on getting my son through the hardest chapter of his life.

After getting him through treatment, and then COVID, I was finally able to focus again on what I truly loved-- Training dogs and helping owners.

Today, I run a premium, training‑focused facility designed for clarity, structure, and real behavioral change. Just purposeful training that helps dogs become confident, responsive, and outstanding companions. My approach blends my background in mental health, Master Trainer education, and years of hands‑on experience working with dogs of all breeds and temperaments.

Whether you’re raising a puppy, navigating reactivity, or trying to bring more peace into your home, I’m here to help you build a better relationship with your dog — one built on communication, clarity, and trust.