The Canal Winchester and Baltimore, Ohio communities are mourning the tragic death of Allison Marie Marcum, a beloved dog trainer and business owner, who passed away following an accident.
Allison, fondly known as Allison (Marcum K9 Obedience) Marcum, was the dedicated owner and operator of Marcum K9 Obedience, a highly regarded in-home dog training service in Canal Winchester. Her unexpected passing has left a void not only in the hearts of her family and friends but also among the countless clients and dogs she helped over the years.
Marcum K9 Obedience announced the devastating news on social media, writing —
“This is a post we never thought we would have to make. Unfortunately, the owner Allison Marcum of Marcum K9 Obedience passed away yesterday morning. One thing we can all agree on is the love and passion she had for her business, her fur babies, and all the families she helped over the years. She will be missed very much.”
The business also confirmed it will close permanently following her passing, asking clients to make alternative arrangements for upcoming training sessions.
Allison founded Marcum K9 Obedience in 2012 and built it into one of the region’s most trusted names in personalized dog training. She specialized in basic and advanced obedience, aggression management, confidence building, and off-leash control — always emphasizing compassion and real-life learning environments. Her training philosophy reflected her belief that dogs are family members who deserve respect, structure, and love.
Her professional background was impressive — she trained at the Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers, the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP), Sit Means Sit Dog Training, and Logan Haus Kennels. Over more than a decade, she helped hundreds of families form better bonds with their pets, making her a cornerstone of Ohio’s canine training community.
Allison’s family, including Tiffany and Chris Marcum, expressed their heartbreak online. Tiffany wrote,
“We lost a really beautiful soul way too soon. Allison had so much life to live and give. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate through this difficult time. We are really going to miss her.”
Her friends also shared heartfelt tributes:
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Brittany Bayes wrote, “Although it’s been several years since we last caught up, I’ve been struggling to process this. To say there’s now an irreplaceable void is an understatement. This world took you far too soon.”
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Jessica Oliver simply posted two broken heart emojis, symbolizing the silent pain felt by many who knew her.
Allison’s passing has sparked an outpouring of condolences from the dog training world and local community alike. Many clients have shared photos of their dogs, thanking her for changing their pets’ lives with patience and love.
While the details of the accident remain limited, her legacy as a compassionate trainer, animal lover, and inspiring businesswoman will continue to live on through the many families she touched.
Rest in peace, Allison Marcum.
Your kindness, passion, and love for every dog you met will never be forgotten.