Hidden Gems: Meet Jenny Ng of Pawsitive K9 Academy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Ng.

Hi Jenny, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started my company, Pawsitive K9 Academy in 2012 when I got my dog training certification. I got my first taste of dog trainer as a volunteer when I was also a student at UCSB. I volunteered at SB DAWGS, those were some of the best years of my life. At school, I was reading research papers in dog behaviors in addition to my coursework. I continued my passion on learning about dog behavior even after I graduated in 2009. I worked many jobs post graduate in marketing to grant writing, but did dog sitting on the side. One of my clients took some of dog training advice and encouraged me to start a dog training business as well because she saw wonderful changes in her dog. I was so happy and excited for her but quite skeptical that I could do it. I grew up in an immigrant family that just always ingrained certain values into me to go to college and find job stability. I’ve never had any family members that owned a business and had no idea how to start. My family was also not quite supportive in that decision because what about my college degree I got? I took a leap of faith and decided I was going to enroll in a dog training program that provided certification. I was very lucky to have met a wonderful veterinarian, Dr. Stan at Pasadena Pet Hopsital that referred me my first client, then pet stores, then groomers, and it kept going. That was where it all started for my business, it’s very referral based and I feel grateful to all my clients that I have met and will meet for making my dreams come true.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been the most smooth road. I had no idea how to start my dream and how to start my business. However, I was in my 20s! I didn’t want to wait to pursue my dreams, I wanted to go for it. If I failed, then I guess I will have to find another dream. I didn’t have any capital and all I had was student debt, so I was scared how it was all going to work out. I was scared for each year for a long time that i would be able to get new clients. I lived in san gabriel valley most of my life and sometimes dogs were seen as animals, not a companion or a family member. I’m a positive reinforcement trainer, so I don’t use e-collars or prong collars. I was aware of the alpha training and cesar milan training that was popular in pop culture. How was I going to get people to do positive reinforcement training when they saw that on tv?

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I exclusively provide private at home dog training sessions. I found my clients really appreciate training at home to help with certain behaviors such as potty training, jumping on guest, and house manners. I’m a positive reinforcement trainer, I don’t use prong collars or e collars to train, I exclusively use clicker training. I help my clients build a healthy relationship with their dogs to get the behaviors they desire. I’m proud that my business is based on referrals and having happy clients.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is a journey and constantly changing, but success to me now means feeling content and at peace.

Pricing:

• $150/hr
• $750-5 sessions

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pawsk9academy.com
• Instagram: pawsitivek9academy, jennytrainsdogs
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pawsitivek9academy/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pawsitive-k9-academy-pasadena-2?osq=Pawsitive+K9+Academy

Image Credits
Andy Lu Photography