Welcome
Understanding the Heart of Athens Canine Training
Athens Canine Training is dedicated to enhancing the bond between dogs and their owners through expert training. We prioritize respect, patience, and effective communication to achieve lasting results in obedience, protection, and behavior management. Our commitment to quality service and compassionate care has made us a trusted partner in the dog training community.
We provide a compassionate approach to canine training. We emphasize positive reinforcement, understanding canine behavior, and hands-on techniques to empower owners and create lasting change in their dogs’ behavior.


Core Values
We believe in compassion, integrity, and continuous growth, ensuring exceptional training experiences for both dogs and their families.

Our Mission
To enhance the bond between dogs and their owners through tailored, effective training that prioritizes the well-being and happiness of every canine companion.
Get to Know Us
Meet the Passionate Team Behind Athens Canine Training
Antonio Torres is a seasoned K-9 instructor with a passion for training police dogs in a variety of specialized areas. His expertise includes apprehension, tracking, explosives detection, obedience, and narcotics detection, and he has a reputation for producing highly trained K-9 units that exceed expectations.
With certification in multiple states and a wealth of experience under his belt, Antonio has established himself as a leading expert in K-9 training. He has trained dogs for a wide range of government agencies, including the US military and law enforcement agencies at the national, state, and local level. His professional contacts and connections in the field are a testament to his unparalleled expertise.
Antonio was drawn to K-9 training from a young age, influenced by his father, a K-9 instructor himself. Since then, Antonio has worked tirelessly to hone his skills, perfecting his training methods and techniques to produce the best possible results.
What sets Antonio apart from other K-9 instructors is his ability to create a tailored training plan for each individual dog. He understands the importance of recognizing and accommodating each dog's unique personality, learning style, and strengths, and he uses this knowledge to design a customized training program that brings out the best in each dog.
Antonio's deep respect for the animals he works with is evident in all aspects of his work. He is committed to positive reinforcement techniques, always ensuring that the dogs in his care receive the love, care, and attention they deserve.
With his wealth of expertise and passion for K-9 training, Antonio Torres is a trusted and respected figure in the field. His dedication to excellence and commitment to animal welfare make him a sought-after instructor for law enforcement agencies across the country.
Lindsay Carney's journey in the dog world began at age ten, when she showed her golden retriever. She pursued a degree in Healthcare Administration from Kent State University, graduating magna cum laude and has since operated several multimillion dollar healthcare centers. She trained her golden retriever, Dagny, as a therapy dog to bring comfort to her patients. This led her passion for dogs to deepen, and she established Diamond Dogs Kennel, our breeding partner, in 2021. Here, she breeds German shepherds and golden retrievers. Following years of dedication to conformation and therapy work, in pursuit of enhancing both breeds, Lindsay expanded her expertise into other dog sports. She became a certified CGC Evaluator, gaining insight from renowned trainers while prioritizing the welfare of dogs. Currently, Lindsay participates in various competitions with her personal dogs, including IGP, dock diving, conformation, and Fast CAT. Over the past few years, she has conducted STAR Puppy and CGC classes, training dogs in basic and advanced obedience, service work, therapy dogs, and behavior modification. Lindsay's passion for dogs is evident from the moment you meet her, and she takes great joy in fostering the bond between dogs and their human companions.
Emilio’s involvement in dog training began with The Ohio Buckeye Schutzhund Club, where European trainers were brought in to establish their program. Emilio’s physical aptitude made him an ideal candidate for training helper work, and he was subsequently mentored by one of the European trainers.
In the early 1980s, Emilio’s timing coincided with the Medina County Sheriff’s Department’s decision to launch a Canine Unit. He was selected as an Associate Canine Trainer official helper by the late Chief Dan Norton and Deputy George Rogers, assisting in the training of dogs in the Canine Division, focusing on protection, defense, and tracking.
In 1984, Emilio trained the first police dogs deployed in Trumbull County, Ohio.
Emilio completed the basic police officer training program accredited by the Ohio Police Officer Training Council in 1985. He went on to complete specialized courses in Basic Drug Investigations through the Ohio Peace Officer's Training Council in April 1986 and Basic Homicide Investigations at Case Western Reserve University in June 1987.
In 1987, Emilio became paraplegic due to a car accident. Following his accident, he began training his own service dogs. Encouraged by others, he expanded his training to include service dogs for individuals with diabetes, epilepsy, and autism.
Emilio earned an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science with a concentration in Corrections and an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science in Law Enforcement in 1990.
He furthered his education, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree of Applied Science in Criminal Administration from Youngstown State University in 1994.
In 2015, Emilio became a certifying official for the state of South Carolina, granting him the privilege of certifying apprehension K-9s for police departments statewide.
Join Us Now
Empower Your Dog to Thrive with Our Training Solutions!
Get in touch today and let us help you and your dog achieve harmony and understanding in your relationship.
Call: 330-307-7708
contact@athenscanine.com
