Professional Dog Training
Professional Dog Training Built on Experience, Trust & Results
Director – Dog Trainer
Roger Richards
Roger Richards, founder and head Dog trainer at Toronto K9 Center, began working with dogs in the 1980s after emigrating from Trinidad and Tobago.
Roger specializes in obedience, personal protection dog training, and service dog training, building well‑balanced, confident dogs through proven structure and trust. Since founding Toronto K9 Center Whitby in 1988, he’s earned a reputation for results that last a lifetime. Clients come from across Whitby, Toronto, Durham, and the GTA, Greater Toronto Area, to train with Roger. Roger also provides private, at-home one-on-one training or at the Center’s facility.
Toronto K9 Center offers a FREE ASSESSMENT for all new clients to help you understand your dog’s needs and the best training path forward.
About Roger Richards
World-Class Dog Trainer & Lifelong Animal Expert
With over 40 years of hands‑on experience, Roger Richards is the head trainer at Toronto K9 Center and one of the most respected dog trainers in the GTA. His training philosophy is built on structure, clarity, and trust — principles he has refined since the 1980s. Roger works closely with an assistant trainer in a personalized, one‑on‑one program designed to deliver consistent, lasting results for every dog and owner.
Roger emphasizes the importance of understanding breed traits, temperament, and stability when selecting and training a dog. “A dog’s nervous system determines its stability. Selection matters, especially when choosing a dog for a family. Our job is to reduce unpredictability through a structure the dog can trust — and to teach families how to maintain that structure.”
Beyond dog training, Roger has a lifelong passion for competitive racing pigeons — a sport he describes as “pure pleasure.” His dedication to his birds mirrors his commitment to dogs: daily care, deep understanding, and a genuine love for the animals he works with.
Dog Trainer
Michael Wong
Toronto K9 Center proudly welcomes Master Trainer Michael Wong, joining our team from Hong Kong with extensive experience in obedience and personal protection dog training. Michael has trained dogs professionally in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Toronto, giving him a rare international perspective and deep understanding of diverse training methods.
Fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, Michael plays an essential role in supporting and connecting with the Asian community across the GTA. His expertise, communication skills, and cultural insight make him a valuable addition to our training team and to the families we serve.
About Michael
Master Dog Trainer & Specialist in Mastiffs, Boerboels, and Akitas.
With over 25 years of professional dog training experience, Michael Wong is recognized as one of the most skilled and versatile trainers in the industry. Fluent in Mandarin and several regional Chinese dialects, Michael brings a unique international background to Toronto K9 Center, with expertise spanning obedience, protection work, and the specialized handling of powerful guardian breeds.
Michael’s career began in Canada, where he served as a Canadian Paws Member, helping train and educate “dog doctors” — therapy dogs that visited seniors and long‑term care patients. His work focused on temperament, stability, and reliability, ensuring each dog could safely and confidently support vulnerable individuals.
Internationally, Michael trained patrol dogs at Sun Hung Kai Villa in Hong Kong, a prestigious property group known for high‑security residential and commercial developments. In Shanghai, he founded a specialized K9 center dedicated to training advanced working breeds, including Tibetan Mastiffs, South African Boerboels, Japanese Akitas, and American Akitas. These dogs are known for their courage, loyalty, and protective instincts — and require expert handling from an early age.
Michael emphasizes that guardian breeds demand structure, consistency, and proper socialization to become stable, well‑adjusted family companions. His deep understanding of these dogs allows him to tailor training programs that build confidence, control, and trust.
Whatever the breed or behavioral challenge, Michael brings unmatched experience, commitment, and real‑world insight to help owners find the right approach for their dog’s unique needs.
Dog Agitator
Jordan
It takes a very dedicated, focused, agile, and confident individual to fill the role of Agitator/Trainer — and Jordan has been an essential part of our team since 2014. His work requires precision, athleticism, and a deep understanding of canine behavior, especially when working with high‑drive protection and guardian breeds.
About Jordan
Dog Agitator-Trainer
The position of Agitator–Trainer is not for the timid. Protection and guardian dogs are carefully selected and trained for specialized roles in police, military, and personal protection environments. This advanced training — often referred to as agitation and controlled bite‑work — helps develop confidence, control, and responsiveness in working dogs.
Under the guidance of Director Roger Richards, Jordan has gained extensive experience working with many of the high‑profile dogs trained at Toronto K9 Center. He has a natural ability to bring out the best in these exceptional dogs, helping develop their confidence, intelligence, courage, determination, and working focus.
Jordan’s skill, timing, and understanding of canine behavior make him an invaluable member of our training team.
The Professionals "dog trainers"
Toronto K9 Center our team
Cliff Roger Richards
Michael Wong
Luna
Samuel
Jordan Pendagrass
