Behind the Leash: What It's Really Like to Run a Solo Dog Training Business.

By Carey of #CareyTrainsMe

Running a dog training business is a dream, one rooted in passion, purpose, and a deep love for dogs. But it's also hard. Especially when you're doing it solo.

I’m Carey — a dog trainer, board-and-train specialist, and the only human behind the name #CareyTrainsMe. There’s no front desk. No admin team. No customer service hotline. Just me: out on the farm before sunrise, training dogs, feeding chickens, chasing rescue goats, rescue pigs, ducks and quail, even wrangling in bees, replying to emails (usually while covered in fur or hay), and doing my very best for every client, human and canine.

Here’s what most people don’t see:

• I answer every message myself, sometimes late at night after working 12+ hours outdoors in all weather.

• I run training sessions, give tours, manage social media, write reports, build and run my own website, care for animals, and maintain a working hobby farm.

• When someone sends an email or DM, I do my best to reply within 24 hours, sometimes it is 72 hours, but I’m often out training in real time, not refreshing my inbox.

• My phone number is listed on my website and social media, and I always encourage texting for anything urgent. I’m accessible, just not sitting behind a computer all day.

Despite all of that, I've recently been hurt by a public reviews that claim I never responded, even after I provided free consultations and followed up by email. The truth is: I care deeply about communication and client service. But I’m one person. I give everything I have to this work, and sometimes, that means a delay in email doesn’t mean I don’t care. It means I’m out in the field doing the work that I was hired to do.

What makes this work worth it?

• The shy dog who finds confidence.

• The overwhelmed pet parent who finds hope.

• The puppy was not rehomed because it was too much to handle.

• The moment a dog finally settles into calm for the first time in their life.

• The thank-you messages that say, “We couldn’t have done it without you.”

That’s why I pull long hours, have sleepless nights comforting anxious dogs, because the results of my care keep dogs in homes and increase the quality of lives of animals and their humans.

That’s what keeps me going when reviews hurt and expectations feel impossibly high.

A gentle reminder:

When you support a small values-based business, especially a one-woman dog training business, you’re not getting Amazon Prime. You’re getting heart. You’re getting honesty. You’re getting someone who lives and breathes this work 24/7.

So if you're reaching out and haven't heard back right away, it is not a red flag:

• Please check your spam folder.

• Feel free to text or pick up the phone.

• Know that I care, even if I’m a little slower than the algorithm expects.

And to those of you who’ve been patient, kind, and understanding, thank you. Your understanding has allowed me to continue to fulfill my mission for over a decade. To continue to enrich the quality of life for dogs and support their pet parents through all stages of development, from puppyhood through adolescence and maturity. Your support matters more than you know!

I’m still here. Still training. Still trying.

Even on the hard days.

Carey

#CareyTrainsMe