Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Bennett.
Stephanie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Stephanie grew up in a big Texas family where the dogs always outnumbered the people. After spending several years as a teacher and accomplished actress in Los Angeles, Stephanie decided to combine her talent for teaching and entertaining people with her passion for dogs. She returned to Austin, Texas and attended the prestigious Triple Crown Dog Academy (now called the Starmark Animal Behavioral Center), the world’s leading educational center for professional dog trainers, and became a Certified Canine Trainer and Behavior Specialist. While studying at Triple Crown, Stephanie had the pleasure of meeting the great Dr. Ian Dunbar, who became and continues to be her valuable mentor.
Back in Los Angeles, Stephanie was courted by the world-renowned L.A. Dogworks to become their new Director of Training, a position she created and designed. L.A. Dogworks was one of the first dog daycare and boarding centers in the country and revolutionized that segment, becoming Los Angeles’ premiere dog resort. After learning the ins and outs of the dog care business, Stephanie decided to return to Texas with the goal of establishing her own dog facility.
She relocated to Houston in 2008 and started her first business, Get Along Little Doggie, which specialized in private, in-home, customized pet dog training. As the business grew, she recognized a common, immense need in her busy clients. They wanted a structured, safe place to give their dogs more opportunities to learn, socialize, and play. In 2011, Stephanie co-founded Peace Love and Dogs– offering Houston a new place for dogs and their humans to learn and play.
In 2016, Stephanie was named Houston’s best dog trainer by the Houston Press. After six happy and successful years at Peace Love and Dogs, Stephanie was ready to go back to her training roots and develop something fresh and innovative—what she considers to be the next stage in the evolution of dog education and enrichment—Believe in DOG Training.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Running your own business means you pretty much work 24/7. It is often difficult to find balance and force myself to relax. But, I am immensely grateful to have found something that I love doing all day, every day. I have now built three dog training businesses from the ground up and one of the biggest challenges for me is learning to delegate and let go of control as the business grows. There comes a point where you can’t everything, and you shouldn’t!
The most difficult time of my career was finally accepting that I had outgrown a business that I had co-created, built from the ground up and that felt almost like my child. I have learned the importance of being able to accept and embrace the fact that people and businesses outgrow each other. Change is inevitable and listening to your gut is important.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Believe in DOG Training – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Believe in DOG Training is Houston’s most unique dog training and enrichment center where creating constant, lifelong learning opportunities for you and your dog is our one and only priority. We don’t believe that the training and development of your dog should be an afterthought or add-on. Training your dog is our passion and our purpose. It’s what we do.
Certified by the Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), at Believe in DOG, we practice positive, science-based methods (with feeling!) that emphasize communication, mutual respect, consistency, and real-life training. We believe that methods that focus on dominance, punishment and/or tools that cause pain, are outdated, can do more harm than good, and are never necessary. The most effective way to teach and motivate dogs is with rewards such as praise, play, affection, and/or intermittent treats. Our techniques will help you create an invaluable bond with your dog that will last a lifetime.
As Houston’s original puppy experts, we are the founders of the city’s first all-encompassing, puppy-focused training programs. It is our mission to educate new puppy owners and local veterinarians on the importance of early puppy training and socialization. In addition, as a result of our comprehensive education and hands-on experience, we have expertise not only in dog & puppy training but also a wide variety of solutions to dog behavior problems. Because each dog is unique and responds differently to certain techniques, we work with our clients to create a custom training program addressing the individual dog’s needs while meeting the goals of their human companions.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Stephanie is currently building her brand new, state of the art, Canine Training and Enrichment Center, which will open in the Heights in the Spring of 2018.
We believe that training your dog is a life-long adventure and shouldn’t end after puppy class! As we grow, we will continue to offer a wide variety classes, training, and enrichment activities to create constant opportunities for you to learn, teach, and play with your dog. With our positive approach, we can help you keep your dog sound, well-balanced, and happy throughout their lives!
We will also offer visits from dog wellness specialists, conduct specialty workshops, and hold educational seminars.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.believeindogtraining.com
- Phone: 713-364-4439
- Email: info@beleiveindogtraining,com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believeindog/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/puppyexpert/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/believeindogtx
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/stephanie-bennetts-believe-in-dog-training-houston-2?osq=Dog+Training+Classes
Image Credit:
Kem Coan Photography
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