About Stone Coast Dog Training
Meet Your Instructor
Christine Kelliher is the owner/head trainer of Stone Coast Dog Training. She combined her desire to work with the community with her love of dogs, which led to a 24 year career as a Police K9 Officer and K9 Detector Dog Trainer in Bensalem Township, Bucks County, PA. As a certified Detector Dog Trainer, Christine has trained dozens of Police K9 teams to a national certifying standard.
Christine and her past K9 partner were the recipients of the 2012 American Kennel Club Award for Canine Excellence.
Additionally, her five detector dogs combined were responsible for the seizure of over $300 million in illegal drugs and drug tainted currency in the Greater Philadelphia area. Throughout her career, Christine attended numerous K9 training classes, conferences, seminars and workshops. Christine retired from law enforcement in December of 2019 and moved to South Thomaston, Maine in January of 2020.
During the pandemic, Christine researched and studied dog behavior to better understand why dogs do what they do. Moreover, as restrictions from the pandemic eased, she ventured out and met with some of the best trainers in the industry to sharpen her skill set and to learn more on how to diagnose and solve behavioral problems in dogs.
Whether your dog is jumping, nipping, mouthing, reactive or aggressive, Christine will work with you to solve these problems and help you develop a dog you will be proud to take out in public. Christine will also work with you to understand the relationship between you and your dog so your dog is trustworthy, reliable and happy.
Meet Your Instructor
Christine Kelliher is the owner/head trainer of Stone Coast Dog Training. She combined her desire to work with the community with her love of dogs, which led to a 24 year career as a Police K9 Officer and K9 Detector Dog Trainer in Bensalem Township, Bucks County, PA. As a certified Detector Dog Trainer, Christine has trained dozens of Police K9 teams to a national certifying standard.
Christine and her past K9 partner were the recipients of the 2012 American Kennel Club Award for Canine Excellence. Her five detector dogs combined were responsible for the seizure of over $300 million in illegal drugs and drug tainted currency in the Greater Philadelphia area. Throughout her career, Christine attended numerous K9 training classes, conferences, seminars and workshops. Christine retired from law enforcement in December of 2019 and moved to South Thomaston, Maine in January of 2020.
During the pandemic, Christine researched and studied dog behavior to better understand why dogs do what they do. As restrictions from the pandemic eased, she ventured out and met with some of the best trainers in the industry to sharpen her skill set and to learn more on how to diagnose and solve behavioral problems in dogs.
Whether your dog is jumping, nipping, mouthing, reactive or aggressive, Christine will work with you to solve these problems and help you develop a dog you will be proud to take out in public. Christine will also work with you to understand the relationship between you and your dog so your dog is trustworthy, reliable and happy.
Past K-9 Partners
K9 Karma
German Shepherd – Narcotics Detector Dog
I raised K9 Karma from a puppy. She picked up where Kirby left off as my partner on the DEA Task Force. Karma was responsible for the seizure of $70 million in drugs and drug tainted currency. We worked 4 years together until my retirement. Karma is still with me today and looks forward to me throwing her the tennis ball daily.
K9 Kirby
German Shepherd – Narcotics Detector Dog
I could go on forever about K9 Kirby. That one dog that built a reputation that earned us jobs all over the greater Philadelphia area. She worked thousands of jobs throughout her career with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Kirby was always consistent and never backed down. This earned her the 2012 American Kennel Club ACE award. This prestigious honor is awarded to one police K9 dog a year. Kirby was responsible for over $100 million in drugs and drug tainted currency. Kirby worked beside me for 8 years and lived out her retirement as my pet. Kirby passed away of natural causes 4 days after her 15th birthday.
K9 Kaos
Labrador retriever – Narcotics Detector Dog
K9 Kaos had big paws to fill, but unfortunately neurological health issues got in the way. Kaos retired after 6 months and eventually passed because of a brain tumor.
K9 Cozmo
Labrador retriever – Narcotics Detector Dog
After the retirement of K9 Sarge, I went a different route and trained K9 Cozmo as a narcotics detector dog. Cozmo taught me more than I taught her over her career. Cozmo was responsible for large seizures of narcotics on the street of Bensalem Township, then I was promoted and she went on to work as my partner on the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) task force in Philadelphia. She was relentless at her job and built us a reputation that made drug dealers cringe. Cozmo retired after 7 years of service and lived out her retirement with me at the age of 10.
K9 Sarge
Rottweiler – Patrol Dog
I’ve always had family dogs and other pets while growing up, but Sarge was my first dog. Sarge was a neglected and abused dog when I rescued him and trained him to become a police K9 patrol dog. It was not unusual in the early 90’s for rottweilers to be used as patrol dogs. Sarge served with me for five years before he retired and came home to be my pet until his passing.
K9 Karma
German Shepherd – Narcotics Detector Dog
I raised K9 Karma from a puppy. She picked up where Kirby left off as my partner on the DEA Task Force. Karma was responsible for the seizure of $70 million in drugs and drug tainted currency. We worked 4 years together until my retirement. Karma is still with me today and looks forward to me throwing her the tennis ball daily.
K9 Kirby
German Shepherd – Narcotics Detector Dog
I could go on forever about K9 Kirby. That one dog that built a reputation that earned us jobs all over the greater Philadelphia area. She worked thousands of jobs throughout her career with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Kirby was always consistent and never backed down. This earned her the 2012 American Kennel Club ACE award. This prestigious honor is awarded to one police K9 dog a year. Kirby was responsible for over $100 million in drugs and drug tainted currency. Kirby worked beside me for 8 years and lived out her retirement as my pet. Kirby passed away of natural causes 4 days after her 15th birthday.
K9 Kaos
Labrador retriever – Narcotics Detector Dog
K9 Kaos had big paws to fill, but unfortunately neurological health issues got in the way. Kaos retired after 6 months and eventually passed because of a brain tumor.
K9 Cozmo
Labrador retriever – Narcotics Detector Dog
After the retirement of K9 Sarge, I went a different route and trained K9 Cozmo as a narcotics detector dog. Cozmo taught me more than I taught her over her career. Cozmo was responsible for large seizures of narcotics on the street of Bensalem Township, then I was promoted and she went on to work as my partner on the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) task force in Philadelphia. She was relentless at her job and built us a reputation that made drug dealers cringe. Cozmo retired after 7 years of service and lived out her retirement with me at the age of 10.
K9 Sarge
Rottweiler – Patrol Dog
I’ve always had family dogs and other pets while growing up, but Sarge was my first dog. Sarge was a neglected and abused dog when I rescued him and trained him to become a police K9 patrol dog. It was not unusual in the early 90’s for rottweilers to be used as patrol dogs. Sarge served with me for five years before he retired and came home to be my pet until his passing.
Why Stone Coast Dog Training?
Personal Attention
Our lessons are private so that you and your dog get the one-on-one attention required to be successful. Even our Puppy School has small class sizes.
Friendly Instructor
Christine provides expert instruction that is respectful and kind for both dogs and handlers. Remaining patient and calm at all times is critical in training.
Customized Approach
Our trainer listens to you and observes your dog to determine the approach that is best suited to meet your dog’s training and behavioral needs.
Experienced Trainer
Christine worked with Police K9s for 24 years, and now she is training dogs to strengthen their relationships with their handlers.
Proud Member
As a proud member of the International Association of Canine Professionals, we maintain the highest professional and business standards in dog training.
Incredible Community
Our Facebook page provides 24 hour a day access to training tips, news, special events, weather cancellations and more.