About Us

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My name is Kurtis O’Byrne, and I founded Roman’s K9 Dog Training out of a passion for helping dogs and their owners build clear communication, confidence, and lasting relationships. My approach is results-driven, built on structure, motivation, fair accountability, and an understanding that every dog learns differently.

My training philosophy is heavily influenced by the Shield K9 system developed by world-renowned trainer  Haz Othman, whose balanced approach to dog training has shaped the way I work with both family companions and high-drive working dogs. In addition to my work with Shield K9, I also spent time decoying under legendary trainer Steve Roberts, gaining valuable hands-on experience in protection dog development and working-dog training.

Over the years, I’ve worked with dogs of all breeds, temperaments, and behavioral challenges, from energetic family pets learning basic obedience to working-line German Shepherds requiring advanced engagement, control, and structure. Every training plan is tailored to the individual dog rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all system.

While my methods are overwhelmingly positive and reward-based, I also believe in fair accountability when appropriate. My goal isn’t simply to teach commands, it’s to create dogs that are calm, confident, reliable, and enjoyable to live with in the real world.

Whether your goal is reliable off-leash obedience, solving behavioral issues, preparing for dog sports, or building a stronger relationship with your dog, my mission remains the same: to provide clear communication, practical training, and lasting results that owners can trust.

Every dog is different, but the foundation for success is always the same: structure, clarity, and communication.

I follow a balanced training approach rooted in the Shield K9 philosophy taught by Haz Othman, combining positive reinforcement with accountability. My focus is on teaching dogs how to make good choices, not simply forcing them to follow commands.

Training begins with clear communication through leash work, body language, reward timing, and engagement. As dogs progress, I may introduce tools such as the prong collar or e collar to refine communication and build reliability under distraction. These tools are never used out of frustration, but as part of a fair, structured system designed to promote confidence, stability, and understanding.

A major influence on my approach comes from my background studying and working hands on with dog sports and protection training. I’ve spent extensive time learning the training systems used with high level working dogs—where precision, engagement, drive development, clarity, and reliability are held to an incredibly high standard.

I believe elements of that elite level training can, and should be brought into pet dog training. Your dog doesn’t need to be a competition dog or protection dog to benefit from the same principles.

One of the most important is structured play and drive building. Creating a dog that genuinely wants to engage with its handler is an art. At the highest levels, trainers can take incredibly intense working dogs, even powerful, environmentally driven Belgian Malinois, and build such tremendous value for the handler and the work that everything else becomes secondary. I bring those same principles to everyday owners and help them discover what truly motivates their individual dog.

My approach is overwhelmingly positive. Anybody can make a dog perform through enough pressure. Real dog training is creating a dog that genuinely wants to work with you while also understanding that commands and boundaries matter.

The goal isn’t simply obedience. It’s developing a dog that is engaged, confident, reliable, and stable, and giving the owner the ability to bring out the absolute best their dog has to offer.