I've been working with dogs all my life, but never considered dog training as an actual career until I reached my 20's and owned one dog that changed my life forever.
I started my dog-education as a child, working in a canine rescue shelter owned by my Aunt, who is like a mother to me, from childhood to high school. Spending a lot of time with my Aunt in the rescue world allowed me to see the world of dogs through her adult eyes, even as a kid. I thought I knew a lot about dogs. After all, I was practically raised by them! But that didn't prepare me for Brutus, the first dog I adopted. I had moved over a thousand miles away from home and was recently married, living in my first apartment.
Brutus was the most ill-behaved and aggressive dog I had ever seen. Brutus didn't listen to my commands, pulled on the leash, guarded bones and food, ate off the counters, fought with other dogs, and even bit my husband and me on several occasions. One of these aggressive episodes was so bad it almost prevented my husband from deploying to Afghanistan that year.
Now, this is the point where the average person would give up, but I'm as stubborn and hard-headed as well...a hound! While I was completely devestated by my dog's behavior, I wasn't giving in just yet.
I remember frantically calling my Aunt for advice, but there's only so much help a person can provide through a telephone. I worked with Brutus alone and also sought out help from a handful of local trainers but got nowhere. I even hired an ANIMAL MEDIUM! Yes, that's right a dog psychic. After several aggressive run-ins with other dogs, and 3 scary bites to my husband, the last being very severe- I realized one of the things I loved most in life was also causing me the most pain and since nobody could seem to help me, I made the heartbreaking decision to put him down.
I felt like a failure. I had been raised with dogs my whole life! How could I not have fixed this? Brutus gave me a huge reality check. So with broken heart, and bruised ego, I started doing some research and realized I had a lot to learn! I attended dog trainer's seminars and paid thousands of dollars to travel and see dog behaviorists all over North America (including Canada) to learn why this happened, what I did wrong and how I could fix/prevent this with any dogs I owned in the future. After much trial and error, I finally found what worked. I also learned a LOT about what didn't work. And it figures, everything that didn't work is exactly what I was doing with Brutus.
For the longest time, I did all this research just because I wanted some closure (and remember, because I'm stubborn). I planned to do better with my dogs in the future, and I did. I now own a very well behaved Australian Shepherd and a previously dog-aggressive Mastiff who I adopted knowing nobody else would willing or be able to handle her issues. She's got her baggage, but I'd now argue she is pretty well rounded. She can be around many dogs she couldn't have been before and her obedience is great.
Eventually, I decided to take a leap of faith and start a business helping dogs and people and doing what I love to do. I chose this path not only so I could have a career I enjoyed, but so other people wouldn't have to struggle and suffer the same way I did with Brutus. What I had learned in my travels was something that everyday-dog-owning people like myself didn't have access to in my area AND THAT is why Brutus died. That wasn't acceptable to me. So I started Happy Hound.
I believe everyone has the right to own a good dog.
Brutus being a Happy Hound was just a dream for me, but helping others is my way of seeing that dream realized in other people and their beloved pets!
I am currently a professional member of the IACP (International Association of Canine Professionals), ongoing student of Leerburg Online University (online dog training school), and have attended several seminars, schools and workshops from world-renowned trainers across the states.
Since 2013 I have helped nearly 2,000 dogs and owners on the Emerald Coast and beyond, to live a life with their dog they never thought possible. And it's all thanks to a "bad dog" and a stubborn woman who doesn't take no for an answer. That's me. ;) Let me help you too.
Dog training in Milton and Pensacola FL
[email protected]
www.happyhounddogobedience.com
