The Everyday Trainer Podcast
Turning a Home into a Dog Training Business: The Joys and Challenges of In-Home Training ft. Keely from Ruff Rules
Imagine transforming your home, bit by bit, into a haven for a dog training business. That's exactly what Keely, the owner of Ruff Rules Dog Training, did. As we clink glasses filled with pinot grigio, we unravel the emotional tapestry that comes with running such a business. From the excitement of dream home design to the pressures of juggling safety and cleanliness, we delve into the realities of dog training within the confines of one's own home.
Throughout the episode, we unearth some hard truths about dog training. We talk about the evolution of training methods, the pros and cons of E-collar training, and the crucial role of effective communication in this line of work. Keely offers some valuable insights, sharing the importance of consistency and how a well-structured backyard setup can make all the difference. We share our experiences, the struggles, but also the joys of growing a dog training business, offering a real, raw look at what it takes.
In the end, we circle back to the human element. There’s a delicate balance to be found in our own lives to help us be better trainers and business owners. We highlight the significance of self-care and reflection, emphasizing how vital it is to remember why we do what we do. So, come join us, whether you're a dog trainer, a dog owner, or just a dog lover, and be a part of this candid, heartfelt conversation. Let's talk about dogs, business, and how to maintain our sanity in the process.
Website: https://theeverydaytrainer.com
Community: https://community.theeverydaytrainer.com
Keely's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Ruff_Rules/
Imagine transforming your home, bit by bit, into a haven for a dog training business. That's exactly what Keely, the owner of Ruff Rules Dog Training, did. As we clink glasses filled with pinot grigio, we unravel the emotional tapestry that comes with running such a business. From the excitement of dream home design to the pressures of juggling safety and cleanliness, we delve into the realities of dog training within the confines of one's own home.
Throughout the episode, we unearth some hard truths about dog training. We talk about the evolution of training methods, the pros and cons of E-collar training, and the crucial role of effective communication in this line of work. Keely offers some valuable insights, sharing the importance of consistency and how a well-structured backyard setup can make all the difference. We share our experiences, the struggles, but also the joys of growing a dog training business, offering a real, raw look at what it takes.
In the end, we circle back to the human element. There’s a delicate balance to be found in our own lives to help us be better trainers and business owners. We highlight the significance of self-care and reflection, emphasizing how vital it is to remember why we do what we do. So, come join us, whether you're a dog trainer, a dog owner, or just a dog lover, and be a part of this candid, heartfelt conversation. Let's talk about dogs, business, and how to maintain our sanity in the process.
Website: https://theeverydaytrainer.com
Community: https://community.theeverydaytrainer.com
Keely's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Ruff_Rules/
Hello and welcome back to the Everyday Trainer podcast. My name is Meg and I am a dog trainer. On today's episode I'm joined by my good friend Keeley. She is a dog trainer in Fort Lauderdale. She owns Rough Rules dog training, so we are going to talk all about what it's like to own a dog training business and all the feelings, i guess, that come with it All the feelings, all the feelings. So you know the drill Grab yourself a tasty drink and meet us back here. Hello Keeley.
Speaker 2:Hello Meg, welcome. Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1:Thanks for having me in your home.
Speaker 2:You are so welcome.
Speaker 1:All right. So we are recording this episode from Keeley's guest bedroom. We are cozied up in bed with what are we drinking?
Speaker 2:Santa Margarita, pinot Grigio, cheers, cheers. Very classy white wine, classy like me.
Speaker 1:Oh, it's pretty good, it's not?
Speaker 2:bad, it definitely won't leave you.
Speaker 1:So we were going to record the podcast yesterday, yep, but that did not happen. We actually drank yesterday, so we're feeling a type of way today and I'm surprised that we whipped out some alcohol for this as well. But Keeley was feeling a little bit nervous. So, nervous So here we are.
Speaker 2:I know Nothing. White wine can't shake off. Yeah, yesterday, was fun though It was, you got to learn about some architectural things. Yeah, do you want to talk about that? I mean we can. The stress of rebuilding your house and trying to make it functional for dog training.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so Keeley has an awesome setup. She runs, board and trains out of her house and then she also has a team of trainers who work underneath her, who do board and trains at their homes. But you guys all have like the best yard setups, like everybody has fences and turf, and that, i think, is just like such a huge appeal. I'm jealous every time I come over here. I'm like God damn, I love your backyard, But I know that owners just like love that right, Because you just have the best setup really.
Speaker 2:I mean it definitely, i think, makes us stand out. However, you know, it's funny when I was doing all of this and getting my house situated with turf and fencing and what did I want? It really just came from time and experience, and the more dogs I had, the more things that I was. you know, learning as a trainer when dealing with tons of dogs being in your home was I wanted safety first, separation when I needed it, and then how could I keep my house as clean as possible?
Speaker 1:Literally as a dog trainer.
Speaker 2:It's like impossible. It's very impossible, especially with my doodle crews.
Speaker 1:You have a good setup, though, because you have like kind of the room, the garage that you've like converted into a room which door yeah, which leads to the backyard, and then you have all of your section fencing in the backyard, and so now you're in the process of thinking about construction.
Speaker 2:We really, really want to tear down our house so that we can build our dream home. We do live in a tiny house. I love my tiny house, though Very, very grateful. I do love your house. It's very cozy, charming, but I have a shopping problem and I need closet space.
Speaker 1:That's not the only reason. It's definitely not.
Speaker 2:Well, for one, i'm definitely a homebody. I'd love to host like I would love to be able to just have more shadow programs or even I'm so sorry do a shadow program. Let me back up there.
Speaker 2:I'd love to host like shadow programs and have more things like open to the community, just with like more space for inside stuff. It's just so hot summertime and, like my art is built for us being outside, So like as we get into summertime, I feel like the inside of my house is super tiny and it just is not extremely like functional for everybody to be inside, training and so on and so forth. So, yeah, so we're going through wanting to tear down and rebuild but at the same time, you know when we're getting asked questions like what is the most important thing? You know most people are saying things like a kitchen, you know a big master bedroom and I'm like a dog training room.
Speaker 1:A dog training room the garage, the kennel room, yes, the kennel room, all of the things.
Speaker 2:So yard space, yeah, still keeping my backyard space, but like also having a larger house.
Speaker 1:So obviously something has to give and what is going to give and what's going to happen at first, when you told me that you were going to like rebuild, i was like really sad because I don't know, i like like the smaller older Florida homes, but I definitely get it you know, yeah, like when you start kind of looking at your situation and looking at the house, you're like okay, yeah, i don't know how rebuilding is really the only option for you, you know.
Speaker 2:Yep, and I've been here since 2016. So I definitely feel like I've put my time into this house and been patient, and, for those of you who don't know, i live next door to my parents. The house that I grew up in So the house that I am in is also was my grandfather's house, pretty much, so this house has a lot of meaning, for sure. So that's so wild.
Speaker 1:I know That's cool, full circle.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so this is where we live, which we were also talking about yesterday with everybody yesterday, yesterday. That might be the wine You had.
