Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Freshour.
Natalie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a Certified Canine Training and Behavioral Specialist with 14 years of experience. I started volunteering with dog rescue organizations while in high school and saw dogs being given up or returned because of simple behavior issues. I knew these dogs needed a chance, and if I could help owners understand their dogs and work through their issues, I could help to keep good dogs in good homes. After 3 years of teaching basic obedience, I decided to further my knowledge by attending Triple Crown Academy (now Starmark Academy) a world-renowned dog training and behavior school. Because of my background in dog behavior, I knew I needed to help dogs that most wouldn’t, which is how Hot Mess Pooches started. I use my dog training knowledge to properly train, socialize and place dogs with hearing and/or vision impairment.
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?
I have definitely had my ups and downs. I have known this was my passion since a very young age, so I had to work extra hard for people to take me seriously at the very beginning. To me, this is more than just a job, I love what I do, so I get very emotionally involved in many of my cases. When dog owner’s struggle, I work extra hard to give them hope. All the struggles are worth it when owner’s give me a hug and tell me that I’ve given them hope, or when a dog who was once unadoptable has found a home.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Texas Dog Wrangler offers personalized training and behavior modification. I enjoy teaching clients about dog behavior, not just identifying an issue, but explaining why behavior happens and how we can change our behavior to better communicate with our dogs. I specialize in working with rescue dogs with troubled pasts, multiple dog households, and deaf or vision impaired dogs, I have been a part of Houston’s dog rescue community for half my life, so many rescuers reach out to me to help with problem behaviors and I offer seminars geared specifically towards people who foster and volunteer within rescues, What I am known for the most is my work with hearing and vision impaired dogs. Organizations from around the country send me deaf dogs, many who at risk of euthanasia.
What were you like growing up?
I have always loved dogs. I called my Cocker Spaniel my sister and our Sheltie my brother. All of my school reports revolved around my favorite animals, and there were frequent trips to the zoo to learn about them. From the moment I moved to Texas at 11 years old, and saw my first stray dog, I knew I wanted to do something to help them. I was also the type of kid who wanted to do anything I could for those who needed it, from giving my spare change to a homeless person, to helping to hand out meals during the holidays. I have always been on a mission to learn, share my knowledge, and help others.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 832-790-2424
- Email: txdogwrangler@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Simply Dog Photography and ARG Photography
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Dawn
March 5, 2019 at 11:26 am
Hi my name is Dawn and my friend is Brenda we all help dogs here in Conroe I were suppose to get a dog I was trying to find a home for Helen but daughters mom decided they wanted to keep her she is the older dalmation. I appreciate you wanting to help her.. I have a qwestion I help
Out many dogs here in Conroe there is a man I know who for Several months I have been helping feed and take care of his animals however he does have a pitbull named green bean unaltered make about 3 years old kinda shunned tied to a tree does have access to food and water I make sure .. I feel very bad for him is there anyway that you may able to take him to a rescue he’s not a bad dog he just needs to be loved and my husband goes there with me green beans rolls on his back because you like to be petted this man says of these are his family and I understand that but he’s not in a position to be taken care of him The owner leaves and goes to Euston a lot so I go there and I make sure they’re fed and I have water but he’s very stubborn is there anyway that you could help me with this I really would like to see him run around to be a dog and be with a family that can give him the love that he needs being tied up I have an access to about 5 feet on the side of the trailer not much interaction at all it’s a sad situation I ask him all the time if I could take the dogs and he says no I honestly have no problem doing something about this is there anyway that you can help me I heard a lot of good things about you .Can I give me advice I can show you a video if you want .Thank you Fawn