Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Brand.
Anna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have loved animals my whole life! As a young girl, I loved training my dogs to do cool tricks. When I turned fifteen, I got my first job working at a kennel, doing the basics—scooping poop, feeding, cleaning, and playtime. As I continued in that job, my boss asked if I would be interested in training, and I jumped at the opportunity. I learned a lot about training there and quickly became obsessed—especially with helping dogs that seemed “too far gone,” such as those who were anxious or aggressive.
After I graduated from high school, I decided to attend Starmark Academy in Texas. It was an immersive twelve-week course that taught both the theory and application of training. I was assigned two rescue dogs to train and pass tests with for the duration of the course. I ended up adopting one of those dogs, Poncho, and he has been my sidekick ever since!
After graduating, I stayed in Texas and worked with a few different trainers. I even spent some time working with lemurs, porcupines, capybaras, and wallabies! Ultimately, I decided to move back home, and that’s when I started my own business at the beginning of 2024. I began by offering in-home lessons, later added group classes, and now I also offer boarding and board-and-train programs. I have been professionally training for over seven years now!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Owning my business has been a major blessing. I struggled a lot prior to starting it. Each company and trainer has different approaches to training, which makes the industry incredibly diverse. I love learning new things from different people, but it can be difficult as an employee to conform to specific training approaches. This is what ultimately led me to open my own business. I am a huge proponent of continuing education and creating individualized approaches for each dog.
Having my own business has allowed me to communicate clearly and use different tactics and methods for individual dogs and handlers based on what works best for them, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. This is incredibly important to me as a trainer, because other positions I have held limited both me and my clients’ success.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Dog Training Transformation?
The biggest part of dog training that truly fascinates me is the human-dog bond. Our ability to understand and communicate with each other—and work as a team to accomplish truly amazing things—is incredible. My training approach relies heavily on the bond each owner has with their dog and on developing the skills needed to communicate clearly and understand what your dog is saying to you, then “talk” back in a way they can understand. I believe this leads to clearer, faster training.
I often work with dogs that have bite histories, trauma, or anxiety, which has led me to develop knowledge that goes beyond simply teaching obedience. Understanding dogs’ emotions, reactions, and thought processes helps us become better owners, handlers, and trainers.
My business offers one-on-one in-home lessons, boarding, and board-and-train programs. My biggest focus with each client is not creating the perfect dog, but equipping owners with the skills to communicate effectively and transform their relationship with their pets.
Pricing:
- private lessons $100 each
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dogtrainingtransformation.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DogTrainingTransformation
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dogtrainingtransformation/
