We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ryan Stubbs a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ryan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

One significant risk I took was the decision to expand K9 Clubhouse from Canada to the USA. This was a big, life-changing move for my business. The backstory begins with my journey in dog rescue and training, which started around 18 years ago when I began rescuing pit bulls from dog fighting rings in Alberta. Over the years, I transitioned from a career in the oil field to become a full-time dog trainer, specializing in dogs with behavioral issues, particularly aggression.

In our small northern town in Canada, there was a clear need for a doggy daycare and boarding facility, which led to the creation of K9 Clubhouse. We built a reputation for excellence, not only in everyday operations but also in emergency situations. For instance, in 2023, we helped our local municipality by housing over 100 dogs within hours of notice during a forest fire evacuation.

These experiences reinforced my belief in the quality and vision of K9 Clubhouse. I saw an opportunity to expand into the USA, aiming to offer the same level of care and expertise to a broader community. Old Town Spring, Texas, immediately appealed to us as a new home for our business. This move was a considerable risk because it involved investing significant resources and entering a new market.

The process has been challenging. We have had to navigate different regulations, build new relationships, and establish our reputation from scratch. Currently, we are still building our clientele and hope to prove to the Texas community that K9 Clubhouse is the best place for their dogs.

Ultimately, we believe the risk will pay off. Our goal is for K9 Clubhouse in Old Town Spring to be well-received and to continue our mission of helping dogs remain in their homes, no matter the difficulty or task at hand. We are committed to providing top-notch care and training for dogs and look forward to earning the trust and support of the Texas community.

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

About Me and My Journey in the Dog Training Industry

For those who may not know me, my journey in the dog training industry began nearly 18 years ago in Northern Alberta. I started by rehabilitating fighting dogs, a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience that ignited my passion for working with dogs. Over time, I realized that my true calling was in helping dogs with behavioral issues, particularly aggression, and 13 years ago, I made the decision to turn that passion into a full-time career.

In 2018, I identified a significant gap in my community—a lack of comprehensive dog care facilities. This led me to create the K9 Clubhouse in Northern Alberta, where we offered doggy daycare, boarding, and training services. The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive, and it affirmed my belief in the value of what we were providing.

This year, I decided to expand K9 Clubhouse into the USA, specifically Old Town Spring, Texas. Here, we continue to offer top-notch doggy daycare, boarding, grooming, and training services. Our mission is to address the full spectrum of canine needs, from alleviating boredom and loneliness with our daycare and boarding services to training everything from puppies to dogs with more complex behavioral issues like aggression.

What Sets Us Apart

What truly sets K9 Clubhouse apart is our holistic approach to dog care. I’ve developed a keen ability to read both dog and human body language, which allows me to not only train dogs but also to work effectively with their owners. Many clients joke that I’ve saved more than a few marriages along the way! But beyond humor, this skill is crucial in ensuring that dogs and their owners can live harmoniously together.

I’m incredibly proud of the values and expectations we’ve established at K9 Clubhouse. We’re committed to providing the highest level of care for every dog that walks through our doors. This commitment extends to our staff as well—I strive to find team members who understand and share the importance of dog wellness.

Key Takeaways for Potential Clients

If there’s one thing I want potential clients to know, it’s that at K9 Clubhouse, we treat your dog as if they were our own. Whether you’re looking for a safe place for your dog to stay while you’re at work, professional grooming, or expert training, you can trust that your dog is in capable and caring hands.

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

The most effective strategy has been to start small and focus on building trust with each client by providing exceptional service. From the beginning, I understood that word-of-mouth would be our strongest asset, especially in a community-centric environment. We committed to exceeding expectations by offering personalized care and addressing the unique needs of every dog in our care, particularly those with behavioral issues.

We also implemented a client-first approach by being available 24/7 and ensuring that our facility offers a safe, comfortable, and engaging environment for dogs. Additionally, our emphasis on open communication with pet owners has fostered strong relationships and earned their trust, which, in turn, has led to referrals and repeat business.

By consistently delivering on our promises and showing genuine care for both the dogs and their owners, we’ve been able to grow organically, one satisfied client at a time.

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

A lesson I had to unlearn is the belief that those who support you on your journey will always be there. Unfortunately, the saying “be careful who you share good news with” holds more truth than I initially realized. This might sound jaded, but I had to learn it the hard way, as I’m sure many business owners have.

As I continued to rise and achieve success, I found that while there were plenty of friends, followers, and supporters along the way, not all of them were genuine. When I finally reached certain milestones or encountered certain hardships, I discovered who my true friends were. A saying that resonated deeply with me was, “The most surprising thing I realized in my lifetime is that not a single one of the scars on my heart are from an enemy.”

This experience taught me to keep my loved ones close, maintain a small, trusted circle, and keep my journey private. Those who have never undertaken a similar path often don’t understand the dedication, sacrifice, and sheer hard work that go into it. It’s crucial to protect your energy and focus on those who truly matter.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.k9clubhousetx.com
• Instagram: @k9clubhouse_ots
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556455940331