Josh Judge - Head Trainer and Owner
Josh brings several years of unique experiences in dog training. Contributing to K9 programs from various military, law enforcement, and government agencies across the United States, Europe, and Australia.
He is certified as a Trainer and Instructor by American K9 Interdiction in Virginia and holds a Master Trainer Certification from the Scandinavian Working Dog Institute in Sweden. Additionally he is a Silver and Gold graduate of the NePoPo training system. He has successfully certified dogs in Explosives and Narcotics Detection for both the United States Police Canine Association and the National Police Canine Association.
Committed to continuous learning, Josh actively seeks out new knowledge from trainers worldwide and regularly participates in workshops and seminars to stay at the forefront of evolving training techniques.
Izzy Hartshorn - Trainer
Izzy started working with dogs at 16 and never looked back. Years spent in daycare and boarding facilities — supervising group play, managing care for hundreds of dogs, and reading behavior in real time — gave her an instinct most trainers spend years trying to develop.
At Iowa State University, her Animal Science degree connected her to the ACE Project, a shelter foster initiative where hands-on obedience, agility, and AKC training turned a passion into a profession. Her interest in sport dogs and behavioral work grew from there and hasn't slowed down since.
Today, Izzy continues to sharpen her skills through ongoing education, training under Yorkshire Canine Academy, and shadowing detection work at Hinterland and the Gorge Amphitheater. She brings curiosity, care, and serious hands-on experience to every dog she works with
Maria Madey - Trainer
Maria was introduced to the world of dog training like many of you--a pet owner who desperately needed help. She had a 145 lb aggressive Neapolitan Mastiff who she eventually took up professional training classes with and later dabbled in trick training for fun. She absolutely loved it! Shortly after this she found a local apprenticeship and started her journey as a professional dog trainer to deepen her knowledge of what was going on with her own dog. I now have an Anatolian mix and a German Shepherd who is her sport and demo dog,She has been training for 5 years now and has had the pleasure of learning from Dogs Playing for Life, Tyler Peterson, Lisa Lima, Mike Connors, Dallas Hamilton, and many more amazing trainers. Maria loves training with dogs of all types and is constantly looking to expand her knowledge. From aggression/reactivity, to dog sports, to obedience training she would love to help you and your dog!
Tony Nizzi - Gun Dog Trainer
Tony is a lifelong waterfowl hunter with extensive experience, consistently harvesting several hundred birds each season. In 2023, he won the World Snow Goose Competition, further solidifying his expertise in the field. A passionate advocate for hunting dogs, Tony possesses a deep understanding of what makes a well-rounded gun dog and what to expect from their training and performance.
Tony served four years in the Iowa Army National Guard as a 91G Fire Control Specialist before being medically discharged. He later transitioned into a career as an electrician, ultimately making the decision to pursue his true passion—dog training—full-time.
Throughout his career, Tony has trained dogs for various outfitters and hunting clubs across the Midwest, from North Dakota to Arkansas. He has also had the privilege of training dogs for renowned waterfowl hunters such as Jeff Foiles, Jon Olson, and Matt Campbell. His experience and dedication to the craft make him a trusted professional in the field of gundog training and waterfowl hunting.
