Meet Our Trainers

Meet Kayla Ziglar – Trainer at Firefly K9.

Dogs have been a part of Kayla’s life for as long as she can remember. Most of them began as family dogs, but at the age of six she convinced her parents to let her have a dog that was truly her own. She brought home a Cattle Dog named Kasper, and that was where her journey into dog training began.

At the time, Kayla didn’t know what formal dog training looked like. She simply loved her dog and wanted to understand him. She spent hours reading books and learning everything she could about dogs, eventually discovering clicker training and beginning to work with him that way. Looking back, that experience sparked a lifelong passion for understanding how dogs think, learn, and communicate.

Kayla has always had a special love for German Shepherds, earning her the nickname “the German Shepherd girl.” Today she actively trains and competes with her own dogs in PSA and IGP, with plans to explore AKC sports in the future. She is also an AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator and is continuing her professional education while working toward certification through the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP).

For Kayla, training is about far more than obedience. She believes the most important part of working with dogs is the relationship between a dog and their person. Dogs deserve both structure and the freedom to be who they are. When that balance is found, training becomes something deeper than commands — it becomes communication, trust, and partnership.

Helping owners build that bond with their dogs is one of the most meaningful parts of Kayla’s work.

Meet Hunter Ziglar, Lead Trainer at Firefly K9.

Hunter is a Certified Master Trainer through Tarheel K9 who specializes in all areas of dog training, with a strong emphasis on behavioral modification. He has a natural ability to read dog behavior and understand what a dog is communicating, allowing him to address issues clearly and effectively while building reliable, confident dogs.

Training experience includes:
• Companion dogs
• Therapy dogs
• Service dogs

Working dog specialties:
• Police K9
• Search and Rescue
• Sport dogs

At Firefly K9, Hunter's goal is simple: help dogs and their owners succeed together through clear, effective training.

Meet Rainbow Talton – Trainer at Firefly K9

Rainbow is a passionate dog trainer focused on helping dogs and their humans build strong relationships through clear communication, structure, and trust. She is currently continuing her professional education through the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) and is awaiting approval as a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.

Although Rainbow has had dogs her entire life, her true training journey began when she brought home her first Belgian Malinois. That experience opened her eyes to the importance of obedience, structure, and clarity in helping dogs become balanced, confident companions. Since then, she has dedicated herself to expanding her knowledge and hands-on experience in working with dogs of all types.

Rainbow shares her home with seven dogs of her own: three Malinois, a Shepherd/Mastiff mix, two Shorkies, and a Maltzu. While Malinois have a special place in her heart, she has a deep appreciation for rescue dogs and believes every dog deserves the opportunity to thrive.

She has participated in PSA and French Ring training and has spent time working with her dogs in tracking and scent work. These experiences have helped shape her approach to training, emphasizing not only obedience but also mental engagement and purpose for the dog.

For Rainbow, nothing is more rewarding than seeing a dog living their best life while maintaining the manners and reliability needed to accompany their human anywhere and everywhere. While obedience, structure, and clarity are essential parts of her training philosophy, the bond she shares with her dogs—and helps others build with theirs—is what truly drives her work.

Rainbow believes that the relationship between a dog and their human goes beyond love. It is built on trust, communication, and true partnership.