The Industry of Pet Professionals needs a healthy community, solid support, and better accountability now more than ever.
Dog Trainers, Pet Sitters, Dog Walkers, Boarding & Daycare Facility Employees, and the like are an industry made up of people who are passionate about pets and their well-being. For an industry that's tied together by our shared love of dogs-- we are often divided.
Trainers are often divided by ideas, while walkers, groomers, and pet sitters are often fighting for the same clients, and so on.
This division and lack in sense of community is something that we want to help change.
Working with animals can often be an isolating career, especially if you are a small business owner/employee. It's a big part to why our industry has such a high turnover and burnout rate, which only leads to unfortunate circumstances for everyone-- service provider, client, and most of all, the dogs. It is hard to go one week without seeing a news headline of yet another awful story surfacing of a dog trainer, sitter, or boarding facility that has imploded with unsuitable practices of animal husbandry, ethics, and lack of consideration for the animals or people that they provide services to.
The pet care industry involving dog walkers, sitters, and trainers is also wildly unregulated, which allows for a massive gap in accountability. ("Accountability" = support, connection, community...)
Burnout and mental health declines runs rampant in this industry for these reasons above all else.
This has been on my mind for many years... which posed the question: Is there anything I can do about this that can actually make even a small difference?
Trainers are often divided by ideas, while walkers, groomers, and pet sitters are often fighting for the same clients, and so on.
This division and lack in sense of community is something that we want to help change.
Working with animals can often be an isolating career, especially if you are a small business owner/employee. It's a big part to why our industry has such a high turnover and burnout rate, which only leads to unfortunate circumstances for everyone-- service provider, client, and most of all, the dogs. It is hard to go one week without seeing a news headline of yet another awful story surfacing of a dog trainer, sitter, or boarding facility that has imploded with unsuitable practices of animal husbandry, ethics, and lack of consideration for the animals or people that they provide services to.
The pet care industry involving dog walkers, sitters, and trainers is also wildly unregulated, which allows for a massive gap in accountability. ("Accountability" = support, connection, community...)
Burnout and mental health declines runs rampant in this industry for these reasons above all else.
This has been on my mind for many years... which posed the question: Is there anything I can do about this that can actually make even a small difference?
We want YOU!
How this network benefits dog owners
Dog owners of today want the best for their dog, and that includes hiring qualified professionals to help care for their canine comrade. Dog owners are also seeing the same news reports and social media posts that we are as professionals of yet another dog sitter/trainer/walker mishandling a dog or situation, and the horrible circumstances transpire as a result. Dog owners don't know who to entrust with their dog-- many still do want to support local, small businesses and individuals, but are also rightfully terrified of hiring the wrong person to care for their dog. We need to be able to provide dog owners, as our clients, with hard proof that provides them peace of mind. Which brings me to...
How networking & COntinued Education benefits you
Being able to provide clients with the reassurance that you take on clients that fits both your interest and experience as well as have a supportive network of fellow professionals at your disposal to not only bounce ideas off of and team up with, but also promotes accountability for one another to assure that we are doing what's right by the dogs is a priceless value you are adding to your business to help your client's peace of mind.
How it benefits us
As a busy business owner that loves dog training but doesn't love micro-managing people-- I came to the conclusion over the years that while the demand is never-ending, expanding my business with large numbers of employees and even more services to try and cover all of the demand simply isn't what my path was paved for. However, having worked for years helping other trainers expand upon their skills and education through various dog trainer school programs, I do still have a strong passion for helping and networking with others flourish in this industry.
My problem still lies though-- I have many fabulous dogs and their owners whom I adore, and they trust me to steer them in the right direction for services that I simply can't, don't, or no longer offer. That compounded with being fed up with seeing the atrocities that take place under some "professionals" in this industry leave me fuming and unable to point my own clients, friends and neighbors in any direction.
I have been quietly observing, discussing, and brainstorming up a suitable solution for several years now, and am excited to kick this continued education and networking program off with as many other dog pros as possible!
My problem still lies though-- I have many fabulous dogs and their owners whom I adore, and they trust me to steer them in the right direction for services that I simply can't, don't, or no longer offer. That compounded with being fed up with seeing the atrocities that take place under some "professionals" in this industry leave me fuming and unable to point my own clients, friends and neighbors in any direction.
I have been quietly observing, discussing, and brainstorming up a suitable solution for several years now, and am excited to kick this continued education and networking program off with as many other dog pros as possible!
|
|
|
Our mission with this community network is to work together with as many pet professionals as we can to provide regular opportunities for connection and support, for both the dogs and the professionals caring for them.
We welcome fellow dog trainers, dog walkers, pet sitters, groomers, dog daycare/boarding facility employees, animal shelter staff, and other pet professionals to participate in our group classes at a discounted rate, as well as helping organize regular get-togethers, in hopes of nurturing a wide community-base of supportive pet care professionals.
Bring a client's dog to a class and maybe get some pointers from fellow pros with a fresh perspective!
Or bring your own dog out for a change, and get out to enjoy a zero-pressure activity or fun dog sport activity with them!
Even come dog-free and just network with other like-minded people, while keeping your hands and head free from work for a little refresh!
Bring a client's dog to a class and maybe get some pointers from fellow pros with a fresh perspective!
Or bring your own dog out for a change, and get out to enjoy a zero-pressure activity or fun dog sport activity with them!
Even come dog-free and just network with other like-minded people, while keeping your hands and head free from work for a little refresh!
We are excited to kick off this program with a Dog Professionals Mini-Course on September 18!
Together with our friend and professional colleague Mahogany Gamble of Nexus Canine and ___ is joining us for an intensive, one-day course this September 18th, 2026. This immersive seminar is perfect for dog walkers, pet sitters, dog groomers, dog boarding/daycare employees, and fellow trainers to come out, expand your network, and dive deep into the topics of:
We invite YOU to come and join us for this special event! Please contact us for more information.
- Dog Care & Husbandry
- Dog Behavior & Body Language
- Training Methods & Learning Theory
- Application of Said Theories
- Biological Fulfillment for Dogs
- Professional Ethics & Practice
- Finding & Landing the Right Clients
We invite YOU to come and join us for this special event! Please contact us for more information.
|
|
|
