Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Carpenter.
Hi Kate , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have been a vet tech for decades. I wanted to learn more about dog behavior so I set out to seek an apprenticeship, and found a wonderful person to complete my training under for 2 years. All positive reinforcement. I also reached out to Victoria Stilwel from “It’s me or the dog” TV show. Her husband Van emailed me back, and she was one of my mentors to look up to. At the time (20 ish years ago) positive reinforcement training wasn’t really looked at as being “a real trainer”. She was monumental to me remaining strong in the face of my competition. Then I went on to found and run a no kill shelter for dogs for 5 years. I took a text refund check and rented a building in Monroe, Georgia. We went to animal control facilities and started saving dogs facing euthanasia. We saved over 5,000 dogs from euthanasia, trained them, and adopted them out. Victoria from IMOTD came out twice to do a book signing, and help us raise funds. We also had a low cost vet clinic, groom shop, and thrift shop. I set the shelter up like a doggie daycare, but just for our rescued dogs. They were happy, frolicking with their friends all day, and put up at lunch to eat and nap. They were very happy! Unfortunately we closed in 2013 due to lack of funding. I had a great love and knowledge of dogs, but not much business sense. Closing the doors was one of the hardest things I ever did. Going from a dream to reality, blood sweat and tears went into the shelter. The hardest part was knowing all the dogs we could not save when the doors closed. Heartbreaking. I was lost for quite some time.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not smooth. Bumps along the way. Lots of trainers ridiculed me for being only positive reinforcement.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I specialize in problem behaviors and rescue dogs. I also see a lot of aggression issues. I use all positive reinforcement and gentle methods. I see more behavior issues as the years go by. I am also a former AKC CGC Evaluator and prior had a TDI registered and self trained therapy dog.
What are your plans for the future?
No big changes, to help as many dogs as possible. To learn more follow The Dog Training Diva. I service the Athens Ga and surrounding area. Oh yeah, and Go dawgs!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dogtrainingdiva.com
