Dog Training in Fort Myers & Southwest Florida:

Meet Shawn Humphreys: From Law Enforcement K9 Handler to Southwest Florida’s Most Experienced Dog Trainer

Shawn began his law enforcement career in 2003 in DeKalb County, Georgia. From his earliest days on the job, his focus was singular: K9 work. He made his way into the K9 unit and spent years working alongside three exceptional police dog partners, receiving guidance from some of the best working dog trainers in the country.

That experience eventually led him to become a master trainer through Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Indiana — one of the most respected working dog training facilities in the United States, known for producing elite police, military, and protection dogs. Reaching master trainer status at VLK is not common. It represents a level of expertise that very few trainers anywhere in the country can claim.

Beyond his own training, Shawn became a certifying official for the American Working Dog Association, evaluating and certifying dog teams from across the country. He led and participated in working dog seminars at the national level — which is ultimately where he crossed paths with Elissa Weimer and the Paw & Order organization.

When he decided to leave law enforcement, his direction was clear. He founded Paw & Order SWFL, bringing a standard of training to Southwest Florida families that the region had never seen before.

Why a Former K9 Master Trainer Is the Best Person to Train Your Family Dog

You might be wondering: what does police K9 training have to do with my family dog? The answer is — everything.

Law enforcement dog training demands absolute reliability. A police K9 doesn’t get to decide whether to obey a command based on whether there’s a treat in the handler’s hand. It has to perform under pressure, around distractions, in chaotic environments, under genuine stress. The techniques that produce that level of reliability — clear communication, consistent consequences, real-world proofing — are exactly what creates a family dog that actually listens.

Shawn brings that standard to every dog he works with, scaled appropriately for a family pet. The result is dogs that are reliably obedient in the situations that actually matter: when guests arrive, on a busy trail, at a crowded outdoor market in Naples, when a child runs past unexpectedly. Not just in a quiet training room with a treat pouch.

Paw & Order is a balanced training organization, and Shawn’s entire professional background is built on balanced methodology. He uses both rewards and clear, fair corrections to communicate with dogs in a way they genuinely understand. This is the same approach used by law enforcement and military dog trainers worldwide — because it works, especially on the hardest cases.

Dog Training Built for the Southwest Florida Lifestyle

Southwest Florida is one of the most desirable places to live in the United States, and a significant part of that lifestyle involves being outside with your dog. The beaches, the waterways, the outdoor dining scene, the year-round warm weather — SWFL offers a quality of life that most of the country can only envy.

But that lifestyle is only fully enjoyable with a dog that is trained. Here’s what well-trained looks like in Southwest Florida:

• Walking calmly on the leash along Naples’ Fifth Avenue South or the Fort Myers River District without pulling or reacting to other dogs
• Greeting guests at your door — whether a seasonal visitor, a grandchild, or a neighbor — without jumping or charging
• Sitting reliably while you enjoy a meal on a waterfront patio in Bonita Springs or Estero
• Recalling reliably when called — critical in a region with waterways, wildlife, and busy roads in close proximity
• Behaving calmly around the distractions that are unique to SWFL: shore birds, water, wildlife, boats, and the constant flow of new people that comes with living in a destination community

Southwest Florida’s outdoor lifestyle is one of the great perks of living here. A well-trained dog gets to be part of all of it. An untrained dog gets left home.

Serving Southwest Florida’s Most Discerning Dog Owners

The SWFL region is home to some of the most affluent and active communities in Florida — communities where residents invest in quality in every area of their lives, including their dogs. Shawn and the Paw & Order SWFL Pack serve the full region:

• Naples — One of the wealthiest cities in the United States and the crown jewel of Southwest Florida. Naples dog owners have high expectations, and Shawn’s background and methodology are built to meet them. From Old Naples to Pelican Bay, Port Royal to Tiburon, Paw & Order SWFL is the training choice for discerning Naples families.
• Marco Island — Southwest Florida’s largest barrier island, home to one of the most exclusive residential communities in the state. Marco Island dog owners live an active, waterfront lifestyle that demands a reliably trained companion.
• Bonita Springs & Estero — Among the fastest-growing and most affluent communities in Collier and Lee counties, with a strong base of families, retirees, and second-home owners who prioritize quality of life — for themselves and their dogs.
• Sanibel & Captiva — These barrier island communities attract residents and seasonal visitors who value nature, tranquility, and the kind of well-trained dog that fits seamlessly into that lifestyle.
• Fort Myers & Fort Myers Beach — The heart of Lee County and home to one of the most vibrant outdoor and dining scenes on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Fort Myers Beach in particular draws dog owners to its waterfront and outdoor spaces year-round.
• Cape Coral — One of the largest cities in Florida by land area, with hundreds of miles of canals and a strong community of active, outdoor-oriented families.
• North Fort Myers — Serving the full North Fort Myers community with the same in-home and board & train programs available throughout the region.
• Lehigh Acres — A large and growing inland community east of Fort Myers with strong demand for professional dog training services.
• Bokeelia, Saint James City & the Islands — Pine Island and its communities offer a unique, off-the-beaten-path Florida lifestyle. Shawn serves these communities as part of his broader SWFL territory.

