10/15/2026
Ten years ago this month I graduated from my first professional training program. I had been training as a hobby, and training shelter dogs for a while before this, but this was my first real “jump” into the world of professional training.
The course is held in Maryland at Peaceable Paws, a training facility owned by renowned trainer and author Pat Miller.
Every student was assigned a shelter dog to work with, and I was assigned Eddie the boxer/beagle mix. Eddie was VERY STRESSED, and because of this he practiced the displacement behavior of intensely hu***ng whoever was nearest. And that was me.
I vividly remember collapsing in the gravel lot on the Peaceable Paws property, sobbing because I couldn’t get this dog to stop hu***ng me, and when I fell to the ground he proceeded to move from hu***ng my leg, to hu***ng my shoulder. If you’re laughing now, it’s okay, I am too. In retrospect, it was hilarious.
But by the end of the week I was able to do all of the exam requirements with Eddie, and he had stopped hu***ng me. Eddie ended up being adopted a few weeks later, and his owners reported that he was a great companion.
When I was at peaceable paws I never really intended on becoming a business owner; I had plans to work at a training facility, and was planning on doing that for the foreseeable future, but circumstances obviously changed.
But now, 10 years later, I can say I am grateful for how everything has turned out.
Lastly, special shout out to Eddie. He made me a better trainer and person, and I hope wherever he is he’s still well loved and living his best life. ❤️
