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K9 Unleashed, located in Richmond, Kentucky, was founded in 2005 by Tommy and Vickie Dillon.

The Dillon's saw a need for affordable well trained Family Guardians.

K9 Unleashed is here to help you protect those that matter most to you.  

German Shepherd working on bite grip and protection work.

Tommy Dillon

Owner / Trainer

Tommy's journey in dog training began in 2000 with an apprenticeship under renowned trainer David Harris at Animal Resorts and Training Center (ARTC). He later became the top trainer for PetSmart in central and west Florida, earning his Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) certification.

Recognizing the need for specialized training in protection and behavioral rehabilitation, Tommy founded K9 Unleashed to help dogs and owners achieve their full potential.

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After returning to Kentucky, Tommy took on the role of General Manager and Trainer at Protection Dog Sales, one of the top training and boarding facilities in the industry. His background in coaching college basketball—working alongside legends like Billy Donovan and Happy Osborne—gave him a unique ability to analyze behavior, break down complex training techniques, and deliver clear, results-driven instruction.

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With a proven track record of training elite protection dogs, achieving AKC obedience and IPO titles, and helping families build strong, reliable canine companions, Tommy is dedicated to providing world-class training. His passion lies in creating well-balanced, highly trained protection dogs through consistency, trust, and expert guidance. Whether you're looking for a loyal guardian or an expertly trained companion, Tommy and K9 Unleashed are committed to delivering excellence.

Various dogs doing down stays in the middle of the park field.

VICKIE DILLON

Trainer

Vickie Dillon, co-founder of Canine Unleashed, has always had a special connection with dogs. Raised in Lexington, Kentucky, she grew up surrounded by a close-knit family that nurtured her hardworking spirit. She carried that drive into her education, earning a Sociology degree from Eastern Kentucky University with a 3.6 GPA. But her true calling has always been working with dogs.

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Vickie’s talent as a trainer shines through in everything she does. One of her proudest moments was training her German Shepherd, Dixie, to earn AKC titles at just nine months old—winning first place not once, but twice! She takes an intuitive and fun approach to training, specializing in short, effective sessions that fit easily into a pet owner’s routine. Her boarding school program is a favorite, giving dogs a chance to learn good manners while staying in a warm, home-like setting. She firmly believes that training should be enjoyable for both dogs and their owners—so much so that she jokes about training her husband without him even knowing!

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Beyond training, Vickie is also a skilled groomer. After graduating from the prestigious Nash Grooming Academy, she took on a full-time role in grooming at Canine Unleashed, ensuring that every dog not only behaves well but looks great too!

Trainer sitting while dogs do down stays in the shade.
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