Today we’d like to introduce you to James Brooks.
Hi James, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up with a front-row seat to transformation. My dad worked with dogs from the local Army base — the ones that didn’t quite make the cut as guard dogs. The “rejects,” they called them. But to me, they were just dogs waiting for someone to believe in them. I’d shadow my dad, watching these misunderstood pups go from anxious and confused to confident companions. We kept a few as pets, and honestly, I think that’s where my heart made up its mind: this was my world.
There’s never been a chapter of my life without a dog in it. As a kid, I didn’t realize I was “training” — I was just connecting. I learned early on that if you want a dog to trust you, you’ve got to show up with patience, presence, and a whole lot of empathy. And when you do that? Dogs will give you everything. That connection was my secret weapon long before I knew it was a career.
I started pet-sitting for friends and family… and something funny happened. People would come home and say, “James… my dog is different. What did you do?” Word of mouth spread fast, and suddenly I had more four-legged “students” than I knew what to do with. Turns out, when you respect a dog’s mind, the dog respects your leadership back.
From there, I got serious. I studied with a professional trainer and dog behaviorist and became certified in behavior modification. I worked with veterinarians. I managed doggy daycares. I ran group training classes and in-home lessons before it was even “a thing.” And in 2003, I took the leap — I made this passion my full-time calling.
One of my proudest moments? Teaching at Wake Tech — standing in front of a room full of aspiring trainers, showing them not just how to train dogs, but how to truly understand them. Because training isn’t about commanding; it’s about communicating.
Today, Grandpaws K-9 Interactive Care has grown into a full suite of services built around the same principles I learned as that kid following my dad:
Customized In-Home Training & Behavior Modification
Doggy Daycare & Structured Socialization
New Rescue Integration (because every dog deserves a real shot)
New Baby Readiness (so families grow without the chaos)
Everything we do is rooted in connection, communication, and compassion — the same ingredients that reshaped those Army base dogs decades ago.
Grandpaws isn’t just a business. It’s my life’s work, my calling, and my way of helping families experience the absolute best version of their dogs — the version that’s been there all along, just waiting to come out.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest struggles in this whole journey? Easy — trying to work a full-time job for someone else while stretching myself thinner than a chew toy at a puppy party. I was juggling the 9-to-5, keeping up with family life, and trying to breathe life into this business I knew I was meant to build. There were days I felt like I needed three of me… and maybe an extra set of hands.
As Grandpaws grew, I had to get creative about income streams — all dog-related, of course, because that’s my lane. Training, daycare, personal services… whatever my clients needed, I found a way to make it happen. I wasn’t just the trainer; I was the caretaker, the playtime supervisor, the exercise coach, the chauffeur — pickups, drop-offs, you name it. If it helped the dog and supported the family, I was in.
It wasn’t easy, but every late night and early morning got me one step closer to turning this passion into the full-time calling it was always meant to be.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Welcome to Grandpaws K-9 Interactive Care — where we don’t just train dogs, we rescue relationships. I’m James “Grandpaws” Brooks, life-long dog lover, certified behaviorist, and proud owner of a pack of rescue dogs, cats, and a heart full of hope. I built Grandpaws over 25 years ago around one simple but powerful mission: don’t get rid of your dog — get rid of the bad behavior.
What We Do & What We Specialize In:
Grandpaws offers a full menu of dog-care services designed to meet pups (and their people) where they are. That includes:
• Puppy Training Classes — five-session, in-home puppy bootcamps that set the foundation for respectful manners, socialization, house manners, and gentle, confident communication from day one.
• Private In-Home Training — for adolescent or adult dogs needing obedience, better manners, leash skills, recall, and more. I tailor each session to the dog’s personality and the owner’s lifestyle.
• Board-and-Train Programs — an intensive 2-3 week stay where dogs live, learn and reset in a structured, loving environment — then come home with new habits. Great for busy owners or puppies/adults who’ve hit a behavior wall.
• Team-Led Pack Walks & Daycare / Exercise Programs — socialization and exercise in a group setting, building confidence, social skills, and giving owners an active, happy dog without the stress.
• Behavior Modification & Rescue / Rehoming Help — I go beyond “sit–stay–come” and help tackle serious behavioral challenges (anxiety, fear, aggression) through compassionate behaviorist work. I also partner with local rescues to give harder-to-place dogs a second chance.
In short: whether you’re raising a puppy, rescuing a troubled adult dog, or just want a well-mannered family pet — Grandpaws is built to meet you there.
What Sets Us Apart:
• Personalized, In-Home Care: We come to you. No one-size-fits-all classes. Training happens in the environment where your dog lives — which means the behavior you teach sticks.
• A Real, Lifelong Commitment to Animals: Behind Grandpaws is not just a business, but a lifestyle. I live with rescued dogs and cats, and I believe strongly that pet ownership is a long-term responsibility. That perspective guides every decision.
• Behavior-First Philosophy: We don’t just train dogs; we help people understand their dogs. Too often, behavioral issues come from miscommunication — and I’m here to bridge that gap, gently but firmly.
• Support That Outlasts the Sessions: Training doesn’t end when the leash comes off. I offer follow-ups, resources, socialization through pack walks, and community. Because a well-behaved dog is a happy dog — and a happy dog makes a better home.
What I’m Really Proud Of:
I’m proud that Grandpaws isn’t “just another dog-training shop.” It’s a lifeline — for dogs, owners, and families.
• I’ve seen frightened rescues blossom into confident, loving pets.
• I’ve watched frustrated owners breathe easier when their house feels peaceful again.
• I’ve built a community where dogs and humans learn together — where trust replaces chaos, one sit-stay at a time.
If there’s one thing I hope readers walk away with? Dogs have second chances — and so do their humans. With Grandpaws, you’re not just signing up for obedience classes. You’re signing up for peace of mind, a better relationship with your dog, and the chance to build a happier home — paws and all.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
1.“The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Real change — in dogs and in people — doesn’t come from quick fixes. It comes from patience, consistency, and showing up every single day.”
2.“Training isn’t magic; it’s trust. Once a dog trusts you — really trusts you — the transformation becomes unstoppable.”
3.“The lesson that built Grandpaws is simple: slow down. Meet the dog where they are. When you train with patience instead of pressure, the results last a lifetime.”
4.“I learned that you don’t just train dogs — you train relationships. And when you fix the relationship, the behavior follows.”
5.“Success with dogs taught me the same lesson success in life did: you get out what you put in. Effort, consistency, love — that’s the formula.”
6.“You can’t rush a good dog or a good outcome. The journey is the training.”
7.“I used to think I was teaching dogs. Turns out, they were teaching me — patience, presence, and the power of doing the work.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Grandpawsk9.com
- Instagram: @grandpaws_k9
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/grandpawshere
