About Us
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Expert Dog Trainers
BTS K9 dog Training
Formerly know as Coastline K9 North, we are now BTS K9 Dog Training. We are a professional dog training company serving Fort Walton Beach, Fl and all surrounding areas.
We offer dog training services, obedience training, puppy training, on-leash obedience, off-leash obedience, behavior modification, service dog training, protection dog sales, and day care with training.
Our Trainers
Elena Beplay
Expert Dog Trainer/ Owner
Elena is a US Air Force Veteran of 10 years and entrepreneur. B.S. and M.B.A in Finance. She has been working with dogs and animals for the better part of her life. Elena began a career in
dog training and started a business with her husband Byron after separating from the military Her focus has been on providing pet dog training services and developing protection dogs.
As a mother of four she understands the need for a well trained dog and strives to provide that ease
of mind and care to all of their clients. Elena enjoys training her personal dogs in search and rescue and protection sports. She also serves as an administrative volunteer for the Rescue 22 Foundation.
Byron Beplay
Expert Dog Trainer/ Owner
US Army Veteran of 13 years, 3 rd Ranger Battalion, 75 th Regiment. Byron began his dog training career after he separated from the Army and began working with his service dog. He became a passionate advocate for the Rescue 22 Foundation and Veteran suicide awareness.
He ventured into protection sports and developing protection dogs working under leading trainers in the U.S. and attending many schools and seminars in the disciplines of decoying, protection, detection, military and law enforcement K9 development. Byron enjoys working his own personal dog in scent detection and volunteers his time to help with local law enforcement K9
departments.
Byron began his business as a partnership location with Coastline K9 out of Naples FL. Here he developed and trained many behavioral problems and family protection
dogs before opening the business BTS K9.
Byron is passionate about bringing awareness to the
veteran community and creating a safer community through dog training for our clients and their families.
Rebecca Dabney
Expert Dog Trainer
(Nepopo Gold Graduate)
Nathan Silk
Expert Dog Trainer
Nathan Silk was a Firefighter for 15 years, 8 of which he served in the US Air Force. Nathan has been working with dogs for over 6 years and enjoys the disciplines of behavior modifications, detection, obedience, protection, and service dog training.
He currently has two dogs that he trains himself in service work and detection. Nathan is a graduate of Michael Ellis School of Detection, Cameron Ford CDST (canine detection sport trainer) school and hands on puppy selection and imprinting workshop, he has attended workshops with Michael Nezbeth and Tyler Peterson. He is always continuing education and loves seeing a dogs behavior completely change during the training programs.
Nathan is passionate about making a difference in the dog training industry, helping others, and creating a stronger bond between the dogs and owner.
Nicole Stone
Expert Dog Trainer
Nicole’s journey in dog training began at the age of 15, when she began volunteering at a local Animal Rescue to help dogs get adopted. While completing her final years of high school, she later pursued an apprenticeship under a professional service dog trainer, specializing in training dogs to ADI standards for individuals with autism, physical disabilities, and veterans dealing with TBI/PTSD.
In 2022, Nicole earned a B.S. in biology, and while in college worked as a veterinary assistant and volunteered with her dog “pancakes” at local hospices and assisted living facilities as a therapy dog team. Post-graduation, Nicole transitioned to wildlife detection, working as a handler with her dog “Bowser” to survey wind farms for avian and bat fatalities in collaboration with an environmental consulting firm. Nicole is also training as a protection decoy having completed 3 deadpool decoy seminars, as well as attending continuing education seminars hosted by leaders in the industry such as Carlos Ramirez, Justin Rigney, Mike Nezbeth, and Tyler Peterson.
She is training to compete in the dog sport of PSA and enjoys training protection dogs as well as sport dogs. Nicole enjoys working with working dogs of all backgrounds and helping pet owners achieve harmony with their dog.
Andrea Hartsog
Expert Dog Trainer
Andrea has been working with animals for over 30 years. As a child she helped her father train horses and hunting dogs.
She has recently retired from Social Working and chosen a new career in dog training and animal care. In her spare time, she works with Rover clients and has a big heart for rescues. Her patients and kindness with animals carries into how well she cares for and trains all of our clients dogs.
Andrea is passionate about making sure the dogs in training are in a comfortable environment while having fun in their training programs.
Matt Stuart
Expert Dog Trainer
U.S Air Force Veteran. Matt has been training dogs for 9 years. He started off as a handler for the military and has undergone multiple deployments for the Secret Service and other missions involving detection work. After attending the Lackland AFB main training school, Matt was
awarded the title Master Trainer which is a title only earned by 1% of military dog trainers.
Here at BTS K9, Matt is one of our lead decoys and enjoys working dogs in protection development, helping with our PSA (Protection Sports Association Club) and training dogs with behavioral problems.
Matt is most passionate about obedience work and controlled aggression. He loves to read the dogs and see things click as the dog moved through the training process.