Speaker 1:Oh. So, circling back, the reason why we're talking about this is we had what your friends over yesterday who are kind of helping you with, like the architecture and construction and the words. What are the words? either? They're pretty much.
Speaker 2:he just wants to manage our project Project manager. Yeah, he is big into construction, he's can do addition, yeah, he's built malls.
Speaker 1:It sounded like he's done it all.
Speaker 2:So he's just going to manage it and he's just trying to help us navigate through the very complicated, stressful situations that, no matter what, will definitely be stressful. But how can he make it pretty much less stressful?
Speaker 1:Should we talk about how we met Absolutely?
Speaker 2:Okay, it all started with a Derby. We met at the airport. You came to pick us up, nicole and I, and then what? we went to a restaurant and I hopped in your van. Yeah, nicole went with Will and I went with you.
Speaker 1:I said I knew a car I wanted to get in, the better one, the van. Yeah, the better one. I think we got, didn't we get lost?
Speaker 2:too, to the place we had to go Because he just leaves. Yes, Not a good follower. No, anyways, We also were talking and we were like oh wait, where's the person?
Speaker 1:I had never met Keely before, which is funny that we met in Pennsylvania. We live in the same state and we met in Pennsylvania. But I don't know, i feel like I can be a little more reserved at first, and you are not.
Speaker 2:You're very chatty. I'm like a golden retriever. I'm right away, i'm here. Who wants to talk?
Speaker 1:Right away we hit it off. Yeah, we did, And then.
Speaker 2:We've been friends ever since pretty much. It's been really easy just being able to keep in touch And then I came down here and visit you and.
Speaker 1:Nicole and Skye, and then we had another crazy night, because you all are wild Now, i'm just kidding.
Speaker 2:That was almost a year ago, yeah time flies Isn't that wild, I know it is actually pretty crazy that we all met about a year ago.
Speaker 1:I was living in my own little bubble and I didn't know any other dog trainers And then a friend was like, oh, do you know the Ruff Rules Girls? And I was like, no, literally you're four hours away from me. And I was like, nope, never heard of them.
Speaker 2:They make a sound like do you know the Muffin Man, Literally, do you?
Speaker 1:The Muffin Man.
Speaker 2:Yeah, those Ruff Rule Girls.
Speaker 1:Those Ruff Rule Girls. Oh my gosh. Yeah, the rest is history. Here we are. Now we're laying in your guest bed recording a podcast. I've been trying to get you on my podcast for a while.
Speaker 2:I will dog, we're hilarious. Yeah, i'm not hilarious once.
Speaker 1:I know I'm like being recorded.
Speaker 2:I pretty much just lose my personality instantly.
Speaker 1:Oh my gosh, I drink more.
Speaker 2:I'm terrible, you know. I think my biggest fault is I will dodge a podcast of video anything. Yeah, you need to get over that. Yeah, i'll stay in the shadows.
Speaker 1:So me and Keely, basically just I don't wanna say bitch, but do what every dog trainer will do Yeah, Event to each other a lot about everything that kind of goes into running a dog training business, working with clients, having trainers. You're really one of the few people that I can talk to about running a dog training business, because there's a big difference between being a dog trainer and being the owner of a dog training business, because when you're the owner, you're managing staff, you're managing payroll, you have your hand in everything. and I tell everybody this I would not send my dogs away to very many dog trainers if any but you are one of the few people who I would send my dogs to. You have like the best program, the best business You take care of all of your clients.
Speaker 2:Tell me more.
Speaker 1:You take care of your people like girl. How do you do it?
Speaker 2:Honestly, it means a lot to hear that, because it's everything that I want to be for everybody in my life. I always wanna try to just be the best that I can. Obviously, like every day is not always gonna be the same, but how do I do it? Well, it's no secret for me, but faith is obviously a big thing and I won't bore people with the God talk because I know for me God's first and everything and I get so much peace in my stressful days just knowing that I can just come to him with my thoughts and just my biggest worries and know that I'm just not really doing this alone. And it sounds super lame.
Speaker 2:But again, i would say to anybody whatever works for you, chase, that you know what I mean. It doesn't matter what that looks like. You really need to be able to have some type of like center and balance and peace for yourself, Because this really is like a super difficult job. Whether you are, like I said, like a dog trainer, like just training dogs, working with owners or owning the business of, you know, a dog training company, they all have like their difficulties. A big thing for me that I think we were talking about that I live for that was the biggest game-changers for me mentally and preparing for my day was not just waking up and like rushing into my day and just like sleeping in right up until the last minute and then letting the dogs out and you know-.
Speaker 1:And it's so easy to do that because as soon as you wake up, it's like the instant anxiety of the day of like we have animals, they need to go out.
Speaker 2:My favorite thing that I started doing was you know you would write down like five things that you're grateful for, but again, like this is like the tale as old as time like get a grateful mindset, it's so easy to say and so much harder to do.
Speaker 2:Yeah, but so, like you know, when I started back in 2019, i'd get these long days I was by myself. I actually didn't have anybody working with me, you know, which can have its own turmoil at some times, and I would just like look up at the sky and be like I'm so thankful for that flower in the tree right now.
Speaker 1:You know my tone wasn't really matching the gratitude that I wanted my heart to feel. Make it till you, make it.
Speaker 2:But like I would just literally sit there and constantly just say like the smallest, like things to be grateful for. So I would really pick dumb things to be grateful for, because those things are everywhere around you If you open up your eyes to want to see them. And I don't know like that kind of just started changing. And then I was just sharing with you how I would write down 10 things that I really wanted in my life.
Speaker 1:As if you already have them.
Speaker 2:As if I already have them. So I was like sharing that book with you And it was really. It's really cool. I started that in 2019, and then what we in 2023?.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so Keely pulls out her journal and starts reading, like that notebook from 2019. And you have, yeah, all of those things.
Speaker 2:Not all of them, but it's really cool to see, like what I do have, which like the biggest ones that I talked about was, or that I wanted so badly, was if I was to have a staff or like have a team, i would write it and I would say I have the most trustworthy team ever, like you know my and that I have the best clients ever, and those two things I feel like hold very true to like what Ruffroll is Like. I can't say enough about Nicole's guy or Eva. I mean, every time you're here I'm like I'm the luckiest girl in the world. Like they're just great trainers, they know how to communicate and just I'm sorry but be normal.
Speaker 2:I'm gonna throw it out there.
Speaker 1:Which is very tricky. It is like sometimes, yeah, like.
Speaker 2:I'm sorry You guys. Sometimes dog trainers, we can be real intense And I'm like, oh my gosh, take it down. So I just feel like my girls are just super, just amazing, like they're everything that, yeah, they're good people.
