Hello

I’m Walker, owner and head trainer at Woods Family Dog Training.

Dogs have always been a huge part of my life—but I wasn’t born a dog trainer. I actually started in the same place many of my clients do: I loved dogs, but most of the time I couldn’t get them to do what I wanted them to do. That frustration is what pushed me to learn, grow, and eventually turn my passion into a profession.

At Woods Family Dog Training, we focus on meeting you and your dog exactly where you are. Every dog is different, and every family is different, which is why our private lessons are custom-tailored to fit your dog’s needs and your lifestyle.

Follow along on our social media for daily updates, training progress, and a behind-the-scenes look at what we’re working on each day.

My Story

Dogs have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a young child, I worked alongside my father breeding and training beagles for Pennsylvania rabbit hunting, while also helping raise Golden Retrievers that were both family companions and reliable dogs in the pheasant fields. Those early experiences taught me respect for good dog work, patience, and the importance of building dogs that could hunt and live comfortably at home.

Fifteen years ago, when I rescued my first dog, Rocco, I never imagined I’d become a professional dog trainer. At the time, I could barely walk down the sidewalk without being dragged into the street. I was embarrassed to walk my own dog and had no idea where to start.

After months of research, trial and error, and hands-on training, Rocco became a great neighborhood walking buddy. Like many of my clients today, I struggled to sift through endless books, DVDs, seminars, and conflicting advice, all while trying to figure out what actually worked.

That search eventually led me to apprentice under professional trainers. A few years later, I was paying the bills by helping neighbors train their dogs. I’m not magic, and I’m not a “dog whisperer.” I simply have the right information—and a lot of real-world practice.

In 2016, I became a certified DVG Regional Helper for the sport of IPO/Schutzhund, an experience that shaped both my approach to dog training and my outlook on life. Schutzhund reinforced several core principles I still train by today:

Surround yourself with people who share your goals
Success comes from working smarter, not just harder
Show up prepared and train with purpose

In 2018, I trained my first pointing dog for a friend, which opened the door to the upland world. I became involved with local NAVHDA and NAHRA training groups, where I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of hunting dog training—and learned what truly produces reliable dogs in real hunting situations.

Today, I train my own pointing dogs for the grouse woods and Labrador retrievers as duck dogs and hunt test competitors. My focus is on practical, honest dog work that holds up in the field and creates dogs people genuinely enjoy hunting over.

In 2023, my wife Carly and I officially founded Woods Family Dog Training. After years of commuting to larger markets to build my career, we felt it was time to bring our style of training home to central Pennsylvania.

If you see us out training in public, don’t hesitate to say hello. We love meeting our neighbors and talking dogs.