Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacy Shubunka.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As long as I can remember, I had a love for animals and their behavior. I knew from an early age that I wanted to be an animal trainer “when I grew up”. I researched what I needed to do to enter this competitive field and have the best education and experience possible.
I began my animal training career by attending the prestigious Moorpark College’s Exotic Animal Training and Management program. Upon completion, I began a career working with marine mammals. I was lucky enough to train dolphins, sea lions, seals, and even penguins. While working with marine animals, I performed shows, guest interactions, education presentations and even trained medical behaviors. This experience helped me master the art of animal behavior and training. During this time, I also received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from California Coast University.
After working with marine mammals for 6 years, my focus changed to working with dogs. I began working for one of the largest animal production companies. Here I trained dogs, cats, birds, pigs, monkeys, rats, and raccoons for the Universal Studios Animal Actors show and for film and television.
After having so much success working with such a wide variety of animals, in 2013 I decided to start OC Paws Dog Training. The goal was to help dog owners learn to train their pets and have better lives with them. In order to stay up to date with the most positive training methods, I regularly attend seminars and have become a certified professional dog trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.
Now, after over 12 years of professional animal training, I still find myself loving my career and feeling fulfilled using only positive, force free methods to help dogs and their owners communicate effectively and live harmoniously.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
At the beginning of launching OC Paws Dog Training, I was lucky enough to know many people in the field of animal training who began to refer their friends and family to me. This helped to start me off with clients even before I learned how to really market, use social media and other forms of advertising. But, the most difficult part for me was doing it all on my own, not the actual training part but rather the business part. I watched endless amounts of “how to” YouTube videos to build a website, understand SEO, and get on-line viewing. I’m happy to say I stuck it out and did it with just the help of DIY products.
In the beginning of 2014, I found out I was going to be expecting a baby girl. This made it a little difficult to do the business all by myself without having to “take a break” from it, which is not ideal for a brand new, small business. Luckily, I was able to find some great trainers to hire and represent OC Paws Dog Training. I did hit a few bumps in the road early on with a couple trainers I hired that did not meet my expectations, but that has been all sorted out and now I know exactly how to hire a reputable dog trainer to work for the company. Which I now have awesome trainers now that represent OC Paws to the highest standards!
Overall, it has been a smooth, yet slow, progressive small business adventure.
OC Paws Dog Training – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
OC Paws is a unique dog training company. We are trainers specializing in animal behavior. Not only do we specialize in canine behavior, but our trainers have mastered the art of animal training with a multitude of animal species.
We will offer you a customized and individually tailored program to suit the exact needs of your furry friend. Whether you need help with basic doggie manners, help with problem behaviors, or just want to teach your pup new tricks, OC Paws is your solution. All of our training is private, and our trainers come to you.
The training staff at OC Paws has dedicated their life passion to animal training. We have studied animal behavior and only apply the best and most positive techniques that are up to date and are proven to result in a happy and healthy dog. As animal training professionals, you can be assured that your pet will receive the best training possible!
OC Paws is a dog training company founded on the principles of classical conditioning and operant conditioning with our focus on positive reinforcement. Our trainers understand animal behavior. We can tell you WHY your dog is doing what they doing and HOW we can help change the behavior.
We will teach YOU how to be your dog’s trainer. You are your dog’s most important trainer and we want to help you understand the best way to work with your dog on a daily basis to ensure a lifetime of good behavior and how to manage any unwanted behavior. We focus on teaching the dog what to do, not what not to do. This builds a strong, trusting relationship between dog and owner.
Even after a training program is completed, the client can always reach out to their trainer to ask any questions they may have to help with their dog’s behavior.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Our goal with every client and dog is to set them up for success. This means that we strive to have open communication, understand our goals and make sure they are realistic, employ the most positive, force free training methods and be consistent.
A successful training program consists of a client and dog working towards the same goal with the trainer coaching them and assisting them each step of the way. We do not believe in “quick fixes”, rather we want to encourage long term solutions to ensure everyone creates new habits to help their dog’s behavior and set them up for success.
Our programs are successful because our trainers are educated, experienced, reliable, consistent and follow through. This is our criteria for us trainers and we strive for our clients to do the same for the most optimum results.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ocpawsdogtraining.com
- Phone: 949-484-9PAW
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocpawsdogtraining/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ocpawsdogtraining/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/oc-paws-dog-training-huntington-beach?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
Image Credit:
OC Paws Dog Training Photos
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