Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tynia Dickson, Founder of The Sassy Trainer, located in Pahrump, NV, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I train dogs, pets, and service dogs. Many dog owners feel like their dog has a mind of their own. Citing behaviors like chewing on furniture or clothes, jumping on people or things, or excessive or nuisance barking, it's overwhelming. At the Sassy Trainer, we understand this frustration, which is why with over twenty years of training dogs of various breeds, we developed the ST5 Dog Training System. With this proven system, in as little as 5 minutes a day, you can take back control and never have to worry about your dog's behavior again.
Tell us about yourself
I'm a proud Army Veteran. Born and raised in New Orleans, and I do recommend that you visit. I have had dogs all my life. My first dog was an awesome shaggy mutt named Jet. We grew up together, and she started me on my journey. She was smart and sweet. We spent many hours together. I started training when Jet and I were about 10. We got Queenie, a Shepard mix puppy, and a year later JoJo, an adult Chow mix, who was given to us due to his bad behavior. I started with walking on a leash and jumping and then advanced to pulling my wagon. I even trained the kitten that wandered into our lives to hunt and use the toilet.
I'm a Certified Service Dog Trainer with a degree in Assistance Dog Education from Bergin University in CA. I've trained with other trainers in various disciplines, and I've also competed in some of those disciplines as well. Those would be Confirmation, Obedience, Agility, Rally, and Herding. I've also been on a few hunts, Barn and Coon Hunting. I have owned and operated my own Kennel, where I trained dogs and staff and groomed and boarded most breeds of dogs and cats. It is my varied past with dogs that gives me my Sassy training style.
I'm passionate about dog training because I want dogs to stay in their forever home. The key is effective communication between people and their dogs. I am fighting 'K9 illiteracy' by developing YOUR ability to read your dog and give your dog the proper information so your dog can then read you and act appropriately.
I developed The Sassy Trainer 5 Dog Training System (ST5) for myself. Now I want to share it to help other dog owners go from feeling frustrated by their dog's behavior to being confident in any situation. With this proven system, you can quickly take control and never have to worry about your dog's behavior again. MY PHILOSOPHY on dog training is really simple. We don't push, pull or drag the dogs. That is a failure to communicate.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Being a mentor.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Knowing how to run a business. It's easy to do the service or make the product.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Pray.
- Find a mentor that is successful.
- Ask lots of questions.
- Set goals.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://thesassytrainer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSassyTrainer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_sassy_trainer/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sassy_Tynia
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tynia-dickson-3b2515a9/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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