What Behavior Problems Does Paw & Order SWFL Address?

The most common issues that bring Southwest Florida families to Shawn follow a familiar pattern:

• Leash pulling and poor leash manners
• Jumping on guests, family members, or strangers
• Aggression or reactivity toward other dogs or people
• Failure to come when called — a serious safety concern in SWFL’s environment of waterways and wildlife
• Excessive barking at doors, neighbors, or wildlife
• Resource guarding over food, toys, furniture, or people
• Housebreaking issues in puppies or adult dogs
• Destructive behavior driven by boredom or anxiety
• Dogs that have already been through other training programs without lasting results

If your dog’s behavior is keeping you from fully enjoying the Southwest Florida lifestyle you came here for, that’s a solvable problem. Shawn has worked with dogs far more challenging than yours.

Training Programs Offered by Paw & Order SWFL

In-Home Dog Training

Shawn comes to your home — in Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, or wherever you are in the service area — and works with you and your dog in the environment where the problems actually happen. Programs typically include 4–5 core lessons, with lifetime support included after your program ends.

Stay & Train (Board & Train)

Your dog lives with Shawn and receives intensive, all-day training for approximately three weeks. This is the fastest path to a reliably trained dog, and Shawn’s background in working dog training makes his Stay & Train program exceptionally effective for dogs with serious behavioral challenges.

Virtual Dog Training

For clients outside the SWFL service area, or those with scheduling constraints that make in-person sessions difficult. Limited availability.

Hybrid Programs

Combine in-home and Stay & Train elements into a customized plan. Contact Shawn directly to discuss your dog’s specific situation.

Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Testing

Shawn is an AKC-approved CGC evaluator and can officially certify your dog for the Canine Good Citizen title — a credential sometimes required for therapy work, HOA situations, or breed-specific insurance requirements common in Southwest Florida communities.

Adventures — Free for All Clients

The SWFL Pack organizes regular group outings for clients and their dogs — hikes, waterfront meetups, and social gatherings that give your dog real-world practice in distracting environments. Southwest Florida’s year-round outdoor lifestyle makes these some of the best Adventures in the entire Paw & Order network, and they’re completely free for all clients.

Frequently Asked Questions — Dog Training in Southwest Florida

How is Shawn different from other dog trainers in the Fort Myers and Naples area?

Shawn’s law enforcement K9 background — including master trainer status through Vohne Liche Kennels and national-level certifying work through the American Working Dog Association — is simply not something you’ll find at any other training practice in Southwest Florida. He has worked with dogs in conditions that most trainers never encounter, and that experience translates directly into better outcomes for family dogs.

Can Shawn work with aggressive dogs?

Yes. Shawn’s background in working dog training means he has extensive experience with aggressive, reactive, and high-drive dogs. If your dog has a bite history or has been turned away by other trainers, Shawn would like to evaluate them.

I’ve tried other trainers in Southwest Florida and nothing stuck. Can you help?

This is one of the most common situations Shawn encounters. Balanced training — which uses both rewards and clear corrections — reaches dogs that positive-only approaches can’t reliably manage, especially in real-world distractions. If it hasn’t worked before, the methodology may be why.

Does the CGC certification matter for HOA or condo situations in SWFL?

It can. Many Southwest Florida HOA communities, condo associations, and property managers have breed restrictions or behavioral requirements for dogs. A Canine Good Citizen certification is sometimes accepted as evidence that a dog is well-trained and not a liability risk. If you’re dealing with an HOA situation involving your dog, contact Shawn to discuss options.

What age should I start training my puppy?

As early as possible. Paw & Order recommends starting puppy training at 8 weeks of age. The habits formed in the first few months are the ones that stick. That said, Shawn regularly works with adult dogs of all ages and histories — it’s never too late.

Ready to Get Started? Contact Paw & Order SWFL Today

If you’re looking for a professional dog trainer in Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Estero, Marco Island, Sanibel, Captiva, Lehigh Acres, or anywhere across Southwest Florida — Shawn Humphreys and Paw & Order SWFL are ready to help.

Call (239) 788-3303 or click below to send Shawn a message and schedule your consultation. Your dog deserves the best — and in Southwest Florida, the best is Paw & Order SWFL.