We were lucky to catch up with Elena Miller recently and have shared our conversation below.

Elena, appreciate you joining us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

I sometimes wish that I had started my business sooner. I originally went to school for Broadcast Meteorology, but soon realized I didn’t love being in front of a camera, which makes it difficult to be a weather woman! So I went onto the new’s side of things for a few years. After I decided I didn’t want to be in news long term, I tried to go back to school to be an ultrasound tech, but it still didn’t feel right. I discovered my love for training after going to a trainer with my oldest dog, and realizing how much it changed our relationship for the better. Once moving back to NJ I realized my passion for helping people achieve the amazing relationship that training helped me get with my dog, and decided to go back to school for dog training and opened my business in 2016. While I am grateful that I was able to grow at my own pace, I sometimes think if I started my business sooner, if I would have been able to expand into other areas I haven’t yet been able to explore.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I always had a lifelong interest in working with animals. My family have always adopted animals since before I was born so I was lucky enough to grow up with dogs, cats and horses. Although I always loved dogs, it had never occurred to me that I could make training them into a successful career. I went to college and received a degree in broadcast meteorology. After working in TV news for several years, I was no longer happy with my job and I knew I needed to try something different.

I worked with a trainer with my older dog to make sure he was a good influence on the new puppy my now ex husband and I had gotten, and it completely changed my relationship with my dogs forever! I worked with my dogs daily and would get compliments on how well behaved they were; it was then I realized I could make my passion for training dogs into a career!

The experience with my own dogs helped motivate me to open Dogs Unleashed K9 Training. I attended National K-9 Learning Center in Columbus, Ohio in 2016, where I became certified in eleven different areas of professional dog training and started running my business after I graduated.

The purpose of Dogs Unleashed K9 Training is to strengthen the bond between a dog and their owner. My training helps build communication, understanding, and mutual respect which leads to a happier more fulfilled life for both the dog and the owner.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the most significant turning points in my life occurred in the last 2 years when I faced the tough decision of ending an 8-year marriage. This pivotal moment not only impacted my personal life but also brought about huge changes in my business. Ending my marriage meant leaving behind not just a relationship, but also my home and the foundation upon which I had built my business. Starting fresh was incredibly difficult and emotionally draining, but I am extremely thankful for the unwavering support of my family, friends and even my clients. I often reflect on the journey that led me to where I am now. While the road hasn’t been easy, it has shown me how strong I am both mentally and physically.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I don’t have a huge following on social media YET, but I am slowly growing with the help of a marketing coach. It has been a slow process, but sharing daily informational content, and engaging with the right audience has slowly been growing my followers which has also been helping me grow more clients. After the insane increase of people getting dogs after COVID, the training industry over the last year or so has slowed down a bit, which has caused me and many of my colleagues to change how we have been doing business. My advice to those just starting out, as well as myself is to keep pushing through and not give up!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dogsunleashedk9training.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogsunleashedk9training/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dogsunleashedk9training/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/dogsunleashedk9
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dogsunleashedk9training619

Image Credits
Jen Hillenga