Speaker 2:It's everything that I would, i would want So to have that. It feels so special to me. And then, like my clients, they're the best. I mean, they get me, they genuinely accept me for who I am, they trust my decision making and, like they show up And even the ones that, like, maybe make it a little difficult, like I love them too. Like it's like I see, It's like the difficult dogs, exactly So. The clientele and the employee things to see those come to life and writing those back in 2019 is just where I tell everybody, like, do it, write it. And then on my book, wasn't it say I live in my dream house. And now we're, like you know, being able to talk about possibly building a dream house. Like it's just so cool to like see.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and that was 2019, you know, like the time is going to pass anyways. Are you mindful to how that's going to pass And yeah, you know the things that you want to come into your life or are you just kind of taking it day by day?
Speaker 2:Yeah, exactly. I mean, i think you almost like have to take life day by day but at the same time, what do you want for your future? Like, what do you want with you know your life and what you're doing, like what are you passionate about? But don't you think?
Speaker 1:that if you focus on what you want in the morning and before you go to bed, like it just keeps you focused. You know like it's so easy to just I don't know. It kind of goes back to like the simple pleasures thing. You know just kind of like chasing the dopamine of like whatever makes you feel good, but usually the stuff that's really worth. It is not easy to get. It's not easy to get like trustworthy people.
Speaker 2:It's not easy to get. Nicole, you're the best guy. I love you. Don't leave me ever. I'll do it at the end of my video. So were you doing your bedtime in the morning? so what do you want me to do? I'm not a superaffirmatory person, so I was just chilling around When I were young. How about writing a book that had a version of your education, and looking at you, at your life and learning? you know, i have a really big memory at the end of your life, like I used to be 36 at the time of was, i was 19.
Speaker 2:You went out of your way in orientation to Wu Doing. No, he's farty.
Speaker 1:But so when I was 22,.
Speaker 2:I think he, like you know, had us watch this and was telling me about it as I was like starting my dog training career, and so when I came back and was like every day, i said don't read the book. You know him now that you know him is like.
Speaker 2:I already told you about that but you don't listen to me. Like, okay, sorry. So we rewatched the movie and then I remembered absolutely watching it. But if you guys haven't watched the movie, it's a little weird. but I think the book's better. I didn't even know that there was a movie. I would definitely read the book, but I get it for my non-readers. Like it's for my non-readers, I get it. I'm not a non-reader. Like I want to read books. so bad, it takes me forever, Like very long. So yeah, my non-readers watch the movie, but it's all just about the law of attraction.
Speaker 1:That's so funny because when I was reading that like I literally thought of you, i was like I don't know why, but I feel like I need to tell Keely Yeah.
Speaker 2:And I knew it And it's like it's so funny, like it's something that's so simple and people don't have that, like you're missing that understanding that If you're gonna think negatively, you're putting it out there. You know you're feeling negativity. You're thinking negativity, it's circling back to you And that's so much about what the secret is and attracting and manifesting and visualizing and believing the things that you want.
Speaker 1:Yeah, just like acting as if you know you have the things in your living the life that you want, like aligning yourself with that instead of, you know, thinking small, or thinking that the world is out to get you, or like the victim mentality.
Speaker 2:Okay, so your journal, my journal, my journal, my faith, just journaling and taking the morning to just have a little bit to myself before rushing into my day. Because, again, guys, if you're not at your best, i'll tell you right now you're not gonna be at your best handling those dogs or the people, and I just feel like I've done this for so long at this point. I've been doing it since 2013. And I've mentioned before like I worked for other companies and they just didn't seem like super happy. It's not, it's almost like they were.
Speaker 2:The burnout is real obviously So you've talked about that before and any trainer that's been in the game long enough. you're gonna circle back to burnout every two months And then you need to like, mentally, just get strong except the way that you're feeling and suck it up, suck it up give yourself a break And you'll make some changes. That'll get you back to like being pumped about what you're doing, and then, yeah, and you do it all over again, which is life either way.
Speaker 1:Like it is what life is.
Speaker 2:Well.
Speaker 1:I think one thing that kind of brings me back is I always have to like check in with myself and check in with my why because, on the days when you're not happy, you're like why am I doing this? Like, why did I start doing this?
Speaker 2:Why did?
Speaker 1:I feel so passionately about doing this, Like what is my why?
Speaker 2:And again like the act of like writing and doing it and seeing it on paper. I know that sounds so like old fashioned to some people, possibly, but it makes a difference.
Speaker 1:It's really does. It's also a hard thing to do, to do something even as simple as writing.
Speaker 2:It's just what life is, like I said. It's a series of you're really running up a hill and you're giving it your all, and then you tumble back down, and then you're probably gonna sit at the bottom of that hill for a while just contemplating why, and then you can either stay at the bottom of your hill or you're gonna get back up and you're gonna do it all over again.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I can't tell you how many times I've been sitting in my backyard with like a bunch of dogs like crying, like I can't do this anymore. You know, you're like this is it, I can't do it. And then it comes back around. You're like okay, I got this, Yeah.
Speaker 2:I think that's what I probably feel bad for Andrew about the most is he's got to deal with. like my emotions, like the most.
Speaker 1:for sure, andrew is living such a good life. Don't feel bad for Andrew.
Speaker 2:I know You're right And my man does live good. You treat him well. He does a lot for me too, so it's a very a whole 50-50 thing is very real in this household, so thankful for that, yeah. But he deals with a lot of tears for sure, like I just be looking like a crazy girl sometimes, just so sad, and he's got to hear about it, and then that's what I actually love about him, is he? you know, he's the director of Golf at Jacaranda Golf course, so he does manage a lot of people, which we were talking about a little bit from 19 to what he said, 83.
Speaker 1:I was like how old are your employees? Yeah, Insane.
Speaker 2:So he has like so much knowledge behind like running like a business and managing people and just different personalities And you know, when you got to, how to create change and how to, you know, do A, b and C. That has so much insight for me at times. I'm super thankful for it because I like I've said this a million times to like I don't know what I'm doing, i don't know how I got here. I'm really thankful I'm here, but I really my mom jokes about it all the time, like she'll anytime, like I leave a lesson, like you know, you see my mom, she just not outside in her bathing suit 24 seven Yeah.
Speaker 2:So if you're a lesson client, you've definitely heard and you're listening to this. You have heard me say you're going to see my mom in her bathing suit every time you come to my house. She's just in the yard working, but one of the things that, like she always has said to me is she'll be like I just can't believe. Like this is where you ended up. Like my parents were so supportive of me when I was like I'm dropping out of college and this isn't for me, i don't want to do it, my dad was like very excited, so excited.
Speaker 1:Like thank, God, i'm so thankful for him because in my I mean both of them.
Speaker 2:You know like most parents aren't going to let you just drop out of college and go be a dog trainer, but they really like just always trusted my little weird quirkiness, my entire life of like surrounding myself by animals. So they found the school in Starmark and then that's where I went out there in 2013. And here I am, you know, fast forward and skipping a lot in the middle, but my mom just cannot believe that here I am, dog train. She's just always like I said, I didn't think this is where you, I didn't think it could be this, And it's so interesting what dog training has turned into. Yeah, Since when I started in 2013, to like what I do see it as now, and the owners and their dogs and you know how they are, their children and just the behaviors that we deal with and Have you seen a huge change since you've been in the industry.
