Instructors and Kennel Staff
Back Row: Matthew – Kennel Staff & Decoy, Jeff – Trainer, Middle Row: Blake & Brayden – Kennel Staff & Decoy, Ron – Owner/Trainer, Jason – Trainer, Bob Eden – Trainer, Morgan – Kennel Staff & Decoy
Cienna began working at Top Dog on June 20th, 2023. She is the equipment manager, a decoy and a member of our kennel staff. When asked about her favorite part of the job, she explained she loves decoying and working with dogs that are having issues because they challenge her as a decoy. She also enjoys meeting new people and learning new things from each person she meets. Cienna’s goal is to become a deputy and K9 handler.
Kristina began working at Top Dog on August 12th, 2023. She is a member of our kennel staff. When she is not at Top Dog, Kristina works as a registered veterinary technician in the emergency department. When asked about her favorite part of the job, she explained she is passionate about working with dogs and loves working with a team focused on the same mission. Kristina says seeing how these dogs are trained and work alongside their handlers is incredible.
Morgan began working at Top Dog on August 18th, 2023. She is a civil decoy and the Kennel Manager. When asked about her favorite part of the job, she explained that she loves working and interacting with dogs and applying psychological concepts to training. She also enjoys interacting with our various trainers and agencies to gain new perspectives and training methods. Morgan plans to become a licensed marriage and family therapist, work with veterans and first responders, and provide discounted services for them and their families.
Marit has been our House Manager for years. Her primary duties include housekeeping and gardening, but she is always ready to help with other events. Marit loves the garden, especially the red geraniums. When asked about her thoughts on working at Top Dog, Marit explained that she has known Ron and Susan for years and feels really fortunate to be here.
Jodi began working at Top Dog on December 1st, 2024. She gained experience as a military working dog handler and trainer in the U.S. Air Force. Jodi worked as a police K9 handler for Vallejo PD and is currently their trainer and K9 program manager. When asked about her favorite part of the job, Jodi explained that she enjoys learning from the other instructors and the students. She added that watching new handler teams grow is very rewarding.
Elizabeth began working at Top Dog on March 17th, 2025. She is a decoy and member of our kennel staff. When asked about her favorite part of the job, she expressed enjoying learning about the dogs and watching them work. She stated, “I have always loved watching them work. Being able to work with them and learning more and more every day is very rewarding.” Elizabeth plans to become a police officer and work her way up to being a K9 handler.
Adrianna began working at Top Dog on June 4th, 2025. She is a decoy and member of our kennel staff. When asked about her favorite part of the job, she expressed enjoying learning about each canine’s personality and being able to challenge herself as a decoy every day. Adrianna plans to become an officer with the California Highway Patrol and join the K9 unit as a handler.
Brayan began working at Top Dog on February 2nd, 2025. He is a decoy and member of our kennel staff. When asked about his favorite part of the job, he expressed joy at working with a team of individuals who are passionate, supportive, and always willing to share their knowledge. Brayan stated, “Everyone here truly cares about the dogs and about helping each other succeed, which makes every day enjoyable and motivating.” He expressed excitement at working hands-on with the patrol dogs and being a decoy, which he described as challenging but fun. Brayan plans to pursue a career in law enforcement and work in a K9 unit.
Chance began working at Top Dog on February 7th, 2025. He is a member of our kennel staff. When asked about his favorite part of the job, he responded, “I would say my favorite part of the job is learning all the technicalities. It’s fascinating watching these dogs train and adapt!” One of Chance’s future career goals is to be a business owner.
David began working at Top Dog on October 23rd, 2025. He is a member of our decoy staff. When asked about his favorite part of the job, he responded, “I most enjoy having the opportunity to work with dogs and collaborate with everyone on the team.” David’s future goal is to pursue a career in law enforcement.
Philip began working at Top Dog on February 4th, 2025. He is our Fleet Manager and a member of our kennel staff. When asked about his favorite part of the job, he answered, “Watching these dogs learn and grow in their abilities and confidence.” Philip is pursuing a career in EMS.
Sergio began working at Top Dog on August 25th, 2025. He is a member of our kennel staff. When asked about his favorite part of the job, he answered, “My favorite thing about being at Top Dog is maintaining a clean, safe facility and meeting new people! Being involved in drills or scenarios where you see dogs become K9s ready to protect and serve is truly an honor to be a part of.” Sergio’s future goals are to either become a police sketch artist or join the U.S. Army to support his family.
Lane began working at Top Dog on June 1st, 2025, before returning to school in September for his final semester before graduating. He returned to the team on February 1st, 2026. He is a decoy and a member of our kennel staff. When asked about his favorite part of the job, he responded, “My favorite part is seeing the K9 and handler work in tandem. A well-trained unit shows not only how smart the K9 is, but how good a leader their handler is through the many hours of training they do. It’s really cool to see hard work pay off in-person.” His future career goals are to become an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper and to work his way up to a K9 handler.
Instructor Bios
Ron Cloward – President & CEO
Ron Cloward retired Lieutenant with the Modesto Police Department. Ron has over 35 years in the business and almost 21,000 hours of K-9 training experience.
