Meet Our Team
Marsha Durfee: ASCTI Certified Master Dog Trainer | ASCTI Certified HRD K9 Handler | ASCTI Certified HRD K9 Trainer | Desert Dogs K9 Search and Rescue Recovery HRD K9 Commander | B.S.C. Canine Behavioral Science
With over 21 years of hands-on experience, Marsha Durfee is a highly respected professional in the field of canine behavior and training. Recognized as a four-time Master Dog Trainer and ASCTI Certified, she has built a reputation for excellence through both real-world application and continued education. She is also an AKC-approved Judge for Farm Dog, ATT, and Fetch events, as well as an AKC Fit Dog Instructor, Levels 1–3, further demonstrating her expertise across performance, obedience, and fitness programs.
Marsha has earned her Bachelor's Degree in Canine Behavioral Science from London Hanover University, further strengthening her expertise in canine behavior, learning theory, and evidence-based training practices. She remains at the forefront of canine education by regularly attending in-person seminars, workshops, and online training programs, ensuring she stays current with the latest advancements in canine behavior, scent detection, and working dog development. Her commitment to lifelong learning allows her to provide the most effective, modern training methods for both family pets and professional working K9 teams.
She serves as an HRD K9 Trainer and is the HRD K9 Commander for Desert Dogs K9 Search and Rescue Recovery. Since 2019, Marsha has been actively training Search and Rescue K9s, developing advanced operational skills under the mentorship of a certified trainer specializing in Military and Law Enforcement K9s. This foundation has provided her with extensive knowledge in real-world deployment and working dog performance.
Marsha specializes in obedience, behavior modification, service dog training, therapy dog development, detection K9s, Search and Rescue (SAR), and Human Remains Detection (HRD) K9 training. Her approach blends science-based training principles with practical field experience, allowing her to successfully train both companion dogs and high-level working K9 teams.
As the founder of K9 Paws Behavior Dog Training, Marsha is committed to safe, humane, and effective training methods. Her mission is to build strong, reliable partnerships between dogs and their handlers while preparing each team for success in everyday life and specialized working environments.
Train with Confidence - Train with Experience
Whether you're looking to build a well-mannered family companion or develop a high-performing working K9, Marsha Durfee provides the knowledge, experience, and proven results you can trust.
Contact K9 Paws Behavior Dog Training today to get started and take the next step toward building a stronger, more reliable partnership with your dog.
Tyler Hansen: ASCTI Certified Trainer | ASCTI Certified Tracking Trainer | ASCTI Certified SAR K9 Handler | Volunteer Trainer
Tyler Hansen is a dedicated and highly motivated member of the K9 training community, known for his strong work ethic, professionalism, and commitment to continual growth.
With a passion for working with dogs and helping teams succeed, Tyler brings both hands-on skill and a level-headed, detail-oriented approach to every training environment.
Tyler has developed a solid foundation in canine behavior, obedience, and working-dog fundamentals through consistent training, mentorship, and real-world experience. He is recognized for his ability to communicate clearly with both handlers and dogs, creating a focused and positive learning atmosphere. His calm presence, willingness to learn, and ability to adjust quickly during high-pressure training scenarios make him a valuable asset to every team he supports.
Driven by a genuine passion for helping K9 teams reach their full potential, Tyler continues to expand his knowledge in obedience, detection, tracking, and search-and-rescue disciplines. His dedication to professional development and his enthusiasm for the K9 world reflect his commitment to providing safe, effective, and reliable training support.
Whether assisting in the field, supporting structured classes, or working one-on-one with handlers, Tyler Hansen exemplifies the qualities of a dependable and forward-thinking K9 professional.
Mark Naumer: ASCTI Certified Pet Trainer | AKC CGC Evaluator | Volunteer Trainer
Mark Naumer is an ASCTI Certified Pet Trainer with a strong passion for helping dog owners build better relationships with their dogs through proper training and handling. As an AKC CGC Evaluator, Mark is approved to train and test all AKC CGC programs and Trick titles.
Being a dedicated professional and dog owner himself, Mark understands firsthand the challenges and rewards that come with raising and training a well-mannered canine companion.
Known for his strong work ethic and commitment to excellence, Mark takes pride in guiding clients with clear, practical instruction that empowers them to confidently train their own dogs. His approach focuses on developing communication, consistency, and trust between handler and dog, creating lasting results both at home and in real-world environments.
Mark is deeply driven to support fellow dog owners at every stage of their journey, whether they are starting with basic obedience or working toward more advanced skills. His dedication to helping others succeed, combined with his hands-on experience, makes him a valuable resource for those seeking knowledgeable, reliable training guidance.
Through patience, professionalism, and a genuine desire to help others, Mark continues to make a positive impact in the lives of both dogs and their owners.
Randy Durfee: ASCTI Master Dog Trainer | Lead SAR Tracking Trainer | AKC CGC Evaluator | AKC SAFE Handler
With more than two decades of hands-on experience, Randy Durfee is a highly respected leader in canine behavior, obedience, and working dog development. Known for his calm, clear communication style and exceptional handling skills, Randy has played a pivotal role in shaping K9 Paws Behavior Dog Training into the most award-winning dog training business in the tri-state area.
As the Lead SAR Tracking Trainer, Randy specializes in developing reliable search-and-rescue K9 teams. His instruction focuses on precision tracking, handler awareness, reading canine behavior, and building confident, mission-ready dogs capable of working in challenging environments.
Randy’s training philosophy is rooted in humane, evidence-based methods that prioritize trust, clear guidance, and the relationship between handler and dog. His expertise spans obedience, behavior modification, service dog development, therapy dog preparation, scent detection, SAR, and HRD K9 training.
Over the years, Randy has helped thousands of dogs and owners achieve success through safe, effective training tools and techniques - always demonstrating each method with his own dogs first to show clients exactly how and why it works. His commitment to transparency, ethics, and high-quality training has earned him admiration from both clients and fellow professionals.
Beyond daily training, Randy dedicates his time to community programs, including the annual Free Veterans Appreciation Dog Training Class, the holiday pet food drive, and public education on responsible dog ownership, service dog standards, and canine welfare.
Randy’s passion for dogs is matched only by his commitment to helping people understand them. His patience, expertise, and unwavering dedication continue to strengthen K9 Paws Behavior Dog Training as a trusted leader in the canine training industry.
