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Competition is No Match for This Top DogStory by ELLEN WILKOWEPhotos courtesy of the Morris County Sheriff’s OfficeThis was no giving-paw or sit-and-staykind of competition. This was an extremeobstacle course designed to test the best andweed out the rest and a Roxbury police dog didjust that as he earned the title of “America’s TopDog.”Kai, a 4-year-old Belgium Malinois, jumped,climbed and sniffed his way to the $25,000 prizeas a contestant on the eighth episode of the A&Eseries. Let’s not forget his human counterpartand partner Detective Cpl. Michael McMahonof the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9Section, and also the driving force behind Kai’selite performance.“It was an awesome experience. I loved it,”McMahon said. “My son came out for thefinals. It wasmy first time inCalifornia. Itwas great.”Produced byBig Fish Entertainment, “America’s Top Dog”features K-9 and civilian dogs and their humanhandlers as they compete on complex K-9 obstaclecourses for $25,000. The teams are tested forspeed, dexterity and scent-detection skills. Theseries is hosted by Curt Menefee alongside experttrainer Nick White, with sideline reporting byJamie Little.McMahon and Kai, also known as #teamkai,made their television debut in February andmost recently for the show’s finale on March 18,when they were introduced as “the unstoppablechamps from the Garden State.”For the finals, McMahon told the crowd hewas back for another night of breaking recordsand #teamkai did just that by completing thefirst challenge, The K-9 Combine, in 1 minuteand 10.71 seconds.The course consisted of several vehicles for thedogs to maneuver in and over, as well as hurdlesand a swimming section.McMahon learned about the show whileattending the Protective Sports Association dogtrials where he was competing with Kai.“Someone heard he was a police dog and toldme about a posting for a law enforcement K-9show,” he said.Kai’s official title with the Morris CountySheriff’s Office is dual purpose patrol andnarcotics dog. He is the seventh dog McMahonhas certified and handled for the agency.McMahon’s wife, Michelle, entered him andKai in the competition and the pair were selectedin 24 hours. “We were the last team cast for theshow,” he said.Following permission from his department,McMahon and his family flew out to SantaClarita in June of 2019, where he and Kai spenttwo weeks filming, withjust three days off inbetween. “This was thefirst time the agency wason TV,” he said of hisemployer. “They werevery supportive.”The experience wasequally as exciting for hisfamily. His two youngsons, Ian and Connor,appeared on the showholding up homemadesigns and yelling “GoDaddy!” from outsidetheir home. His sister,Meghan Blanton, andhis older son Ian wereon site for the finals.“I think they’re goingto do great because they’ve been practicing for along time now,” Ian said on the show.His son was referring to all of Kai’s trainingas a police dog. McMahon said there was noprior dog training in preparation for the show.“It was all based on past training,” he said. “Igot Kai when he was 8 weeks old and took himeverywhere and anywhere. Stores. Trains. Planes.He had a lot of public exposure.”The most difficult challenge during that finalshow? The Bone Yard, a five-room maze thatcontained four scented items for the dogs to sniffout. Before Kai and McMahon, each team hadonly located three of the four items.Left: Michael McMahon fastens amedal around Kai’s neck after winning“America’s Top Dog” competition.This photo: McMahon and Kai on setduring the finals.“That had the most variables,” he said. “Wedid a 2 a.m. shooting and there was a cold windblowing, which pushed around the quantity ofodor. Plus, there were cameramen around whichthe dogs weren’t used to.”With just three seconds remaining in theallotted four-minute timeframe, Kai, however,rose—rather sniffed—to the occasion bycompleting the course—finding all four scenteditems.The final challenge against #teammattis, alaw enforcement duo from Georgia, was onThe Dog House course, which contained 300feet of flexible spider webbing, a narrow plankand a takedown, in which the dog apprehends asuspect and then must release on command.The spider web threw Kai for a loop, but hemade up for lost time by clocking in at 1 minuteand 50 seconds to earn the esteemed title ofAmerica’s Top Dog.Sideline reporter Jamie Little awarded Kai amedal-bearing collar engraved with America’sTop Dog.No stranger to the canine world, McMahongrew up with two golden retrievers, which hismother made him train. “I then started trainingdogs in the neighborhood for family and friends,”he said.In 2008, he attended the Tom Rose School forprofessional dog training in St. Louis with hiswife, Michelle.The couple started their own dog trainingbusiness, also in 2008, which provided service forpet and working dogs. One of their specialtieswas training and selling police dogs, personalprotection dogs and police K-9 dogs. Theirbusiness today focuses mostly on training for petsand competition.In 2011, he joined the Morris County Sheriff’sOffice K-9 Section for a career that marries hislifelong devotion to dogs with his interest in lawenforcement.