Meet Savannah James

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Savannah James. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Savannah, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I discovered my purpose during one of the lowest points in my life. The quote, “When I needed a hand, I found a paw,” perfectly captures my experience. As a young teenager without direction or ambition, I stumbled upon dog training, and it transformed everything for me. The dogs provided me with a sense of purpose, and now I strive to give back to them in every way I can.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a positive reinforcement-based dog trainer, commonly known as an R+ Dog Trainer. In a world that often seeks quick fixes, I emphasize the importance of prioritizing my clients’ dogs’ emotional well-being. We show dog owners that training can be enjoyable for both their dogs and themselves. The most rewarding part of my job is helping owners live harmoniously with their canine companions.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Here are the three most important qualities I’ve focused on throughout my career:

Organization Skills: As a professional dog trainer, being organized is essential. Growing up, I wasn’t naturally organized, but my passion for my job motivated me to improve in this area. I quickly adopted strong organizational habits to provide my clients with the best version of myself.

Persistence: When I first realized I wanted to become a dog trainer, I refused to accept “no” as an answer. I dedicated myself to self-research and sought opportunities to stay involved in the dog industry while gaining knowledge. I worked at The Woofhaus dog daycare and volunteered at various shelters to build my experience until I was ready to officially begin my career as a dog trainer.

Integrity: The dog training industry is constantly evolving. It’s crucial to maintain integrity by committing to continuous learning and remaining open-minded. This commitment not only benefits my professional growth but also strengthens my dedication to my clients and their needs.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

One of my favorite dog training books to this day is Don’t Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor. What I love about this book is how it effectively demonstrates the power of positive reinforcement and provides practical insights on how to apply it. Pryor emphasizes the importance of rewarding desired behaviors rather than punishing undesired ones, which fosters a more trusting relationship between dogs and their owners. She also highlights the significance of timing in reinforcement and offers strategies for shaping behavior through clear communication. This book has been invaluable in shaping my approach to training and understanding animal behavior. It was actually one of the first books I read about dog training.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gooddogdyno.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gooddogdynodogtraining?igsh=aTQzZHQ5ZnhiZ3h3&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068374020931&mibextid=kFxxJD