Jacob started his journey into the dog industry with Liz by his side in 2016 after adopting their first dog together. Bones was in dire need of training and we were out of options. Jacob apprenticed for a local dog training that ignited a passion and dream to work with dogs and helping families with misunderstood pups. After having success with Bones, Jacob continued his venture by starting his career at a prestigious Dog Daycare to learn as much as he could about dogs and their behavior. After reaching the title of Area Manager over 3 locations in Metro-Detroit, Dog Training was still calling his name. Years later, The Pape's together started Great Lakes Dog Training Co. LLC.

Husband and Wife duo, Jacob and Liz bring a combined 14 years of dog experience. With Jacob's dog knowledge, Liz enjoyed learning as much as she could about business ownership and client relations. Liz is now preparing for their first human child and has stepped away from operations until further notice!

Katie comes to us with a background in dog training as she was once a client who sent her naughty puppy to training! After learning more about training, it ignited a passion! Katie is now our Sales Coordinator after working with us as a dog trainer for some time. She is the face at consultations and the voice on the phone! When she's not talking about training for your dog, she's enjoying her 3 huskies and taking them on adventures!

We weren't kidding when we said we're family owned and operated! Anthony Pape plays a key part at GLDT be being a trainer. Anthony grew up with dogs and has highly trained dogs of his own. Anthony has excelled at every role here at GLDT and continues to excel with experience and continued training through seminars.

Zoe has been with us since 2022 and continues to be a huge part of our training day to day. She has a background in dog daycares and management. After searching for that next step into the dog industry, Zoe found GLDT and loved seeing the progress that training offered. She even used our training system with her 3 dogs, one being reactive and previously having little success with strangers and other dogs. When Zoe isn't training your dog, she can found skateboarding, gardening, or cuddling/walking with her dogs!

We wouldn't be able to care and train for your dogs without our knowledgable, hard working staff from kennel technicians to trainers to apprentices! Each person who is on staff with us is hand selected, interviewed, screened thoroughly and goes through an extensive training process with us to ensure they are the right fit for us and your dog!