“I’m just loving what I do,” McMahon saidduring his television exit interview with Little. “Ihave the best job in the world.”McMahon has donated all the prize money heand Kai won on the show. The duo was awarded$15,000 for winning episode eight and $25,000for becoming America’s Top Dog. McMahondonated $5,000 to the Retired Police CanineFoundation, which supports the retirementof law enforcement dogs, and the rest of thewinnings went to the agency.When Kai is not on the job or breaking K-9records, he is simply a dog at play and a dog atrest. “Kai is part of the family,” McMahon said.“He runs around with the kids. He’s a specialdog.”24LAKE HOPATCONG NEWS Spring 2020
Vol. 8, No. 4Vol. 1, No. 3Four-legged fire prevention ambassadorPage 12Vol. 7, No. 4Beauty queenPage 18Page 26Informing, Serving and Celebrating The Lake RegionAug. 1, 2016Je ferson's selfless citizensPage 6Hopatcong's super seniorsPage 10Baitfish fishingPage 16Tuesday night jam sessionPage 26Aug. 1, 2015Community garden turns 5Page 6Hiking the Appalachian TrailPage 16Fourth of July 2019Not your average summer campPage 24Family reunionPage 30Vol. 9, No. 5farmerVol. 1, No. 4Labor Day 2017• Artist in residence• Bertrand Island revisitedVol. 10, No. 5Vol. 10, No. 6Vol. 1, No. 6Labor Day 2018LH refi ling after drawdownPage 4Page 24Fa l 2019Vol. 1, No. 2Vol. 10, No. 31Memorial Day 2019Fourth of July 2018• American picker• Olympic spirit• Passion for golf• LHC budgets for weedsInforming, Serving and Celebrating The Lake Regionake Hopatcong NewsSpring is here.Protect your home against pests and rodents.The tradition of telling thestories of thelake community continues...ake Hopatcong NewsInforming, Serving and Celebrating The Lake RegionFor the Birdsake Hopatcong NewsInforming, Serving and Celebrating The Lake RegionAndrew Eppedio (and his mom’s) great avian adventurePaying TributeLocal vets honored during boat ride around Lake Hopatcongake Hopatcong NewsInforming, Serving and Celebrating The Lake RegionHappy CampersSixteen years in and Camp Je ferson is sti l a l about good ole’ fashioned outdoor funake Hopatcong NewsInforming, Serving and Celebrating The Lake RegionChickencrazyInside this issue:ake Hopatcong NewsInforming, Serving and Celebrating The Lake RegionAnsweringThe CallFirefighter honored for 70 years of servicewith Roxbury Engine Company No. 2• Markets are open, bounty is fresh• Smithsonian exhibi to open• King House expands offerings• 4H standout leading the way• Algae Invades Lake HopatcongVolunteers Drive 1th Hour Rescue• Wiffle Ba l Game Helps Raise Funds• Sharing Books One Li tle Fr e Library at a TimePrinceton Hydro: Stewards of LHPage 16Hundreds ‘leap’ into icy water for good causePage 20Ice boating on area lakesPlus: Food, LHC Meeting, In Brief, Busine s Directory, and Much More!Winter, 2014 Vol. 6, No. 1Ten years of super summer concerts• Drawdown comingake Hopatcong NewsBee-lievingin beesLocal beekeeperspassionate about honeybeesake Hopatcong NewsInforming, Serving and Celebrating The Lake RegionLOCALLYGROWNJe ferson farm comes alivethanks to third-generation• Old-timers’ game daysake Hopatcong NewsInforming, Serving and Celebrating The Lake RegionNEW CAREERTAKES FLIGHTMount Arlington’s P.J. Simonisis flying high with birds of prey•Qua ry Silt S eps into Lake Hopatcong: DEP Slow to React•Working Sma l Proves Big for Local Artist •Girl Scouts Tackle Trail Maintenance•New Fireboat for Lake Hopatcongake Hopatcong NewsInforming, Serving and Celebrating The Lake Region‘Study Hull’makes maidenvoyageLocal students schooled on fresh water aboard the Lake Hopatcong Foundation’s floating cla sroom• State Aid Comparison• University Opens New Campus• What’s It Rea ly Worth?• Looking for Solutions to Lake’s I suesSubscribe Today!Email:editor@lakehopatcongnews.comCall:973-663-2800Lake Hopatcong, NJ 973-663-6058 www.AaronSepticService.comlakehopatcongnews.com 25
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