Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra & Genevieve Szegi.
Hi Alexandra & Genevieve, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
At Szegi Haus K9, our story started just like so many others—with a big, reactive dog and a family that simply wanted to enjoy life together.
We were a mother, father, and daughter trio navigating the same struggles many dog owners face: leash pulling, car reactivity, inconsistent obedience, and the frustration of not being able to confidently bring our dog out in public. We enrolled in big-box training classes, reached out to trainers, and were met with price tags in the thousands. It felt overwhelming… and honestly, a little hopeless.
So we took matters into our own hands.
We dove deep into learning—experimenting with tools, exploring a balanced approach, and slowly starting to understand that training wasn’t just about the dog… it was about communication, structure, and handler education. Those tools helped, but they were only one piece of a much bigger equation.
Libby was our trial dog—the one who taught us so much along the way. She lived a great life, but we knew we could do better for the dogs that would come after her.
As we grew, so did our passion and knowledge—especially with German Shepherds, a breed we’ve been dedicated to breeding since 2020. What started as long-haired German Shepherd breeding quickly evolved. Our puppy owners began reaching back out, asking for help continuing their training journey. At the time, we’d say, “We’re breeders, not trainers,”—but we were already laying the foundation with crate training, potty training, and basic manners before each puppy went home at 8 weeks.
Meanwhile, Alexandra had always been drawn to working with dogs—walking neighborhood dogs, building connections, and developing a natural handling ability. What once felt like just a passion or hobby quickly turned into something much bigger… a full-fledged career.
As demand grew, so did we.
Genevieve made the decision to step away from her career as a Labor and Delivery Nurse to run Szegi Haus K9 full-time alongside Alexandra. With James approaching retirement, he’s stepping into a more prominent role as well—bringing the family full circle back to where it all started.
Today, Alexandra and Genevieve are Certified Dog Trainers and AKC Evaluators, and we’re heading into our sixth year of Szegi Haus K9.
What began in Canton and Belleville, Michigan has now grown into our home base in Brighton, Michigan—where over the past four years, Szegi Haus K9 has truly taken off.
Our mission has always stayed the same:
To educate owners on dog behavior, leash handling, and clear communication—so they can confidently include their dogs in everyday life.
We believe training shouldn’t feel like taking out a loan. That’s why we focus on offering services that are effective, realistic, and accessible—whether that’s training, boarding, daycare, or building a program that fits your lifestyle.
Because at the end of the day, we were once in your shoes.
And everything we’ve built comes from the desire to give dogs—and their owners—a better life together.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Every growing business comes with challenges—and Szegi Haus K9 is no exception.
One of the biggest struggles we’ve faced is understanding that not every client will align with or fully support our training philosophy. And that’s okay. Early on, that was difficult to navigate. You want to help everyone, and you want everyone to “get it.” But over time, we’ve learned that the most important thing is showing up, producing real, consistent results, and focusing our energy on the owners who are ready to put in the work alongside us.
Those are the clients we build lasting relationships with—and that’s what makes it all worthwhile.
Another major challenge in our early years was pricing.
Like many small businesses starting out, we undervalued our time, knowledge, and the level of service we were providing. We were giving a lot… and not being compensated in a way that allowed us to grow or sustain the business long-term. That realization led us to make a tough but necessary decision: restructure our programs and raise our pricing.
It wasn’t easy, but it was essential.
Without that shift, Szegi Haus K9 wouldn’t be where it is today. It allowed us to continue improving our services, invest back into our clients, and build a business that could truly support both our team and the dogs we work with.
At the same time, we’ve always recognized that no two clients are the same.
Every owner comes with a different lifestyle, timeline, and financial situation. That’s why we’ve made it a priority to create flexible options—so we can meet people where they’re at while still delivering the structure, education, and results they need.
Because at the end of the day, our goal isn’t just to train dogs.
It’s to help as many owners as possible build a better, more functional life with them.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Szegi Haus K9 is more than a dog training facility—it’s a family-run business built on real experience, real challenges, and a true commitment to helping both dogs and their owners succeed.
At our core, we specialize in working with reactive and aggressive dogs—especially those at risk of being rehomed or even placed on euthanasia lists. These are the dogs that often get turned away, misunderstood, or labeled as “too much.” For us, that’s where the work begins.
We step in to provide structure, clarity, and immediate support—giving both the dog and the owner a real chance at staying together and building a better life.
In addition to training, we offer structured boarding and daycare designed specifically for dogs who may not be a good fit for traditional facilities. Many of the dogs in our care have been removed from larger daycares due to behaviors like nipping, humping, lunging, barking, or reactivity. That’s why everything we do is supervised by certified dog trainers—ensuring that no unwanted behaviors are practiced, reinforced, or picked up from other dogs.
We don’t just manage behavior—we actively shape it.
Located on 8½ acres in Brighton, Michigan, our environment allows dogs to decompress, explore, and engage with the world in a controlled and meaningful way. Dogs are walked 4–5 times daily on 20-foot long lines, giving them the freedom to experience nature while still maintaining structure and accountability.
Even dogs with more intense behavioral challenges learn how to exist more calmly and respectfully in shared spaces. Over time, many go from reactive or aggressive tendencies to being neutral and cordial around other dogs in our day-to-day environment.
We also pride ourselves on advocating for every dog in our care.
That means understanding their limits, setting them up for success, and never putting them in situations where they are set up to fail. Every dog is handled as an individual—not a number.
Beyond the dogs, we prioritize the people just as much.
We understand that every client comes with a different story, schedule, and financial situation. That’s why we offer flexibility in programming, payments, and scheduling—working with each owner to create a plan that realistically fits their life while still delivering results.
At Szegi Haus K9, we accept all breeds, all ages, all sizes, and all behaviors.
We don’t believe any dog is “too far gone,” and we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. We take the time to evaluate what each dog truly needs and build a path forward that allows both the dog and the owner to thrive.
Because for us, this isn’t just about training dogs.
It’s about changing outcomes, keeping families together, and giving every dog the opportunity they deserve.
How do you think about happiness?
What truly makes Szegi Haus K9 happy is watching our clients discover that there’s a whole other side to their dog.
So many owners come to us feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or limited by their dog’s behavior. And then, through structure, guidance, and clear communication, everything starts to shift. They begin to see a version of their dog they didn’t know was possible.
That moment—that realization—is why we do what we do.
A big inspiration behind our mindset comes from Tom Davis, who says it best: there are no bad dogs. Just dogs that are misunderstood and in need of the right structure and direction in their day-to-day lives.
We stand behind that fully.
What drives us is giving the everyday dog owner a new perspective—not just on their dog, but on what life together can actually look like. It’s about unlocking potential on both ends of the leash.
Because life with your dog should be more than just managing them within the four walls of your home or a fenced-in yard.
There’s so much more out there—more experiences, more freedom, more purpose.
And being able to help owners step into that with their dogs… that’s what makes it all worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.szegihausk9solutions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/szegihausk9
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HVfLGyDTh/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@szegihausk9
- Other: https://szegihausk9.portal.gingrapp.com/secure/home
