Graham was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and currently holds dual American & Canadian citizenship. A permanent resident of the United States, Graham currently resides in San Diego, California. From birth, Graham, Dog Trainer San Diego, has been instinctively attracted to all animals, although it is obvious that his true love is dogs.
Graham Bloem immigrated to Canada at the age of 5 and, since then, has enjoyed frequent trips back to South Africa, always declining a beach vacation in favor of anything involving animals. One of his favorite vacation destinations is Kruger Park in Africa, the largest open game reserve in the world. During these trips back to South Africa, Graham Bloem, Dog Trainer San Diego, has had many amazing interactions with a wide variety of exotic animals: encountering poisonous snakes, being charged by elephants, and coming in close contact with lions, rhinos, hyenas, leopards, and wild dogs, to name a few. Graham has also had the amazing opportunity of spending time with lion cubs, getting a feel for their strength and intelligence even at a young age.
During his years in Canada, Graham found that he terribly missed the animal encounters he had experienced in Africa. In an attempt to regain the feeling he had around animals in his homeland, he focused on the local wildlife in Canada, mainly the wolf species. He would often take trips up north, seeking to find coyotes, wolves, or foxes he could observe from a distance. When he would return from these trips, he would read about the animals he'd observed for hours on end. Reading further piqued Graham's quest for knowledge, and led him to make more trips to the Woods, the local zoo, and the Canadian Wolf Conservation to have first hand encounters with these animals. The closest he could come to owning a wolf was to have a dog as a pet. Once he was able to adopt one, the dog and Graham Bloem, San Diego Dog Trainer were inseparable.
From Canada, Graham immigrated to the United States, moving to sunny Southern California. Living near the beach allowed Graham to extend his love of animals into the local sea life found along the Southern Californian coast. Graham made sure he had close encounters with seals, dolphins, whales, and any other sea life he could get near. Dogs were always his main focus, though, and Graham Bloem, San Diego Dog Trainer continued to further self-educate himself on everything from canine psychology to training. Graham would often attend dog-training seminars and took his own dog to many different obedience classes, not because his dog needed the training, but simply because Graham wanted to learn more.
For two years during this time, Graham managed a local pet shop. It was then that he realized he wanted to pursue a career working with animals. His ultimate goal: to work hand in hand with dogs for a living. Graham enrolled at the Animal Behavior College, completing all his course work at the top of his class. He graduated and obtained his certification as an Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer. Graham's first job out of college was as a Kennel Technician at Helen Woodward Animal Center, where he gained valuable experience working in a kennel environment. Seeing his knowledge in dog obedience, Graham Dog Trainer San Diego was soon promoted to Dog Trainer for the entire Center. During his employment at Helen Woodward Animal Center, Graham had the opportunity to meet Rick Klassen, Certified Master Dog Trainer (CMDT). Rick is among the top trainers in the world, earning Master Dog Trainer certification, an achievement that only a select few have accomplished. Rick mentored Graham, teaching him how to communicate with dogs on another level, understand their every move, and find out what motivates them. Rick certified Graham at a very advanced level, which opened the door for Graham to become a specialist in behavior modification and aggression rehabilitation.
Following this advanced training, Graham's focus at Helen Woodward turned to rehabilitating dogs that were deemed "un-adoptable". After his amazing 4 year journey at Helen Woodward, Graham resigned to continue to grow his company, West Coast K9. He continues to work as a consultant with other animal shelters and rescues throughout Southern California.
He was contacted by his alma matter, the Animal Behavior College, and was asked to accept the prestigious position of Senior Mentor Trainer for the College. In this capacity, Graham now assists in the process of certifying other trainers in California.
In the midst of his work in San Diego, Graham took a trip to Australia and visited The Australia Zoo, owned by Steve Irwin, otherwise known as the “Crocodile Hunter”. While at the Zoo, Graham had the incredible opportunity of going behind-the-scenes to watch the staff work with dingoes. Graham not only learned a lot from these world-renowned zoo keepers, but he also had the unique opportunity of interacting with the dingoes, petting them and watching them interact with each other.
Upon his return from Australia, Graham Bloem, San Diego Dog Trainer started his own training company, West Coast K9. Graham has continued to successfully run this business since 2002. Graham is considered an expert in rehabilitating dogs with all levels of behavior issues as well as all levels of Obedience Training. He is well-known throughout the West Coast for his success with training and rehabilitating dogs, and hopes to expand his efforts soon across the U.S. and Canada.
