What drives Dave Kroyer and Frank Phillips can be a loaded question. Ace Trainers Classic was able to catch up with both Kroyer and Phillips while they were working their dogs between rounds during the 2023 AWDF Nationals. We hear so much about drive when it comes to dogs. Dogs don’t stay driven by chance. It takes the perfect combination of drive in trainers, handlers and dogs to build a championship team!

When we found Kroyer and Phillips, they were getting ready to work their dogs in a park near the middle school where the 2023 AWDF Nationals were being held. The park was alive with activity. Many of the teams found their way to this park after competing all day. These guys have always been a lot of fun to talk to. They are both full of wisdom from years of training and competing.

Dave Kroyer was competing with his 4 year old German Shepherd, Hector. Kroyer has been training dogs for over 23 years and has represented the USA in fifteen world championships with 6 different dogs in 2 different sports. He gets satisfaction with goal-oriented training and competitive sports. Just a brief talk with him would reveal that Kroyer is a competitor at heart. He is also an avid BMX competitor.

Dave Kroyer uses his passion for helping others as Head Trainer and Owner of Canine Headquarters and DKA for dog trainers over at DaveKroyer.com. He shares knowledge and expertise and has quite a collection of free videos to help with IGP training.

Frank Phillips was competing with Asko, his 4 year old German Shepherd. Phillips has been involved in this sport for thirty years. He loves training and trialing dogs. His dog, Asko, put on quite a show in protection at the 2023 AWDF Nationals.

It didn’t take long to start talking about the results of the AWDF Nationals. What was happening and what was to come was on the top of everyone’s mind. Kroyer still had tracking the next day. With all of the rain on Saturday; tracking was a hot topic. Phillips had obedience coming the next day. When asked about the Ace Trainers Classic “Money Trial” there was no hesitation in the excitement around it!