Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Johnson.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I originally started as a teenager, my mother saw that I had an interest in training our family German Shepherds and she would send me to the classes or have dog trainers do private lessons with me. I didn’t think much about that prior experience until I was laid off in 2008 when the economy took a slump and I was an accounting assistant in a home building company. I loved the company and people I worked with however, I knew there was something else I was supposed to do with my life. While I was trying to figure out what that was, I purchased my first 8-week-old Havanese puppy and that puppy changed my life. I started taking classes and the hunger for more began so I looked into doing an apprenticeship at the best training facility in my area (Wags and Wiggles). I worked part-time as a front office manager in an Acupuncturist’s office which taught me how to start my business and obtained my first client and dear friend whose husband is my insurance agent. After I finished my apprenticeship at Wags and Wiggles, I took the Certified Pet Dog Trainer test and passed my first try. I stayed on a Wags helping as an assistant with their puppy and obedience classed in exchange for taking agility classes. My dog Bella and I competed after a 1 1/2 year of training and received a couple of 1st place ribbons.
A year after I purchased my dog Bella, I felt she needed a friend so Bella and I when looking for a new puppy. I wanted a Yorkie but Bella was not interested in them. I tried three different times and the last place I visited was a private home in Burbank and as I was getting ready to leave, this Maltese puppy on the owner’s lap stared whining and I was thinking to myself I sure don’t want that whine puppy and little did I know that whine puppy was in love with my Bella and Bella came alive when the puppy came over to her and they are the best of friends today. They are 8 and 9 years old and still play like puppies with each other.
My Maltese has taught me everything about reactivity when she turned 6 months old she showed her first display of being reactive to a 6-month-old English Mastiff at a friend’s house and since that one reactive encounter she was reacting to every dog she did not know. I have heard it said you get the dog you are supposed to have and this is so true in my life. I can relate to owners of reactive dogs and today I know how to help them all due to Lily.
I started full time with my business in 2010 and I specialize in private In-home puppy training, basic and advanced obedience, behavior problems such as reactive dogs on and off leash, excessive barking, jumping, pulling on leash, fearful shy dogs and tricks.
I also do Board and Train, day boarding for socializing puppies, fearful shy dogs and overnights.
I started my business in 2010 specializing in private in-home puppy training
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I am constantly learning. When I first started boarding puppies in my home and was naive and too trusting of people, I learned you need to have detailed paperwork for clients to fill out so that I know the habits of the puppies and not have surprises like one of my first clients who told me their beagle puppy did not howl and was an easy puppy to take care of. The puppy howled so loud I almost got kicked out of my apartment and then it had diarrhea and I complained to the client so much she had me take it to her vet’s office to board and when I spoke to the girls at the front desk I found out the puppy was supposed to board with them and it has to be quarantined because it had a parasite. So today I am extremely through with my requirements for boarding and detailed paperwork.
It’s a very hard and dirty work and I was warned about this before I started however, my love and passion for how I help puppies build their confidence and the satisfaction of helping first time puppy owners have a better relationship with their pups makes all worth while.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Pam4Paws – what should we know?
My business offers boarding in my home. I started doing this because I became so attached to the puppies I trained that I wanted to continue to see their progress as they grew. I also, specialize in board and train for clients who don’t have the time to train their puppies and they are going on vacation. Other specialties are private in-home puppy and older dog training, basic to advanced, behavior issues and tricks.
I am most proud of all the dogs that have come into my life and I was able to make a positive difference in their lives by helping them build their confidence, have fun, give them structure and bring to their owners attention when I or my staff notice something needs immediately attention like one of the pups that stayed with me was diagnosed with kidney stones another pup keep closing his eye it turned out he had a scratch on his eye he would not go on his walks that he usually loves they took him to the vet right away instead of waiting within a day he was better.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Lori Zurborg owner of Wags and Wiggles, I cannot thank enough for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to serve an apprenticeship at her training facility. Julia Koplan head trainer for the apprenticeship program at that time. She was an amazing trainer and mentor she did not let me slack off brought out the best in me. Lysa Knight taught me all about agility and made it fun because of her I was able to acquire a couple of 1st place ribbons. My first client Kathleen Gray and her miniature poodle Layla for believing in me and trusting me to take care of Layla at my home.
Contact Info:
- Address: 249 Turtle Crest Drive
- Website: www.pam4paws.com
- Phone: 9493782118
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Pam4Paws
- Facebook: Pam4Paws
- Twitter: Pam4Paws
- Yelp: Pam4Paws
- Other: Pam4Paws
Image Credit:
Darnell Renee
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