Canine
Unleashed
STAFF
TRAINERS
"TRAINING SAVES LIVES"
Canine Unleashed, located in Richmond, Kentucky, was founded in 2005 by Tommy and Vickie Dillon. Their journey into canine training began in 1996 when one of their beloved pets developed behavioral issues they couldn't solve on their own. This search for answers sparked a passion for dog training that turned into years of hands-on experience and education.
Today, Canine Unleashed's mission is to provide professional and personalized services that cater to the unique needs of each client and their dog. They focus not only on delivering value to owners but also on enhancing the lives of the pets they work with. Through their extensive training, Tommy and Vickie have discovered that there is no "one size fits all" approach to dog training. Every pet-owner relationship is unique, and so their training is always tailored to fit each individual’s needs and goals.
Tommy Dillon
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Owner / Head Trainer
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Tommy Dillon, co-founder of Canine Unleashed, grew up in Winchester, Kentucky, and earned his degree in Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University before completing his Business Administration degree at Flagler University. His diverse background and experiences make him a talented and communicative dog trainer, skilled in bridging the gap between dogs and their owners.
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Tommy's journey into canine training began after an apprenticeship in 2000 with David Harris at Animal Resorts and Training Center (ARTC). He went on to work for PetSmart in 2004 as the top area trainer for central and west Florida. While at PetSmart, he earned his nationally recognized Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) certification. However, Canine Unleashed was born when PetSmart wouldn’t allow Tommy to train dogs with severe behavioral issues, which he felt were necessary to address.
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Eventually, Tommy returned to Kentucky, where David Harris recognized his abilities and brought him back as the General Manager and Trainer at Protection Dog Sales, a multi-million dollar training and boarding facility.
Tommy's passion for teaching people how to communicate better with their dogs is rooted in his long career in coaching. He spent 18 years coaching college basketball, working under legends such as Billy Donovan (University of Florida), Happy Osborne (Georgetown College), and Travis Ford (Eastern Kentucky University). His coaching background honed his ability to analyze, break down, and teach new behaviors—skills that transfer seamlessly to dog training. This experience allows him to focus on dog-friendly training, enrichment, and consistency.
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Throughout his career, Tommy has trained numerous dogs who went on to achieve AKC obedience and IPO titles. More importantly, he has helped countless dog owners overcome struggles at home by teaching "manners" that foster a peaceful and cooperative environment for both pets and owners.
Vickie Dillon
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Groomer / Trainer
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Vickie Dillon, co-founder of Canine Unleashed, grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, surrounded by a supportive family and close friends. A dedicated and hardworking individual, she earned her degree in Sociology from Eastern Kentucky University with a 3.6 GPA. Her strong work ethic extends beyond academics, as she has poured that same dedication into learning canine grooming and training.
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Vickie may be humble about her skills, but she is an exceptional trainer. One of her most memorable achievements is with her German Shepherd, Dixie. Vickie and Dixie earned titles at just nine months of age and beat out Tommy and his companion, twice placing first at AKC-registered events.
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Vickie has continued to grow as a trainer, developing an eclectic style with a focus on short, intermittent training sessions that can take place anywhere and everywhere. Her specialty is in the boarding school training program, where she loves having dogs stay at her house and work on basic manners that pet owners strive for. Her lighthearted approach to training is evident in her philosophy: "make it fun," so the dogs don’t even realize they’re being trained. Vickie jokingly admits that she's used her training skills on her husband—without him knowing, of course!
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In addition to her work as a trainer, Vickie is expanded her skills by graduating from the internationally renowned Nash Grooming Academy in Lexington, Kentucky. After Graduating, Vickie added being a full-time groomer at Canine Unleashed, further enhancing the range of services the business offers.
