About Us
Dog Training Built on Science
Many dog training programs fail because they treat symptoms rather than behavior.
Maligator Kennels takes a different approach. We transform how dogs think, respond, and function in the world, and in doing so, we change the lives of the people who live with them. Our work is grounded in scientifically validated behavioral principles, advanced psychological understanding, and real-world experience.
We exist to help owners and handlers unlock their dogs’ full potential. And we do it without gimmicks, shortcuts, or empty promises.
Training a dog isn’t complicated. Living with unresolved behavior problems is.
OUR PURPOSE
Maligator Kennels provides a level of dog training expertise that most owners never have access to, and does so with honesty, personalized support, and accountability.
Our goal is to transform your pet into a dog you can trust, understand, and live with calmly and confidently through science-backed training.
Where Maligator Kennels Began
The foundation of Maligator Kennels was laid long before we ever worked with civilian dog owners.
Our founder, Russ Bishop, got his start in 2012, working in the world of police dogs. In that environment, training is not theoretical. Dogs must operate under pressure, in unpredictable environments, and with absolute reliability.
That experience shaped everything that followed.
In 2014, Maligator Kennels was officially formed with the intent of focusing solely on police dog training and procurement. The depth of knowledge required for that work, dog psychology, behavior recognition, drive management, stress response, and control, was rarely shared outside professional circles.
Then came a turning point.
A civilian owner reached out for help with a dog that had exhausted other options. Russ agreed to help, unsure even how to price the work. The outcome altered that owner’s quality of life and revealed that the tools used to create reliable working dogs could also transform households.
From that moment forward, Maligator Kennels evolved. What began as a specialized operation became a statewide resource for owners facing serious behavioral challenges.
Where Maligator Kennels Began
The foundation of Maligator Kennels was laid long before we ever worked with civilian dog owners.
Our founder, Russ Bishop, got his start in 2012, working in the world of police dogs. In that environment, training is not theoretical. Dogs must operate under pressure, in unpredictable environments, and with absolute reliability.
That experience shaped everything that followed.
In 2014, Maligator Kennels was officially formed with the intent of focusing solely on police dog training and procurement. The depth of knowledge required for that work, dog psychology, behavior recognition, drive management, stress response, and control, was rarely shared outside professional circles.
Then came a turning point.
A civilian owner reached out for help with a dog that had exhausted other options. Russ agreed to help, unsure even how to price the work. The outcome altered that owner’s quality of life and revealed that the tools used to create reliable working dogs could also transform households.
From that moment forward, Maligator Kennels evolved. What began as a specialized operation became a statewide resource for owners facing serious behavioral challenges.
What Makes Maligator Kennels a Breed of Its Own
There are many dog trainers. But we are the only dog training facility in Utah with a certified canine psychology and behavior modification expert on staff, trained through a U.S. Supreme Court–recognized program.
Certified Behavioral Expertise
Maligator Kennels is the only training program in the market with certified, on-staff experts in dog psychology, behavior recognition, and behavior modification.
That distinction represents an advanced, formal understanding of how dogs perceive stress, process information, form behavioral patterns, and respond to intervention.
Science-Driven, Balanced Training
Our methodology is rooted in behavioral science and adapted to the individual dog. We do not subscribe to ideology-based training or one-size-fits-all systems.
Balanced training means we apply the right tools, timing, and structure for the dog’s temperament, environment, and purpose, always with the dog’s long-term well-being as the priority.
Real-World Reliability
We prepare dogs to function in the real world around distractions, under pressure, and in the environments where owners actually live.
We Help Dogs Become the Greatest Versions of Themselves
If you’re searching for answers, scientifically proven methods, and a path forward, you’re in the right place.
Maligator Kennels delivers expertise, personalized support, and stands with you until the results are real.
Schedule your training and invest in your dog.