Steve Kotowske - Owner and President
Our Owner of Von Herder Haus Kennels is Steve Kotowske. Steve has experienced success in both showing and breeding German Shepherd Dogs and Dutch Shepherds. His experience in training law enforcement K9’s, and consulting K9 teams adds a layer of knowledge that many trainers do not possess. His philosophy of training is quite simple - to teach you proper communication and leadership skills that, when followed, create a proper relationship between you and your dog.
Steve trained at the American K9 Interdiction (AK9i) with some of the best trainers in the world. This is where he truly found his passion for training these types of working dogs. He believes that people NEED these animals and he wanted to be the person to help families across the country feel protected and safe wherever they go.
With protection, Steve does not believe in a dog that is sharp or aggressive. He owns 3 personal protection dogs of his own that he has raised and trained since they were puppies. With this, he has first hand knowledge of what a Personal Protection Dog should be and what it should not be. Protection dogs should be clear headed and overall good dogs.
Steve’s passion for dogs has been known across the country for decades and is known to have made a huge difference in many people’s livelihoods with everything from Pet Dogs, to Service Dogs to Personal Protection Dogs and much more.
Tanner Kotowske - Lead Facility Trainer
Our Lead Facility Trainer is Tanner Kotowske, Steve’s son. Tanner has been training dogs since he could hold a leash. At 9 years old, Steve brought home their first working dog which happened to be a Personal Protection Dog. This dog made him fall in love with training.
Playing college sports, Tanner was out of state and was studying to be an International Business major with a specification in Germany. Due to his love of dogs and drive for working, he came back to Florida and followed his true dream of becoming a dog trainer using the same philosophies as his father.
Tanner works with everything from Pet Dogs to Personal Protection Dogs and everything in between. He is a very “No BS” type of trainer and will help coach you through handling your dog with your dog’s best interest in mind. He currently owns 2 working dogs in his household so he is good at explaining and coaching through the rigors of owning such a breed for your household as well! With that, he has also been helping Steve raise working line puppies since the age of 10.
Tanner has a passion for teaching. Not just teaching dogs but teaching the owners how to have their dogs be successful through whatever training they are going through. His vision is to have the world be a better place through dogs.
Kendall Bennett - Facility Trainer
Facility Trainer Kendall Bennett has enjoyed a life with dogs since she was a young child with her family’s first rescue. Kendall works with her personal dog a Giant Schnauzer every day with detection work. She makes the work look easy on an everyday basis. Kendall’s smile and easy going disposition puts most dogs at ease, while her unwavering dedication to the task yields great results.
Kendall holds a BS in Criminal Justice, a Master’s in Science of Justice, and has done an internship with Faulker Police Department. She is also a former collegiate athlete with All Conference Awards for all four years.
Kendall is great with people and dogs in every way. Her eagerness to learn and excel sets her apart from most others when it comes to working with dogs. She excels in decoy work and the handling of working dogs.
