We recently connected with Sarah DesJardins and have shared our conversation below.

Sarah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

The start of Free Rein Dog Training seemed very sudden to me at the time, but in retrospect, it’s a no brainer.

I’ve always had a passion for animals. I grew up training horses and family dogs. It was never polished training for pups, just a girl who loved animals and to be outside working with them.

When I got my German Shepherd puppy (Tora), I thought it would be no problem at all because of their intelligence and reputation for trainability. However, when he was 3 months old, we were both attacked by a loose dog. It was a very traumatic experience for us both. After that incident, Tora became shockingly violent and aggressive towards everyone and everything, desperate to resource guard me. When he hit his growth spurt, he was suddenly 75 pounds, 8 months old, hormonal, and a complete scaredy cat who responded to everything with vicious reactivity including lunging, snarling, and biting, I knew I needed help, or I might lose Tora forever. He was STILL growing and had become dangerous. His bad track record was adding up quickly. Family and most friends could no longer come visit. I couldn’t walk Tora anymore, which was sad. Not to mention he was extremely destructive in the home and constantly challenged me. Wasn’t this supposed to be fun?! Wasn’t he supposed to be my best friend?! Instead, he was a nightmare and everyday was stressful and full of fear. This dog ruled my life. Our relationship was full of anger and frustration.

I had become desperate. I went to two separate dog trainers for help. They were demeaning of me and wrote us off. Nothing they suggested worked or it was so extreme and aggressive, I deemed it inhumane and refused to try. I had one more dog trainer to meet. Third time is the charm and Tora was running out of time.

The third dog trainer saved us. She guided me through all the triggers I was giving to Tora without realizing it. I could not see that I had become reactive, always anticipating trouble when we saw other people and dogs. I was inadvertently telling Tora with my body language I was afraid, which made him feel the need to react. We were stuck in a doomed cycle. She helped me learn how to use Tora’s magnificent brain in a way he could benefit from to tire him out, be fulfilled, feel confident, and enjoy working with me. This is the power of having a connected relationship by understanding my dog. This dog trainer has remained a friend over the years and is, in fact, now my mentor who still supports me in my own business to this day.

Learning about Tora’s needs allowed me to set him up for success through helping him access his drive in a productive manner. I learned to work WITH his nature instead of trying to fight it. Learning about Tora showed me there was a better way. This style of training, using a dogs’ nature to partner with them, us learning to understand them as well as asking them to understand us, is my passion. When I look back at the fact that I had a dangerous dog and the next step for me to take was the unthinkable, I get goosebumps. Tora has completely transformed from the violent dog he was. He is my inspiration for what a dog can be with proper training, an owner who is aware of the dogs’ needs and how to communicate that. More often than not, when it comes to training, it’s all about needs not being met or not having clear communication and expectations set. Now, that’s where I come in. I have created a safe space dedicated to teaching humans about their dogs, and dogs about their humans. I have the incredible opportunity to witness dogs’ and humans’ relationships evolve into something healthy, sustainable, and enjoyable. All thanks to Tora.

When Tora was about 6 years old, I had added a new puppy, Mabel, to my little pack. A few of my friends had puppies at the same time so we started working with them together. My friend Jena made the comment, “You are REALLY good at this… You could make this your full-time job.” Jena was like a dog with a bone (haha) and wouldn’t let it go. I was working for local government and the restaurant industry at the time. As soon as I made the decision to start training dogs, I no longer had time for anything else. Within the first 3 months of starting my company, I was able to leave my part time jobs and begin dog training full time. Tora helps train all the dogs that come through my programs. If they become confused or overwhelmed, he is excellent at showing them what to do. He also teaches puppies the proper way to play. Mabel has started attending private sessions to help and really show her skills off as a neutral dog. I am so proud of our team! Everyone loves their job and going to work. The clients enjoy having other dogs to meet, watch, use as examples, and having a safe space to practice introducing their dogs to new friends and distractions.

Although I also offer puppy and basic obedience classes, behavioral work is still the nearest and dearest to my heart. Knowing there is a dog anxiously awaiting someone to hear it, connect with it, love it the way it needs, always stirs me. It is my driving factor for being a dog trainer. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Therein lies my motto:

‘Training dogs & their humans, one dynamic duo at a time.’

Sarah, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Free Rein Dog Training is an innovative dog training company focused, not on creating the ‘perfect dog’, but on cultivating the relationship between dog and owner. Training options range from puppy classes, weekly session clients, boarding and training for obedience and off leash, as well as behavioral cases including reactivity.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the traditional definition of success. Then I had space to learn that specific path of stable and secure wasn’t for me and certainly wasn’t fulfilling. Once I accepted there could be other ways to be successful as an individual, my life starting to shift into something I now quite like. My ultimate goals are to have enriching experiences, work with animals, help people, and travel. My new job encompasses all of those. I am so grateful for the opportunity to love my work and work in what I love.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Living in a small, boutique town- word of mouth is everything. Building strong relationships has led to rapid fire growth!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://freereindogtraining.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freereindogtraining/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089251020685

Image Credits
Angelie Proctor Jena Hare Jessie Tilley-Compton