Our Pack:
Emilee Mahar
Emilee Mahar
Emilee Mahar
Owner & Founder
Est. 2018
Emilee attended an out of state live-in Professional Dog Training School in 2017.
She completed The Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers 35-hour Behavior Modification course in 2021.
Emilee completed The Aggressive Dog Master Course and Genetics Behind Aggression with Michael Shikashio in 2022.
She completed the Aggr
Owner & Founder
Est. 2018
Emilee attended an out of state live-in Professional Dog Training School in 2017.
She completed The Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers 35-hour Behavior Modification course in 2021.
Emilee completed The Aggressive Dog Master Course and Genetics Behind Aggression with Michael Shikashio in 2022.
She completed the Aggression and Anxiety Mentorship: A Deep Dive into Complex Behaviors under Dr. Camille Ward (MS, PhD, CAAB) from July–September 2025.
She has completed Training Without Conflict coursework with Ivan Balabanov, including possession games, teaching the out, and competitive vs non-competitive play.
She has over 500 Dog Shelter Volunteer Hours and is Fear Free Shelters Certified as of 2025.
Emilee also completed a hands-on Shadow Program in Dog Training and Business Management with Tyler Muto in 2021, the former president of the IACP.
Between 2017 and current, she has attended 240+ hours of hands-on seminars across the country covering behavior rehabilitation, aggression, protection sports, PSA competition, KNPV work, and practical dog training under trainers including Jonathan Katz, Dr. Stewart Hilliard, and Forest Micke.
She founded Smart K9 Training in Fargo, North Dakota in 2017 and later founded Smart K9 Online in 2022. Other training facilities programs look familiar? She has Trailblazed the Dog Training Industry in the Fargo Metro Area.
She currently prioritizes mentoring and coaching both professional dog trainers and dog owners worldwide, with a focus on true behavior rehabilitation and complex behavioral cases. She hosts in person Seminars and Retreats where students travel from all over North America to attend.
Emilee has worked hands-on with thousands of dogs and their families. She specializes in fearful, over-aroused, anxious, and reactive dogs.
Her personal dog is named Finnegan, a KNPV Belgian Malinois. Together they have earned PSA 1 (the only one in the state), their PSA PDC, with multiple high PSA scoring remarks from the judge including 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place, With Distinction and With Highest Distinction Scores.
They also mess around and have fun with some AKC Trick Dog titles including TKN, TKI, and CGC which is great for pets owners.
Madison
Emilee Mahar
Emilee Mahar
Trainer
Madison’s journey into dog training began in 2018 after adopting her reactive dog, Elsa. At the time, she was repeatedly told by trainers and veterinarians that Elsa should be euthanized. That experience changed everything. It pushed Madison to learn more, advocate harder, and commit to giving dogs a real chance at a better life.
Si
Trainer
Madison’s journey into dog training began in 2018 after adopting her reactive dog, Elsa. At the time, she was repeatedly told by trainers and veterinarians that Elsa should be euthanized. That experience changed everything. It pushed Madison to learn more, advocate harder, and commit to giving dogs a real chance at a better life.
Since then, Madison has built years of hands-on experience working with dogs of all backgrounds, with a strong focus on shelter and behaviorally challenged dogs. She has volunteered and worked with the Humane Society of Detroit Lakes since 2016, where she gained extensive experience handling dogs with fear, reactivity, and limited training histories.
Madison has completed over 1,000 hours of dog shelter volunteer hours.
She attended CCA, completed the Basics Pro program, and is certified in Pet First Aid and CPR. She is also AKC-certified to help dogs earn their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title and has completed additional coursework and certifications in Fear Free Shelter Practices and Canine Enrichment.
Madison believes that every dog deserves patience, advocacy, and an owner who understands them. Her goal is simple: improve the lives of dogs by strengthening the relationship between dogs and the people who love them.
Alyssa
Emilee Mahar
Alyssa
Dog Handler
Alyssa graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with an emphasis in Pre-Veterinary Medicine, and her background reflects a strong and consistent focus on animal health, handling, and behavior. Throughout collage she was also an active member of a Pre-Veterinary Club, where she participated in ongoing education, sk
Dog Handler
Alyssa graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with an emphasis in Pre-Veterinary Medicine, and her background reflects a strong and consistent focus on animal health, handling, and behavior. Throughout collage she was also an active member of a Pre-Veterinary Club, where she participated in ongoing education, skill labs, and professional development centered around veterinary medicine.
Her longest and most consistent hands-on experience has been in veterinary and shelter settings, where she has spent several years working directly with animals in high-stress, high-responsibility environments. Alyssa has worked as a Veterinary Assistant, supporting physical exams, diagnostics, treatments, and safe handling during procedures, imaging, and sample collection. She has also shadowed emergency veterinarians, gaining exposure to triage, stabilization, and fast-paced clinical decision making.
