Meet the Team
Chris Williams
Chris Williams
Owner/Head Trainer
Chris is a professional dog trainer that has achieved advanced certifications in both pet training and working dog training from various dog training schools around the country. Chris is also a NePoPo® Gold Multiplicator who teaches and certifies dog trainers from around the world in the NePoPo® system.
Schuck Handsome was my best friend and sidekick for almost 10 years. He is the reason I got into training. I miss him dearly but appreciate him showing me just how amazing pack harmony can be.
Catching a working k9 leaping through a window for a bite.
My new project dog Oaken. Bite work, tracking, advanced obedience and scent detection.
Back when we lived in the dojo full time :)
Striking a pose in the RYP dojo rocking the new bite suit
My personal protection K9 at 6 months old looking fierce.
Teaching K9 Blytz to target biceps on bite.
Search and Rescue drills in Colorado with Liesel Weapon
Thats me on the second sled, yeah...the one with the long hair...
Liesel Weapon found POI hidden in a cave.
Catching malinois fur missiles.
Tracking with Liesel Weapon. When a dog learns to love the game of the hunt you better get ready to hang on because they will pull you hard to hunt for their 'prey.'
Schuck was titled Man's Best Man at my wedding and looked dashing in a tie.
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Runs well with dogs
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Plays well in dirt
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No, I don't train cats
Understanding the path to working with dogs is a constant journey of knowledge gathering and growth, Chris is consistently enrolled in continuing education classes and travels around the country to collaborate and learn from fellow trainers as often as he can.
Additionally, Chris competes in the working dog sport PSA with his Dutch Shepherd, Oaken. RYP also founded and hosts Montana's only PSA club. Click HERE to find out more about the sport and visit www.dirtybandanaworkingdogs.com for updates on the club!
Chris' Pack
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Liesel Weapon
Liesel is a German Shepherd trained in tracking/trailing, bomb/firearm detection, shed hunting and advanced obedience. She is RYP's dynamo manhunting K9.
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Oaken the Dutch
Oaken is a Dutch Shepherd trained in personal protection, wounded game tracking, scent detection and competition level obedience. Oaken competes in PSA and currently holds a PDC and PSA 1 title w/ Highest Protection distinction for trial.
Caite Williams
Operations Manager
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Law Dog (Lawyer)
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Former yurt dweller
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More Organized than Chris
Caite “as per my last email” Williams joined RYP as Operations Manager in January 2020 after working as a prosecutor for Missoula County. When she’s not shaking you down to sign a waiver or rewording the contracts for the millionth time, she’s running her own pack with Chris and their rambunctious kids.
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Oaken the Dutch
Oaken is a Dutch Shepherd trained in personal protection, wounded game tracking, scent detection and competition level obedience. Oaken competes in PSA and currently holds a PDC and PSA 1 title.
Caleaha Fugelseth
Trainer
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Gets bit for fun
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Never wears matching socks
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Yes, she trains cats
Caleaha started out as a client here at RYP with her Doberman Pincher, Reuben, back in 2019. An eager student wanting to learn more, Caleaha joined the RYP PSA club and began working part time here as an apprentice pet trainer. Interested in going on an adventure and immersing herself into school she then attended Tarheel Canine's
6 month Master Trainer course in North Carolina exposing her to all aspects of behavior modification, police K9 training, SAR and protection sports. She joined the RYP staff full time August 2021. Most recently Caleaha certified as a NePoPo® Gold School graduate.
Caleahas Pack
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Reuben
Reuben is a Doberman Pincher trained in advanced obedience and retrieve. He is Caleaha's go everywhere companion!
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Boodah
Boodah aka boo, booyah, boothing is Caleaha's GSD working dog project. Boo is currently being trained in protection, tracking, and detection. He will also be her PSA competition dog.
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Andrew Weidenbach
Trainer
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Pheasant hunts with GSD
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Cookie connoisseur/Violinist
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Yearns to be a space cowboy
Andrew recently moved to Montana from Minnesota to join the RYP team (January 2022)! He is a graduate of the Tom Rose Dog Trainer School with years of experience in pet training, service dog training and bird dog training. Andrew, is currently working his GSD, Nisha, to compete in PSA and is an up and coming bite work decoy! Most recently Andrew certified as a NePoPo® Gold School graduate.
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Andrew's Pack
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Nisha
Nisha is a GSD trained in advanced obedience personal protection, retrieve, tracking and pheasant hunting. Nisha is also in training to compete in PSA!
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'Tina' Fay
Fay is a border collie trained in advanced obedience with an emphasis on tricks and agility. She is also currently in training as a shed hunt dog.
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Quiet Wilderness Setting
- About 20 miles east of Missoula -
Temperature controlled kennel
Fenced in yard to romp and train off leash
Dog training in the round
Working K9s in a YURT
Client dogs work around each other while my daughter, Ember, hangs out in her play area :)
While I geek out and talk about all things dog you will have a comfy couch to sit on :)
Brinks works on drive building and bite work in the yurt.
No matter whether it is dark, raining, snowing...tracking club goes out to work their dogs.
Cooper soaks the sun while holding a down stay.
Leo waiting intently to be released from command with yurt in the background.
Peach works on shed hunting in the snow!