Meet Alana Pashon Case of Westlake Villlage

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alana Pashon Case.

Hi Alana, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Alana Pashon Case.

And this is MY STORY:

I’ve been drawn to Animals since childhood. I grew up in a rural area in Sweden along with my German Shepherd Tarzan. Instinctively I taught Tarzan many tricks. My favorite was placing a sugar cube on his nose, having him hold it until I gave him the go to flip it in the air and catch
it, to enjoy, which he did each time!!!

Rin Tin Tin and Lassie were my favorite movies. Little did I know that I would meet Lassie & his parent Robert Weatherwax, years later in Los Angeles, during my first career.

At the age of 16, vacationing in Spain, I was discovered as a fashion model and embarked on an international career that lasted 20 years. Each time there was a shoot or commercial with animals involved, I was the one to be hired. I became one of the top models in the world. Worked out of and lived in Madrid, Paris, Milan & New York.

My final destination was Los Angels, to pursue an acting career. But that idea died fast when I got a taste of the business. Even though I’d gone to acting school, taken voice lessons and had become a great actress. I then turned to other forms of art. Enjoyed writing and publishing for a while. Then went to art school, became a good painter and thrived at that. But one day I was bathing my German Shepherd Sirocco Deuce and told him: “I Love you more than painting” I never forgot that Saturday morning. Something was brewing inside of me!!!!

When I first came to Los Angels and had settled in, I got my first own German Shepherd as an adult. I named him Bambo, which means big in an Italian dialect. I was still working as a fashion model, and he was in a few fashion shoots with me. When he was 9 years old, I met my soul mate, married a man that now would fall in love with, and get hocked on German Shepherds. My Bambo lived to the age of 13.
4 years later we got our first GSD puppy together, whom my husband named Rocky.
This time I contacted Robert Weatherwax, the owner of the famous Lassie, who had given me his card a few years prior, for advice on training Rocky like a movie dog.

Robert hooked me up with his partner Richard Calkins, a renowned Movie animal trainer who became my Mentor. Richard who to this day is one of my closest friends, taught me all about dog training. Rocky would soon know to come, heel, sit, stay, down, on your side, roll over, shake, high five, step up, talk, turn to your right, turn to your left, & back up. I loved working with Rocky and went on to teach him more tricks.

With my next dog, who was Sirocco Deuce, I discovered the world of Dog Sports & Competitions, which broadened my knowledge further on training and understanding dogs. My current dogs, Dantino & Charmina, who I refer to as my “Kids” are both Champions in Conformation. We also do Agility, Obedience, Nose Work, Tricks and Doggie Dancing. Dog sports & competitions are so much fun!!!

In 2014 I discovered a new and wonderful way to teach dogs, called, Positive Reinforcement. I followed that from then on with my own dogs and when I helped others train their dogs, which I did a lot and found very rewarding. And that’s what finally made me decide on my new and present career. I enrolled in “Animal Behavior College”, became a certified Dog Trainer and realized finally what was my CALLING in life!!!! ABC represents Positive Reinforcement, the method that more and more trainers utilize today. We follow the LIMA principle (Least Intrusive Minimum Aversive) method of training. There have been several studies conducted over the last 25 years on how dogs think and learn. We know today that through Positive Reinforcement, dogs learn faster, retain their newly learned skills longer and develop a deeper, stronger bond with their humans!!! To me, it is the only way to train!!! I don’t use or accept Prong or E-collars, choke chains, spray bottles or any aversive tools or methods. That’s old school that should be banned in my opinion!!!
Since 2022 I have enjoyed working with many different breeds. This has broadened my knowledge even further, adding to my experience and making me a well-rounded trainer.
In short, I’m a quintessential dog Lover!!! I found my Calling in life in 2021 and took the step to become a Certified Dog Trainer. My goal is to help as many dogs & Pet Parents as possible to live happily ever after and have fewer situations where dogs end up in Shelters!!! That is HAPPINESS to me. I love what I do today!!!
I train with LOVE, Patience & Treats and we have FUN!!!
That’s why I named my business “What Love’s Got To Do With It Dog Training”

https://www.whatlovesgottodowithitdogtraining.com

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am right now digging deeper into/ studying, Separation Anxiety, as so many dogs suffer from that today. What most people don’t know is that separation anxiety is a phobia and not an easy fix. We’re talking months and sometimes years to help a dog overcome separation anxiety. Reactivity is another behavioral issue that has escalated the last few years and requires a lot of work and in baby steps. Helping dogs overcome these fear issues is the most rewarding and such a wonderful feeling to see the change.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Risk taking is definitely the key to success! I took the risk not going back home and staying in Spain on my own at the age of 16, to pursue a modeling career. While my best friend was on the plane back home after our chaperoned vacation on the Canary Island, I was buying a one way ticket to Madrid, the fashion capitol of Spain. The next day I walked into the top agency, that signed me up. Did my first fashion show the very next day, without not even having seen one ever. I just figured I’ll do what the other girls did. I’ll never forget that moment. It turned out that I was the first one out on the cat walk! After a quick prayer I exited and just did “my” walk. When the applauds echoed in the room my self confidence grew instantly and I knew that this was what I wanted to do then. The following day I got my first print job and landed on another cover. The first cover and 6 pages inside the magazine, was shot on the island by the photographer that discovered me. So yes, my risk taking laid the grounds for every other step of the rest of my life’s journey. And I’m not done yet! I always advise younger people to follow their dreams and instinct and take every opportunity that pops up and you will have no regrets in life!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.whatlovesgottodowithitdogtraining.com