Today we’d like to introduce you to Lexi S.
Hi Lexi, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Lexi. I’m an AKC Certified professional +Positive Reinforcement+ dog trainer based in SE Portland!
I started out by training Arabian horses in high school. I was a ranch hand in New Mexico, and from there, I went on to become a professional sled dog handler/musher, training a large sled dog team for the Iditarod and other qualifying races. Then, I went on to become one of Portland’s first ever district dog trainers for a major pet supply chain!
Now I’ve started my own business!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been a journey of learning and trial and error. There have been several times in my career as a professional trainer that I’ve had to pause and reevaluate my business model, my prices, my client base, or my general approach to reinforcement training. In doing this I have to remind myself of my personal goals and my values. In owning your own business you can’t value the saying, “It’s not personal, It’s just business.”, enough!
Each client comes to me with a unique situation and very often the core of their needs becomes my main goal. There have been times where I’ve had to remind myself to step back from work and ‘take time off’ by shutting my phone off each night at a certain time, or leaving emails unread until morning. Separating my love of training and my personal healthy boundaries and time to rest has been a struggle I have to re-calibrate every so often.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I love being a professional dog trainer! I believe my approach to training is unique. I use the core belief of Positive Reinforcement as my guiding light, coupled with my personal philosophy that, I’m not just training the dogs, I’m also teaching humans how to speak dog. I love being the guide for a pet parent to learn what their dog is saying! There’s a beautiful moment in many of my classes where their eyes light up, the dog becomes excited and everyone cheers!
I’m also a Tibetan Buddhist and many of my training ideas stem from these personal philosophies as well. I love teaching sentient beings to speak using body language!
What does success mean to you?
First off, I will offer a quote from my favorite chef, Anthony Bourdain and his definition of what success was.
“Success is, do I like the people I’m dealing with? I live in business [with] something I call the no-*meanies* rule. It’s an important one. I actually like everybody I do business with.” – A.B.
I find this to be a huge part of my personal business. I curate and choose my clients, just like they choose me as their trainer. If we have clear, honest and open communication about their needs for training and they are respectful, kind and willing to hear my solutions, then we have a successful working relationship.
Secondly, my personal definition of success is when I say goodbye. Of course, with a dog the training never actually “stops”. However, when the family has all the tools they need to train on their own, when the dog has achieved their AKC Certification, when the puppy has grown up and learned their basics. When I’ve taught them everything I know, and it has come time for me to say goodbye. I know I’ve done my job, and I’ve done it well.
Pricing:
- Dog Training – Prices vary based on needs and location
- Dog Walking – $50-$80
- Dog Sitting – $90-$110 Per night
Contact Info:
Image Credits
All photos used are taken by myself, and used with permission of the pet owners!