ABOUT
Â
The "Living With Dogs" Story...
Like us, we believe dogs deserve lives worth living. Lives filled with adventure from the backyard to the backcountry.
Not lives measured by perfect obedience or the absence of mistakes, but lives filled with purpose, adventure, connection, and the freedom to experience the world alongside the people who love them.
Somewhere along the way, many of us stopped living with dogs and started simply managing them.
We became focused on solving problems instead of building partnerships. We measured success by commands instead of confidence. We spent so much time trying to create the perfect dog that we sometimes forgot why we wanted a dog in the first place.
Living With Dogs was created to offer a different perspective.
One that recognizes training as an important tool—but not the destination.
We believe a fulfilling life with dogs is built through understanding, thoughtful structure, practical skills, shared experiences, and trust. It isn't about checking boxes or collecting titles. It's about creating a dog you can confidently enjoy in everyday life.
Whether that's walking through your neighborhood, relaxing at your favorite coffee shop, exploring a hiking trail, traveling together, or simply enjoying a quiet evening at home, those are the moments that matter most.
Every dog is different.
Every person is different.
The path forward should reflect the unique partnership between them while remaining grounded in timeless principles that help both ends of the leash thrive.
Living With Dogs isn't just about raising better dogs.
It's about helping people build a bigger life with them.
Â
Meet the Founder
I'm John Imler, founder of Living With Dogs and Top Dog Training Kentucky.
For more than three decades, dogs have been part of nearly every chapter of my life. For over twelve years, I've helped people and their dogs navigate the challenges of everyday life through Top Dog Training Kentucky.
Over thousands of hours of working with dogs and the people who love them through fostering, residency training and private lessons one truth became impossible to ignore: success isn't measured by what a dog can do during a training session—it's measured by how well you can share your life together.
Living With Dogs grew from that realization.
It's a place to share ideas, stories, conversations, and practical guidance that help people move beyond simply training dogs and toward truly living with them.
Because in the end, the goal isn't perfection.
It's a bigger life, with dogs.
Â
