MEET OUR TEAM
DOG TRAINING IN CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE

DAMON

USMC - CPL., COMBAT ENGINEER


EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Combat Engineer School 1999, Jungle Warfare 2000, Marine Corps Rifle Instructor 2000, Sappers School 2001, Non-Lethal Weapons/Riot Control 2002, Desert Training 2001, Operation Enduring Freedom 2002, Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003
  • Bachelor of Science, MTSU- Major Psychology, Minor is History and Philosophy 
  • Davidson County Rescue Squad, 2013-2018
  • Certified Helper/Decoy- United Schutzhund Club of America
  • Member of National Association for Search and Rescue
  • Pet First Aid Certified/Doggy CPR Certified
  • Member of Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads
  • Head Trainer of Nashville K9 2013-2018
Not only has Damon trained thousands of pet dogs, he has also trained protection dogs, police dogs, search and rescue dogs, and service dogs. He has worked with dozens of celebrities, professional athletes, and other notable figures - with a client list ranging from American Idols and CMA Artists Of The Year Recipients, to NFL and NHL Team members. Damon also worked in the past with the Nashville Humane Society and Williamson County Animal Control Center and currently assists the McKamey Animal Center in Chattanooga by rehabilitating all of the “untrainable” dogs and rendering them adoptable.

YOU CAN FIND HIS WORK FEATURED IN:


Gabby Garner

 

Gabby is from Canton, GA and moved to Chattanooga 2 years ago. She is also a CrossFit Trainer at Whitebelt CrossFit. She briefly played college lacrosse and enjoys working out and training Jiu-Jitsu.


Gabby decided to become a trainer under Damon because his methods come from a psychological standpoint and are proven to change behavior without pinch or E collars. She also loves that it is  fun for both the trainer and the dog!


Gabby owns two Weimeraners: Paisley and Luke. Luke goes hunting for Quail and Pheasants and loves the water. Paisley loves to nap and explore in her spare time.

Carmiya Motter

Carmiya has been working with Good Citizen K9 for about a year now. Despite being born in Tennessee, she has spent the majority of her life in Georgia. She has always had a deep abiding love for animals of all kinds, from fish and chickens to dogs and horses. As a child she used to plead with her parents for diffent kinds of animals or the chance to interact with them.


In addition to drawing animals, she also enjoys traditional and digital art as a hobby. Carmiya is a senior at Heritage High Schoool and on of the leaders of the K9 club. She also plyas competitive volleyball with a goal to play at a higher level in the future.


Horses were the catalyst for her inital interest in dogs. She had always wanted a horse, but without the time or money to care for one, she settled for a dog instead. She then acquired another dog.


Carmiya has a strong affection for dogs and from a young age she has especially enjoyed the process of raising them.  She has two sheepadoodles named Fern and Clover. She enjoys and loves her sheepadoodles, but hopes on day to also own a Chinese Red Dog.

Samantha Leslie

Samantha has lived in Ringgold for 24 years and owns a small 30-acre farm. She is the director of the Rabbit Valley Farmers Market in downtown Ringgold. Her dogs join her frequently for market days!


She has two rescue dogs: a cattle dog mix named Blue and a pit-mix named Bikes. Her hobbies include farming, fiber arts and traveling.


Samantha has only been with Good Citizen K9 a short time, but she loves being  able to work with dogs and being outdoors.

Mary Day Elsenrath

Mary Day has been with Good Citizen K9 since September 2023.

She was born in Tennessee, but has lived in multiple states and towns.

She wanted to work for Good Citizen K9 because she loves working with animals and she loves everything about dogs.


Mary Day's family owns a chocolate lab business and she is excited to be working with all breeds of dogs now!


Her hobbies include swimming, traveling, painting, playing sports, pottery,  and photography. She is also a senior at Heritage High School where she is a member of the softball and track teams.


She has 5 dogs and their names are: Nellie, Trip, Ginny, Red and Rose. Occasionally, there are also puppies joining the mix!

Addy

 K9 APPRENTICE 
  • Addy started her apprenticeship at the age of 1 by training Knox.
  • She now works with Hurricane on protection.
  • Addy's favorite breeds are the Dogo Argentinos and German Shepherds
  • Addy enjoys hanging out on the farm with all of the animals and even gathers eggs to sell.
  • She loves spending time with her baby sister!
  • She rides horses, canoes, trains Jiu-Jitsu,  and is learning to play the Clarinet!