Top Dawg K-9

Morganton, NC

We are in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

 

Les Seidel

Les, the master trainer and founder of Top Dawg K-9, has been training dogs for 40 + yrs and has an uncanny ability to read a dog and get into their mind and this has made him a success. He was the head trainer for the "New Leash On Life" at the Foot Hills minimum security prison in Burke Co., (Morganton), NC for 2 years, traveling there 5 days a week to direct the inmates on dog training. He worked in association with the Humane Society, taking dogs that had spent most of their lives in their no-kill facility and were deemed unadoptable. He taught the inmates how to turn these dogs into desirable companion dogs and his adoption rate was 100%. He also became the Animal Cruelty Investigator for the Humane Society in Burke County. He volunteered his time for the sake of the dogs. Due to the numerous requests to train for the private sector, he opened Top Dawg K-9.

 

Linda Seidel

Linda, the wife of Les Seidel, shares his love for dogs (and all other critters). She was a wildlife rehabilitator for 20+ yrs and now is the Assistant Trainer for Top Dawg K-9. Together they work to make sure the dogs and people that come to them for training, can learn to co-exist as a family.

 

Our Beliefs

We believe that all breeds are not created equal. If you're looking for a dog, you must first consider your life style and your surroundings. You must also consider the time you must provide to care for the dog whether it be grooming, training and/or house breaking (if getting a puppy). So many dogs end up in unfortunate circumstances because their owner fell in love with a cute fuzzy puppy, but when it kept using the carpet for a bathroom or barked at people when they came to the door, they were sent to live outdoors on a chain, or worse still, taken to Animal Control in "hopes" that some nice person will come in and adopt their unwanted dog. The rescue shelters are limited to how many dogs they can take in due to budget constraints and state laws, so your dog may not be one of the lucky ones. He/she may end up on death row.

Please, for the sake of the animals, do your research BEFORE you get a dog or puppy. Think with your head as well as with your heart when you see that cute dog. Research the breed if it's a purebred to find out what you'll be facing. If you're considering a puppy for Christmas, wait until AFTER the holidays before you get it. There's a lot involved with caring for a new puppy that's in a strange new home. Pottie training and chewing are the 2 biggest problems. Those new toys under the tree, the ribbons and the wrapping paper, are very tempting for a puppy to chew on. Everyone has the picture in their mind of a cute puppy sticking out of a stocking or in a box Christmas morning. Resist it!! There's enough confusion during this time of year, don't add to it. If you are considering a puppy and have promised the children one, get a picture of a/the dog and put it in a box with new puppy toys and other things the new arrival will need. Then wrap it up and put it under the tree. When the holidays have passed, and the tree is down and the decorations are put away, then bring the puppy home. Everyone, including the dog, will be much happier. Above all, train the dog, take obedience classes or send him for training. Make it a pleasure to live with your dog, isn't that the reason you got him? And one other thing, please, consider adopting from a shelter. And remember: don't let your dog become a population statistic, spay or neuter your pet .