About Us

My name is Thom Payne and I have been involved with the German Shepherd breed since 1984.  I am currently retired and live in Ramona, California.  I am a hobby breeder of working line German Shepherd Dogs. My kennel name is vom Haus Gayler.  I have been breeding quality shepherds since 1987. My dogs have become Schutzhund dogs, police k9s, and great family pets.

I began my involvement with the German Shepherd as a Police dog trainer and handler for the San Diego Police Department.  I was privileged to have this assignment for 12 years. I have also been involved with Schutzhund training for the last 17 years.  I have been the President and training director of two Schutzhund clubs, San Diego Diensthund, and currently Aztec Schutzhund Club of Ramona California.

In 1983 I was selected to design and implement a canine program for the San Diego Police Department.  It was during this process that I was first exposed to Schutzhund trained German Shepherds.  I had the great luck to meet Dave Reaver of Riverside, California.  Dave is the owner and head trainer of Adlerhorst International.

Through Dave I met, Karl Fabritz.  Karl is a retired German Police officer that has a gift for training dogs and teaching people how to handle them.

It is chiefly with their help that I was able to get our canine program up and running in a short period of time. By using Schutzhund trained dogs we were able to convert them to police dogs.  San Diego's Canine Unit has grown to be one of the largest most effective units in the U.S.  Not only are the dogs patrol service, but many are dual purpose dogs.  We were one of the first K9 units to utilize our dogs as an alternate use of force.  This calls for an exceptional dog.

My involvement with that first group of dogs  from Germany  convinced me that these were the best dogs in the world.

My education continued with my great luck to meet Gene England of Bowling Green, Kentucky.  From Gene I learned how to train dogs.  Gene is a master at training motivated, hard working, obedient working dogs. He excels in training Schutzhund and in Police dogs.  It was through our involvement with Gene that we were able to train those exceptional dogs we needed.  Gene currently owns and operates Advanced Canine Academy, in Scottsdale, Kentucky.

I am a member of Schutzhund USA, Aztec Schutzhund Club, and The Schutzhund 3 club.

I have worked dogs on the street in many hazardous and grueling situations and competed with my dogs in both Schutzhund and police dog trials.  To read about the San Diego Police Department Canine unit and some of its exploits read, "K9 Cops" by Richard Rosenthal.

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