Over 15 Years of Industry Experience
Your Go-To Dog Training Facility in Ohio
Bring your beloved furry friends to ZEN K9’s obedience and training center, and let us help them build the confidence and skills necessary to become a valued member of your family. Our dog training facility in Ohio provides a safe and nurturing training environment where your pet can thrive.
We offer personalized attention to ensure that each dog receives the care they deserve. Our daily activities, including lure coursing, group walks, and interactive games, are designed to provide a delightful experience for your dog while they learn and grow. Contact us today to learn more.
Private Lessons with Boarding and Day School Enrollment
Science-Backed Training Methods
Our dog training philosophy is firmly grounded in science and utilizes positive reinforcement strategies. Work with our dog trainer in Ohio; he promotes love, respect, and understanding. ZEN K9 is the perfect destination for you and your canine companion. Even better, we are now serving the Greater Cincinnati Tri-State Area.
About the Dog Trainer
David Michael Sanders
CPDT-KA, APDT Professional Member
The Early Years
Born of African American, Cherokee Indian, Scandinavian, and Irish descent, David Michael Sanders was born October 25th, 1973, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He spent the first six months of his life in a state-run children’s home. After being adopted, his new father committed suicide; David was only two years old. He went to live with his grandmother Mamie and grandfather Pa while his mother worked. While Mamie was walking David through the mall one morning, they came across a pet store.
A pit bull or boxer puppy was jumping up and down in the window; David’s eyes lit up like never before as he begged his grandmother to keep him. They took him home that day. Mamie named the dog “Mike” after St. Anthony because he was so angelic. The two were inseparable. David would go downstairs with Pa to help prepare Mike’s meals and go outside with Mamie to help clean up after him in the yard. When David was six, his mother remarried and moved to a rural community outside Cincinnati. He was devastated, leaving his best friend and grandparents. David fell into a deep depression.
He became extremely violent and quick to anger. He was getting in trouble in school, fighting and bullying his classmates. Exhausted by punishment, his parents decided to drive up to Hamilton, Ohio, and look at some puppies. When they returned, a Welsh corgi was in the back seat. David was absolutely elated; he couldn’t wait to go out in the backyard and run around with his new little friend.
The Rescue Years
Micky was a Cocker Spaniel who spent his entire life chained to a dog house in the neighbor’s backyard. The winters in Cincinnati were freezing. David’s parents could not stand to see the dog suffering, so they asked the neighbor if they could take him. The neighbor obliged without hesitation. Micky spent the rest of his years in the Sanders’ loving home with his new companion, Teddy, the Welsh Corgi.
When Micky passed away, David’s parents joined a greyhound rescue organization. They took in a female puppy named Brasil, who was going to be euthanized because she had a club foot and could not race. Over the next ten years, Penny, Gayla, Tara, and Pistol Pete came. These dogs came from the track; unfortunately, with that came maltreatment.
David helped his parents nurture them back to health and learned the art of rehabilitation through patience, love, and understanding. During these years, David also learned of the extent to which dogs can be abused and exploited and how every individual can make a difference in their lives.
The Wonder Years
After high school, David enrolled at the University of Cincinnati. He was struggling with what he wanted to do with his life. After a year at UC, he moved to Arizona to start a new life. He got a job as an artist at a graphics company and taught himself how to play the drums.
From 1994 to 2009, David became a professional musician versed in Latin, Jazz, Rock, Reggae, Rap, Hip-Hop, Blue Grass, Blues, and Country. He toured all over the US, playing thousands of shows. He shared the stage with:
- Brian McKnight
- The Manhattan Transfer
- Vince Welnick of The Tubes and The Grateful Dead
- John Fishman of Phish
- Buddy Strong of Usher
- Jessi Colter (Waylon Jennings Wife)
- Mac 10 (Westside Connection)
- B Real (Cyprus Hill)
- Rusted Root
- Paul Wall
- Cara Jackson (Miss Black Arizona 1999)
In 2009, David became ill from the years of hard living as a musician. He decided it was time to make a change in his life. David enrolled at The Animal Behavior College and decided to follow his true calling, working with dogs. He realized how important education was and chose to enroll in ASU’s transfer program at Rio Salado College.
Present to the Future
David is a Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society member, nationally certified through The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), and owner of Zen K9, LLC Obedience & Boarding. He works with juvenile offenders by sharing his experiences as a troubled youth in hopes of inspiring children to take a better path. Education, compassion, and unparalleled perseverance saved David’s life.
David has worked countless volunteer hours for no-kill rescue organizations such as Lucky Paws Shelter, Luv of Dogs Inc., One by One Rescue, Home Fur Good, BFF Rescue, AAWL, Paws Placement, The North American Search and Rescue Dog Network, and The Delta Society’s Pet Partner’s Program; to name a few. David has trained hundreds of unwanted dogs, most of which have found forever homes with the help of his obedience training and behavior modification.
He has joined lobby groups to aid in changing breed bans, dogfighting, animal exploitation, and animal abuse laws. David also trains emotional support dogs for America’s combat veterans and was nominated to represent Mayday Pit Bull Rescue in receiving the 2015 Outstanding Community Partner Award from the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections.
Establishment of ZEN K9
America is in an unimaginable state of disconnection. Child maltreatment and animal cruelty are rampant. Self-education, communal support, compassion, and understanding are the only ways to make a difference in this ever-changing socioeconomic world. From this philosophy came the birth of a dream, ZEN K9.
Mission Statement
While giving the public a fun and rewarding alternative to harsh and inhumane corrective methods, our goal is to provide an educational and intellectual approach that far supersedes the competition.
