Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Brady.
Julie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My working career started in my family business doing computerized embroidery and after I took over and eventually sold that business, I set off to find my calling in life. I gave the corporate world a try and after working only a few months as a customer service rep for a local Water District, I realized that corporate was not my cup of tea. I thought real hard about what would truly make me happy in life and the answer was simple, I had always wanted to work with animals, I had just never thought you could make much money doing it. Within a month of leaving that job I started Julie’s Dog Walking and Pet Sitting. I had been doing this for friends and family for years so I decided I would give it a shot as a career. Dog walking eventually led me to becoming a volunteer for a local German Shepherd rescue walking their dogs that were up for adoption which led to an apprentice position at the kennel they were housed at. I did a 9-month apprenticeship which led to a job teaching puppy socialization classes then onto a job as a trainer at a local pet resort. I started attending training workshops and seminars including Training Cesar’s Way-Fundamentals 1, Lucas-Agnew 3-day workshop, Nelson Hodges, Chad Mackin, and many other seminars with fantastic trainers in the industry. Pawsitive Foundation Training was in the works throughout all of my early training endeavors and has been in business now for over 5 years.
Has it been a smooth road?
I think if you want something to happen, you have to put in the work. Working in the kennel was one of the ways I paid my dues. It was extremely hard physical work. You did the job whether it was raining or 100 degrees. It really taught me the basics of dog handling and how to deal with difficult dogs. I remember months of doing a 6-hour shift in the kennel. Going home to nap, then coming back in the evening to teach classes. It was the hardest I ever worked in my life but it taught me huge lessons and I learned the practical sense aspect of working around animals. I was working 4-part time training gigs and doing my dog walking and pet sitting on the side, I really dove in and got as much education as I possibly could and I still continue educational seminars and workshops as often as possible. This is not an easy industry, you have to have a real love for dogs and a passion for the craft, this is not something you get into just to make money. All of the work was worth it to be able to spend my days working with dogs and fulfilling my passion.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Pawsitive Foundation Dog Training – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We train using a balanced method. I believe that positive reinforcement is one of the best ways possible to teach simple commands but also feel we need to disagree with certain behaviors. Instead of punishing a dog for doing something it has no idea it is not supposed to do, we teach them what we do want. Instead of staying in a destructive cycle of conflict, we work toward a solution. Our method is a combination of positive reinforcement backed by fair corrections when needed but only after showing the dog how to do what we want, the right way. Every dog is different, some don’t care much about food, some will do anything for the smallest food reward. Some dogs are too wound up and using food is counter-productive and we need to tweak how we motivate them. I believe what sets up apart is that we customize every dogs training plan to find the correct motivation for each dog while at the same time ensuring we are being as productive and effective as possible. We are committed to producing results and educating the owner as well as the dog. Once clients train with us they receive support for the life of their dog.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love my Newport Beach! I grew up near the beach then moved Inland to Anaheim for 5 years. I was never truly happy living so far from the ocean so I am just over the moon happy to be back near the beach. There are endless amounts of shops and restaurants and it is extremely pet friendly. There really isn’t much I don’t like about Newport Beach except maybe the traffic during the summers but how cool is it that we live in a city people travel to from over the world to visit!
Pricing:
- Private Lessons: $150
- Day Training: Half day $40.00/Full day $70.00
- Package of Private- $450.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 2047 E. 16th St.,
Newport Beach, CA 92663 - Website: www.pawsitivefoundationtraining.com
- Phone: 714-926-2291
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pawsitivefoundationtraining/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pawsitivefoundation/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pawsitive-foundation-dog-training-newport-beach-2
Image Credit:
International Associate of Canine Professionals
Certified Professional Dog Trainers-APDT
Crystal Carpenter-Hall
Elizabeth Storb
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
