ABOUT OUR TRAINERS
Meet the Off Leash K9 Training, Atlanta Team
Bryan & Joanne swihart - owners
Bryan & JoAnne Swihart are the owners and head trainers for Off Leash K9 Training, Atlanta - offering locations in Atlanta/Smyrna, Athens, Peachtree City, Augusta, Duluth, Columbus, and Macon. We moved to the Atlanta area to settle near family after opening successful locations in Charlottesville, Virginia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Bryan is an Army veteran with multiple deployments; while deployed he was impressed with military working dog’s impeccable obedience training and high level of confidence enabling them to be the most well trained canines in the world. Bryan has a lifelong love of dogs starting with his first dog “Squeak,” who used to sleep under his crib every night. He has owned and trained a wide assortment of dogs ranging from Chihuahuas to Pitbulls; including his current comrades, a Rejected Labradoodle, American Staffordshire Terrier Mix, and the newest addition a German Shepherd Hound Mix. Bryan has a special love for “Bully Breeds” and wants to empower people to showcase what wonderfully loyal and loving dogs they really are. After serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, he can now focus where his passion is. With a degree in business and finance giving him a solid small business foundation, with the precision and passion needed to transform your dog from unruly to obedient, frightened to confident, timid to content.
JoAnne’s passion is transforming fearful and anxious pups into stable confident members of the family! This passion began 5 years ago while fostering an extremely fearful young pup, who soon became a beloved member of the family. Obedience training helped transform the dog from a dog who was terrified of people to a super snuggle bug and constant companion for their 4 year old son. JoAnne has background in business and biological research and left her corporate career to join her husband in running Off Leash K9 Training, Georgia full time 3 years ago.
Bryan and JoAnne are thrilled to bring Off Leash K9 Training to Georgia, specializing in the same obedience training techniques used by the military and law enforcement. This style of training encompasses his core beliefs and philosophy of consistency, fairness, and crystal clear communication that will turn your dog into a well behaved member of society in any situation.
Professional Member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
Bryan & Joanne swihart - owners
Mike Trimble
Mike Trimble is a lifelong dog owner and animal lover. Mike has always had a special affinity for rescues. He discovered his passion for training when he adopted a challenging Boxer mix, Obi. After completing the Advanced Obedience program through Off Leash K9 Training, Georgia, Mike found himself naturally helping others and soon became known as the ‘dog whisperer’ of his local dog park. His next rescue, a Rat Terrier mix named Roxy, flourished under the same training regimen! She went from being shy and knowing no commands at the shelter, to being much more confident and fully obedience trained in just a couple of weeks. The message was clear – keep going! Obi and Roxy continue their training, currently accompanying Mike as helpers for reactivity cases. His primary motivation is to improve quality of life for people and their dogs through a structured bond that fair and balanced training builds. Finding creative, real-world methods to help every client overcome their challenges is what he strives for!
Daniel Bozard
Daniel Bozard is a native of Marietta, Georgia, Daniel, and his family returned home from Louisiana to be closer to their family during the pandemic. After spending a career in higher education and non-profit fundraising, the pandemic presented an opportunity to make a career change and pursue an area of lifelong passion for Daniel. Having grown up with Shelties and Aussies, Daniel’s 4-year-old mixed breed, Beignet, had a completely different personality and was highly reactive. While transitioning home to Atlanta, Daniel thought the family may need to rehome Beignet until they sought out the services of a professional trainer. That experience quite literally changed the life of his family as well as Beignet. Beignet thrived with the structure, and Daniel found joy in the presence and connection that came from working with Beignet. Daniel is grateful to turn this passion into a career and to continue to develop his craft by being part of the Off Leash Georgia team. He looks forward to sharing with you what he continues to learn along this journey to help you and your dog build a harmonious and mutually rewarding relationship. Check Out Some of Daniel’s Before & After Videos!
Nic Hooks
Nic Hooks was born in Savannah Georgia but grew up all over the U.S due to his Dad being in the Marine Corps. He always had dogs growing up but Roxy his little brothers Doberman was the one who really sparked his passion for training dogs. After high school Nic followed in his Dads footsteps and joined the Marine Corps. There he served as a Military Working Dog handler before being selected for MARSOCs Multi Purpose K9 program. He has attended Vohne Licke Kennels for MPC Handlers course and has participated in multiple Train the Trainer programs. After his time in the Marine Corps he started working at K9s for Warriors a non profit that trains rescued dogs to be service dogs for disabled veterans. Outside of work he enjoys spending time hiking and camping with his fiancé Caroline and his 2 dogs Lana and Willow. Check Out Some of Nic’s Before & After Videos!
Anna Crispell
Anna Crispell has 2 huskies who love to be active, hiking, and camping. She made a career change since pre-Covid, from 20 yrs of management to Dog Training, when she started volunteering at local animal shelters, fostering and walking dogs. She realized that there are so many owner surrendered dogs due to lack of training. She made her goal to make a difference and reach out to pet owners and help them live in harmony with their dog. Anna is a team leader for a therapy dog volunteer organization that brings dogs to hospitals, schools and senior living facilities. She is also a leader of a local hiking group and participates in Appalachian Trail magic and events.
Jahi Hamilton
Jahi Hamilton was born and raised in Tucker GA in the metro atlanta area. He grew up having and training dogs from a very young age. Jahi attended the University of Georgia where he earned his B.S in psychology. He also raised a guide dog named Ray and trained with the Guide Dog Foundation. Jahi has experience volunteering at local shelters and vet offices. Through these experiences Jahi has learned a lot about animal behavior. He is currently pursuing his professional dog trainer certification through the Canine College of International Studies. Jahi enjoys working with people and their dogs of all ages and sizes and believes in a gentle but balanced approach to training.
Anna Slusser
Anna Slusser was born and raised in Acworth, GA. She grew up in a family that constantly fostered dogs, big and small. Her mother took to dog training, training their family dogs and Anna took after her. She has always had a passion for animals but dogs have a special spot in her heart. After working in customer service for five years Anna has developed a passion for people and making friendly connections with clients. She is so excited to have career that focuses on the people just as much as the pups. Check Out Some of Anna’s Before & After Videos!
Shane
Shane Hutchins was born in Tampa, Florida and grew up in Metro Atlanta. He developed a passion for dog training after getting involved with his wife in protection sports with their Dutch Shepherds. The high degree of obedience required to compete led to him diving deeper and deeper into a wide variety of training styles and techniques. This passion grew into him co-founding a working dog club where he continued to develop his skills. Eventually, he decided to switch professions and pursue dog training full time. Shane loves building confidence in dogs of all ages and helping owners and dogs better understand each other so they can have a more fulfilling life together. Most of his free time is spent at trials, attending seminars, training with friends and continuing his education. His hobbies outside of working dog sports include computer games and anime.
Lylia
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Lylia’s lifelong passion for animal behavior began in the third grade showing and breeding rabbits, eventually expanding into horses and competitive dog showing. Her extensive equine background—including speed events and colt starting—shaped her core training philosophy: patient, practical, clear, and deeply focused on building confidence.
With 5 years of professional dog training experience, Lylia specializes in turning household dogs into calm, enjoyable companions. She addresses everything from puppy basics, leash manners, and recall to reactivity and impulse control. Her goal is to strip away the overwhelm, making balanced, real-world training achievable for every family. She especially loves working with driven breeds and engaged owners who are eager to learn.
