Send us a text

We think that you will see that Mountain is a teacher at heart and a wealth of knowledge. ENJOY!

Mountain was born in Rio de Janeiro Brazil in 1985 and immigrated to the US when he was 4. His younger years were spent in Florida and eventually moved to Vermont his 8th grade year. Upon graduating, he took an athletic scholarship to compete in track and field at Lynchburg college, in Virginia. He did 2 years of premed before feeling a need to take break from his studies. 

Mountain enlisted in the marine corps in 2005 and served until almost 2016. He did 5 tours, 4 conducting combat operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Oman, and other various places around the HOA(horn of Africa) and the Middle East. On his 4th deployment (1st to Afghan) he was part of the TEDD program, and where he got his start with dogs. On his second deployment to Afghanistan he conducted operational planning for the AO and the utilization of special assists, one of which were the labs. 

Mountain finished his time in Quantico Va as a foreign weapons instructor, teaching DOS, DEA, FBI, SEALs, and MARSOC operators how to utilize and implement a host of foreign weapons. Upon his final promotion, he became the rifle program manager for the Marine Corps. 

Immediately after his EAS, he dove head first back into dogs. He mentored and studied under some not so great guys, and some great ones. He spent the next few years traveling around the country and attending every class and seminar he could. He eventually started working contracts as an explosives detection handler, and soon after training EDD’s for the company, and eventually working a pilot program for the DoD for US Special Operations. It was an advanced Mountain K9 course. 

In the constant pursuit of knowledge, and chasing his passion for dogs, today Mountain finds himself instructing for Spikes K9’s “Spikes School.”  He provides tracking courses for agencies around the country, at no cost to the departments.  He assists his good friend Armin Winkler with the conduct of handler courses and education for different Tier 1 and 2 assets from the US and abroad.  He was an assistant instructor at this year's ATK9 conference and gave lectures at HITS, ranging from behavioral science applied in training, laser directionals, and special operations tactical K9 integration. 

Currently Mountain lives in Virginia with his

We are pleased to announce that Vested Interest in K9's has become our newest sponsor. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit whose mission is to provide bullet and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs. Check it out www.vik9s.org.

Please welcome Ray Allen Manufacturing as a sponsor to the podcast. Go to the most trusted name in industry for all of your k9 related equipment. For a 10% discount use the RAMWDDP10 discount code.

Welcome our sponsor Gold Coast K9. Gold Coast K9 trains and deploys hand-selected service dogs for personal and family protection, police agencies, and school districts. Their training programs rank among the best and most trusted in the world. Follow Gold Coast k9 on all social media platforms. For 10% off merchandise use the GCK910 discount code on their website www.goldcoastk9.com

HLTK9 Conference continues to be a supporter of the WDDP. They are gearing up for the next conference in Myrtle Beach SC. Plan ahead, the 2025 conference will be April 1,2,3, 2025. Register today at www.htlk9.com.

If you want Rich and Howard to come to your location we can make it happen. They have come together to provide workshops on any K9 related topic you like. Open to law enforcement and civilian attendees. Contact Howard at hjyk91@gmail.com or 704-473-9885.