Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaylee.
Hi Kaylee, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I first became interested in dog training when my husband and I adopted our first dog Niko, a Pittie/Aussie mix from New Hope Pet Rescue. At the time, a close friend of mine taught the group classes at our local Petsmart. We went through all the classes from beginner to advanced. He was so easy, fun, and eager to learn. These classes are what got me interested in dog training and made me feel like a great “trainer” (I would soon be humbled), and are ultimately what got me interested in enrolling in dog training school.
From there, my husband and I brought in our first working line German Shepherd, something we found we had no business doing at the time, and his behavior gave us a run for our money. Even after taking him to lessons and classes from puppyhood, and while studying dog training in school, actual experience with a working line dog is what what missing. He was resource guarding food and lunging and barking at other people and dogs. Out of necessity and out of living it, I learned a ton about how to navigate living with a dog with aggressive tendencies and working needs.
It was this that now helps me be able to empathize with my clients who have behavioral needs dogs. I understand them, because I’ve lived it myself. Often clients think it’s their fault and something they did to cause a dog to behave a certain way because “it’s all in how you raise them” is a common phrase. But on the contrary, what I’ve come to discover is that your actions DO matter, but genetics play a huge roll.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Business ownership is full of steep hills and low valleys, but on top of it, managing other sentient living beings who can always make their own choices keeps us on our toes! Growing a dog training business is about passion for dogs, but it’s also about passion for the humans – helping them get their lives back with their dog in some circumstances and being able to truly enjoy them at home and in public in others. In addition, to be successful you really have to enjoy business itself. Promotion, networking, advertising, social media, connections, processes, follow ups, ongoing relationships, etc. You have to love the whole thing or you’ll burn yourself out / not give the experience you’re hoping to give. In all, each obstacle has taught me something valuable to implement in the future.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We offer board and train programs, group classes, and private lessons to our clients. We specialize in a wide variety from puppy, basic, and advanced obedience to fear, reactivity, resource guarding, and aggression training.
What sets us apart is our ability to recommend specific training practices based on the dog AND the human in front of us. It is never one-size-fits-all. We are well versed in a wide variety of methods, so identifying which best helps each dog and owner, and helping to implement each is our specialty.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Absolutely everything about running a dog training business is risky! Fully investing so much time, energy, and money into building something you really believe in, but that could theoretically fail at any time, is a big risk. But, I’ve found that great risk has also brought me great reward. I get to work with incredible people every day, who truly just want the best for their dogs and who want to fully enjoy life with them!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://canineunifursity.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canine.unifursity/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CanineUnifursity/