Graham Bloem, San Diego Dog Trainer, has participated in many TV interviews, telethon fundraisers, and other TV programs relating to dog handling or adoption. Graham Bloem was featured in the March 2005 issue of Dog Fancy Magazine, giving advice in an article entitled “Doggie Divas….how to deal with a bossy dog”. Graham's weekly work encompasses both in-home private training and behavior modification, running Group Obedience Classes as well as continuing to work with local pet care partners, shelters and rescues. He trains his client’s dogs, shelter dogs and works with staff and volunteers to increase their knowledge in dog behavior and handling.
Graham Bloem had the great opportunity to work with Lava, a dog rescued from Iraq during the battle in Fallujah. Lava now resides in La Jolla California with his owner, Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman, a US Marine that fell in love with Lava while in Iraq serving his country. Lava is an amazing, loving dog with outstanding senses and incredible intelligence. Graham assisted in socializing and training him, teaching him many basic and advanced obedience commands. Read more about Lava and Jay at http://www.jaykopelman.com/LINKS.htm. Graham Bloem also accepted an offer from The Learning Annex, one of the largest adult education programs in the nation. He previously taught seminars on how to keep your pet happy and healthy, focusing on pet nutrition and training. Graham Bloem is also a member of the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) - the largest organization of its kind), IACP (International Association Of Canine Professionals), AKC (American Kennel Club), HSUS (Humane Society Of The United States) and he is an ABC (Animal Behavior College) Alumni. West Coast K9 is a fully Insured and Licensed Dog Training business in North County San Diego.
In 2006, Graham accepted an offer from the Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas California. He will be their Contracting Trainer, responsible for behavior assessment, evaluations, treatment plans, staff training and other related tasks. In late 2007 West Coast K9 Dog Training opened their Training Facility and the facility is located on site at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society, just below the Day Care For Dogs Center. The West Coast K9 Dog Obedience Facility is approximately 5000 square feet and is fully enclosed…this provides a great area for both Group Obedience Classes as well as Private Dog Training Lessons.
Most recently, Graham has the amazing opportunity to work with yet another dog that was rescued in Iraq by Major Brian Dennis of the US Marine Corp. Major Dennis bonded with a stray mixed breed dog while serving his country in Iraq. He named the dog Nubs after learning that someone cut off his ears as it was their belief that it would make Nubs tougher and live longer. But later, Major Dennis and his squad of Marines had to move command posts 70 miles into the desert and he could not bring Nubs with him due to Military policy. Little did he know, Nubs was coming anyway; Nubs tracked Dennis 70 miles through the desert in freezing temperatures and they were reunited! It was at this point Dennis knew he had to get Nubs home to the United States and make him his life long companion. Graham Bloem was then asked if he could participate by helping Nubs adjust to his new life here and provide some obedience training. Graham will be training Nubs while waiting for Major Dennis to return from Iraq sometime in the Spring of 2008. Graham is expected to be seen on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, KUSI and Fox 6 News. He was also featured in the Tampa Tribune, Baltimore Sun, Military.com, San Diego Source as well as other newspapers and websites around the country.
Please Click the links below read more about Nubs and this amazing story.
http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,162322,00.html
http://boards.historychannel.com/thread.jspa?threadID=800037523&tstart=90&mod=1203813243841
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/feb/23/me-new-friends-welcome-nubs-to-us-home/
http://www.kusi.com/news/local/15755547.html
http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=02f8c3f7-b2fb-44fe-9107-1de07d78f88e
It doesn't stop there...Now that Graham has worked with and trained 2 dogs that have returned from the War in Iraq, he is being called upon to assist in training additional dogs coming to San Diego from Iraq. 7 mix breed puppies, (yes they have been adopted by marines already), will be coming to stay at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society for approximately 3-4 weeks while waiting for their new owners to return from Iraq. Graham will be socializing and training these puppies with the assistance of the Senior Volunteers at the Humane Society. The Rancho Coastal Humane Society Volunteer Dog Training Program was developed by Graham Bloem of West Coast K9 and the RCHS Volunteer Supervisor Brian Cook. This program was designed to focus on the adoption dogs that are in need of some extra attention, basic training and additional physical and mental stimulation. The RCHS Dog Training Program is very organized and extremely successful; helping dogs find their new homes in a shorter time and also helping them stay in those homes once adopted. Stay tuned for news updates, pictures and video footage of Nubs and these adorable Puppies.
Graham Bloem, Dog Obedience Trainer San Diego, currently works with about 40 dogs a week. In addition, he continues to educate the general public about canine behavior and responsible dog ownership. His goal is to make the world a better place for the canine inhabitants and to put a stop to unnecessary euthanasia.