Speaker 2:Oh, absolutely, i mean, just from you know, raising our two week board and train to two and a half weeks. I was doing board and trains to the two week board and train since 2017. And then just this year So 2023, i was like I'm done with the two week board and trains. It needs to be two and a half weeks. Yeah, the dogs and just genetics breeding. I'm sorry, but like it obviously matters. The dogs are just, you know, prone to having more anxious behavior, more separation, anxiety, more reactivity, and so, you know, these two weeks, i'm like this isn't good for my trainers and this isn't good for the dogs, and like we want to now meet with the owners more. So we're very hands on with the owners during the two and a half week board and train. So, yeah, the fact that I even changed that alone just says how much I see since 2020 with COVID, the dogs are just, you know, wild mentally, honestly.
Speaker 1:Yeah, i noticed a huge difference And I mean, i've had my business 2018, but I wasn't doing a lot of board and trains, i was mostly doing like lessons in people's homes, and so I was really able to see like the habits that people were doing And I was like, oh, this is bad, like this is getting bad.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, and that's what I also love about like social media and being able to share like our methods and what type of trainers we are and our personalities, because it definitely helps with just attracting like the clientele that I want to work with you know, like in the beginning, i always was a you know, a trainer that was going to use training callers.
Speaker 2:It's what I was taught on at Star Market was how to use food, you know how to motivate a dog, how to communicate with a dog, what does a healthy relationship look like? and then all the different ways to do it. And again, like I'm, i always love the training caller aspect of it, because owners are owners And if you have a good trainer that can teach you how to communicate and how to motivate your dog and then bring in training callers, your relationship to me can be awesome, because it's just going to help you have better, um, empowerment with your dog and your relationship. Yeah, where, like I'm like, yeah, i mean, as trainers, we can use a string. I believe in training dog, but is my owner going to be able to do that?
Speaker 1:I don't think so Exactly, and you are a very skilled dog trainer. Thank you. Like you are listen, you're up there, oh man. Like you're surrounded by all of these like big name people. Like you came up with them and you are so humble, but you are genuinely one of the best dog trainers. Like you are very skilled, you're very knowledgeable And I feel like people have no idea how long you've been in this industry for. People have no idea all of the like experience that you have.
Speaker 2:Unless you're close with me.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, i don't know, i don't I like I said, you, you have so much experience.
Speaker 2:Let's run through it, okay, so you?
Speaker 1:go. Yes, i'm me.
Speaker 2:I'm okay So you went to school at Starmark The three months there, and then I was offered the internship program.
Speaker 1:Right And you met like a lot of people. you worked with a lot of Dave Koyer.
Speaker 2:I hope anybody that knows Dave Koyer in the in the protection world that we built his like dock diving pool I'll never forget it. And I was in, like I had to go to like that club for Schutzen, i think I don't know what it's called differently, yeah, or anything. I had to get the BH and the IPO one.
Speaker 1:Right, like nobody would know that. Nope.
Speaker 2:Nobody knows that, like you, did that.
Speaker 1:Not very many dog trainers even just like have a BH. Yeah, i've had really wait. do you have your one? I did get it like, oh my God.
Speaker 2:Nobody knows.
Speaker 1:Nobody know, I mean no, they don't know.
Speaker 2:I mean, i just was given. I'm a very hard worker and that is like one thing that I think I think as like a dog trainer and who I would want to like add on to my team is like, what's your work ethic Like? are you a go getter? Like the guy last night, ivan, my good friend. What did he say? He's like if you're lazy, i can't help you.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and it's just so true, like if there's one thing you cannot be, if you want to be an exceptional dog trainer is lazy, there's no room for it. Yeah, i mean, this job is 24 seven. I don't care what anybody says. I'm dreaming, i'm sleeping and I'm thinking about the dogs I owe. What I was saying is I had so many amazing opportunities.
Speaker 2:Yeah, circling back, like I had great opportunities with meeting people that just were very skilled and talented in their field, and so I just would insert myself in a way of like, hey, i'll work for you for free or you teach me what you know. I didn't know if I liked doing like the Schutzen stuff or the detection work. So how I even got into Schutzen was because when I graduated from Star Mark and then my internship was done, kate which was a very good girlfriend of mine who also trained dogs Her and I got hired working for a detection company training drug dogs and bomb dogs, and it was a surprise And it was awesome, and it was a guy and a wife, a married couple, and they were really big into Schutzen at the time and they had this female dog from Czech come in. Her name was Idol, she was stunning And they like gave her to me and was like go get her BH, you know, because I was like the intern.
Speaker 1:So I was a bitch.
Speaker 2:Yeah, whatever they told me I was like, oh yeah, no problem, And she taught me a lot. But at the same time, what I learned is like it was never going to be my passion. Yeah, and I love the detection work, like I actually really enjoyed watching those dogs have a job and how to get them there and train them. And then going to the oil rigs and like busting people, like in the middle of the night with our dogs and just caught wreaking havoc, pretty much Like and. But the thing that I didn't love, that I could tell was never going to be for me, was these dogs are, like you know, serving a purpose And they are in a crate a lot. You know they cannot be these pet dogs And I have full understanding of that And I'm I don't think there's anything wrong with it.
Speaker 2:It just wasn't right for me, like I mean, yeah, honestly, like they gave me a puppy to raise and that puppy failed. I was like doing things with the puppy, taking it out, you know, like I just couldn't, like I couldn't let the thing just sit in there, and then it's like, oh, i'm taking you out to teach you how to find some drugs And it's right back in. But I very much so understand the concept of having to do so Right To create, to just communicate like this is your job.
Speaker 1:Yeah, nothing else Like a working dog versus a pet dog.
Speaker 2:And it goes back to, like you know what I'm saying to my owners When I'm like, get the dog off the furniture and the bed and start maybe hand feeding, because you've given the dog so much freedom it doesn't want to do any its job, It doesn't want to listen to you. Yeah, So that's one thing I'll say. Like as much as I've dipped my toes into like different areas of like the dog training world, one thing always remained the same to me, which was what's going to motivate that dog to want to learn and to want to perform like a task. And then how well are you communicating? And then what type of relationship are you like building? pretty much through that, those whole things, And that was really cool. But yeah, I mean, I was a detection dog handler.
Speaker 1:You're so cool.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and then I came back home and moved next door to my parents.
Speaker 1:And then you did pet dog training for a little bit with another company, right.
Speaker 2:I did. It was actually pretty interesting. So I moved back home from Texas in 2016. And I started working for a like yachting company that did like custom things, customized everything for the yachts, and it was a nine to five, and then I bartended two days and Wednesdays till 2am Nothing with dogs, just trying to get out of debt. From coming back home, i was miserable. And then one girl got her dog trained with the company that I used to work for. Yeah, and she's like. She's like you should go, like apply, and I did for no reason, like I didn't even know what I was doing And I'll never forget this. Like, when things are meant to be, i'm telling you like they're going to find you, and when doors are open, if you're going to close them, you're the fool, that's all.
