We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dwayne And Brooke Carter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dwayne and Brooke, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Did you know that 66% of U.S. households—about 65.1 million—own a dog? These loyal companions bring us joy, comfort, and a sense of responsibility. But let’s be honest—sometimes, they also bring challenges and stress! One significant issue facing our country is the rate of dog rehoming. Raising awareness about the importance of proper training and consistent upkeep is essential. While no dog—or human—is perfect, studies show that trained dogs are 1.4 times more likely to be adopted and remain in their forever homes.

At Carter K9 Training, LLC, based in Louisville, KY, our mission is simple yet powerful: to strengthen the bond and trust between people and their dogs through proven, effective training techniques. We believe that every dog owner deserves to enjoy a harmonious life with their pet, both inside and outside the home. This mission is the heart of everything we do, and we’re passionate about helping owners and dogs create lasting connections.

Source for the stats if you need to cite: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-ownership-statistics/#:~:text=66%25%20of%20U.S.%20households%20(86.9,fish%20(11.1%20million%20households)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159108003080

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi, I’m Dwayne Carter. My wife, Brooke, and I have been together since we were 16, starting our journey back in high school. While we both had big aspirations, we weren’t quite sure what paths to follow at first. I always knew I wanted to give back to our community, and Brooke was passionate about education. One thing we both shared from the start was a love for dogs. So, when I moved out at 18, it was a no-brainer to adopt one.

Around the same time, I was diagnosed with PTSD and was looking for a rescue dog to adopt as my emotional support animal and best friend. (Note: Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and service animals are not the same—please don’t misuse the system.) That’s how we met Draco, a pitbull mix who’s still with us today, although much greyer and a little slower now, you can still catch us on hikes and his favorite – car rides with the windows down.

The day Draco came home to us from the rescue, we were filled with excitement. Little did we know that day would also mark the beginning of what would eventually become our business. Draco, though loving, was untrained, and he quickly began showing concerning signs of aggression toward other dogs, despite getting along well with his foster family’s pets. We knew we had to address the issue.

At the time, we called around to various training facilities, but being young and fresh out on our own, we couldn’t afford the prices. If we wanted to keep both our dog and our apartment, we had to figure it out ourselves. Those early days were filled with nights studying and learning everything I could about dog behavior, after clocking out from my 2 jobs. As it turns out, I became fascinated by why dogs act the way they do. When we could manage it, I even attended seminars, hosted by professionals I am still grateful for this day for providing invaluable knowledge and generous opportunities to a young, determined trainer, eager to deepen my understanding.

In addition to training Draco, I started volunteering at local shelters twice a week, working with dogs that had behavioral issues to help improve their chances of adoption. It was rewarding to see firsthand how much of a difference training and interaction could make for these dogs and their future families.

What started as a necessity grew into a passion, and eventually, Carter K9 Training was born. Today, we offer everything from puppy groundwork and obedience to off-leash training and personal protection. What sets us apart is how deeply we connect with each of our clients, and we bring the training to you – you are heavily involved and in control of your future with your dog, while I am there to guide and teach in both your dog’s environment, and public settings to work the training around distractions (after all, knowing how to sit for a treat isn’t what you’re investing in!). We understand that life is unpredictable, and we adjust to meet our clients where they are, making sure they feel special and welcomed. I’m proud and grateful to say that our clients would attest to that.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most impactful strategy for growing our business has been client referrals. Our top priority is always delivering excellent service and ensuring clients are fully satisfied. When they refer others to us, it’s the greatest validation and reward of our work and has undoubtedly been the key driver of our growth.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson my wife and I both have had to unlearn as small business owners is that success is always a straight path. Owning a small business comes with its highs and lows, and it’s easy to feel discouraged when things don’t go as planned. In the beginning, I thought any setback meant I was off course. But I’ve learned that these challenges are a normal part of the journey. When things get tough, it’s important to reconnect with the passion and determination that got us started. Patience is key—growth takes time, and staying committed through the ups and downs is what leads to long-term success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carterk9training.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carterk9_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarterK9Training/?_rdr
• Yelp: https://www.facebook.com/CarterK9Training/?_rdr

Image Credits

Whitney Paige Photography