olympia kennels
ALL BREED DOG TRAINING
WORLD CLASS GERMAN SHEPHERDS
OUR STORY
passion. purpose. proven results.
Five decades of world-class dog training and breeding in the heart of New England.
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"When I was twelve, I saw a majestic German Shepherd through a wrought iron gate in my Chelsea neighborhood. I promised myself that one day I would have one of my own — and learn to breed and train them. That was the beginning of what would become a fifty-year career."
Mike Pinksten - Founder
WHERE WE WORK
15 Acres Built for excellence
Located in rural Chester, NH — just one hour from Boston — Olympia Kennels offers a world-class training environment unlike anything else in New England. Our large outdoor training field, all-weather indoor facility, and climate-controlled boarding house provide a safe, comfortable space for every dog in our care.
For sport enthusiasts, our competition-sized Schutzhund field features blinds, A-frame, and hurdles. Hundreds of acres of surrounding wooded land offer unlimited opportunities for tracking and conditioning work.
OUR BREEDING PROGRAM
WORLD CLASS GERMAN SHEPHERDS
Our breeding program focuses exclusively on West German bloodlines — the same lines Mike admired through that wrought iron gate as a child. With exclusive relationships with top breeders across Europe, every Olympia puppy is carefully selected for temperament, intelligence, and physical excellence.
Olympia Kennels is proud to be the first breeder in New England registered with the United Schutzhund Clubs of America. Whether you are looking for a loyal family companion or a competitive sport dog, our breeding program produces dogs of the highest standard.
HOW WE TRAIN
we let the dogs lead
"People have the opinions, but the dogs have the facts."
Big or small, we train them all. At Olympia Kennels, we believe in understanding the canine mind before attempting to shape it. Whether you're a first-time puppy parent or a competitive Schutzhund athlete, we meet you and your dog exactly where you are. We truly are all breed, and all dog.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE DOGS
MEET OUR TEAM
Mike Pinksten
OWNER & TRAINING DIRECTOR
Mike's journey began at age twelve with a promise made on a Chelsea sidewalk. Over six decades later, that promise has become one of New England's most respected training and breeding
legacies. With over 25,000 dogs trained and eighteen trips to Germany, Mike holds the highest honor from the German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany — Certified Schutzhund Teaching Decoy. Mike is also an excellent teacher of humans, and can help even the most frustrated or confused dog owner to gain understanding of the training process in a meaningful way. Because Mike has spent years working with such a great number of dogs, rare or “difficult” breeds are neither rare nor difficult to him!
In the sport of Schutzhund, Mike is internationally recognized and has successfully competed with his dogs in Europe and North America. His extensive travel has enabled him to work with many of the world's top trainers, and breeders.
The German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany (Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde) has awarded Mike their highest rating: Certified Schutzhund Teaching Decoy. He has been certified four times by four different German LEHR helpers and has traveled to Germany eighteen times to participate in trials and training activities with some of the world’s best Schutzhund trainers and instructors.
anes dulas
BUSINESS MANAGER
Anes began his apprenticeship at Olympia Kennels in 2007. He worked directly with Mike, training hundreds of dogs in obedience and behavior modification with an emphasis on
solving challenges with family dogs. Anes is Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and is passionate about getting an understanding of each individual dog to know where challenges may be originating from.
Anes also has expansive experience working with personal protection dogs, and dogs competing in the sport of Schutzhund. He has helped prepare many top Schutzhund competitors for the obedience and protection phases. In 2009, Anes became one of the youngest helpers certified as a protection decoy with the United States Schutzund Clubs of America. Anes also received high praise from the USCA Director of the Helper Committee in his second certification in Albany, NY. Anes continues his work with protection training and has a passion for the sport.
RECOGNITION
A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE
2018 USCA Working Dog Championship Ohio IPO3 - Highest Scoring 1st Time Handler
2016 Southern New Hampshire Working Dog Club Trial - BH
1997 OG Boston High in Trial
1997 OG Boston High Protection
1997 OG Wesconn High in Trial
1997 New England Regional Championship High Schutzhund II Protection
1993 OG Boston High Schutzhund III
1991 OG Boston High Schutzund I
1990 Green Mountain Schutzhund Club Schutzhund III - High in Obedience & Protection
1990 New England Regional Competition
1989 Ocean State Schutzhund Association High in Trial
1986 Quebec Championship (3rd place) Schutzhund
1986 Regional Champion Boss V. Loherland
1986 New England Regional Champ Schutzhund III Champion - High in Protection
1986 OG Boston High Schutzhund I
1985 USA Nationals Boss V. Loherland
1985 OG Weende High in Trial (Gotteingen, Germany)
1984 OG Quahog High Protection
1984 New England Regional Championship 3rd place Schutzhund III