About Us
Our Dog trainers and Kennel team have decades of dog training and animal handling experience.
Our Story
Scott Sharfman, is the founder and owner of Akela K9 Training which has been operating in the South West of England for the past three years. Scott and Akela K9 Training provide various pet and working dog training services ranging from the sourcing and supply of puppies to extreme behavior rehabilitation. Scott has trained under and alongside some of both the United Kingdom and United State’s premier trainers as well as completing his decoy certification through Lorockmor Working Dogs, attending Ivan Balabanov's TWC course, and graduating from the NePoPo Silver school.
Scott attended the University Of West London majoring in classical theatre performance and discovered his passion and talent for working with dogs through the rehab of rescue dogs from TeLuMa's Dream while he studied. Scott used that experience as well as his background in public speaking to launch Akela K9 Training which quickly grew into one of the most popular independent dog training companies in the South West of England. Akela K9 Training has grown rapidly and now includes not only pet training, but also dog walking and boarding, the sourcing of puppies as family pets, the training and supplying of dogs for various working roles, and a foster and rehoming program.
Akela K9 Training is now operating outside of Chicago in Elburn IL, and with the wealth of experience and expertise gained in England, Scott will be looking not only to continue providing effective and compassionate training to the dogs and people of Chicago, but also to give back to the community, mentor budding trainers, and work to improve the standard of dog training across the country.
Tarra Wheeler
Senior Trainer
Tarra first developed her passion for dog training working in day care and boarding facilities where she was able to handle and care for hundreds of dogs. It was there that she learned that each dog needs and deserves a more individual and specific approach than big box facilities are able to provide. Tarra then began a multi year journey apprenticing and mentoring under some of the countries top trainers, delving into the details of behavior modification, advanced obedience, and competing in dog sports.. Tarra continues honing her skills while providing expert training to her clients and her personal dogs who not only help her with her clients and serve as demo dogs, but also compete and title in protection sports..
Michael Graham
Training Director
Michael is an out of the box problem solver with a knack for difficult cases. He started working with dogs over a decade ago while working in a pet store and his interest became an obsession and he became an apprentice to one of the countries premier dog trainers. Michael is now a renowned sport competitor and protection trainer as well as a coach to many young dog trainers. Michael has been many dogs last chance after being failed or turned away by other trainers. His creativity, understanding, and application of the knowledge he's gained over the years has given those dogs a new lease on life and their owners a new path.
