Meet Sonja

Sonja's accomplishments with dogs and training credentials achieved during the last 30 years are unmatched. 

In 2014, Sonja retired from the FBI after 23 years of service as a Special Agent and opened Sonja's Dog Training. ​While serving with the FBI, Sonja completed thousands of hours of K9 training under the mentorship and guidance of world renowned K9 trainers and experts, competed in the protection sports of Schutzhund, Mondioring, and French Ring, attained local and national level search dog certifications, completed 100's of field missions with her K9s for the FBI and others, and has trained and worked with 100's of dogs of all ages and types. 

Even with decades of training and experience, Sonja continues to improve her skills via continuing education, networking with other dog training professionals, and seeking out the most current science regarding dog training and behavior.

client testimonials

  • I was lucky enough to meet Sonja and attend several of her nosework seminars. She has a wealth of knowledge with both scent work and general dog training from years of real-life experience. She has a keen dog sense and my dogs love working with her. She shares her knowledge freely and I learn new skills every time I go. Thanks Sonja for amazing experiences at your seminars!

    Sandi G ~ Salt Lake City, UT

  • Our dog training session with Sonja was excellent. Sonja taught us a lot of bigger picture training methodologies and then applied them to a lot of specific techniques. We learned so much in one session! Our dog, a herding mix from a local rescue, is much more content having clear commands now and as a result is getting so much praise for his good behavior.

    Lyndsie N. - Park City, UT

  • Sonja is the best of the best with all things dog. Knows how to train and handle pets, but also knows the ins and outs with working dogs as well. Haven't been to a seminar or a training with her in the last year or two but wow do I highly recommend her. best person to get a nosework/scent foundation with.

    Amber D. ~ Salt Lake City, UT

  • Sonja is like a real life dog whisperer! She did an amazing job with my 4 month old German Shepherd puppy. He had a blast and she made it very engaging and positive for him. I also liked the format of the class where you get to work and then watch others work. It's informal and friendly and I learned a lot.

    Meggie W. ~ Salt Lake City, UT

  • Sonja is an amazing trainer with great depth and breadth of experience and expertise. I'm a dog trainer myself and I always learn from her every time I take a workshop! Sonja is capable and skilled at working with serious working breeds well as nervous, shy, or sensitive dogs who need help and encouragement. She always advocates for and is sensitive to each individual dog's needs.

    Erica B. ~ Salt Lake City, UT

  • Sonja was uniquely qualified to advise me on how to walk and bond with my imported German Shepherd. She is by far the best trainer I've ever used. More importantly, I'll be buying my next GSD from her. She has the right contacts and experience to evaluate a dog and place it for a family's unique needs. Thanks Sonja!

    Susan D. ~ Park City, UT

CREDENTIALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Certifications

Utah P.O.S.T. Instructor and Judge Certification for Explosives, Narcotics, and Cadaver Dogs earned 2022

Narcotics/Explosives Detector K9 Trainer Certification from Vohneliche Kennels earned 2004

UKC Senior Nosework Certifying Official in Utah (Judge #7174) since 2014

AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Evaluator ~ AKC S.T.A.R Puppy, CGC, and Urban CGC since 2014

AKC Scent Work Judge in Utah (#102429.) ~ Inactive

Trained, Certified, and Fielded with five Search & Rescue/Recovery K9s

Human Remains Detection K9 certifications since 1998 from UT P.O.S.T., Tri-State-K9, NAPWDA, NNDDA, USPCA, and CARDA/CA OES

FBI General Police Instructor Certified

Evaluator for Tri-State-K9 Search and Rescue (2010 ~ present)

Operational K9 Handler with Great Basin K-9 Search and Rescue | Current President and Lead Trainer (2009 ~ present)

Evaluator California Rescue Dog Association/CA OES (2000 ~ 2008)

Operational K9 Handler California Rescue Dog Association/CA OES | Veteran Handler (1996 - 2008)

K9 Trainer and Instructor Experience

Organized, prepared, and taught over 30+ Human Remains and K-9 detection workshops for law enforcement and SAR professionals, including “Power to Odor” and “Precision Training for HR Detection K-9s.”

Utah P.O.S.T. Instructor/Trainer/Judge of Narcotics, Cadaver, and Explosives Detector K-9s since 2022.

Provided explosives detection K-9 training to DOD Special Operations Forces K-9 teams, U.S. Federal agency SRT K-9 teams, and other local and federal law enforcement K-9 teams.  

Trained 100’s of dogs in Scent Work / Nosework Workshops since Jan 2014

Author NASAR “Crime Scene Preservation, Protocol, and Evidence Awareness” online course

Authored and taught specialized Human Remains Detection K-9 handler course for California P.O.S.T. Patrol K-9 teams

Provided instruction/lectures re general and specialized utilization of K9s to Law Enforcement, SAR, K-9 Handlers, and general public to include FBI NCAVC Violent Crime Analysis Conference, Smart Dog Conference, and University of Utah students.

Specialized Education and Training

Successful completion of thousands of hours of K9 training under the mentorship and guidance of world-renowned K9 trainers and experts to include detection, protection/apprehension, law enforcement applications, SAR/Recovery, and K9 protection sports.

Successful completion of FBI enhanced training in the specialties of missing and abducted persons, child exploitation, enhanced interview and interrogation techniques, child forensic interviewing, criminal behavioral analysis, internet investigations and undercover operations, forensic evidence collection and preservation, human remains recovery, and forensic evidence response to post-blast crime scenes.

Notable Achievements

Completed hundreds of field missions as an FBI K-9 Specialist and as a volunteer, including deployments throughout the Western United States, to disaster scenes, and to high-threat areas worldwide.

Provided Human Remains Detection K-9 resource for recovery operations in Europe to locate WWII MIA soldiers.

Testified as a Subject Matter Expert and witness pertaining to Human Remains Detection K-9 deployments and recoveries resulting in high-profile convictions, including Utah v. Poulson and California v. Stayner.   

Serves on the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Consensus Body and Standards Board

Commendations

Recipient of U.S. Attorney’s Office Case Agent Investigative Excellence Awards 2014 and 2002.

Commendation from Department of the Coroner of Los Angeles County re development of their Human Remains Detection (HRD) K-9 program and training of their HRD K-9 November 2007.

Recipient of numerous FBI incentive awards, performance awards, and letters of recognition for investigative excellence.