About
My name is Justine and I am the Owner/Trainer of Smokey Oaks K9. We are a small training company located in York, SC. Smokey Oaks K9 was founded in 2020, but I have been training dogs for the last 15 years. After moving to the Carolinas from California, I decided 2020 was the year for me start my own business! I believe that dog training is all about creating engagement and forging a bond with your dog. Nothing beats having a relationship with your dog that is founded on trust, understanding, structure, and consistency. I want to help you build a better bond and understanding with your dog through foundational obedience, confidence building, and structure. I believe that many issues with dogs can be addressed by going back to the foundations and working with the dog on impulse control and better decision making skills. My goal is to teach your dog how to learn and you how to train!
I love being able to see families enjoy their dogs so much more after training! Being able to take your dog out to enjoy family adventures is a great feeling.
I also love what I do because I truly believe that a lack of training is the number one reason why dogs end up in the shelter. My goal is to help people keep their dogs in their homes through training.
Details
Private or board lessons
Package interested in
Issues
Photos and videos
Reviews
Trisha F.
Alicia B.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
The first step to working with us is to set up a FREE 30 minute phone consultation. This allows us to get an insight to the issues you are having with your dog and how our training programs can help you achieve your goals.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I believe that dog trainers should always be learning. No one person knows everything and no dog is perfect. I do my best to attend as many dog and behavior related seminars that I can. I am also fortunate to work with a network of trainers who spends their free time training. I am constantly learning from those around me and I encourage everyone to do the same!
Do you have a standard pricing system for your services? If so, please share the details here.
The pricing for our programs and services can be viewed at www.smokeyoaksk9.com
How did you get started in this business?
I have been working with dogs since I was old enough to hold a leash. I have been training dogs for the last 15 years, however, it has always been my favorite hobby. I have spent time working as a Veterinary Technician for about 10 years, and have worked in many shelters and rescues helping with behavior and training. I spent 3 years as the Chief of Operations for a non-profit service dog organization and helped train service dogs for Veterans. This was a very rewarding job and I loved every minute of it! I have also spent time working as a manager for a dog boarding and daycare facility. I have a variety of experience in different fields with many different species of animals, but I have always found myself coming back to dogs. I truly believe that there is nothing quite like the bond between a dog and their person!
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a pro in your area of expertise?
If a dog trainer tells you their dog is 100% trained... run the other way! I truly believe that no matter how well trained your dog is, there is always something more you could learn or improve on and a good trainer never stops learning!
What questions should customers think through before talking to pros about their needs?
What training methods have you tried? What was successful and what was not?
What do you think the result would be if you did not seek out training advice?