About Robert Forto

Robert Forto

Training Director at Alaska Dog Works

Musher at Team Ineka

Twitter @robertforto | FacebookLinkedIn

Robert  grew up in a military family. He attended elementary school in North Carolina, attended junior high school in the Washington D.C. suburbs and graduated high school in Virginia. Robert played lacrosse and football and was a very good student. The military brought the family to Oregon in 1989. Robert enrolled in Portland State University to study veterinary medicine where he earned his B.S. degree. Robert is also a gifted musician and played guitar, bass, vocals and drums in a rock band, Rainmaker with his college pals. His band was ready to sign a record deal with a major label but his buddies were not ready to commit. Robert soon bought his first Siberian Husky, Axl, and began competing in obedience and conformation trails.

Robert’s present occupation is kennel owner at Alaska Dog Works and dog racer at Team Ineka.

Robert began mushing in 1994 and became interested in long distance racing shortly thereafter, and plans to compete in the Iditarod before he gets too old!

Robert says, “I have had many successes and disappointments in the past 19+ years but one element has remained consistent, I have always tried to do my best with what I have and have always enjoyed the special bond I have had with my dogs. It has been a privilege to share this wonderful life journey with my dogs, my team mates, my family and my friends.”

Robert is recognized by his peers and has won numerous awards for the training of dogs throughout his career including dog training excellence awards, best new business award, special needs training award, fear rehabilitation award,humane dog trainer award, society education award, and nominated for aggression and behavior therapy awards many times over.

Robert especially enjoys sky diving, mountain biking, kayaking, attending hockey with his three kids: Kyle, Tyler and Nicole, and a passion for hiking Colorado’s 14-ers. Robert is married to Michele, who is his partner in business and in life and helps extensively in his training season. Each summer Robert and Michele head down to the Lower 48 and do what they call Rock n Roller Tours where they go to rock music festivals and ride roller coasters.

In addition to mushing, Robert trains his German Shepherds to compete in canine sports and service work for children with autism.

Robert is an accomplished writer and has appeared in such publications as Front and Finish, Dog World, The Rocky Mountain News and many newspapers. Robert is currently penning a book profiling his work with dogs from a balanced approach and updates his blog almost daily.

Public Speaking and Involvement

Robert has conducted public appearances and speaking engagements for more than two decades. Among the topics he addressed are team building, dynamic team motivation, developing professional skills to utilize media opportunities when they occur, the value of perseverance, personal motivation, visualizing success, dog care and mushing. Robert is also an advocate for canine law and legislation, and has spoken many times as an expert witness in areas such as breed bans, dog park accessibility, landlord-tenant disputes, disability advocacy and public access for service dogs.

Over the years, Robert has been involved in numerous school appearances, health and wellness seminars, community education, volunteerism, corporate activities, and of course advocating the sport of dog sledding.

The analogy of sled dog racing allows each audience member to personally relate to his experience and visualize their “team” which might include their boss, the office staff, the customer and the client, and numerous other individuals assisting them with surviving their storm making for an entertaining, enlightening and informative seminar.

Roberts personal passion for the culture of dogs and how they have played a critical role in his life allows him to share his dream by educating people how to become certified canine obedience instructors. His school, Dog Works Training Company, not only teaches his student how to become some of the best dog trainers in the world but also competent business owners in their chosen career.

Robert says, “It is all about the culture of this place that I find inspiring. We are like no other training school in the country. We truly do have the best job in the world,” speaking of the culture he has developed around his own business and what makes him so successful. “We do have the best and train the rest,” said Robert.

Robert is also the host of a weekly radio show, Dog Works Radio where people all over the world call in to make comments and ask questions of Robert and other dog trainers.

Update Summer 2020

Robert has started a doctorate of strategic leadership at Liberty University and hopes to study expedition leadership in a corporate setting. In the past few years Robert has expanded his knowledge on leadership by graduating with his second B.S. from the University of Alaska Anchorage in Outdoor Leadership and a Masters of Sports Management in Outdoor Adventure Sports from Liberty University.

Internet Commentary

We all have things in our past. It is not what you have done that sticks with you but how you use it. Robert has done his best over the last 20 years to make amends for his wrong-doings and lead the best life he can for his family, his business and his community. Before forming any negative judgement, please read: Rumors, Allegations and Things Left Unsaid 

Interested in inviting Robert to speak at your event?

Robert is available for speaking engagements, appearances and sponsor opportunities throughout the year.

FOR ALL INQUIRIES REGARDING ROBERT’S SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, APPEARANCES, AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES – PLEASE CONTACT:

Robert by email leaddog@teamineka.com

or Michele Forto

(907) 841-1603