For the past twenty years, the School for Dog Trainers has prided itself on providing best-in-class dog trainer education for students from across the world. Our Graduate Showcase series aims to highlight some of the stories of our graduates who have completed their studies and are now making an impact by launching their own dog training business.
In this edition, we speak to Brianna Flowers – owner of K90 Degree Dog Training based in Missouri. Brianna talks to us about her time at the School for Dog Trainers; how her education helped her to launch her own business; and her future aspirations for her business.
Thanks to Brianna for taking part! Check out the K90 Degree Dog Training website at https://k90degreedogtraining.com/.
Please tell us a little about your business and the services it provides.
I run K90 Degree Dog Training. I offer a variety of services focusing on obedience and behavior modification, but expanding to Canine Good Citizen and working towards adding more to what I can offer.
Could you tell me a little bit about your experience with your dogs before attending the School for Dog Trainers?
Before attending Highland, I began working with therapy dogs as a therapy team in Florida. As I got older I joined the army, and upon the end of my contract I started working as a kennel tech. Following that, I worked as a contractor for another dog training company that had one way of teaching dogs. This was a “one size fits all” that very rarely accomplished what the dog actually needed.
How did you first hear about the School for Dog Trainers?
I first heard about the School for Dog Trainers while I was in basic training in Fort Leonard Wood in 2017. They had spoken about how their Police K9 handler program accepted VA benefits, and I saved the brochure until nine years later to use for their Master Dog Trainer course.
Can you provide some insight into how your education at Highland helps you in your day-to-day activities?
My education at Highland helped me gain valuable insight. The biggest – meeting the dog’s needs and diagnosing properly. Owners have their own agenda, and we can get there, but not at the cost of the dog’s wellbeing. Every day, through evaluations to lessons to board and trains, I think about this one thing; “Am I meeting the dog where they need me? Is what the owner telling me what this dog is actually showing?” And that keeps me locked in to better the welfare of the dogs that step into my life. Then I meet them, and we exceed our training goals because of it.
How useful was the business module of your studies at the School for Dog Trainers, and how do you apply what you learned in your business?
The business module was spectacular. I have dominated the preexisting companies in my area because of the insight provided at Highland. My website brings in clientele without being a year old and waiting for Google, I have consistent income and clients. The main reason is understanding my niche and my strengths, as well as market patterns, marketing, and structuring my business in a way to be successful. Highland helped tremendously with that.
How useful was the business module of your studies at the School for Dog Trainers, and how do you apply what you learned in your business?
I was terrified to start my own business – I actually hadn’t contemplated it before I attended Highland. Never in my dreams did I think I’d be working for myself, and being able to succeed in doing so, feeling fulfilled every day. Highland gave me the tools and the boost, and to say their teachings gave me a leg up in the industry is an understatement.
What is your favorite aspect of running your own business?
I get to train dogs. I get to train dogs without the agenda of someone else. I get to help dogs and I get to help people. I don’t have to upsell, I don’t have to go by one training regime. I get to genuinely help dogs and their families. That’s what I love.
Today's students at Highland are graduating into an industry which is experiencing significant year-on-year growth. This obviously has many positives, but it also makes it a very competitive industry to be successful in. Do you have any advice for graduates from Highland who are thinking of starting their own business in this industry?
My advice is this: do it for the dogs. If you open your own business, your actual client is the animal in your hands. Stay transparent and stay loyal to the ones we all adore. Money is tough, but if you’re in the industry for the right reasons, hard work will be enough. Never mind the competition, as long as you can look at yourself and be proud of the work you’ve put in to every dog that has come into your life.
What are your future aspirations as a dog trainer, and for your career/business?
In the future, I aspire to open a nonprofit adjacent to my business with the sole purpose of providing no cost service dogs for veterans. That is my biggest goal. Eventually I’d love to train dogs for sport, for protection, and other specialties, but nothing is more important to me than helping veterans receive the assistance they need.