Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kit Vulpe. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kit, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Taking care of customers isn’t just good business – it is often one of the main reasons folks went into business in the first place. So, we’d love to get a conversation going around how to best help clients feel appreciated – maybe you can share something you’ve done or seen someone do that’s been really effective at helping a customer feel valued?
My clients have stuck with me through every stage of my dynamic disability, just as I support them through every developmental stage or trauma their dog goes through.
Every week, I greet my clients with a smile and am ready to work on/through whatever new behavioural update they inform me of. I am usually informed of a new fear they noticed in their dog, an uncomfortable situation they went through, or a close-call dog attack. The greatest way I show devotion and care to my teams (K9 & their humans) is being able to fully diagnose their dog, treat them on-the-spot, and support them through every frustrating, but rewarding moment of overcoming adversity.
My favourite dogs to work with are the “Northern Breeds”, “Bully Breeds”, and “We don’t know”.
Huskies, Malamutes, Pit Bulls, Staffies, Mixes… They are all the most misunderstood and over-punished. Both breeds and variations are sensitive, easily traumatized, and high energy. What a combo! My specialty of Behaviour Rehabilitation truly shows when these mystery dogs find themselves near a strange person who is a magic treat dispenser. (Me!)
I am usually the first consistently safe and rewarding person the dog has ever met after being adopted by an amazing, but unprofessional family. When my husky clients scream excitedly from the car because they know it is training day, when my formerly fearful bully client wags their tail and runs near me… I know my job is done. I thank my clients by allowing me into their space week after week and allowing their dog to Blossom.
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 Kit Vulpe API, AKC Evaluator. I am a multi-certified, LIMA Dog Trainer who specializes in custom task-trained Service Dogs & Behaviour Rehabilitation for traumatized, reactive, and unfulfilled dogs. I am the sole owner and operator of K9s Blossom! I am based in Orange County & San Gabriel County in California.
I proudly offer relationship-based dog training for all. I mention -all- because I will -not- turn down a dog in need if they have a bite history, human or not. LIMA stands for Least Invasive Minimally Aversive and works for -all- dogs, regardless!
My ability to successfully and meaningfully address a wide variety of behavioural responses in dogs isn’t magic… It is science and psychology! Every dog is unique and requires a different approach, especially if trauma is involved. With each dog I train, I access their emotional state through their body language (stress signals, self soothing behaviours, etc), pair it with their background, and then begin to create a customized training plan over the course of a month. Once a week, one hour, maybe with a phone call check-in midweek! That is all it takes to make a change, optimizing your training efficiency and success by using methods that either worked with similar cases or a custom combination to allow the dog to be fulfilled before learning.
I’ve worked with dogs who are so stressed that they don’t accept treats or toys, treat gobblers, and toy tuggers! The main goal is to fulfill them based on their breed, redirect them onto healthier behaviours, slowly counter-condition their detrimental behaviours, all while having fun! Setting your dog up for success is my job, yours is to continue the training!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
My story begins with SD Archer CGCUA TKN. The “alphabet soup” behind his name just means he was a very good boy and earned some titles from the AKC. This German Shepherd, Husky Mix changed my life for the better (then the worst).
Almost three years ago, I found myself needing more support mentally and physically. My dynamic disability began to best me and I desperately searched for an answer to meet my needs.
10,000 dollars for a Service Dog?
I felt so defeated… then I realized I could create one! I found my 6 month old partner at the Baldwin Park Animal Shelter and soon, we were training handler engagement, stationary positioning, alert behaviors, then pouring all of the moving parts into tasks! (Cardiac/Syncopal Alert, Destination Guide, Mobility Support) During this time, to test my methodology, I trained dogs at the local Dog Park for free. That’s when I received a Thank You card from the family of a St. Bernard/Rottweiler named Milo who was struggling with some excitement-based reactivity. The validation pushed me to continue my work and pursue my passion!
My quality of life began to flourish as SD Archer reached maturity! Passerby would see SD Archer and ask “Where did you get them trained?” or “Who’s your trainer?” and I would gain another client. They were my walking business card! After 2 years of training every dog I could, researching K9 Psychology & ADA Law, earning 3 certifications, aiding many other SD teams… I felt free again. I felt like me again! I could see the impact my insight had on these teams and how even one session could help substantially, especially if the owners practiced at home!
When SD Archer turned 3 this year, in April, I could notice their decline. This is where the worst happened. I pulled Archer from PA (public access, a right SDs have to accompany their owner) when I noticed they were showing more stress signals while working. As the months passed, Archer became more confused and seemed lost. They would stare at the tree tips for hours and would rarely task, which they loved before! A veterinarian informed us that Archer had canine cognitive dysfunction; another believed it was possibly a brain tumor. (Human equivalent of Alzheimer’s)
Behavioural Euthanasia was our only option as they quickly declined. In August, I lost my lifeline to a horrible disease brought on by improper, unprofessional breeding. I mention this, to show my devotion. I stayed home for months to support my best boy until the very end. This experience added to my knowledge of end of life care for senior or declining dogs. SD Archer was the best “Dog Trainer’s Dog” for me. They enriched my learning process, challenged me, and made me the trainer I am today.
I will always offer unbiased, understanding K9 Rehabilitation for ANY dog, regardless of background, age, breed, temperament, or bite history. I do this, because it is what our best friends and their humans deserve.
I am always an email, a DM, or a text message away for my clients and I will continue to be a support for my community.
This is the level of care that I wanted for SD Archer, and I will continue to provide it for SDiT Mitsuha, my red Malamute puppy prospect.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Be open, honest, try hard, and if they don’t want what you have to offer… let them go! I am one of the most affordable “Dog Trainers” in both the counties I work in. That includes my specialties. (SD task-training & K9 Rehab) I don’t charge thousands just to evaluate your dog, practice outdated methods (compulsion, food withdrawal, dominance theory), or have a “One Size Fits All” method. I am truly a unique trainer who requires a receptive, dedicated team in order for real results to prosper. I had to learn this lesson repeatedly. I was working with an older dog who was pulling on a sliplead so hard, they were coughing. The problem truly was leash pressure, a simple change in the way we communicate passively to our dogs through the leash. The owners never changed their ways, the issue continued, my training was called repetitive… I really took that to heart for a while. I would handle (walk) the dog using proper leash pressure skills… no problems, a smooth trot at my side. Your clientele, if you work in a “betterment” industry, -must- be open to change and unlearning old habits. I look at my clientele and their dogs now, reoccurring and getting better each month and remember… I’m not repetitive unless you fix it!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @k9sblossom
- Other: [email protected] (657)229-1507