Built on Discipline.
Proven by Results.
I don't do fluff. I do what works. Twenty years in the military, including Special Operations as the medic trusted with both operators and Multi-Purpose Canines, taught me that leadership and relationship get results. My proprietary TOP Framework™ brings that standard to your dog.
CPDT-KA Verified
Independent CCPDT credential current through June 30, 2029
Direct With Ryan
Every evaluation is reviewed personally before a training path is recommended
Going National
Pawprint Academy™, founded to take the system nationwide
The standard isn't negotiable.
"I specialize in simplifying complex behaviors and delivering results on accelerated timelines."
My name is Ryan Loseke, founder of TOP Dog Training LLC. Before I ever trained a pet dog, I spent 20 years in the military. That included over a decade as a Special Operations Medic alongside elite Multi-Purpose Canine handlers in Special Operations Command, where I provided emergency care for both operators and working dogs, and 15 years instructing in high-risk training environments where failure wasn't an option.
The dog training industry is full of shortcuts and conflicting advice. I don't subscribe to that. I earned my CPDT-KA through documented training experience and an independent national exam. I rely on science-backed, ethical methods that build reliable dogs and a better life at home.
Training Programs
Choose Your Path.
Local & Traveling Clients
Work Directly With Ryan
- Direct one-on-one guidance and coaching
- Private programs built around your dog and family
- Based in Sneads Ferry, NC. Qualified clients willing to travel may be considered.
Nationwide Access
Train Through Pawprint Academy
- Training education built on the TOP Framework™
- Virtual and self-directed options anywhere
- Continued support for graduates and remote families
Trust · Obey · Perform
The TOP Framework™
A structured approach for home and pet dogs built on fair communication, clear expectations, and measurable progress.
Trust
The foundation. Dogs need faith in their trainer, not frustration from unfair or forceful tactics. I establish a safe, trusting environment where learning is possible.
Obey
The gateway to confidence. Through layered obedience training rewarding compliance with verbal and non-verbal cues, dogs learn they can earn positive outcomes.
Perform
Excellence in action. Peak potential is built on trust and obedience. We transition from basic commands to advanced obedience and specialized tasks with reliability.
The Operating Principle
Leadership and relationship guide everything we do, and every method we use.
That principle wasn't invented for dog training. It was seated in 20 years of military service and my history in Special Operations, where the relationship between handler and K9 is everything.
Result-Based Completion (In-Home Integration)
One Price. Result-Based Completion.
If your dog needs more time than the initial estimate, the agreed In-Home Integration training job continues without an added training charge. Read the terms.
Money-Back Guarantee (6-Week Program)
Completely Risk-Free
Request a 100% refund at any time before the third in-person lesson begins. Read the full scope.
Service Area Note
Located outside our immediate service area? Qualified clients willing to travel to Sneads Ferry, NC may still be considered. Submit an evaluation request and Ryan will personally determine the best path.
From the Field
Proof you can see.
The Proof.
Real results from owners who trusted me with their dogs.
"We highly recommend TOP Dog Training! We recently welcomed two 12 week old Newfoundland puppies to our family. Knowing that our girls would grow to be very large dogs, it was important that they be obedient and well behaved. We had the "love" part down but we needed guidance for training and communication. Ryan and Breanna bring a wealth of knowledge, professionalism, and commitment to dog training. They utilize evidenced based science in their approach and help owners to understand and apply the rationale for each training scenario. Our dogs' personalities are quite different and they taught us how to adapt our approach to specific behavioral issues. We had private, in home sessions which were invaluable. In addition, we had weekly progress calls, homework, weekly group calls, and weekly group classes. TOP Dog has an App we can access to review what we learned in our individual sessions as well as content from the group calls. And because their support is ongoing, we know that we can call or text with questions should any issues arise in the future. This training was worth every penny and we are so grateful for Ryan and Breanna's dedication and expertise. And the dogs love them!"
