Evolution Dog Training, LLC

In 2009, I got my first Boxer from a breeder. I wanted to do everything "right" so we signed her up for training lessons at Petsmart. She did so well in the classes we wanted to find a more challenging venue for her. We found another trainer and we fit very well with her. As I was focused on her, we imported our first boxer a fawn pup we named Presco. Presco was my first everything, first show dog, first demo dog when I started training on the side to pay for my expensive dogsport habit. Currently I have 2 European Boxers that are my demo dogs Tia and Capone. I have also learned a lot with them. Together we participate in the rigorous dogsport called Schutzhund, originally made for German Shepherds only, the Boxers like to come in and crash the party. I was forced to end my first career as a Police Officer in 2016 due to diagnosis of a chronic uncurable illness. I made Evolution Dog Training, LLC a full time business in 2020. I am the owner and head trainer Ellasha Ferriell. I have dog training experience since 2009, competitive dog training since 2012. I have competed Nationally in dog sports and wont numerous titles in FCI (international) and AKC (American Kennel Club). I have my Bachelor's Degree in Justice Administration from the University of Louisville in 2007. I worked as a Police Officer from 2008- 2016 for Louisville Metro Police Department as a patrol officer. In 2011 I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus, I fought for as long as I could on the department but ended up having to resign in 2016 because of my illness. That is when I had the idea to work with dogs full time. Mine had helped me so much in one of the darkest times in my life and so I had a new mission. Our local shelter Louisville Metro Animal Service was having a very hard time with dogs, I had an interesting idea but I wanted to prove it before I said anything. In 2022, I was extremely sick, I had 4 major surgeries in 4 months. but I still kept tabs on LMAS intakes. I was able to hypothesize that if we could somehow get a hold of people before they surrender their dog to LMAS and fix the problem they are having we may be able to lower the number of dogs that are turned in. 
Evolution Dog Training offers Group Classes (Puppy Enrichment, Beginner Obedience, Advanced Obedience) Private Lessons (In-Home Private Lessons), AKC Rally Classes (Novice, Advanced & Excellent Levels) AKC Obedience Classes (Beginner Novice, Novice) AKC Evolution Fit Club (Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3- this also includes monthly pack walks and a Membership for extra training.  Two of our instructors are AKC Canine Good Citizen Certified so we hold monthly certification dates for people who are ready to have their AKC-registered dogs certified for Canine Good Citizen- at all levels- CGC, CGC-Advanced, CGC-Urban and S.T.A.R. Puppy. We also offer Trick Dog Certifications at every level as well, the same days as the CGC. Even if you just want to come and do a fun run through the courses its fine with us.  
We also offer Education-Only classes which will be set in a classroom setting. These classes are what sets us apart from other dog trainers. We offer educational 4 week classes on the following topics: Puppy 101, Heeling & Leash Handling 101, Issuing Commands 101, Responsible Dog Ownership, Nutrition 101 & Vaccinations, AKC Intro to Rally Rules & Regulations.

1Origin Story:

I started “Evolution Dog Training, LLC” a long time ago in 2012. It didn’t have that name, but I was determined to help my fellow dogsport people. I was showing my own dogs and theirs in AKC Obedience and Rally trials when I could. I fell in love with training. It gave me an outlet from being diagnosed with Lupus and the hardness of being a police officer and all the negativity I received when I got diagnosed because I missed a lot of work. In 2016, it was impossible for me to continue to work as a police officer and I had to resign medically. I decided to put everything into dog training. I looked at my city. The area I lived in did Not have a reliable dog trainer. So in 2020, I decided to register with the state and make “Evolution Dog Training, LLC” and business. In 2022 I enrolled in CATCH Dog Trainer Academy, My years of experience is enough but I would like a certificate and continuing education is definitely my thing. So I went on a popular Facebook group and asked if anyone would be interested in a physical training center in this area. It took me by storm. As of today, I have 122 members waiting on me to get a brick and mortar so they can take dog lessons. My utmost goal with my dog training and education center is hel bridge that communication gap between dog and owner. I believe that if more people are educated on dog behavior and are taught how to communicate with their particular dog, we will have a lot less dogs being taking to LMAS (Louisville metro animal services) or rescues or even euthanized because of something that can be fixed through training. Don’t get me wrong, in some cases there is no option but humane euthanization of a dog for the safety of all. That’s a tough decision but its my job to make sure it’s the only option. 

We also do local vendor events with other dog friendly businesses in our city. These events are fun, I take our demo dog (my dog Tia, shes a 7 year old European Boxer, shes perfect for these), I think Tia draws the crowd in, she’s definitely a social butterfly. But we do raffles and demos every hour. It’s a lot of fun collaborating. May 12 & 13 we are doing a educational spot with Louisville Science Center educating families on how they should approach a stranger dog, what they should do if they become approached by an unfriendly dog while out, what not to do in these situations, how to introduce dog/puppy to new baby, Dog bites to children: How to prevent them. We really love opportunities like this.