Speaker 2:I can say Like if you're even thinking about something and you see a door open, you better walk your ass in that door and just see what's behind door number one. And I canceled on our first meetup with this person who's hiring me. I literally like went and got drunk Like I was like I don't want to work for anybody And Andrew was the one that was telling me like you should go work for somebody and see how to like run a company. Like you don't know shit. Pretty much you know like you could be a you're a good dog trainer, but you really don't know anything. You've never truly truly worked for like a company that's doing board and trains or lessons. And so I bailed on her and she was like no worries which I'm gonna say right now like if I was ever hiring somebody.
Speaker 1:If somebody did that.
Speaker 2:And they instantly bailed like on our meetup, you're out, you're done, i'm so sorry, you'll never hear from me again, like 100%. And so probably like two weeks went by and she texted me and was like, hey, keeley, just seeing if you like still wanted to get together. And I was like, wow, that's weird. And so I was like, screw it, let me go meet up with her. Funny, her name was Randy And I thought I was talking to a dude the whole time And she was like the super cute, nice blonde, like so sweet. And yeah, she hired me like instantly And then I found myself like involved in that's why I really learned about E-caller training.
Speaker 2:But I learned what I didn't like about it. I will say that That is like how I got my foot in with the E-caller and then kind of figuring it out on how I like to introduce it And how I thought my owners learned best doing it. I gave so many lessons. When Nicole started, i was already doing like a ton of lessons in 2019 and 2020, but when Nicole came on, i think I was doing like three lessons a day, monday through Saturday, and so I had a lot of experience with just being involved with owners and seeing like how they learned best.
Speaker 1:I think that that is the best way to learn.
Speaker 2:And if you know how to like, like what I said to my girls, like all throughout training. If you watch me like I'm not only just reading the dog, i'm heavily reading the owner, hardcore. And if I start seeing that like I could tell you real quickly if somebody's like comfortable, uncomfortable, nervous, stress, trustworthy, completely cool. Whatever you got to do with my dog like I trust you I can pick that up in one lesson And then you're I'm not just like almost building a bond with the dog, i'm building a bond with that owner too, because, like the only way I'm winning is through your success.
Speaker 2:And so it gave me a ton of experience on just how did my owners learn best. And then I was able to create like my whole E-caller court, like course or how I introduce it throughout lessons And you know, with my trainers doing lessons to how it was very easy for my owners to learn. And when it comes to E-caller training, like I, it's the last thing people come to me with. I have people that are super eager for E-caller training And I'm like pump the brakes, we're not even let's get the basics first.
Speaker 2:I just tell you, right now we're not even touching the E-caller. Maybe lesson four, if you're good, like so there's so much more. Like I care more about like how are you communicating, how are you motivating? And then how are you using your body? You know, and once I can slow people down and understand like leash pressure on, body pressure on and I see your dog understanding that And then your timing of taking that leash pressure and body pressure off is like starting to be like trainer, like where I'm like oh, i see you And I get so excited for those moments.
Speaker 2:And then I'm like all right, let's add the E-caller in, because you're still doing the same things. I don't want you with an E-caller in your hand standing there like a tree, not fucking, moving or talking. I will get on your ass for that in two seconds. Like the E-caller is only gonna work when you're combining it with everything, and so that's what I'm super passionate about with E-caller training. But when it's done right And like I've never knock on wood, you think they can hear that Yeah, i've never had somebody like not be like successful, but I'm very patient and I make them be very patient.
Speaker 1:Well, I don't think. I mean I get that all the time too. Like when I'm talking to people on phone calls. They're like well, how do I know this training's gonna work? And I'm like I love that question.
Speaker 2:I'm not gonna let it not work.
Speaker 1:Like that's not even, that's not an option, like it's not gonna work. If you don't wanna do the things anymore, You know. Like that's the only time it doesn't work, yeah.
Speaker 2:I'm like are you consistent? No, oh, it's not gonna work.
Speaker 1:Yeah, literally, literally. So you do E-caller training. I really. I mean, we do E-caller training the same way, but basically you teach everything using food, body language, leash first.
Speaker 2:Right, yeah, so it really depends. Like I yes love food motivation, I'm gonna be one of those trainers for sure, but I'm not relying on it till the end. So what I mean is, if I get a dog and you're crazy about your food, we're charging up your S-margar word and like I'm gonna see what I can get you, i'm gonna lure you into a down. If I can take the easy way for anything, i'm gonna do it with food lure. And then we'll have dogs that like just aren't super food motivated. Now I'm a big hand feeding trainer for sure. I like the value in it. You're going to eat, you do.
Speaker 2:And then you know, then I get back to like probably by like once I get my dogs like hand feeding, they're like working for their food, we're probably I'm off of it like by like a week. You're not getting your food in a bowl. You know, like I got the basics down. But if you're not super food motivated, when you first come to me, we're working on just like leash pressure and just following my body pretty much, and like I can introduce the E-caller with the leash pressure. You know, because I just I know what I'm looking for. I know I'm gonna be consistent with it. If I see a dog that's like, oh, what is this? I know how, to you know, adjust what I'm doing to make them work through it, which makes it easy, like I mean-.
Speaker 1:But you and I know that there are trainers that just like put them on and start like correcting dogs.
Speaker 2:I mean, I worked for those.
Speaker 1:Right, that's what. I'm saying is like how we do E-caller training is very different.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah.
Speaker 1:From, like the people who show up for a lesson and they're like all right, put this E-caller on your dog.
Speaker 2:And then when it stares at something you're gonna light it up or I can't even imagine, honestly.
Speaker 1:That's like such a thing.
Speaker 2:I know you blow my mind sometimes when you share with me Like I think What other dog? trainers are doing Well you know, I live in my bubble. I don't really know what anybody's doing. I'm just like what are we doing?
Speaker 1:Girl that is how I have been previously To duck Derby. Yeah, Hey, but we're here now.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we are. We're here now. I mean I'm thankful. Yeah, so am I. I always say I'm like, oh my gosh, i'm like I don't know what it is about every day, but it's so easy to hang out with you.
Speaker 1:Aw, it is.
Speaker 2:And.
Speaker 1:Andrew loves it. I feel you guys are my favorite people. to be a third wheel to That means a lot.
Speaker 2:That's what I thrive to be. I just want to like hang out with you guys all day As a couple. that's what I want to hear.
Speaker 1:My favorite couple to third wheel, andrew and Keely. It wasn't a goal.
Speaker 2:Literally Yeah, she moved on.
Speaker 1:She found her own man. now She did.
Speaker 2:She did. Oh my God, lucky girls. Yeah, for anybody who doesn't know, i'm going to spill the tea. Sky and Nicole are dating their boyfriends that they met the day of my wedding. So my and Andrew's anniversary is also Sky and Nicole's anniversary, with their man Damn, I should have gone to your wedding.