Read more Ron handled three different police dogs during his 26 year career. Ron and his final partner, Pele, were named the Top Dog and Top Competitor in 1997. Ron served as the trainer for the Modesto PD’s 14 team dog unit, after he was promoted to sergeant in 2000. In 2005, Ron was promoted to lieutenant and became the K-9 unit commander. He continued to serve as the trainer of the unit until he retired in 2011. Ron is well respected in the K-9 community and has been a member of Western States Police Canine Association for 25 years. He has served as the president, secretary and president again for W. S. P. C . A., and served on a committee for California P.O.S.T. He has taught in conferences across the country and has authored numerous articles featured in Police K-9 Magazine. Ron has a passion to take K9 training to a higher level believing in more scenario based trainings that make better and safer teams.
William (Bill) Jones
Bill has been a police officer in the state of California for over 27 years. He is retired from Modesto Police Department.
Read more He has been working with Canines for going on 20 years. During Bill’s 20-year career in working with canines, he has worked 2 Canines (14 years), both being a German Shepard and Belgium Malinois. Bill along with his canine partners have won numerous trophies in competition in W.S.P.C.A trials. This includes in the 2008-competition season overall- “Top Narcotics Canine Team” and “Top Competitor”. Both he and his canines have been credited for hundreds of arrests and seizures of both narcotics and money. William is a certified “P.O.S.T” canine evaluator and instructor. He is also the former President of the Modesto Police Canine Association, which is a non-profit organization. He currently serves as the Treasurer for Western States Police Canine Association.
Sgt. Jeff Hunt
Jeff worked for 28 years in law enforcement. He retired from Tuolumne County as a sergeant. During his time in law enforcement, Jeff was a canine officer for 13 years and handled three dogs, including two dual purpose and one narcotics only dogs.
Read more Jeff brings 12 years of canine training experience to our training staff. He has been with us for a little more than a year and we value his knowledge and work ethic.
Robert (Bob) Eden
Bob Eden is a 28 year retired police veteran with over 35 years of dog training experience in law enforcement, military and personal protection applications.
Read more Early in his career he developed the Delta Police K9 Unit and served as the lead police dog trainer for the Department for 16 years. He is the author of two books, “Dog Training For Law Enforcement” and “K9 Officers Manual,” and currently working on a third. In 1988 Bob was appointed to the B.C. Police Commission’s committee to create minimum police dog training standards for law enforcement agencies in the province of British Columbia. In 1991 he created and developed the International Police K9 Conference. He has also authored articles and columns in such periodicals as “Police Magazine”, ”Police K9 Magazine”, “K9 Cop Magazine”, “Law and Order”, “Police and Security News”, “Finland’s Rottweiler Magazine”, “The Police K9 Recruiter” and “Offlead Magazine” from Australia. In 1994 he created the The Police Dog Home Page on the Internet which has become a standard resource page on the net for law enforcement K9 operations.
Sgt. Billy Holbert
Billy has been a police officer for over 20 years in the State of Texas. He has worked Patrol, FTO, SWAT and K-9. He is currently the K-9 Sergeant / Trainer at the Allen Police Department where he has been since 1997.
Read more Billy is a Certifying Official / Instructor in “Patrol” and “Narcotic Detection” with NNDDA (National Narcotic Detector Dog Association) and has instructed in numerous National Conferences. He has also served as a Trial Judge for many competitions to include the K-9 Trials at the Texas Police Games for several years. Billy has had the opportunity to work with multiple departments in establishing new K-9 programs and/or evaluating their current ones. Billy looks forward to continuing his path in K-9 and the future opportunities it will bring to train with K-9 teams and departments across the Nation.
Jimmy Davenport
Jimmie Davenport is our lead trainer in Texas. Jimmie recently retired as a 28 plus year member of the Austin, Tx. Police Department.
Read more Jimmie also has served as SWAT K9 for ten years and helped design the SWAT K9 program currently in use. Jimmie has also written K9 training columns for SWAT magazine, Police K9 Magazine and International Police Working Dog Association. Jimmie has presented classes and hands on training in Reno for Western States Police Canine Association for the past four years. He is a talented and true professional.
Jason Massey
Jason served in law enforcement for over 30 years. He served 12 years as Security Police in the United States Air Force and the remainder of his career with the Manteca Police Department.
Read more He worked two dogs on patrol until his recent retirement to join us at Top Dog Police K9 as one of our lead Trainers. Jason brings a wealth of knowledge and loves teamwork. His goal in training is not just to train the dog, but to teach the handler. Jason has advanced experience in SWAT K9, decoy/agitator, and is a certified POST K9 Evaluator. He was a firearms instructor and a long rifle instructor. His trainings are always well planned out. Jason says, “If you’re not early, you’re late”.
Top Dog Police K9 Training and Consulting, LLC
19091 CA Hwy 120
Ripon, CA 95366
Phone: 209-596-4336
Email: toppdog97@yahoo.com
Hours
| Mon | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm |
| Tue | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm |
| Wed | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm |
| Thu | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm |
| Fri | Closed |
| Sat | Closed |
| Sun | Closed |














