…and our methods will never be “one size fits all.”

All dogs are different, and that’s exactly how we treat them. This belief applies to every dog that enters our front doors—whether it’s a new puppy, or a rescue that needs a little help adjusting to a new home.

Our staff has over 45 years of experience in various methods of training. Our approaches are tailored to your needs, meaning that you to get the most out of your training experience.

Meet the Team

Jacque Bonéy

Jacque Bonéy, a Memphis, TN native, attributes his dog training foundation to shadowing his father who trained in the Mid-South for more than 40 years. He has himself accumulated over 25 years of all-breed dog training pulling from his foundations to combine older, tried-and-true methods with modern, simple approaches that can be understood and easily replicated.

After graduation in 2007 from The University of Tennessee, Chattanooga with a degree in Entrepreneurship, he founded his company, Barking Pals Consulting, Inc. DBA Allegiance Canine. Allegiance Canine has a 17-year track record of applying simplistic, modern, balanced, and effective approaches to dog training for clients from all walks of life, with varied goals. Services offered by Allegiance Canine include basic and advanced obedience training, working dog training including sport, personal protection, and guard dog components, boarding, and a fitness-inspired dog daycare. In 2021, Jacque became one of the first individuals to successfully certify as a decoy for K9 Street League, the nation’s first professional working dog sport.

Jacque currently partners with the Shelby County Division of Corrections & the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County on the Pawsitive Training Program, an initiative that pairs shelter dogs with inmates during a 6 week intensive training program. This program aims to increase the likelihood of dogs being adopted due to having a basic obedience foundation, while also teaching a new skill to the participants that combines accountability, responsibility, & time management factors.

Jacque previously served as a board member and the service dog trainer for The Paul Oliver Foundation, a nonprofit with the mission of providing service dogs for veterans with PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury.

Barking Pals Consulting, Inc. dba Allegiance Canine has helped 4600+ basic obedience clients with an 88% basic obedience program completion rate; 1200+ advanced obedience clients, with a 79% completion rate; and 700+ working dogs trained or assisted.

Lillian Aiken

My journey with dogs started long before my professional career. As a kid, I built homemade agility courses in the backyard and taught my childhood dog fun tricks. At 17, I took my first steps into dog training, dabbling in American Schutzhund with my German Shepherd. Now, with 8 years of experience—5 of those with Allegiance Canine—I’ve honed my skills in obedience with dogs of all breeds and sizes, dedicating myself to bringing out the best in every dog I work with.

I am passionate about balanced dog training and believe in using clear communication, structure, and motivation to bring out the best in every dog. No two dogs are the same, which is why I am always learning and refining my methods to better serve both dogs and their owners.

I have two working dogs of my own. Rip, my Dutch Shepherd, is training for various protection sports and serves as my personal protection dog. Ven, my Belgian Malinois, is in training for search & rescue, specializing in human remains detection. I’m also working toward my own search & rescue certification to further my expertise in this field.

When I’m not training dogs (which is rare!), you’ll find me outdoors—bowhunting, fishing, or training to compete in fitness and bodybuilding competitions. I also enjoy a good documentary or non-fiction book. While dogs are my life, my love for animals extends beyond them—I also have a betta fish (Swiffer), a cat (Bidi), and two domesticated rats (Mungo & Rumple).

If you’re looking for expert training with a balanced approach, I’d love to help you and your dog reach your goals!

Dexavier Sanders

I grew up in the quiet backwoods of Mississippi and nearby states where my beloved identical twin brother Dexavion & I spent our days busy with outdoor activities and working with our dogs. 

From a young age, I had a natural gift for understanding animals, especially dogs. What started as a childhood hobby quickly grew into a deep passion and skill for dog training.

Driven by a desire to achieve, my twin brother and I enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard after high school. There my work ethic, determination, and leadership skills were honed. With the skills I learned, I made it my goal to bring them back home.

