WE ARE TEACHERS
Partners Dog Training School is first and foremost a place of learning. Our passion is dog training and human education, and our goal is to provide an environment where you and your dog can grow and succeed.
Behavior Experts
Our staff have over 100 years of combined experience in pet behavior. With us, it is not only recognizing what is happening, but finding solutions. Our Board & Train Camp program is nationally recognized as one of the best. Our dog school even won the Facility of the Year Award in 2014.
Always Positive
Positive training is the new catchword. For almost two decades, Partners has used motivational training to help dogs. We use treats, verbal reward, and a whole lot of love to establish a motivated, yet structured environment.
Diverse
We work with all shapes, sizes, breeds and personalities of dogs. Likewise, we take careful consideration in matching your trainer to you so that we can then achieve the best results. Also, with a wide variety of programs and classes, we are sure to have the right fit for you.
- Success Rate 95%
- Motivational Training 98%
- Social Media Presence 80%
- Customer Happiness 95%
Our Origins
Founder and Training Director, Leighton Oosthuisen, emigrated from South Africa to the USA in 1992. While in South Africa, Leighton served Law Enforcement, Search & Rescue, and in the military working dog unit, specializing in Explosive and Narcotic detection K9’s. He started training dogs in 1973 at a mere 10 years old and in 1986 he joined a pet training school as an apprentice, going on to become an Instructor and later, the Head Trainer.
In December 1997, Leighton purchased an old race horse facility, named Lone Tree Ranch, and founded Partners Dog Training School. (The “lone tree” still exists on the main training field). This laid the foundation for what was to become one of the biggest dog training schools in the USA.
He met his first client, a Great Dane puppy, in a park near Paradise Valley Mall, and by word of mouth Leighton built a following of dedicated loyal customers, most of which are still with him to this day.
His goal was the same then as it is now, “Training Good Dogs to be Great”, and as they say…the rest is history.
Leighton Oosthuisen
Training Director
Leighton is a behavioral expert with over 40 years of dog training. He is a former K9 handler, and has worked with bomb dogs, drug dogs, and Search & Rescue dogs. He has also competed and titled dogs in French Ring, Agility, Dock Diving, and Schutzhund. He lives on the Partners School property with his family and seven dogs. Leighton is also a World Champion pistol shooter, and represented the USA in the 2014 World Pistol Championships.
Kelli McCoy
General Manager
Kelli started with Partners as a client in 2008 and in 2012, she joined the team. She has taught every level of class at the school, and specializes in behavior modification. Her true passion is developing a healthy relationship between dog and owner through training. She lives in Phoenix with her five dogs; Nessy, Tayzr, Tucker, Sophie, and Baylee. She truly is the definition of a crazy dog lady!
Kalie Rumaner
Head Trainer
With a Bachelors degree in Biological Science and a Minor in Animal Physiology & Animal Behavior from Arizona State University, Kalie specializes in behavioral modification for aggressive dogs and advanced obedience. She lives in Phoenix with her rescue pit bull, and spends her free time exploring the beautiful state of Arizona, and broadening her tattoo collection.
Want To Know More?
Have QUESTIONS? Need HELP? Want to TOUR our school?
Schedule a call, call us at 480.595.6700, or Email us