A husband and father, Akin has spent most of the last eighteen years studying the different methods and techniques used in dog training.  His quest for knowledge has taken him all over America and Europe.  Akin has devoted the past thirteen years to training, competing and doing helper work at the highest level, in the sport of shutzhund(Protection) - a dog sport that originated in Germany many decades ago.  Though fond of k-9s in general, he loves the German shepherd and Malinois breeds in particular.  He has a very sharp "eye" for good working prospects. 

"It's all about the dog and what it brings to the table through it's genetics.  One can only do "so much" to add what the dog's genetics did not put there to begin with.  "The truth about a dog's genetics or character is always evident in the face of adversity".

Akin is a member in good standing with DVG (Deutscher Verband derGerauchshundsportvereine) organization, as well as USA (United Shutzhund Clubs of America).  As a trainer, Akin believes that the correct foundation in any area of dog training is critical to whatever goals one has for one’s dog.  The teacher in him, seeks to empower all those who are around him.  “ It is easy to train a dog for others, the challenge however, is to teach people how to train their own dogs with a degree of  fairness and feeling, that does not destroy the dog’s temperament”.  As a coach, he is a cheer leader for both the dogs and the handler teams that work with him.  Akin's accomplishments with the dogs that he has trained and helped other people train, are a testimony to his adaptability and intuitive understanding of canine behavior. As a helper, Akin has had the honor of working ten different championships. He was the KG OFS (Training director) for the Mid-west region of the DVG organization for three years, and is now working full time with NARC K9.