Christopher Dedge
Dog Trainer
Maysville,NC
Summary
Determined Business Owner with a commitment to excellence and more than 7 years of experience. Effective collaborator promoting dog training and animal well-being.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
CEO
K-9s For Freedom, Inc
03.2022 - Current
- Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth.
- Cultivated forward-thinking, inclusive, and performance-oriented business culture to lead industry in innovation and push progress.
- Identified new revenue generation opportunities to maximize bottom-line profitability.
- Negotiated terms of business acquisitions to increase business base and solidify market presence.
- Built productive relationships with industry partners and competitors to support strategic business objectives.
- Reviewed individual department performance and worked with leadership to improve processes, procedures, and practices.
Certified Dog Trainer
Self-employeed
12.2016 - Current
- Evaluated animals to determine temperaments, abilities and aptitude for training.
- Consulted with owners to discuss behavioral concerns and determine final goals.
- Instructed owners and dogs on basic obedience commands using different techniques to match dogs' drives for reward.
- Watched dogs for triggers, signs of aggression and pack behaviors to formulate possible solutions.
- Employed positive reinforcement with animals using "clicker-training" method, voice rewards and food rewards.
- Maintained clean training arena for group classes.
- Worked individually with dogs on track for higher-level certifications in obedience and show performance.
- Educated owners about benefits of specialized therapy training.
- Coordinated with outside agencies for funding for special needs clients and service training.
- Utilized positive reinforcement techniques to successfully train animals.
- Advised owners about planned animal purchases or adoptions and potential behavioral needs.
- Maintained clean, neat, and hazard-free animal areas to protect individual health and wellbeing.
- Observed animals closely to understand individual needs and behaviors.
- Modified undesirable behaviors with use of successful and safe behavior modifications techniques.
- Observed dogs in various settings to determine behavioral concerns and problems.
Military Instructor
United States Marine Corps
07.2014 - 07.2016
- Created positive and safe learning environment for students by setting and enforcing classroom code of conduct.
- Met with students to dispense study and career advice and provide guidance and potential opportunities within chosen field.
- Guided students in researching, structuring and presenting debate case.
- Conducted engaging in-class discussions to facilitate learning and encourage participation.
- Applied innovative teaching methods to encourage student learning objectives.
- Developed semester outlines and instructional plans for each class session to comply with stated course objectives.
- Assessed students' progress and provided feedback to enhance learning.
- Created syllabus and instructional plans for each class session in accord with stated course objectives.
- Created materials and exercises to illustrate application of course concepts.
- Evaluated and supervised student activities and performance levels to provide reports on academic progress.
- Taught diverse student population by employing various learning styles and abilities.
- Designed and implemented various educational activities and programs to meet student needs.
- Created excitement and enthusiasm in classroom by delivering engaging subject matter.
- Built strong rapport with students through class discussions and academic advisement.
- Contributed to planning appropriate and engaging lessons for both classroom and distance learning applications.
- Incorporated instructional technologies in course delivery for both in-class and online instruction.
- Impartially evaluated papers, projects and homework assignments of students, delegating grading to teaching assistants when appropriate.
- Graded quizzes, tests, homework, and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback.
- Participated in various campus memberships at each assigned school to promote academics and faculty development.
Platoon Sergeant
United States Marine Corps
05.2013 - 07.2014
- Trained, supervised and organized over 40 Marines and personnel.
- Managed over $1.5 million worth of equipment during garrison and deployment operations.
- Maintained health, welfare and combat readiness of personnel within platoon.
- Conducted personal and professional counseling, routine inspections and physical fitness tests.
- Served as principal advisor to First Sergeant and Commander.
- Enforced technical and tactical training standards to accomplish unit mission objectives.
- Directed tactical operations in complex and challenging environments.
- Trained and mentored personnel in combat operations and tactics.
- Coordinated activities of subordinate personnel to support mission success.
- Monitored and assessed mission progress and provided updates to command.
- Planned and coordinated tactical movements of personnel and equipment.
- Devised and implemented battle plans to achieve tactical objectives.
- Supervised firing platoon, maintained firing capability and organized platoon defense.
- Led team in developing strategic plans to meet operational objectives.
- Developed and implemented plans to reduce risk to personnel and equipment during tactical operations.
- Implemented necessary safety practices, proper firing commands and proper ammunition handling.
- Analyzed fighting conditions and led attack and defense operations during ground missions.
- Trained soldiers on military structure, etiquette and environmental survival tactics.
- Coordinated with other military branches to execute operations.
- Coordinated infantry positioning and equipment locations to facilitate safety and efficiency.
- Led unit in field exercises and operations.
- Recommended soldiers for promotion points and awards.
- Devised and implemented training plans and combat tactics.
Infantry Squad Leader
United States Marine Corps
02.2011 - 05.2013
- Supervised and led squad of 13 Marines, setting high standard of efficiency, loyalty and integrity.
- Instructed personnel in de-escalation and conflict resolution techniques for use in foreign national negotiations and cooperative actions.
- Led fire team during infantry dismounted battle drills and situational training exercises.
- Identified issues between soldiers and successfully resolved problems through active listening and interpersonal communication.
- Assessed battlefield conditions such as terrain and enemy fire effectiveness to organize and deploy team members effectively.
- Demonstrated proficiency in telecommunications equipment to foster critical contact during team missions.
- Trained in use of tear gas, passive ordnance, and explosives.
- Patrolled designated coverage areas and evaluated terrain for defensive use.
- Conducted reconnaissance operations to gather intelligence on enemy positions.
