MEET THE CANINE TRAINERS
James Craigmyle, owner and founder of K9 Hideaway, is a World Renowned certified international K9 trainer with over a decade of experience training dogs. Craigmyle served as a dual purpose K9 Handler, internationally certified in narcotics and patrol for the largest Sheriff’s Office in the State of Missouri. Craigmyle served as a SWAT K9 Handler and during his career he worked with federal, state, and local officials. Craigmyle has trained thousands of dogs of all sizes - from personal dogs to law enforcement canines. Craigmyle is an instructor on dog psychology, canine obedience, scent work, personal protection, and dietary needs.
Craigmyle is an American Kennel Club CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Evaluator. He is certified to administer the AKC S.T.A.R. (Socialization, Training, Activity and a Responsible Owner), Puppy program, CGC, AKC Community Canine (the advanced level of CGC), Urban CGC, Video Home Manners and Trick Dog tests. He is a Judge for the National Association of Canine Scent Work. The judge is responsible for determining if the team has correctly called the 'Alert' given the hide location and conditions of the day and for making decisions relating to faults and conduct during the actual competition search.
Craigmyle is a strong believer in positive reinforcement, making it fun for the dog and owner. This type of training results in building a stronger bond between the dog and owner.
Craigmyle was a featured fan favorite with his partner K9 Lor on LivePD on A&E. Craigmyle hosted and assisted in the development of America's Top Dog on A&E. In 2022 he hosted the first annual Project K9 Hero Awards on GAC Family. Craigmyle spent several years as an expert analyst on NewsNation and CourTV. Craigmyle has trained celebrities' dogs and dog owners in foreign countries via Zoom. Craigmyle is also a retired US Army Combat Veteran with deployments to both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"The only thing consistent about dog training is inconsistency."
Tommy Connell is a highly accomplished International Law Enforcement K9 instructor, globally certified and with a notable background as a former law enforcement K9 handler. With specialized expertise in obedience training, scent work (specifically odors), tracking/trailing, personal protection, and behavioral modification, Connell brings a wealth of skills to the table. At K9 Hideaway, he applies his extensive knowledge and experience to provide comprehensive support for all of your dog training needs. Tommy is genuinely passionate about helping you accomplish your training goals whether one on one or during our board and train programs.
Ashlyn Robertson brings over a decade of hands-on experience working with dogs and a deep passion for helping both dogs and their humans succeed. She began working with dogs 11 years ago and has been actively training for the past 5 years, gaining experience with puppies through adult dogs across a wide range of temperaments and behaviors.
Ashlyn is a certified AKC Evaluator and has evaluated both AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and Canine Good Citizen (CGC) tests. Her training approach is rooted in clear communication, consistency, and building confidence—tailored to each individual dog.
One of Ashlyn’s greatest strengths is her exceptional ability to read dog body
language and behavior, especially in high-energy environments like daycare yards
and group settings. She plays a key role in K9 Hideaway’s safety-first culture by working closely with staff to recognize early behavioral cues, understand what dogs are communicating, and respond appropriately to prevent issues before they arise. Ashlyn is passionate about educating the human side of the leash and empowering staff with the knowledge and confidence to handle dogs safely and effectively.
Her calm presence, sharp observation skills, and dedication to education make her an invaluable part of the K9 Hideaway team and a trusted guide for dogs and owners alike.
At K9 Hideaway, she applies her extensive knowledge and experience to provide comprehensive support for all of your dog training needs. Ashlyn is genuinely passionate about helping you accomplish your training goals.
