Hidden Gems: Meet Ally Fuhs of Captivated Canine Dog Training

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ally Fuhs. 

Ally, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey as a dog trainer started with my degree in social work. I brought home my first dog, Apollo, with the hopes of training him to be a therapy dog for my clients. I fell in love with the process as I dove into puppy training and learning how to be the best handler possible. I began shadowing trainers in my area and quickly dog training became my dream. I have been offering my own classes and private sessions for the past six years.

Two years ago I began my business, Captivated Canine, where I offer in-home private training sessions for all of West Michigan, group classes in Grand Rapids, and virtual lessons to people all over the world. I love teaching people how to communicate with their dogs. Watching the bond between pet and handler grow is incredibly rewarding.

In 2021, two of my friends were getting married and I offered to handle their dog, Oatmeal, for their wedding ceremony and photos. This was a destination wedding in Glacier National Park, Montana and the couple, like me, are from Michigan. As a result, I drove Oatmeal, Apollo, and myself across the country to attend the wedding. I took photos along the way with my best friend’s bouquet and posted the pictures to social media. Those posts went viral and the idea for Wags & Weddings was born. I now offer this as a service to all couples for their wedding day. I handle everything, including: pet transportation, doggy wedding attire, photo props, treats, chew toys, and ensuring pets are on their best behavior. I am a firm believer that weddings should include the whole family, the furry members included. My goal is to make that not only possible but also stress-free.

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?
It has not always been easy. Starting a business was a huge undertaking for me and there was much knowledge to be gained. I learned a lot along the way about the value in connectivity with other small businesses, especially women-owned businesses. I have learned so much about balancing work and life. I have been incredibly fortunate to have a huge support system as my business has grown over the past two years. At the end of the day, I feel like I have the best job in the world. I absolutely love working with my clients, human and canine. I count myself very fortunate to feel passionate about what I do.

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?
I believe in connecting with both people and dogs. Having a social work background has taught me how to communicate compassionately and meet people and pets where they are. One of my goals is to teach each of my clients about the psychology behind why we use certain training methods. I find that this helps people better understand their dogs’ perspective and develops greater bonds between dog and handler. I offer in-home private dog training sessions for all of West Michigan, group classes in Grand Rapids, and virtual lessons to people all over the world.

I now also offer pet handling services for weddings for couples all over the Midwest and beyond. Weddings are often looked at as one of the best days in someone’s life. I am a firm believer that weddings should include the whole family, the furry members included. My goal is to make that not only possible but also stress-free. I handle everything, including: transportation, doggy wedding attire, photo props, treats, chew toys, and ensuring pets are on their best behavior. The joy that comes from having your pet there for your wedding is priceless and I feel so honored to be a part of that.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think that choosing to leave a known field like social work to dive into something new like dog training was a huge risk, but it was one that I was sure would pay off. I had never known the peace and joy that I have now prior to working with dogs. I would not have had that without taking the risk. Starting my own business was also a huge risk, but, again, one that I was determined to make pay off and it has in so many more ways than expected. Maybe it is cliche, but I do believe that risks can lead to some of the greatest rewards.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.captivatedcanine.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captivatedcanine
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaptivatedCanine
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHzy9HiQy1sJ31fFIH9UQhA

Image Credits
Hayley Marie Photography