How I Got Started Breeding and Training Dogs

 I am often asked how did you get started training dogs and breeding?

This is 4 part story.

As a young, dedicated dog enthusiast I worked every summer as a volunteer at animal control in Thurston County.  I knew I wanted to be a dog breeder and trainer.  This meant I needed experience in dog training. These experiences turned out to be foundational to my later success in breeding and caring for dogs. My hands-on, self-taught approach began.

At the age of eleven, I acquired my first male German Shepherd for breeding, which sparked a deep interest in dog behavior and training. I began dedicating significant time to learning about dog care, behavior, and training techniques through books, articles, and observation.

At age sixteen, to gain practical experience, I volunteered at Adopt a Pet in Shelton.  I had already been training my own two dogs, so I was excited when they gave me the opportunity to train other breeds of dogs beyond German Shepherds.  This role provided valuable insights into the behavior of various dog breeds and the challenges faced by dogs in different environments.  At the animal control facility, I learned about multi-dog housing indoor facility style. At Adopt a Pet, I learned to care for dogs in a natural outdoor environment.  Here I got to learn to handle and care for dogs with diverse backgrounds and temperaments, which was crucial in developing a comprehensive understanding of canine behavior.

In addition to volunteering, I assisted a local dog trainer. This mentorship allowed me to observe and participate in professional dog training sessions. These multi opportunity experiences in training dogs for various competitions, including obedience, agility, and protection work help me gain more diversity. This hands-on training helped me refine my techniques and develop a deeper understanding of effective training methods over the next 12 years.

At age 20 while attending community college, I continued my self-guided dog training education and dog breeding.  I catered to my fitness and sporting interests with my athletic German Shepherds that I was using for breeding.  I trained my male and female dogs in French Ring Sport and Schutzhund for another 12 years.  These sports are really where I began raise my training skills to the next level and learned to work dogs in drive and off leash obedience control.   While doing all this in the foreground my background learning was dog genetics, pedigrees and natural care for my breeding dogs. 

 See me next week for part 2 of my story of how I got started breeding and training dogs to work for people.