Speaker 1:You should have.
Speaker 2:I'm telling you, i told you you should have came Fuck. It was a good time.
Speaker 1:That's for sure. I should have gone to the wedding.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:That's okay.
Speaker 2:I really, I'm like you, bit over here. What can I say?
Speaker 1:You keeping everybody in the family.
Speaker 2:You're like you're not leaving me. Yeah, What is that saying? Like I ain't fucking leaving. Oh seriously, I don't want any of my girls to leave. I will cry the day that comes, Yeah.
Speaker 1:No, they're great. I was going to say you're very lucky to have them, but it's definitely not luck.
Speaker 2:No, i mean yeah, i mean no, there's a luck, i don't know, but I know that I prayed for them for a long time And they're they're just good. Like you said, they're good people And it's definitely something that, like I obviously strive to do be as well. Like I just always say like what do you hear me complain about the most? I'm so worried about everybody else over me, like I wish that's something I could maybe like improve on a little bit, but I definitely am always way more concerned about everybody else's. Like, are you good, are you happy? Like even when you're here, i'm like do you need anything?
Speaker 1:Can I get you something? Yeah, are you okay? Yeah, do you need water? Do you need anything?
Speaker 2:Yeah, you're like you're like, you're really stuck. You put yourself in your room.
Speaker 1:Like I'm fine, i'll take care of myself. So I definitely have that problem.
Speaker 2:Just bring me snacks.
Speaker 1:Yes, that's it.
Speaker 2:I did provide the snacks.
Speaker 1:I will say So yeah, you're a good E-caller trainer, thank you. E-caller trainers are good E-caller trainers. Do we lose you on?
Speaker 2:the mic. I think I switched it around.
Speaker 1:I don't know. This one should say one side is the back, says the back This, this microphone really it does say back everybody. Yeah, these microphones really take people for a loop. What, yeah, is that the word? Is that the same? You're talking to somebody who's very dyslexic.
Speaker 2:So sound good to me? Yeah, no, but I mean, it means a lot to hear that you know again, like you, just you, you definitely I got your approval. I'm a good E-collar trainer.
Speaker 1:You are. But yeah, I told you I'm going to send Minka to you. Yes, you should.
Speaker 2:Like I definitely think that, like we put a lot into our E-collar work and it has come from me just circling back to doing so many lessons in my lifetime and lessons are hard. If you're trying to be a new dog trainer out there, they are definitely not easy but I do think that they will teach you the most and they are probably the most benefit beneficial thing you could do for your company. I mean, i was able to work with so many more people than if I was just doing board and trains, because I'm not going to go over for a board and train, so what, i'm only working with.
Speaker 1:Also, you don't get to see the owners nearly as much for a board and train, whereas with lessons like you really get to form a relationship with people.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yes, 100%. I mean I'm working what I do seven lessons with them. I'm seeing you for seven hours and I anybody who knows me knows we're going over an hour probably. You're welcome. I just get like two into it And then when I have clients that are just killing it, it's the best. I'm like I honestly will just give you all the time in the world. I don't even care. At this point It's enjoyable because you like get it. So that's probably like my favorite favorite thing about dog training is when I just get certain people and I'm like, damn, yeah, i'll mess with people. I'm like you're hired.
Speaker 1:Oh, I do this. You're hired, yeah, but they do like a good like loop. They loop the dog into heel. That's it. That's all we need. You're hired, good timing.
Speaker 2:I'm awesome, i'm going to throw this out there when they correct good, i'm like, look at that timing, look at that.
Speaker 2:Yes, i love that I'm your guys pick, it's true, later For sure, i have three rules to the walk. So, like when I'm teaching like the heel, like speaking of simple, i literally say to my owners like this is the most simple thing I'm going to teach you. There's three rules The dogs on your left side short, loose leash and keep it moving. That's what I need you to do when we're starting the walk Right, like everything else is out of there. And then it's like so many more things get thrown in that are complicated, like when do I say heel? When do I? I'm like it doesn't even matter. No, i don't care about the word at all. I care about your body posture, i care about you understanding that if your dog stops, like keep moving, like basic little things, that will make all the difference And then I will come in and start adding in like the next phase that I want you to focus on. But if you can't focus on, if you can't complete the simple things that I'm telling, you, we're not just holding the leash.
Speaker 1:Oh, people can't hold the leash. The wrap around the arms, i get the like T-Rex arms.
Speaker 2:That's what I always get I like T-Rex arms, i like whack people. I just, i think I just did this in a lesson last week and I slapped my lady's arm and she goes was it a mosquito? And I said no, your arm is up. What have I been talking about this last hour?
Speaker 1:Like it was so funny. She's like oh, thank you, I'm like.
Speaker 2:no, i'm correcting your arm being, like you said, in the T-Rex shape. But yeah, i mean that's what I get when I go back to like, why I love, like my team so much is I really feel like we can make it fun and simple, and that's rare. So yeah circling back to like everything you're saying. I do understand that, like things get so complicated in the dog training world.
Speaker 1:For no reason. That's what I'm seeing a lot of is. owners are coming to me and they're like I'm doing X, y and Z. Thanks Google, they're like I'm doing X, y and Z And it's like yes, though, those things are good Like, but that's not all. dog training is.
Speaker 2:No, it's not, And probably like sometimes, what am I trying to say? There's literally so many moments where I've had with owners and they are definitely dealing with like very difficult dogs, probably genetic wise or, yeah, whatever it may have been. But all this is what I think is really complicated about dog training And this is how I feel when I'm working with dogs is I'm going off of a feeling probably at all times. And there are moments where I'll say to an owner like I want you to do this when the dog does A, b and C and the dog could do A, b and C maybe six lessons down the road, and now I'm going to actually tell you that I don't want you to do this, that I want you to do something different, and that's sometimes where give me an example.
Speaker 1:Hmm.
Speaker 2:An example Like there's like, even if it's like sometimes fixating, right, okay. So, like, if a dog's fixating, you know we'll do like the and like walk into the dog and like work on, like getting them, our attention on us. But then there's sometimes where, like once the dog has shown so much improvement that, like now I need them to start understanding. Like I don't, i want you to pick.
Speaker 2:Like why are you fixate? Why are you correcting the fixation right now? Like now I want you to actually like ask yourself, like, what's the reason for it? Like, is the dog actually fixating in a way that it's loading up, or is the dog actually relax, in a calm mindset and actually just looking? but you don't even know what that normal looks like on your dog because you haven't had a calm mindset, because you focus on so much of like if my dog's doing this, do this, i have to jump on correcting it. Like yeah, sometimes it's like I'm telling you, like you know not that I'm telling you, but maybe you're correcting something and now I'm like don't correct it. Let's just see what happens when it's time to let the dog learn to make a decision on its own without your guidance. You know, and like those are things that I can feel I can easily see where, like, people can overthink it, and I'm just like I'm not trying to make you overthink it or get confused.
