Story & Lesson Highlights with Marsha Durfee

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Marsha Durfee. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Marsha, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me is very full, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. I usually start my mornings preparing for training sessions—sometimes that means working with puppies who are just learning the basics, and other times it’s advanced obedience, service dog, therapy dog, or even search and rescue teams. Each dog and owner come with unique goals, so no two sessions are ever the same.

Much of my day is spent hands-on, teaching and guiding both the dogs and their owners. I focus on safe, humane methods that build trust and strengthen the bond between them. In between lessons, I review training plans, handle follow-ups, and make sure our facility—the largest outdoor training space in the tri-state area—remains a safe and welcoming environment.

Evenings are often dedicated to group classes, since that’s when most families can attend. I really enjoy those because you can see the teamwork and confidence grow from week to week. While every day brings different challenges, the common thread is helping dogs and their people succeed together. That’s what keeps me motivated and passionate about what I do.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Marsha Durfee, and I am the founder of K9 Paws Behavior Dog Training, which I started over 20 years ago with one simple goal—helping people build stronger, lasting relationships with their dogs through safe, humane, and effective training. Over the years, what began as a small part-time passion has grown into the tri-state area’s most award-winning dog training business, complete with the largest outdoor training facility in the region.

What makes us unique is that every tool and method we use on client dogs is the very same we use with our own dogs at home. This allows us to stand behind our training with firsthand experience and trust. We specialize in everything from puppy foundations to advanced obedience, therapy and service dog training, K9 fitness, detection, and search-and-rescue work. Beyond training, we are proud to give back to the community each year with a Free Veterans Appreciation Training Class, My husband and I enjoy supporting our community by offering free public speaking and demonstrating what our working K9s do.

Looking ahead, we are excited to be hosting a week-long ASCTI-certified training program in March 2026 in Golden Valley, Arizona—an opportunity for trainers to advance their expertise in pet training, detection, SAR, and HRD work.

At the heart of everything we do is our belief that the human–dog bond should be built on trust, respect, and clear communication. That’s the story behind K9 Paws Behavior Dog Training, and it continues to inspire the work we do every single day.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?

Over 20 years ago, my dear friend Jennifer recognized something in me long before I recognized it myself. She saw the way dogs responded to my energy and how naturally I could connect with them. Jennifer would often point out that I had a gift for understanding dogs’ behavior and for earning their trust. At the time, I didn’t fully realize that those qualities could lead to a lifelong career, but she encouraged me to pursue it. Her belief in me was the spark that set me on the path to becoming a professional trainer, and I will always credit her with seeing the potential in me before I could see it in myself.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?

Absolutely. When I first started training my HRD K9, the hardest part wasn’t the work with my dog—it was dealing with the negativity from others. I was bullied, doubted, and told more than once that I couldn’t do it. There were days I questioned myself and came close to walking away. But I chose to focus on my partnership with my dog and the progress we were making together. That persistence paid off. Today, we are proud to be the only certified HRD team in our area. The challenges we faced make that accomplishment even more meaningful, and I’m grateful I didn’t give up.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Is the public version of you the real you?

*”Yes, without question. What people see—the trainer, the mentor, the person at events or in the community—is me at my core. I’ve spent nearly two decades working closely with dogs of all kinds—service dogs, therapy dogs, detection K9s, SAR dogs—and their people, and I’ve learned that authenticity is essential. Dogs are incredibly perceptive; they respond immediately to who we truly are. So, if I’m not genuine, it shows.

I bring the same passion, patience, and dedication to every interaction, whether I’m helping a veteran and their dog in a free training class, teaching a complex obedience skill, or mentoring another trainer. But it’s not all serious work—there’s humor, curiosity, and joy in every session. My mission is to build trust, communication, and strong bonds, not just between dog and handler, but also with the people I work with.

Being public about my work isn’t about showmanship; it’s about sharing knowledge and inspiring confidence in others. The public version of me is the real me, because I believe the relationships we build—human and canine alike—are strongest when they’re rooted in authenticity.”*

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
“I think they’d miss the personal connection. Training a dog isn’t just about teaching commands—it’s about building trust and helping owners understand their dogs on a deeper level. At K9 Paws, we treat every dog like it’s our own, and every owner like part of our family. People come here knowing they’ll get experience, empathy, and guidance that truly works—and that’s something you can’t just replace with a manual or a video. That relationship, that dedication, is what I think they’d feel the absence of the most.”

Contact Info:

• Website: k9pawsbehaviordogtraining@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k9pawsdog?igsh=MTZianJzcXpqeHNmbg==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GF3d8qJXo/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@k9pawsbehaviordogtraining189?si=Gk8Bzn6MM1pEQKLX

Image Credits
Randy Durfee Sr