ABOUT
Stan Thankachen

Stan began his career in the security industry as a doorman, bouncer, and private bodyguard. His passion for protection led him to dog training in 1992, with a focus on protection work starting in 1994 when he got his first Doberman, Zeus. Soon after, he added Hercules, Zeus’s nephew, and together they began their protection training journey in 1996.

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In 1997, Stan joined Action Dog Training under Hans Gunther Slebioda, a renowned German military and police dog trainer and an amazing Schutzhund competitor. Under Hans’ mentorship, Stan honed his skills, but Hans’ untimely passing cut this chapter short. Undeterred, Stan started his own dog training school in 1999 with his brother-in-law, Danny Burgar, initially called KOPS (K9 Obedience & Protection School). Shortly after, it was renamed Ultimate K9 Bodyguards (UK9BG). Shortly after becoming UK9BG Stan’s good friend Kelly Readman joined the team as a decoy. Together with Stan, Danny and Kelly they had created a premier protection training school in Western Canada.

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Stan’s journey also sparked a love for Cane Corsos, which began in 1997 when he trained his first Corso. By 1999, he imported his first Corso and eventually became Vice President of the Cane Corso Mastiff Club of Canada. Stan helped host the first Specialty Breed Show and Canada’s first K9 Olympics Protection Tournament called “Wild West Showdown”.

Over the years, Stan’s family became deeply involved in his endeavors. His son Shaun began assisting at just 10 years old, recording content for their YouTube channel. Shortly after, Shaun began learning about bitework with Stan and his clients. Shaun eventually became one of the world’s most known certified PSA decoys. Together, they trained under industry legends like Tony Pallotta of Working K9, who introduced them to the KNPV-style Malinois and PSA. Tony brought back their first Malinois “Reno” from Holland in 2009. This Malinois opened Stan’s eyes to the incredible workability of the breed, showcasing unmatched drive and talent. This exceptional dog consistently won the “Hardest Hitting Dog” competition every year at the Wild West Showdown (WWSD), solidifying its reputation as a powerhouse in protection work.

Tony Pallotta, not only a great mentor but also a good friend, played a pivotal role in this journey. He frequently traveled to Calgary to conduct seminars and serve as a judge at the WWSD for five consecutive years, leaving a lasting impact.

This mentorship led to the creation of the first PSA club in Western Canada in 2011: Ultimate K9 Bodyguards- Team UK9BG PSA Club.

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Stan’s dedication to PSA saw him achieve many milestones. In 2013, he entered Canada’s first PSA trial hosted by Mike Anderson and Ashley Chmara of Redline Shepherds in Ontario with his Corso, Brynn for their PSA-PDC, but sadly fell short and did not pass on either day.

As time went on and as the UK9BG PSA Club grew, the club finally decided to host their first Rumble in the Rockies trial in 2015. Stan made Canadian history at this trial, achieving 2 PDC’s on his corso’s Brynn and Nero. Brynn was retired after due to being too civil for the sport.

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Stan again made Canadian history in 2017 by earning his PSA 1 with Nero, becoming the first Canadian Corso team to do so. Nero and Stan are proud to be the first team in Canada to earn a title and 6th in the world (with an off breed-Cane Corso) earning their PSA 1 with honors. Awards included:

1st place overall, 1st place High in protection, High in Trial, High Owner Trained, and High Owner Trained Club. They received highest distinction in the handler attack, highest distinction in the courage test, and with distinction in the redirect attack. Fun fact, Nero also appeared as a guard dog in Seasons 2 and 3 of the famous tv series Fargo. Stan and Nero were actively pursuing their PSA 2 title when a month before trialing he unexpectedly passed at the age of 6 years old.

Despite setbacks, Stan continued to pursue excellence in the sport with dogs like Kongo and Bane. Kongo achieved his PSA-PDC in 2021 however Kongo was retired shortly after due to a back injury. He’s since recovered and remains Stan’s chief of security and #1 henchman on the acreage enjoying his retirement.

 

Stan was without a dog for a year when in the spring of 2022, Banes owner reached out to Stan. Bane was a 3.5 year old green dog with no training. Stan knowing Bane’s genetics, decided to purchase him. Stan knew his father Kroc and had seen him when he won the 2018 PSA Nationals so he knew the dog had the genetics to do great things, he just needed the training. With the help of his wife Tammy, son Shaun, and a few key club members, Stan was able to dial bane in. Bane was a wild child for 6 months before he learned what impulse control looked like. Bane is a talented German Shepherd, and went on to achieve his PSA-PDC in 2023 and achieved his PSA 1, 1st leg in 2024, however due to Bane joining the “No Out Club” he wasn’t able to close it out. Stan and Bane have worked diligently over winter and is now aiming to complete his PSA 1 in spring of 2025.

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Stan has trained thousands of dogs over three decades, worked and hosted seminars with legends like Tony Pallotta, Girard Bradshaw (PSA co-founder), Joeri Veth, Johnathon Katz, Janet and Shawn Edward’s, Walter Quense, Khoi Pham, and Dave Kroyer. Under the kennel name “Stano’s Ultimate,” Stan’s family has bred over 250 Cane Corsos and Belgian Malinois the past 20 years. His wife, Tammy, played a key role in the breeding program and is a founding member of the UK9BG PSA club and is the Assistant Regional Director for PSA Canada. Fun fact, Tammy also bred the legend Vato. Stan’s facility includes two official trial fields, one for PSA and one for IGP and supports other dog sports like weight pull and previously French Ring.

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Stan’s achievements extend beyond his dogs. Outside of dog sports Stan also holds a black belt in Taekwondo and has trained in Hapkido and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. For 32 years Stan managed a company at Calgary International Airport. They have won many accolades and awards over the years. Stan retired in Sept 2024 to focus full-time on Ultimate K9 Bodyguards, cementing his legacy in the personal protection dog world!

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A few other facts about “Stano” he is the owner and head trainer of Ultimate K9 Bodyguards.

He is the President and an active member/competitor of Ultimate K9 Bodyguards- Team UK9BG PSA club.

When asked what his most favorite memorable moment was in the dog industry over the years he can proudly say it was his son Shaun with Stano’s Ultimate Vato closing out his level 3 the pinnacle of the sport in PSA making him the first ever team in Canada to accomplish that and the 41st in the world !!