Meet Pete.
Grumpy K9 is run by me, Peter Wohlstadter. I’m a long-time animal lover, veteran, and new father. I grew up with Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, and these days I have Australian Shepherds (plus a mutt my wife rescued). I named my company after my grandfather, who’s affectionately called “Grumpy” by my family. He loves dogs more than anyone, and filled my childhood with silly stories of the hound companions he’d had over the years.
Empathy over ego.
We all love our dogs. But we’re a different species from them, and sometimes it takes a little effort and education to properly understand and work with them. Through my schooling in mammal training (which focused on dogs) plus additional courses, I’ve learned to read dog signals and communicate back to them in all sorts of situations — from coming when called and sitting on cue to some genuinely incredible things.
Most importantly, I believe in “Empathy over Ego.” I didn’t coin the phrase — I learned it from others in the field — but to me it means setting aside our own emotions and predetermined ideas in favor of what’s best for our dogs. That was a key part of my own journey growing as a responsible dog parent and learning how to train them well.
My story
I help my clients and their dogs through Grumpy K9 while competing with my own dogs.
We brought our fourth dog (third Aussie) home — June Carter Cash, who we call “June.”
I started dog-training school at the Academy of Pet Careers and competed Johnny Cash (my first dog) for the first time. I also became a father to a little boy!
I completed my service and left the Navy, then worked as a bartender in restaurant and event settings — where I heard a million stories and strengthened my ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
We got our third dog, a second Aussie — Willie Nelson, who goes by “Nelson.”
I met my now-wife and her dog, a rescued mutt named Ruby. Our first date was at a dog-park bar called Bar K.
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The original Grumpy
Grumpy has always had a love for all animals. Especially dogs. When I was a small child, all Grumpy talked about was his past dogs and how he loved them. Grumpy was so good with dogs because he understood engagement before it was a mainstream dog training technique. When I was 21 i took my dog over to my grandparents’ house. Cash started rolling in my grandmother’s flowers that she was growing in the flower bed. My grandfather hooted and hollered, saying, “Let him do it, he is having the time of his life.” In this moment, I realized Grumpy had a keen ability to read dog behavior that other people were missing. I have no idea where he learned this(I don’t think he knows how he knows). Regardless, this is how I started reading dogs and it has been more valuable than any course I’ve taken. He understands dogs are dogs and to expect anything more is unfair.
The dogs at home
Cash
Johnny Cash — “Cash” — is my first dog, and the reason I’m doing all of this. I got him in 2020, and he was the first dog I ever competed. He’s a half-brother to Nelson, both from the wonderful Horn Herder Aussies farm.
Ruby
Ruby, our rescue, came to us at the start of 2022 — sweet, but skittish of a lot of things, especially men. Over time she’s healed, gaining confidence and new experiences with our support to fall back on, including continual positive interactions with me and other guys she’s come to know and trust.
Nelson
Willie Nelson — “Nelson” — joined the crew in 2023 as our second Aussie and Cash’s half-brother. Loyal, loving, and hardworking, just like the rest of the pack.
June
June Carter Cash — “June” — is the newest of the bunch: our fourth dog and third Aussie, who came home in 2026 and rounds out our hearty crew.
