Shanell Assmus Dog Training
About
I've always had a "gift" when it comes to working with dogs. From a young age I've been able to approach & pet dogs who have growled at others just minutes before. I can also work very well with people, which is the most important aspect to dog training. Not only will I be able to correct your dogs behavior, I will also give owners the knowledge so they can work with their dogs themselves.
The most important thing for me to do is to teach the dog AND the owner so there is a better relationship between the two. They are the ones spending time together everyday, so I make sure all owners are given tasks they can work on with their pet that will allow them to continue building a great relationship. If necessary I use tools to help correct a dog's behavior. I can assure you they are 100% humane and I will fully explain how to properly use them. However, if an owner still does not feel comfortable using tools on their dog I will not force the issue.
Nothing brings me more joy than helping dogs; whether it's correcting a behavior that the owner doesn't like, or teaching them a fun trick to show off to friends. My ultimate goal is to prevent as many dogs from being left at a shelter as I possibly can.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
1. I have a conversation with the customer to figure out exactly what isses they're having with their dog and what their desired goal is.
2. I'll break down my throught process so they can understand why the dog is behaving the way it is & how I plan to fix it.
3. Next I begin working with the dog myself to study their behavior and begin correcting it. Getting them accustomed to corrections and what is being asked of them.
4. Giving the client tasks to work on themselves is very important to me. I can train a dog all day long but if a client goes home and doesn't do any additional work with them the bad habits will come right back.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have not had any formal training in this field, it's just something that has come naturally to me since I was a kid and I love doing it!! I'm 26 years old and I have been training dogs for 20 of those years. I started out teaching fun tricks to my dogs growing up and helped other owners when I would dog sit for them.
The past 2 years I have worked heavily on obedience training with my own dog & have seen remarkable results that still impress me every day. Family, friends and even strangers have commented on how well behaved he is and often come to me for advice and training techniques.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your services? If so, please share the details here.
$20 - 1 hour dog walk
$20 - 1 hour personal training session with owner (I recommend the owner be at the session so they can learn the root cause of their dog's issues & learn how to maintain the correction process themselves)
How did you get started in this business?
It's a natural gift I have, from a young age I have always loved dogs & love teaching them new things. It's what I feel I was put on this earth to do and 2020 is the year I put this business into motion!
What types of customers have you worked with?
Any category of dog owner
1. New/inexperienced dog owners
2. Puppy owners
3. owners with fearful/nervous dogs
4. Dogs of all breeds, sizes & ages
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I rescued a dog wandering the streets of Tulsa & ended up finding him a home. This is what inspired me to pursue a professional dog training career and help as many as possible
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a pro in your area of expertise?
When it comes to owning a pet it is SO IMPORTANT to be a responsible dog owner. If your dog has a behavioral problem that makes you want to tear your hair out, seek professional help to fix it. You can't put a price on correcting these problems because it will save you SO MUCH in the long run, and I don't just mean money. Yes, it will prevent you from having to replace tons of shoes, clothes, expensive furniture, remotes etc. but it will also save you from years of embarrassment and frustration because you don't feel you have a good relationship with your dog.
What questions should customers think through before talking to pros about their needs?
What is your true pain point? Try to find the root cause of the issue & analyze every step that had gotten you to this point.
Be open minded & willing to learn from a dog trainer. You are most likely contacting a professional because you feel lost and don't know what to do. Someone who has worked with countless dogs may have strategies you are not familiar or comfortable with but trust that they will help you (as long as they are humane strategies/tools, which is what I do)