In addition to her veterinary background, Alyssa has extensive experience in animal shelters and foster care, providing daily care, enrichment, and behavioral observation for dogs with a wide range of temperaments and histories. Much of her work has involved handling fearful, injured, or behaviorally unpredictable dogs with patience, confidence, and a strong understanding of safety and stress reduction.
Alyssa brings a calm, thoughtful presence to her work and a deep respect for both the physical and emotional needs of the dogs in her care.
what affects a dogs behavior?
Genetics
Hormones, Health, and Nutrition
Genetics
A dog's genetics provide a foundation for its behavior, and recognizing these predispositions can aid in effective training and care.
A dog's behavior is significantly influenced by its genetics from its inherited from its lineage. For instance, a hunting breed dog is more likely to be predisposed to have a retrieving instinct. This may sh
A dog's genetics provide a foundation for its behavior, and recognizing these predispositions can aid in effective training and care.
A dog's behavior is significantly influenced by its genetics from its inherited from its lineage. For instance, a hunting breed dog is more likely to be predisposed to have a retrieving instinct. This may show up to you as a pesky behavior when they want to mouth and carry around random objects.
Aggressive tendencies or shyness can also be linked to genetic factors, emphasizing the importance of understanding a dog's breed-specific traits.
Drive
Hormones, Health, and Nutrition
Genetics
A dog's drive refers to its inherent and internal motivation to perform certain behaviors. Different dogs have varying levels and types of drives, which are influenced by a combination of genetics, environment, and individual temperament. There are several common drives in dogs:
Prey Drive: This drive motivates a dog to chase, catch, and
A dog's drive refers to its inherent and internal motivation to perform certain behaviors. Different dogs have varying levels and types of drives, which are influenced by a combination of genetics, environment, and individual temperament. There are several common drives in dogs:
Prey Drive: This drive motivates a dog to chase, catch, and sometimes even kill prey.
Pack Drive: Pack drive influences their desire to be part of a group, whether it's their human family or other dogs.
Defense Drive: This can manifest as a response to perceived threats, making the dog alert, assertive, or even aggressive in defense of themselves or their territory.
Herd Drive: Common in herding breeds, this drive is linked to the instinct to control the movement of animals. Dogs with a high herd drive may exhibit behaviors like circling or nipping, even in the absence of actual livestock.
Understanding a dog's drive is crucial for effective training and ensuring that their needs are met.
Hormones, Health, and Nutrition
Hormones, Health, and Nutrition
Hormones, Health, and Nutrition
Hormones, such as cortisol and testosterone, play a significant role in influencing a dog's stress levels, mood, and overall demeanor. Changes in hormonal levels can lead to alterations in behavior, affecting aspects like aggression, anxiety, or even reproductive behaviors. Additionally, a dog's health, including conditions like pain or i
Hormones, such as cortisol and testosterone, play a significant role in influencing a dog's stress levels, mood, and overall demeanor. Changes in hormonal levels can lead to alterations in behavior, affecting aspects like aggression, anxiety, or even reproductive behaviors. Additionally, a dog's health, including conditions like pain or illness, can profoundly impact their behavior. Discomfort or pain may cause irritability or a decrease in activity levels. Furthermore, nutrition is a key factor in a dog's overall well-being, influencing their energy levels, cognitive function, and even temperament. A well-balanced diet supports optimal brain function and emotional stability, while nutritional deficiencies can contribute to behavioral issues. Understanding and addressing these interconnected aspects of hormones, health, and nutrition is crucial for maintaining a dog's physical and mental well-being, ultimately shaping their behavior and quality of life.
Lifestyle and Training
Hormones, Health, and Nutrition
Hormones, Health, and Nutrition
The environment in which a dog lives, the amount of physical exercise it engages in, and the mental stimulation it receives all contribute to shaping its behavior. Dogs with an active lifestyle, regular exercise, and varied stimuli are more likely to exhibit positive behaviors, such as reduced anxiety and boredom-related issues.
A lack of
The environment in which a dog lives, the amount of physical exercise it engages in, and the mental stimulation it receives all contribute to shaping its behavior. Dogs with an active lifestyle, regular exercise, and varied stimuli are more likely to exhibit positive behaviors, such as reduced anxiety and boredom-related issues.
A lack of proper training and socialization can lead to behavioral problems, such as aggression or excessive barking. It's crucial for dog owners to provide a balanced lifestyle, incorporating mental and physical activities, along with consistent, training methods, to foster a well-behaved and contented canine companion.
As Behavior Specialists..
we believe
The most important thing that saves the lives of dogs is training. Whether that is obedience or behavior rehabilitation, we need to create a healthy relationship between dog and owner.
Our methods are simple, logical, and they work. Once communication & leadership are built, everything will come with far greater ease.
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