Today we’d like to introduce you to Nia Williams
Hi Nia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Since I was 4 years old, I’ve always wanted to work with dogs. It started with wanting to be a veterinarian, volunteering at a local dog & cat rescue in high school, and conducting as much research as I could about dog behavior online and reading books. The funny part is, I don’t come from an animal loving family, so no one knows where this passion of mine came from. While in college at USC getting my bachelors in Neuroscience, I worked quite a few dog related jobs to keep my passion alive, with my first job working at The Dog Bakery in Venice. I also did dog walking, dog sitting, and doggy daycare where I began to realize most of the dogs I worked with needed some type of training. But it wasn’t until rescuing a dog of my own, that I started to fully immerse myself in dog training.
I rescued Cappuccino from South LA Animal shelter in 2018; I was so excited to bring him home to my family. As soon as I brought him inside, he growled at every single person in the room. Any time someone left the room and came back in, he would growl as if he didn’t know them at all. He was completely unsocialized with people, dogs, trucks, trash cans, cones, you name it. He would p**p in the middle of the street on his walks, walk in a zig zag tripping me every few steps, and bark and lunge at people walking near us. Two weeks into rescuing him, he bit me over a bully stick. It was at this point when I knew I had my work cut out for me, but I wasn’t going to give up on him.
I started with basic obedience training by taking training classes, doing extensive research on dog behavior, and meeting/working with friend and doggy daycare owner, Vanessa with Pupswithnessa, and my now mentor, Mark with Rosewood K9. While getting my Masters in Biology at ASU, I began dog training at Petco and continuing to work on my relationship with Capp. I focused more on socialization, creating positive experiences with his triggers, and also learning more about on nutrition. Our relationship began to blossom and Capp became a completely different dog; he was able to socialize with other dogs, allow strangers to approach and pet him, and even become off leash reliable (in off leash permitted areas of course). Between my group training classes and Capp’s behavioral transformation, I ended up loving dog training so much that when I completed my degree, I moved back to LA to work as a dog trainer for Wags & Walks dog rescue. There, I was able to meet and partner with tons of local trainers in order to help rescue dogs get training and find homes. I learned so much about dog behavior at this job and was able to see many different training styles, eventually contributing to my own unique training approach. I feel honored that I played a part in providing these dogs with another chance to have love and happiness.
After leaving Wags & Walks last year, I still wanted a way to help rescue dogs and their owners. I continued to volunteer there and give training advice when needed, however I felt like I was missing something. I never really thought of myself as an entrepreneur, I still don’t think I am, but I wanted to use my knowledge for something more. I truly wouldn’t have started my training business without the support of my mentor, Mark, Vanessa, and my best friend Kyra. They pushed me to see that with my experience and training style, I could help so many dogs and dog owners. During this period of time, I learned that my true passion is education and service to others, and I decided in March of this year to officially start my own dog training business. I started Capp’s K9 Connections to help dogs and their owners in my community learn how to understand and interact with each other in order to build an amazing relationship.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I feel like the biggest struggle was starting, trusting myself and the process. As I mentioned before, I never considered myself an entrepreneur. I took a few business classes in college and knew the risks, difficulties, and intense motivation needed to start your own business. But I felt like my passions for dog behavior, teaching, and nutrition could be combined to help others understand their dogs and build a better relationship with them. And that outweighed any risks.
As you know, we’re big fans of Capp’s K9 Connections. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Capp’s K9 Connections was founded in 2024 by me, Nia Williams. I’m a born and raised LA native, with over 5 years of experience in dog behavior, nutrition, and training. My passion for dog training was inspired by my dog Cappuccino, who I rescued from South LA Animal Shelter in 2018. Me & Capp’s personal training journey influenced and encouraged me to help others learn how to build a better relationship with their own dogs.
Capp’s K9 Connections is a dog training and nutrition service based in Los Angeles, CA. We believe that a relationship based off mutual respect, trust, and love is the best way to create an ever-lasting bond with your pet. We use our knowledge of dog behavior and nutrition to meet your dog’s needs, with the end goal being a calm, relaxed and confident dog. We have a unique approach that focuses on relationship based training- combining obedience, leash work, impulse control, balanced training methods to show you how your dog sees and understands the world. We assist with puppy training, reactivity, anxiety, socialization and so much more. We teach owners how to communicate with their dogs!
Our dual approach with training and nutrition allows for us to see the whole picture and focus on the dog in front of us. We want to ensure that all of our dogs feel their best physically, mentally, and emotionally. Creating a calm, relaxed, confident dog requires for us to see each dog as an individual. We have training and nutritional plans specific to your dogs needs. We currently offer private training sessions in home or at a local park, group training classes, nutrition counseling, and pre-adoption or pre-homing counseling.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m excited to help more dog owners all over LA! I’m still in the early stages of my business, but I’m most passionate about just helping people understand their dogs better.
I’m currently in the process of creating my website and growing my clientele more. I really want to extend my services and partnership to more rescues in the LA area, so I can help even more dogs find loving homes.
Pricing:
- $100 per session
- $380, 4 week package, 1 session a week
- $550, 6 week package, 1 session a week
- $50 Nutrition Consultation
- $20 Pre-Adoption/Pre-Homing Consultation
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ck9connections/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/capps-k9-connections-los-angeles
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ck9connections?_t=8pR7IZHvH46&_r=1
