I'm a dog trainer without a dog, here's why.

Clients are often shocked to hear that I, a professional dog trainer who co-owns and operates a dog training business, currently don’t have a dog. Fair enough! Clearly I’m an individual who loves dogs; I built my whole career around that. And, not to toot my own horn, I’d like to think I know a thing or two about dog care and training. So why am I currently dogless?

It’s not at all because I don’t want a dog. I 100% do! I will admit I have fleeting thoughts of sneaking client puppies out of the house under my coat from time to time. Raising a puppy is definitely something I plan on embarking on within the next few years,but there are a few factors that are delaying that decision.

Space & Neighborhood

Up until very recently, my partner and I (and two cats) lived in a roughly 350 square foot studio space with no yard. Having a huge house and sprawling fenced yard are by no means a requirement for meeting a dog’s needs. We work with clients who give their dogs fabulous, enriched lives in apartments and smaller spaces all the time! But our space was particularly small, and to top it off, we had several neighbors who routinely let their dogs wander the neighborhood off-leash. It wasn’t an ideal setup for most dogs, let alone a young puppy. 

Within the past few months, however, we were lucky enough to move into a multiple bedroom home with a fully fenced yard. In true millennial fashion, this move was heavily motivated by the dog-friendly potential of the space.

Time & Work Schedule

I’m going to get out in front of any doubt and say that first and foremost I adore my job. Running this business is my heart and soul, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. That being said, Clickstart is still a relatively young company and we put in a lot of work to keep things steadily growing.

My commute is roughly 3-6 hours a day, which means I’m out of the house 10-12 hours on a normal workday. Add in my at-home work time to write up behavior reports, respond to emails, and complete any other admin work, and that doesn’t leave a lot of time for working with a new pup. Could I hire a dog walker or sitter to come spend time with the pup while I’m away? I’m sure I could, but as a trainer, you bet I want to be as involved as I can be for all of the socializing, training, and bonding with a new family member.

One of our goals for Clickstart (spoiler alert!) is a brick and mortar training facility. Not only will this significantly cut down my commute time, but it would open up the possibility of a puppy coming to work with me safely! Having access to a space literally designed for puppy management, enrichment, and training, would mean a new puppy could get all of their needs met even on busy work days.

Money & Specific Needs

I plan on sourcing a dog from an ethical breeder, with the intention of raising and training them as a service dog to mitigate my disabilities. Service animals have a demanding job keeping their handlers safe, and it takes a very specific individual to thrive in that role. This means I need to take the time to fully vet breeders, consult with my behavior colleagues, and wait for the right dog. Many responsible breeders don’t produce many litters a year, and not every litter will have service dog prospects, which can mean lengthy waiting lists. In my case, I’m willing to be patient and wait for the best fit!

Let’s face it, raising a puppy isn’t cheap. On top of all of the usual vet bills and pet supplies, I plan on investing money into my next dog’s training by taking courses with other professionals I know and trust. Yes, even trainers hire other trainers! It’s so valuable to have an impartial third party involved in your training to help spot things you can’t see up close.

Other Pets in the Home

As many of you know, I currently have two (very high-needs) cats. In typical trainer fashion, I have animals in my home who came to me because of their behavior problems! Before we introduce a puppy wrecking ball into the equation, I want to make sure I can arrange our new space to work for everyone. This will involve some training for the cats, installing a cat highway of shelves throughout the house to prevent any conflict, and really making sure we have the time, space, and bandwidth to ensure the cats aren’t getting the short end of the stick once a puppy arrives. For me, the thought of my resident animals feeling stressed and being sequestered to a single safe room is not an acceptable outcome.

In Closing

None of the factors above are the end-all be-all. I’m sure it would be possible for a puppy to fit in, but I want to set all of the learners up for success, myself included! I know I won’t be the puppy parent I want to be if I’m running on fumes and don’t have access to the resources I need for all of us to thrive. Puppy raising is tough, and I don’t need to stack any more difficulty onto the process if I can help it.

Everyone’s specific situation is unique, but puppies are universally a ton of work! Before deciding to bring a puppy home, make sure you take the time to stop and consider all of the variables in your own life. If you aren’t sure if you and your family are ready for that commitment, or need help finding the best dog for your home, you can always schedule a consultation with us!