Now back in Mississippi, I focus my time on work, hobbies, and family. Some of my hobbies are gardening and riding through dirt trails!! Wherever I am I try to keep that same fun and disciplined nature and I intend to keep it prevalent throughout my new dog training career - a career that I will always be proud of.

The progression of becoming a dog trainer with Allegiance Canine was a gradual one. I met Jacque in 2022 and begin my journey as a client of the company. Over time as my skills and understanding of the business practices developed so did my relationship with the company and I was eventually able to further my relationship when I became a a trainer at Allegiance Canine. Through consistent hard work & a yearning for knowledge I was able to pursue a career in dog training with Allegiance Canine. I intend to bring all I have to offer to Allegiance in hopes of elevating along with the company. 

Wendy Mallory

From Horses to Hair to Hounds: My Journey to Allegiance Canine

I grew up in Washington State and started riding horses when I was just eight years old. Animals were a huge part of my childhood. We had dogs, horses, cats, goats and a couple cows. My family always had hunting dogs, as my dad and brothers were avid hunters, so dogs were a constant part of my life.

In high school, I pursued a different path—attending beauty school during my senior year and earning my cosmetology license. Though I stopped riding horses, my love for dogs never faded. In fact, I can’t remember a time without them in my life—until I moved to Tennessee to help my mom and spend our golden years together.

At 52 years old, I found myself at a crossroads. My passion for cutting hair had long since faded, and I had no idea what I would do for work. The one thing I did know? It had to involve animals—specifically dogs—because that passion would never die.

Fate had a plan. While helping my mom with her annual ministry in Rossville TN, we happened to drive past a building with the name Allegiance Canine. Intrigued, I googled the name and called the next day. That one decision changed everything.

Now, over two years later, I can confidently say that joining Allegiance Canine has been nothing short of amazing. Every day, I learn from some of the best trainers in the field, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. Allegiance Canine has truly been my savior, and I genuinely believe we are the best in the dog training industry.

My goal is to continue learning and growing with my Allegiance family, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds!

Gretchen Pollard

Born and raised in the Buckeye State, my early experiences with horses ignited a lifelong passion for animals. Five years ago, I welcomed my first Belgian Malinois into my life, and from that moment, I was determined to master the art of training such an intelligent breed. This journey opened my eyes to the fascinating world of scent work, where I learned that success hinges on the deep bond and mutual trust between handler and dog.

After relocating to Tennessee, I discovered a vibrant community of like-minded trainers and handlers who have inspired me to grow and expand my knowledge. It was through this network that I found Allegiance Canine, a place where I could channel my passion into helping others. I am dedicated to supporting clients in their journey to better understand and train their dogs, fostering stronger relationships built on trust and communication.

In the end, my goal is simple: to serve, to support, and to uplift my community through the incredible work we do together. With every SAR mission and Obedience Session, I am reminded of the resilience of the human spirit and the unbreakable bond we share with our canine companions. Together, we can make a lasting impact one paw at a time.

Justin James

Dr. Justin James brings a unique perspective to the world of dog training—blending years of hands-on K9 experience with a professional background in sports medicine and human performance. As a former member of the 3rd Special Forces Group, Dr. James understands the importance of discipline, trust, and communication—principles that are at the heart of his training philosophy.

Now a lead trainer at Allegiance Canine, he specializes in developing high-performing working dogs while helping families build lasting, positive relationships with their pets. With a strong foundation in positive reinforcement and family-focused methods, Dr. James believes that great dogs start with great leadership and clear communication.

Beyond the field, he serves as the team physician for the University of Memphis Athletic Department and a clinical instructor at Southern California University of Health Sciences, where he teaches future clinicians how to optimize performance and recovery.

At home, he and his wife are raising five children and four dogs—two working K9s and two loyal companions. Whether training elite working dogs or guiding new owners, Dr. James leads with purpose, patience, and a passion for creating unbreakable bonds between humans and their dogs.