Speaker 1:I think it's just kind of like the black and white yes, you know so when you change that up on people, when you're like, hey, when your dog is fixating, we're going to do this, and then when you change it up, they're like wait, but you told me and they're correct.
Speaker 2:Like that's what I say to my go. I know that, like I said this, but now I'm just telling you we're at a different place, Yeah.
Speaker 2:I'm feeling it. I feel differently about it, and now I don't want us to do it, and that's where I'm so thankful for my clients, because they do really trust me, they follow and they make my job easier. This job is not easy. So if I have somebody that's already not trusting me, like I don't want it, at this point I'll be really honest, like I don't even want to put myself in that situation, because I do have people that are really willing to like put their all in and go down this training journey with me, and I'm super real with people. I'll be like listen, i don't tell you anything that I don't know. If I think like I'm not sure about something, i'm going to be like, hmm, let me, let me circle back to this.
Speaker 1:I always kind of tell them that I'm just kind of like the professional in the situation who's going to help you, coach you through things, but like, if something comes up like I'm going to problem solve with you it's not like I have all of the answers all the time. I just have more experience So I'm able to like problem solve a little bit differently than you are.
Speaker 2:Yep, yeah, and that's it. I think I think so much of is just having such owner experience. I mean it's such a cliche but like we're not dog trainers, We're owner trainers. but it's true.
Speaker 1:But that's the difference between a good dog trainer and and not so good dog trainer.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you know, yes, i mean yeah, completely. And then there's like the trainers. Like we just were talking about this, i think, earlier today, i'm people's second or third trainer, like I'm not usually, you know, not that I'm not usually. Yes, i have a lot of clients that I'm your first, but I do get a handful of owners who have already been traumatized from another trainer And the big thing that I hear if I, you know, if they want to talk about it, i really don't ever ask, i don't ever say who is your trainer, what did you go to Cause? the truth is like I just don't care.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and it doesn't really matter It does not matter, like no, and so, um, they'll say like they were really harsh with me, like they made me feel uncomfortable, and that's like always so interesting for me to hear, because it's like I need you, just like your dog, to not be afraid to make mistakes, because in your mistakes you're going to learn. And so if I'm constantly either going too hard at you, just like if you were to do with a dog, you're going to make the person, just like they're telling me, or the dog fearful to want to try to learn because they're afraid they're going to make a mistake. And what is that consequence going to look like? And that's like definitely something that, especially back when I was learning, like back in 2013, i will say it was like a little harsh in certain moments where it's like okay, yeah, like that was the dogs second time getting off place. I don't think it was that serious.
Speaker 2:You know, like my focus with a dog when I'm introducing places, i don't care how many times you get off place. What I'm looking for is when are you going to start fixing yourself back once you see my body pressure start coming into you, yeah, and I start, you know, walking into you. I want to see you turn around and fix yourself, like I want to build you up to understand how to do that, and then I'm going to add the correction. So it's firm but fair. You now know what I want. Now I'm going to start getting you to respect those boundaries a little bit better. The way that you learn which you're sorry, but your dogs learn best through physical touch and visually Yep, you can never talk to a dog and your dog would understand what you're saying at all times.
Speaker 1:Yep, so that's always my spiel when I'm on phone calls with people is I'm like your dog does not predominantly communicate verbally. They don't know what you're saying and that's how you're trying to communicate. So when owners are having issues with their dogs, it's a lack of clear communication and we, as trainers, just create that communication system for you And then we teach it to you at the end of the training.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, exactly.
Speaker 1:I mean so when people are like, well, what if it doesn't solve my behavioral issues? And I'm like the whole point is the language. We have to create a clear language, to create clear expectations. Currently, you don't have any way to set those expectations for your dog. You know there's no way for you to be like this is what I want you to do on the walk. I want you to just walk next to me at heel and you know, not stop, not sniff, not bark, not launch, not pull, like this is it? This is all I need you to do. But if you don't have a you know, communication system of leash pressure or marker words or E-caller, how are you going to communicate that to the dog? Yeah Well, they verbally.
Speaker 1:Heal Yeah, heal Yeah.
Speaker 2:Heal. I'm like they think it's their middle name at this point. I know I do use the word heel, i really don't. Gosh. So I don't, i really don't.
Speaker 1:But it ruins it, it's funny, it ruins it.
Speaker 2:I do have owners in what we're doing, like the walk you know. They're like when do I say heel? And I am just as real as it can be get, i'll say, i don't care, you can say it if it comes naturally. And if you don't say it, i'm fine with that. And the reason I really say it that way is because some time I'm watching so much of the owner and I'm really pinpointing like what's the first important thing that I need to focus on to get them to just pay attention to that and change that, rather than giving them five things that they did wrong at once. Right, like I'm not going to give you the five things you did wrong at once, i'm going to focus on the one. You got better at that. Then I'm let's add in the second one. And so for me, if my owners want to say heel one time, not doing this heel, heel, heel, heel, heel, they'll bro.
Speaker 1:they'll literally stand straight, no body language, and be like heel. Oh, that's my favorite.
Speaker 2:I'm like so if you're not moving, your dog shouldn't be moving. So get to moving, that's all I care about.
Speaker 1:What's the rule? Use your lean Always, move Always move.
Speaker 2:Yes. So as long as they're not saying heel a million times, i don't care If I don't need you to focus on not saying the word. I'd rather you focus on keeping your arms relaxed by your side right, looking at your dog getting better with 180 turns, without dragging your dog as you do a 180 turn. So there's just other things that I'd rather focus on. But you're right, i don't really say heel. I think I find myself saying let's go more than anything. Yeah, because then it plays into like the off leash stuff where I'm like let's go And when I'm using tone like here follow me and, yeah, moving my direction and check in.
Speaker 2:So yeah, he wasn't really like the word just doesn't matter, which I always feel like I can frazzle people with that sometimes, but that's why I'm like say it, if you want, i just care more about like the picture that you're creating for your dog every time they're with you. Yeah So how long do these go?
Speaker 1:About an hour, okay, okay.
Speaker 2:What else do we got? I mean, you know me and I just talk and talk Like an open book. It's sad.
Speaker 1:I don't know. I think we should talk a little bit about like just what we were talking about yesterday, like the burnout, the burnout, yeah you know, because so many other dog trainers go through that.
Speaker 2:I think a lot of dog trainers go through it and just like I mean I'll get deep here for a second, but just what I imagine like kids in high school, what they kind of go through mentally with Instagram, like I am so thankful that I am not, like I did not have Instagram or anything, like Facebook was maybe a thing like as I was in high school, where it's just such a comparison game, right. And I feel like it happens in the dog training industry too where, like you follow all these dog trainers, you see so much of what they're doing, but again, like it's just the good stuff, right.
Speaker 1:It's also a very like isolating job.
