We recently connected with Savannah LeFors and have shared our conversation below.
Savannah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job
One of my previous jobs before setting up my own dog training business was as the coordinator of the animal therapy program at a hospital. Many people think that you just have to be good with animals to be a dog trainer, but thats certainly not the case. You have to be good with people also. Over 80% of my job is talking to and working with the dogs’ owners to help them set up a plan that they can be consistent with to see improvement in their dogs’ behaviors. During my time with the animal therapy program, I had to manage and communicate with over 175 volunteers. Animal therapy taught me how important delivery and simplicity were when providing instructions.
Savannah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hi, I am Savannah LeFors and I am a certified professional dog trainer based in Saint Augustine, FL who does virtual lessons nationwide! I got into dog training when I was in college and I got a part time job at the pet store. The dog trainer on staff there was always happy and seemed so knowledgeable. I started to become more and more curious and delve into the world of learning about animal behavior and training. When the pet store was looking to hire another trainer, I was chosen to step up.
Once I graduated from Florida State, I wanted to turn my part time dog training job into a career. In Tallahassee there is a huge animal therapy program based out of the hospital, so I interned and volunteered with them first, then was offered a position as the coordinator. I learned so much about dog body language, training styles and techniques, and how to communicate effectively with clients. In order to be a good dog trainer, you cant just be good with the dogs, you have to be a human teacher also.
When COVID-19 happened in 2020, I decided I wanted to move back home to Saint Augustine, so I started my own dog training business! It has been so amazing and I am so grateful! Some things that sets me apart from other dog trainers is that I am fluent in American Sign Language, so I have a reach to the large United States’ deaf community that no other trainer has! I also have a deaf dog and have trained over 100 deaf dogs! My approach is force free which means I do not use intimidation tactics or threats of harm to get the dogs to listen and perform behaviors!
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
I am so grateful that dog training in general has low overhead. I am definitely a saver – not a spender – so I took money out of my personal savings towards startup costs like business cards, brand shirts, leashes, treats, and other dog training equipment.
We’d love to hear about you met your business partner.
My business partner is an unconventional one. She is beautiful with deep brown eyes, a great listener, and always supportive at the end of the day, no matter how poorly it has gone. Her name is Sydney and she is an Australian Cattle Dog. I consider her my business partner because she is the reason behind all of this. I want other dogs, deaf or hearing, to have a wonderful life just like she does.
Contact Info:
- Website: SavvyDT.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savvydt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SavvyDT/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_EWL-iNqV9V5jZMuqrA04A/featured?view_as=subscriber