About Our: Certified Trainers

 Marsha Durfee – Founder & Lead Trainer

Master Dog Trainer | Canine Behavior Specialist | ASCTI Certified HRD Trainer

Marsha Durfee is a highly respected Master Certified Dog Trainer, Canine Behavior Specialist, and working K9 professional with over 21 years of hands-on experience in dog training, behavior modification, and advanced K9 development. As the founder of K9 Paws Behavior Dog Training, she has built one of the most trusted and award-winning training programs in the tri-state area, known for its commitment to safe, humane, and results-driven training methods.

Marsha holds four Master Dog Trainer Certifications through ASCTI and is recognized as an ASCTI Certified HRD Trainer, demonstrating advanced expertise in Human Remains Detection (HRD) K9 development and operations. She has also contributed to the advancement of the industry by helping develop and demonstrate certification standards for future trainers within the organization.

Her professional credentials extend into evaluation and performance, as she serves as an AKC-approved Judge for Farm Dog, ATT, and Fetch, and is an AKC Fit Dog Instructor Levels 1–3. These roles reflect her commitment to maintaining high standards in training, handler education, and canine performance.

Marsha’s expertise spans a wide range of disciplines, including:

Pet Obedience (Puppy through Expert Levels)

Canine Conditioning Fitness

Stunt Dog

Trick Dog

Animal Actors

AKC CGC Programs 

Behavior Modification

Off-Leash & E-Collar Training

Service Dog Training

Therapy Dog Development

Detection K9 Training

Search and Rescue (SAR)

Human Remains Detection (HRD)

Since 2019, Marsha has been actively involved in Search and Rescue and Human Remains Detection. In late 2025, she developed Desert Dogs K9 Search and Rescue Recovery, where she serves as HRD K9 Trainer and HRD K9 Commander. The organization includes dedicated members, including her husband and Tyler, who actively train and deploy as part of the team. Her experience has been further strengthened through mentorship under a certified Military K9 Trainer who has been a trusted friend for many years, providing her with real-world operational insight and advanced working dog handling skills.

A strong advocate for continued education, Marsha is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Canine Behavioral Science through London Hanover University, with approximately 33% of her coursework remaining. She consistently attends both in-person and online training programs, ensuring she remains at the forefront of modern canine behavior science, learning theory, and detection work.

Beyond training, Marsha is deeply committed to her community. She leads initiatives such as the annual Free Veterans Appreciation Dog Training Class and organizes holiday pet food drives supporting no-kill shelters. She is also dedicated to educating the public on responsible dog ownership, service dog laws, and ethical training practices.

Marsha’s approach combines science-based training principles with extensive real-world experience, allowing her to successfully develop both reliable family companions and high-performing working K9 teams. Her passion, integrity, and proven results continue to set the standard in the dog training industry.

Train with Confidence. Train with Experience.

 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 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 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.

 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.