Texas Dog Trainers

Laura Gibson
Professional Trainer

Texas Dog Trainers Don Murphree and Laura Gibson have more than over 40 years of combined experience in dog training.

They have participated in the competition obedience circuit and have put more than 63 AKC obedience titles on dogs along with 14 hunt test titles on their personal dogs.

Laura was employed 18-plus years with Vinson & Elkins law firm. A few years ago she took a solid leap of faith to follow her dream and began to pursue a more relaxing career in the field of professional dog training.

"This has been an enjoyable and rewarding path for me! Not only did I remove myself from the city life of stress, polution, and exhaustion, my 'office' is now 96 acres of beautiful, rolling hills. My dogs go to work with me every day!"

Laura has been the Obedience Trial Chairman for the Houston Kennel Club at the prestigious Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows for many years. The responsibility for the Chairman of such an event encompasses many tasks, such as the responsibility for screening and hiring judges, securing prizes, managing stewards, setting up rings, coordinating with the host clubs as well as the American Kennel Club, and in charge of the obedience competition during the day of the show.

 

Don Murphree
Professional Trainer

Don retired from his position as a construction electrician to build the training facility at Furrst Place K-9, and to join in the dog training.

Building 'the ranch' doesn't just happen overnight! Don is applying skillfull mastery, heart and soul into every detail, including the dogs!

 

Don's helper "Journey"

 

We need all the help we can get!

 

As diversified as their training is, Don & Laura enjoyed a common characteristic right from the start: Their first ventures into competition obedience were with male Doberman Pinschers.

 

"BeeGee"

 

They added to their family the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever and expanded their training program to include hunt test and gun dog training.

 

Don and "Journey"

 

Current dogs in training are three Golden Retrievers and two Labrador Retrievers working in both competition obedience and field.

 

Laura and "Fame"

 

A true measure of their expertise is the eight dogs that they have personally trained and campaigned to Obedience Trial Championships, all of which obtained national recognition.

In 1996, Laura’s Golden Retriever, Fame, was #2 Golden Retriever and #3 All-Breed in Competition Obedience as well as placing in the top five of all other rankings.

In 2006, Laura's Golden "Quest" earned national points in order to qualify for competition at the AKC's Invitational Tournament in California. Quest, Desi, and Journey were all ranked in the top national obedience rankings.