About Shelley Clawson

Woman and Boxer dog with obedience awards

Shelley began her training career in horses.

She spent many years working with Appaloosa horses, preparing them for halter classes and Western pleasure. During that time her mixed breed dog, Royal, was always at her side. Royal traveled from horse shows to motorcycle races, never needing a leash. After a back injury, it was a natural progression for Shelley to change gears from horses to dogs. Shelley took her first dog training class in 1985 and has been training dogs in one way or another ever since.

Shelley has earned titles in Conformation, Obedience, and Rally in AKC, UKC, ASCA, APDT, and WCR. Many of the titles Shelley has earned were earned with breeds not typically thought of as performance breeds. She has earned titles on multiple Boxers, Chinese Cresteds, a Dalmatain, a Catahoula/Boxer cross. Of course she is also very competitive with her Border Collie.

Shelley's students are not training the common breeds either. K-Nine Coaching classes are filled with every breed you can imagine. She has had students earn titles with everything from Border Terriers and Schnauzers to Irish Water Spaniels and even mix breeds! Shelley's daughter Amanda, has been very successful with a Dalmatian! Amanda has now added her own Boxer puppy, Faith, to her show string.

Shelley believes every dog and handler team is different and that training should be customized in a positive manner to fit each team. At K-Nine Coaching we have a unique environment. With our double gated fenced training area and Lafayette Village just outside our door we have the ability to train in all settings. She believes real life exposure during class time is very important to a balanced training program.

In addition to regular training classes, Shelley was the leader of Take the Lead 4H Club. The club members are introduced to many areas of responsible dog ownership. Under Shelley's guidance members have certified their dogs for Therapy work, earned CGC's and even shown in 4H trials. Amanda and her poodle dreamer, were 4H State Champions in Agility and Obedience in 2008 along with many other placements.

In 2017 Shelley moved to Oklahoma and in 2018 missed training so much she took on just a few customers and it quickly grew to the point where group classes were added at the Okmulgee County Fairgrounds. K-nine Coaching quickly out grew what the fairgrounds could offer so in October of 2019 she re-opened a school in Okmulgee not far from the fairgrounds.

In 2020 we were faced with the pandemic and as hard as we tried the new business could not handle the extended shut down so in 2021 we went back to the fairgrounds and limited classes.

March of 2026 Shelley and her husband Chris purchased the property at 19025 Watts Rd and moved K-nine Coaching to its permanent home.

Shelley continues to create amazing custom collars and leashes. Just email, call or text to get yours!

Shelley’s Continued Education

Handlers Choice with Denise Fenzi April 25 2016
First Aid CPR Certification June 5, 2015
Sarah Jacobs World Cyno Rally Seminar - Dec 15 2013
Rally Rules with Betsy Baird - March 4, 2012
Ceasar Milan - Seminar - October 22, 2010
Obedience is the Game with Terri Arnold - July 11, 12, 2010
Puppy Power with Petra Ford - June 26, 2010
Beginning Workshop with Betsey Scappichio and Linda Brennan - April, 2010
Sylvia Bishop Englands Premier Obedience Trainer - November 6, 7, 8, 2009
Limber up the Limbic System Dr Michele Bannoura - Learn how dogs learn - August 15, 2009
Do’s and Don’ts of Matches and Obedience trials with Betsy Scapicchio and Linda Brennan - December 7, 2008
Sylvia Bishop, England’s Premiere Obedience Trainer - November 7, 8, 9, 2008
Obedience Workshop With Betsy Scapicchio and Linda Brennan - June 6, 7, 8, 2008
Ceasar Milan - Dog Behavior - September 30, 2006
Advanced Obedience Workshop With Betsy Scapicchio and Linda Brennan - April 27, 28, 30, 2006

Shelley’s Dog Training History

Oct 4th 2019 Shelley signed the lease to the new school in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
Feb of 2017, Shelley moved to Oklahoma and began to recreate K-Nine Coaching in the Tulsa area.
Accepted as an approved trainer for the American Treibball Association Nov 2014
Established K-Nine Coaching at Lafayette Village in October 2011.
Training under Terri Arnold from 2010 through 2012.
Taught group and private lessons at Top Dog Obedience School in Flanders NJ from Feb 2002 to Oct 2011
Accepted as an approved AKC CGC Evaluator March 2003
Trained at Top Dog with Betsy Scapicchio and Linda Brennan from 2000 to 2011.
Training with Terri Arnold from 1999 to 2000.
Training at St. Huberts with Ann Paul from 1997 to 2000.
Training with Lou Erickson Basic Obedience 1986

Buella and I started training with Shelley almost 1 yr ago and Buella has gone from a totally ADD dog trying to figure out how to get that "ball and chain" (namely me) attached to her collar to let go to a wonderful companion who won her first First Place in Rally Obedience on Sunday! A totally different dog and relationship. Love Shelley and would recommend her to anyone!!

Linda Jehl - Client

My husband and I have had four bloodhounds that all started with Shelly in puppy kindergarten and progressed through their CGC's. As active search dogs in the public eye their behavior is high profile. Shelley has consistently modified training to bring out the best in our dogs as bloodhounds and hounds in general can be self centered and quickly lose interest in the mundane. We recently have stepped obedience up a notch to include rally. Shelley is supportive, innovative and understands the challenges of our breed. I recommend Shelley highly without reservations.

Roxanne Chandler - Client