Duke Ferguson
NePoPo® Gold Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Cetified High Performance Coach
I was born with a passion for the outdoors and animals both wild and domestic. I have worked with dogs since I was in diapers but at the age of 12, I knew I wanted to work with animals. I have been training dogs for hunting and retrieving since the age of 13.
As soon as I graduated from high school I attended College to become a Fish and Wildlife Technician and Conservation Officer.
While attending The Atlantic Police Academy’s Conservation Enforcement program in PEI, I was placed as a Conservation Officer in Nova Scotia where I had the privilege to work with the departments K9 Unit. It was one of the best experiences of my life and increased my desire to work with dogs at all levels.
I am a graduate of Animal Behaviour Canine College in California where I studied Canine Behaviour and became certified.
In 2005 I graduated from Canada West Canine Centre in BC where I studied all levels of obedience, utility, kennel management, temperament testing, dog care, behaviour problems, personal protection, attack dog training, police k9, support dog training, tracking, detection training (drugs, bombs), security and guard dog training. Upon graduating from Canada West Canine Centre I received a certification in Canine Obedience & Kennel Management as well as becoming a certified Master Trainer.
My fourth certification in dog training was at the No Limitations School for Dog Trainers now called Sit means Sit in Colorado and Las Vegas. While there I became certified in the specialized humane use of a remote collar.
I've spent the past 27 years studying dog training methods and applications from some of the best dog trainers and schools around the world and continue to do so.
I am the first Canadian to certify in the use of the K9 BSD (Behaviour Shaping Device) for passive alert training for scent detection dogs.
My desire to continue my education brought me to Belgium in 2015 where I attended Bart Bellon's NePoPo School for dog trainers. For three weeks I studied and trained one on one with Bart and Michael Bellon. After passing all tests I became a certified NePoPo® Gold trainer.
I am the creator of Dog Training Genesis, a comprehensive, interactive step-by-step dog training and rehabilitation video training program that is helping people all over the world produce great training results with their dogs.
I am the owner of Unleashed Potential K9 Academy® where I train and coach students in my professional dog trainer certification. I love to help dog trainers reach a higher level of performance in all areas of their lives.
Duke’s Blog:
The Pause Plan for You and Your Dog
What if the thing setting you off the most right now isn't here to punish you. What if it's here to teach you. It's not here to destroy you, it's here to reveal you. I turned 52 this week, and after 38 years working with animals and 22 years running this business, that's the truth I keep landing … [Read More...] about The Pause Plan for You and Your Dog
How to Stay Calm Under Pressure
There's a black lab curled up at my feet as I write this, dead asleep, not a care in the world. He's that relaxed for one simple reason. The room is calm, so he's calm. He's reading me before he reads anything else. And that right there is the whole episode. Here's the thing about being calm. … [Read More...] about How to Stay Calm Under Pressure
How Emotional Strength Creates Freedom for You and Your Dog
Have you ever known exactly what to do — and still couldn't do it in the moment? You've trained for it. You've prepared. You've coached people through it a hundred times. But then your dog reacts on a walk, your kid pushes a button, your client questions your call, or your partner says the thing… … [Read More...] about How Emotional Strength Creates Freedom for You and Your Dog