- Utilized advanced tactics to engage and neutralize enemy combatants.
- Coordinated with other military branches to execute operations.
- Trained soldiers on military structure, etiquette and environmental survival tactics.
- Recommended soldiers for promotion points and awards.
- Devised and implemented training plans and combat tactics.
- Operated heavy equipment, fire equipment and mobile Incident Command Center vehicle.
- Constructed and camouflaged infantry positions and equipment to prevent detection.
- Maintained current in-depth knowledge of team member strengths and weaknesses to most effectively plan battle strategy.
- Determined necessity and type of additional resources and change of approach and techniques.
- Coordinated infantry positioning and equipment locations to facilitate safety and efficiency.
- Provided thorough reports to superiors regarding squad's activities on patrol.
- Briefed leaders on readiness, equipment status, and enemy locations to enable sound decision making.
- Produced reports on equipment status, incidences, personnel readiness and intelligence for superiors.
- Executed reasoned and efficient decision-making to foster troop discipline and unity.
- Trained teams on emergency situation preparedness and integration of tactical planning, equipment maintenance and weapon use.
- Maintained 100% accountability of assigned equipment worth more than $[Amount].
- Responded to emergencies with speed, efficiency, and knowledgeable assistance.
Infantryman
United States Marine Corps
05.2010 - 02.2013
- Performed as fire team member during situational training exercises and infantry dismounted battle drills.
- Responded to emergencies with speed, efficiency, and knowledgeable assistance.
- Led fire team during infantry dismounted battle drills and situational training exercises.
- Trained in use of tear gas, passive ordnance, and explosives.
- Trained teams on emergency situation preparedness and integration of tactical planning, equipment maintenance and weapon use.
- Maintained secure communication systems to relay information to and from command teams.
- Established defensive positions to protect against enemy forces.
- Patrolled designated coverage areas and evaluated terrain for defensive use.
- Trained over multinational partners, contractors and foreign nationals to develop warfighting and defense capabilities.
- Executed directives from command center with necessary timeliness and efficiency.
- Instructed squad members on proper use of weapons and equipment.
- Developed and implemented strategies to maximize squad efficiency.
- Installed, operated and maintained field communications equipment.
- Monitored and reported enemy activity to command center.
- Identified enemy targets using advanced surveillance techniques.
- Guided night patrols to search for enemy forces.
- Utilized advanced combat tactics to maintain safety during engagements.
- Led soldiers through successful engagements with enemy forces.
- Helped restore war-torn areas by contributing to reconstruction operations.
- Directed reconnaissance missions to gather intelligence on enemy forces.
- Deployed countermeasures to repel enemy assaults.
- Established defensive positions during hostile engagements.
Marine Security Guard
United States Marine Corps
02.2008 - 05.2010
- Sounded alarms or called police or fire department in case of fire or presence of unauthorized persons.
- Observed departing personnel to protect against property theft and conducted authorized removal of property within appropriate requirements.
- Performed security patrols of designated areas on foot or in vehicle.
- Watched for irregular or unusual conditions that created security concerns or safety hazards and proactively addressed concerns.
- Investigated and prepared reports on accidents, incidents and suspicious activities to identify and address threats promptly.
- Monitored entrances and exits and warned trespassers of rule infractions while permitting authorized persons to enter property.
- Remained calm and alert especially during emergency situations to maintain order and confidence in authority.
- Investigated incidents and wrote detailed reports for superior review.
- Executed decisions and actions based on previous experience and good judgment, sometimes revising procedures to accommodate unusual situations.
- Patrolled grounds to monitor status and safety of premises.
- Intervened in potentially violent situations to maintain personnel safety.
Basic Marine
United States Marine Corps
06.2007 - 02.2008
- Worked in team environment to maintain high levels of productivity.
- Followed school and classroom policies, regulations, dress codes, and schedules.
- Took extensive notes to document lessons and further solidify learning objectives.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Animal Behavior And Ethology
Unity Environmental University
Maine06.2025
No Degree - Animal Training
Animal Behavior College
12.2017
Skills
- Cash Management
- Business Planning
- Project Management
- Organizational Management
- Strategic Planning
- Risk Management
- Staff Management
- Consulting
- Management Consultation
- Creative Solution Development
- Class Scheduling
- Training Method Development
- Attention to Detail
Websites
Founder of K-9s For Freedom, Inc.
Our Mission:
K-9s for Freedom was born out of the profound recognition that service is a selfless act that comes with unique challenges. Our mission is to enhance the lives of those who have sacrificed for the greater good by delivering life-changing service dogs, essential equipment, and comprehensive training at absolutely no cost to the recipients.
Founder's Vision:
Founded by a disabled veteran who understands the profound impact of service and sacrifice, K-9s for Freedom is guided by a vision to create a community of support, empowerment, and healing. Our founder's personal journey serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of service dogs and the resilience of the human spirit.
Timeline
CEO
K-9s For Freedom, Inc
03.2022 - Current
Certified Dog Trainer
Self-employeed
12.2016 - Current
Military Instructor
United States Marine Corps
07.2014 - 07.2016
Platoon Sergeant
United States Marine Corps
05.2013 - 07.2014
Infantry Squad Leader
United States Marine Corps
02.2011 - 05.2013
Infantryman
United States Marine Corps
05.2010 - 02.2013
Marine Security Guard
United States Marine Corps
02.2008 - 05.2010
Basic Marine
United States Marine Corps
06.2007 - 02.2008
Bachelor of Science - Animal Behavior And Ethology
Unity Environmental University
No Degree - Animal Training
Animal Behavior College
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