We recently connected with Blake Woody and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Blake, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about growing your team – how did you recruit the first few people, what was the process like, how’d you go about training and if you were to start over today would you have done anything differently?

When I first ventured into building my team of dog trainers, I was acutely aware of the abundance and diversity in dog training methodologies. My goal was to assemble a team that not only reflected the variety in our community’s training theories but also adhered to a set of core principles that defined our practice. From the outset, I made it clear to potential hires about our guiding philosophies, as well as the common challenges and issues prevalent in our field. This approach significantly reshaped the expectations for new staff members.

An unconventional aspect of our hiring process involved discussing a potential trainer’s departure during their interview. I believe in addressing the end of one’s journey with us upfront – how we envision their exit as a positive and inevitable phase. This strategy instills a sense of security in our daily operations. Our staff members feel more empowered to take risks and suggest innovative ideas without the fear of being reprimanded or dismissed for thinking outside the box. This openness also encourages them to pursue continuous professional development and skill enhancement, even if these new skills might eventually lead them to different career paths. We benefit from their learning and growth in the interim.

Fostering a team that not only collaborates effectively but also celebrates each member’s contributions and milestones is challenging. However, I’ve discovered that being transparent about our end goals and the philosophies we cherish enables new recruits to make an informed decision about joining us. This approach shifts the dynamic from me imposing my vision to us collectively consenting and committing to a shared journey.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Boasting a 14-year tenure in animal training, my career has been as eclectic as it is fulfilling. Originally, I was on track to join the circus as a musician, but fate had a different script in mind. My pivot to animal training began during my tenure at a zoo, where I was involved in educational programs. It was there that I uncovered a deep-seated passion for animal training, a passion that gradually evolved into a specialization in dog training. Reflecting on it, I find it intriguing how dogs, such common and beloved companions, became the focal point of my career. Their widespread presence and the extraordinary bond they share with humans continue to captivate me.

My interest extends beyond just understanding canine behaviors and thought processes; I’m deeply invested in the profound connection between humans and animals. This connection, particularly prominent in animal-assisted therapy, forms the cornerstone of my approach. There’s an immense satisfaction in fostering and enhancing this bond, aiding both dogs and their owners in developing a peaceful, symbiotic relationship. This pursuit led me to concentrate on service and therapy dog training, where the benefits of this unique human-animal bond are most visibly impactful and gratifying.

At my company, we pride ourselves on being a team of relationship-based, balanced trainers. This means we employ operant conditioning techniques, guided by principles like the humane hierarchy and LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) approaches. Our training philosophy prioritizes the dog’s well-being and seamlessly integrates them into their owner’s life. This dual focus has consistently led to remarkable successes in training.

We’ve grown to operate four facilities across California and two in Arizona, catering to every dog breed. Our services range from basic puppy training and managing adolescent dog behaviors to more complex behavior modification. We also offer specialized training, including service dog preparation and trick training, covering virtually every aspect of dog training. To share our knowledge and insights, we regularly update our blog with tips and training advice, posting new content bi-monthly.

I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that at the core of our work is a deep-seated love for enhancing the human-dog relationship. Whether it’s through basic training or more specialized services, our goal is to enrich the lives of both dogs and their owners. Our success isn’t just measured by the skills we teach; it’s reflected in the joyful, confident, and harmonious lives our human and canine clients lead together.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Unlearning ego has been a challenging but essential process, somewhat akin to teaching an old dog new tricks. In the dog training world, we often joke, “What do two trainers agree on? That the third one is wrong.” Reflecting back, I realize I’ve been each of those trainers at different times.

Developing the skill to be critically honest, yet simultaneously kind and professional, isn’t straightforward. Building true confidence in your abilities, while keeping ego at bay, certainly comes with its share of experiences and, importantly, a few humbling missteps.

There was this memorable instance about 6 years ago, when my fellow trainers and I were sharing our oldest training videos. I dredged up a clip from eight years prior, from my early days in training. Watching it dissected by my peers was a bit like taking a hard look in the mirror. Though I had grown significantly in skill since then, revisiting my earlier, less polished self was a grounding experience.

The exercise also involved replicating the training shown in our old videos, but with a dog present. So, after absorbing the critique of my past work, I then received praise for how far I’d come. This juxtaposition – from critique to praise – was a powerful reminder of growth. It’s moments like these that help temper the ego, reinforcing the idea that there’s always more to learn and room to grow.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Our most effective strategy in growing our clientele? I’d say it’s all about being real and authentic. It’s not always easy to be genuinely yourself in a professional setting, but it’s incredibly rewarding. There’s a certain kind of confidence and fluidity that comes into play when you or your team can be completely yourselves. Our clients notice this authenticity. It helps them feel a real connection with us, often making it clear to them that we’re the right fit for their needs.

We’ve noticed that people are generally hesitant to engage with businesses or individuals they don’t feel they know well. There’s a natural resistance to the idea of being ‘sold’ to. Everyone values the comfort and trust that comes from dealing with someone familiar, like a friend. By being our true selves – showing empathy, a sense of humor, and kindness in our everyday actions – we build trust more organically. This approach might stray from traditional business strategies, but for us, it’s been a game-changer in connecting with and expanding our client base.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.pawcommon.scom
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakewoody/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQJ7AhJDAFbo2vBO4JR4rAA/videos
• Other: https://www.pawcommons.com/about-us/blog/