Val Wareham
Two Newfoundland Puppies
"Working with TOP Dog Training has genuinely been life-changing for our family. Luna, our 4-year-old rescue, used to struggle with anxiety around other dogs and strangers, and we were nervous taking her anywhere as we feared a blow-up. Now, after training, she's calmer, has great recall, and those "blow ups" are few and far between. From the very first phone call, Ryan and Breanna made us feel completely at ease and earned our trust with their kindness, honesty, and clear communication. Handing Luna over for five weeks was a huge deal for us, but we always felt she was safe, cared for, and treated like one of their own. The changes we've seen in Luna are incredible. She can relax in situations that used to overwhelm her, and we feel like we can finally include her in more of our everyday life. Just as importantly, Ryan and Breanna spent so much time educating us that my wife and I now feel confident handling her and reinforcing everything she learned. It's obvious how much they truly care about the dogs and the owners they work with, and that level of commitment is rare. We are so grateful we found TOP Dog and can honestly say they were the perfect choice for Luna's training. We recommend them wholeheartedly to anyone who loves their dog and wants real, lasting results"
Heath
Owner of Luna (Rescue)
"I cannot recommend these trainers enough. I have two hunting dogs ages 5 & 8, both great at their jobs, but I've never put real work into obedience training. For a while, I had the mindset that they were too old and set in their ways to truly learn the skills I wish they knew. I came across TOP Dog and enrolled in their 6 week program to see if it was something we could benefit from. All I can say is WOW. Every single lesson we did, I was just amazed at the progress we made. My dogs went from being an absolute nightmare on a leash to walking on a loose leash while staying engaged in SIX weeks. For the first time, I can truly say I enjoy walking my dogs on a leash. I also saw a 180 in how they react when guests come over with some other skills we learned. Throughout the entire process, Breanna did an amazing job explaining their behavior and patterns, as well as the methods she used to work through them. This not only helped me understand my dogs better, but also set us all up for success to continue training on my own. Something else that I feel is so important when looking for a dog trainer is finding someone who will hold you accountable. Keeping up with training at home can be hard with a busy schedule, but their app helps guide and troubleshoot between sessions so there's no guessing when you're on your own. The 6 week program also included phone calls between private sessions which helped ensure I am on the right path and gave me a little extra support. I cannot thank you guys enough!!"
Danielle S
Two Hunting Dogs
The next mission: national.
TOP Dog Training LLC serves Sneads Ferry and qualified traveling clients. Pawprint Academy makes the TOP Framework™ available to owners nationwide.
Pawprint Academy App
Access structured courses, tracking tools, and video demonstrations straight from your phone.
The Pawprint Academy Podcast
Deep dives into canine behavior, training philosophy, and interviews with industry experts.
Latest Episodes
All EpisodesAdvanced Heeling and Focus Work
In this episode, its our first ‘out and about’ mobile recording, so bear with us on the sound quality! We did our best! Advanced heel work is not about creating a dog that spends its entire life glued to your leg. It is about creating a dog that understands exactly where you want them, pays attention to where you're going, and can stay connected when the environment gets difficult. The finished product should actually create more freedom. When your dog has learned that level of communication and focus, moving through the real world together becomes dramatically easier.
Building Reliability Off-Leash: When and How to Trust Your Dog
This episode explores one of the biggest milestones in dog training: earning off-leash reliability. Too many owners remove the leash because their dog has been successful a handful of times, only to discover that freedom quickly exposes the holes in their training. We explain why off-leash reliability is not built on trust alone, but on thousands of successful repetitions, clear communication, and consistent accountability. Freedom should never be rushed or assumed. It should be earned through proven performance across multiple environments and distractions. We also break down why the environment matters just as much as the dog. A dog that performs beautifully in the backyard may struggle at the beach, on a hiking trail, or around wildlife and other dogs. You'll learn how to honestly evaluate your dog's current abilities, when to increase freedom, and when to take a step back in training. We discuss why long lines, fenced environments, and progressive proofing are essential tools for building reliability without sacrificing safety. Great trainers do not gamble on their dog's success, they create it intentionally. Finally, we challenge the idea that every dog needs to become an off-leash dog. Off-leash privileges should be based on temperament, training, and consistency, not owner expectations or social media trends. A reliable dog understands that commands are not optional simply because the leash has been removed. Whether your goal is hiking, traveling, or simply building greater trust with your dog, this episode provides a practical framework for developing off-leash reliability the right way. The goal is not to get the leash off as quickly as possible, it is to build a dog that remains calm, accountable, and engaged regardless of whether the leash is attached.
Using Play for Training: Toys, Fetch, and Tug as Leadership Tools
Play is one of the most valuable and underused tools in dog training. Toys, fetch, and tug can build motivation, strengthen engagement, and create a more cooperative relationship between dogs and their owners. Without structure, however, play can also create demanding behavior, over-arousal, poor impulse control, and unhealthy fixation. In this episode, we explain how to turn everyday games into productive training opportunities. You will learn how to create clear rules around tug and fetch, use toys as rewards for obedience, teach clean starts and releases, and help your dog move calmly between excitement and control. By the end, you will understand how structured play can improve focus, strengthen commands, and teach your dog that the best parts of life happen through cooperation with you.