Speaker 2:It's isolating. So, on top of, if you're constantly looking at what other people are doing, it can easily make you feel like I mean, i'm like a victim of it And I do a ton. I'm like what bitch are you even quit tripping right now? You need a spa day, literally. But I can easily just tell myself like you're not doing enough. You should be creating more videos, you should be posting more informational things, and it's like I'm so involved in like my community and like my people and like my trainers and like what I can do hands on. That it definitely makes me not do so much on Instagram as far as I don't think that that matters.
Speaker 1:It doesn't, it doesn't.
Speaker 2:But that's like, i know that's what you're saying. The new dog training, yeah, coming in. Yeah, it's interesting.
Speaker 1:So that's why I say there's such a difference between being a dog trainer or owning a dog training business. You know, but yeah.
Speaker 2:I mean ultimately like what I was. What I was saying was I had a sad week. I was just like a sad little human.
Speaker 1:It's no big deal Like I'm, it's a normal thing, but like I just was in my head, more I I'm trying to go through changes with the company a little bit and trying to create more structure so that if I grow with more trainers, you know, it's easy for them to come in and have like a rule book to follow or whatever you want to call it Like all of the structures that go with scaling a dog training business, and I've talked a lot about this on my podcast, about like the scaling, just because I try to be as like transparent as possible, about like everything that I do in the business because I don't know, sometimes things aren't perfect for me, you know, like I don't get back to owners, or you know I have to reschedule a session, or you know somebody gets mad at me, something happens And I think having just kind of like the backstory of like this is literally just me trying to do all of these things Like I'm literally I'm doing my best, yeah.
Speaker 2:I don't really know what that's like.
Speaker 1:I'm so appreciative of, like the relationship that we have or, you know, like just having somebody else that I can be like. Oh my God, this is how I'm feeling, like this is the hardest shit ever, because, let's be real, running a dog training business is one of the most difficult things that you can do. Well, 100%.
Speaker 2:I mean we are in charge of people's kids. Let's just be real. These are, i would say, more so than kids, because if a dog gets a scratch, if a dog gets a scratch, like that is a big deal.
Speaker 2:And if a kid scrapes their knee they're like you're fine, you know like it's different, it's very different And there's a lot of liability behind it And it's scary, to be honest, like Oh, and then it's very. Sometimes the owners can be extremely demanding And it's like I already give so much to you guys and your dogs on top of like you're wanting even more out of me. Like I have to have balance to my own life as well, so that again I can be like at my best mentally, physically and emotionally for you and your dogs. Yeah, because at the same time, just because I'm a dog trainer, we all have our ups and downs. We all have our days. We do not have perfect days, just like your dogs don't have perfect days.
Speaker 2:I mean, i've said that a million times. So it's like I need some grace too, sometimes when I'm having an off day and maybe, like you said, you don't hear back from me or I let things, you know, just slip away a little bit. But you know we always come back. That's the biggest thing you got to always come back And and that, in my opinion, just have some type of balance where you're not finding finding that you're hitting those roadblocks as much, if that makes sense.
Speaker 1:Because it's a very emotional job. Oh yeah, we have people's dogs. Like a lot of these people are struggling like you're kind of like.
Speaker 2:Their last hope is sometimes I'm sorry, but definitely I'm.
Speaker 1:I mean just in the past week, I think I've had like four clients cry to me.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and listen, guys, you can keep crying to me, i love it.
Speaker 1:Oh, it's not like a bad thing, But it's just like it's, but it's an aspect to it.
Speaker 2:Yeah, Because again you're not going to train your dog if you're not at your. It's all a cycle Like I think there's. I think that's what I'm obsessed about with dog training is there's so much about what you have to apply to your dog that if you actually take some of those principles and apply them to your own life, you're actually consistency and structure and like setting boundaries for yourself and you know like hello sign me up, but yeah, so much that's going to better your life.
Speaker 2:And then, like again, it's going to then trickle into what you're putting into your dog And it's again such a cliche, but it's true, it's. It's a lifestyle. You want training to almost become a lifestyle, so that it is a lifestyle, yeah.
Speaker 2:So it's just something that just gets easier and easier. And you're, like I've always had, like training, training is simple but it doesn't make it easy. Yeah, it's like then, my number one thing I think I've said to clients since like day one if you ever do a first lesson with me, i'm like guys, listen, this is simple but it's not going to feel easy. Conceptually, yes, very simple.
Speaker 1:Put it into practice, not whole other game.
Speaker 2:Mm, hmm.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:No sure, but yeah, just taking time off and or just like being aware. I mean, like I said, my whole thing is like I'm aware of the things that bother me and what can get me sad, and then it's like one day I'm going to be, i got to get into the phase of like being aware and then just like making a change, like doing something different, and that's like where real change happens. Like if you're not aware of what you're doing or what's triggering you to constantly be feeling like you're hitting burnout, then like you're never gonna you're gonna constantly be hitting burnout. You're never going to get better from that. But if you can be aware and then become aware and make a change in the awareness phase, it's that's where, like, the growth happens, pretty much as like humans and people.
Speaker 1:I think that's where I'm at For sure. I mean, i'm definitely coming out of all of that burnout. Yeah, the past year was was a was a tough one for me It was.
Speaker 2:But like here you are right, I think there we are Again the how fast time flies by. whatever you're going through right now, whatever you're struggling with, a year from now is literally not going to matter a month from now, it could not matter a week.
Speaker 2:Yeah, like you. Just that's a thing you got to get like through your day, it's day by day, but like time is flying by, and if you're still in the same position you are a year later, then you really got to just ask yourself, like what am I not doing enough of? Like you're not making a change because you're in control of your life, that's it. You can only control what is in your, your realm, pretty much. I paid a lot of money for that.
Speaker 1:And I was like that was beautiful.
Speaker 2:Yeah, a lot of like well, you and I do still do your thing once a week. Oh yeah, every Tuesday.
Speaker 1:Every Tuesday. Yeah, So I'm every Wednesday 7pm for life coaching.
Speaker 2:I can't, i cannot like tell people enough to just do that. And again we're in a thing where you can become like a certified life coach at the end of this, and I obviously don't want to be like a certified life coach, but like I'm being a life coach to myself. Yeah, i can't coach myself, i'm not going to coach anybody else, you know.
Speaker 1:So I love that. Yep. Well, I think that's a good place to end it. I think so too. Oh my gosh, I'm so relieved.
Speaker 2:I know This is a lot easier than I thought. I told you I know I, just you know me.
Speaker 1:You got to work yourself up.
Speaker 2:Yeah, i do, i really do.
Speaker 1:All right, well, go ahead and tell the people where to find you, guys, you can find me at rough underscore rules on Instagram and are you FF underscore rules?
Speaker 2:are you LES? and that is me. So, ultimately, that's all I really got for you guys. It's just my.
Speaker 1:Instagram. I'm trying to get her on TikTok. We'll get her there. Never happening, well, keely, thank you so much for being my friend, oh, and letting me crash in your house, of course, and, you know, always listening to me cry on the phone. I will always be here for you for that And, of course, for joining me on today's episode. Thank you for having me And thank you all so much for being here and listening. We will see you back here next week.