Over 15 Years of Industry Experience
Your Go-To Dog Training Facility in Ohio
Bring your beloved furry friends to ZEN K9’s obedience and training center, and let us help them build the confidence and skills necessary to become a valued member of your family. Our dog training facility in Ohio provides a safe and nurturing training environment where your pet can thrive.
We offer personalized attention to ensure that each dog receives the care they deserve. Our daily activities, including lure coursing, group walks, and interactive games, are designed to provide a delightful experience for your dog while they learn and grow. Contact us today to learn more.
Private Lessons with Boarding and Day School Enrollment
Science-Backed Training Methods
Our dog training philosophy is firmly grounded in science and utilizes positive reinforcement strategies. ZEN K9 is the perfect destination for you and your canine companion; we promote nothing but love, respect and understanding.
About the Dog Trainer
David Michael Sanders
CPDT-KA, APDT Professional Member
The Early Years
Born of African American, Cherokee Indian, Scandinavian, and Irish descent, David Michael Sanders was born October 25th, 1973, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He spent the first six months of his life in a state-run children’s home. After being adopted, his new father committed suicide; David was only two years old. He went to live with his grandmother Mamie and grandfather Pa while his mother worked. While Mamie was walking David through the mall one morning, they came across a pet store.
A pit bull or boxer puppy was jumping up and down in the window; David’s eyes lit up like never before as he begged his grandmother to keep him. They took him home that day. Mamie named the dog “Mike” after St. Anthony because he was so angelic. The two were inseparable. David would go downstairs with Pa to help prepare Mike’s meals and go outside with Mamie to help clean up after him in the yard. When David was six, his mother remarried and moved to a rural community outside Cincinnati. He was devastated, leaving his best friend and grandparents. David fell into a deep depression.
He became extremely violent and quick to anger. He was getting in trouble in school, fighting and bullying his classmates. Exhausted by punishment, his parents decided to drive up to Hamilton, Ohio, and look at some puppies. When they returned, a Welsh corgi was in the back seat. David was absolutely elated; he couldn’t wait to go out in the backyard and run around with his new little friend.
The Rescue Years
Micky was a Cocker Spaniel who spent his entire life chained to a dog house in the neighbor’s backyard. The winters in Cincinnati were freezing. David’s parents could not stand to see the dog suffering, so they asked the neighbor if they could take him. The neighbor obliged without hesitation. Micky spent the rest of his years in the Sanders’ loving home with his new companion, Teddy, the Welsh Corgi.
When Micky passed away, David’s parents joined a greyhound rescue organization. They took in a female puppy named Brasil, who was going to be euthanized because she had a club foot and could not race. Over the next ten years, Penny, Gayla, Tara, and Pistol Pete came. These dogs came from the track; unfortunately, with that came maltreatment.
David helped his parents nurture them back to health and learned the art of rehabilitation through patience, love, and understanding. During these years, David also learned of the extent to which dogs can be abused and exploited and how every individual can make a difference in their lives.
The Wonder Years
After high school, David enrolled at the University of Cincinnati. He was struggling with what he wanted to do with his life. After a year at UC, he moved to Arizona to start a new life. He got a job as an artist at a graphics company and taught himself how to play the drums.
From 1994 to 2009, David became a professional musician versed in Latin, Jazz, Rock, Reggae, Rap, Hip-Hop, Blue Grass, Blues, and Country. He toured all over the US, playing thousands of shows. He shared the stage with:
- Brian McKnight
- The Manhattan Transfer
- Vince Welnick of The Tubes and The Grateful Dead
- John Fishman of Phish
- Buddy Strong of Usher/Dave Matthews Band
- Jessi Colter (Waylon Jennings Wife)
- Mac 10 (Westside Connection)
- B Real (Cyprus Hill)
- Rusted Root
- Paul Wall
- Cara Jackson (Miss Black Arizona 1999)
- Tito Puente Jr
In 2009, David became ill from the years of hard living as a musician. He decided it was time to make a change in his life. David enrolled at The Animal Behavior College and decided to follow his true calling, working with dogs. He realized how important education was and chose to enroll in ASU’s transfer program at Rio Salado College.
Present to the Future
David is a Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society member, nationally certified through The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), and owner of Zen K9, LLC Obedience & Boarding. He works with juvenile offenders by sharing his experiences as a troubled youth in hopes of inspiring children to take a better path. Education, compassion, and unparalleled perseverance saved David’s life.
David has worked countless volunteer hours for no-kill rescue organizations such as Lucky Paws Shelter, Luv of Dogs Inc., One by One Rescue, Home Fur Good, BFF Rescue, AAWL, Paws Placement, The North American Search and Rescue Dog Network, and The Delta Society’s Pet Partner’s Program; to name a few. David has trained hundreds of unwanted dogs, most of which have found forever homes with the help of his obedience training and behavior modification.
He has joined lobby groups to aid in changing breed bans, dogfighting, animal exploitation, and animal abuse laws. David also trains emotional support dogs for America’s combat veterans and was nominated to represent Mayday Pit Bull Rescue in receiving the 2015 Outstanding Community Partner Award from the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections.
Our Mission
America is in an unimaginable state of disconnection. Child maltreatment and animal cruelty are rampant. Self-education, communal support, compassion, and understanding are the only ways to make a difference in this ever-changing socioeconomic world. From this philosophy came the birth of a dream, ZEN K9.
Mission Statement
America is in an unimaginable state of disconnection. Child maltreatment and animal cruelty are rampant. Self-education, communal support, compassion, and understanding are the only ways to make a difference in this ever-changing socioeconomic world. From this philosophy came the birth of a dream, ZEN K9 . While giving the public a fun and rewarding alternative to harsh and inhumane corrective methods, our goal is to provide an educational and intellectual approach that far supersedes the competition.