Today we’d like to introduce you to Clarissa Hummel.
Clarissa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always loved animals, as most people would say who work with them professionally. After getting my BS degree, I enrolled in a 2 year program for Exotic Animal Training and Management. There I learned how to work with all different species of exotic animals in varying types of situations. My first job was as a camel wrangler, then I worked with primates at a zoo. Shortly after, I became a mom and decided to stay home with my kids. About 15 years later, our family adopted an Australian Shepherd puppy. I was excited to dust off my animal training skills and have the best trained dog anyone has ever seen. However, I quickly realized that despite my best efforts and skills I had, I was still struggling to help our dog who was anxious, fearful, and becoming aggressive with our kids and strangers. After doing a lot of research I found a method that went a lot deeper than standard training techniques and aligned with things I had been taught in my EATM program. Once I applied this method to my dog, it was night and day with her. I wanted to keep learning more, as well as, help other people who were struggling with their dogs. I became certified in this method and continue to learn more and more every day. I started my business in Utah in 2021 and recently moved here to Columbia in 2024.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Overcoming confidence issues at first, and then again when coming here.
Starting over, getting my business name out there, and building a reputation has taken longer than I had hoped.
Starting a business in Utah was a lot easier than it was here. Figuring out what I needed to do and then switching everything over was incredibly challenging.
Working with dogs is the easy part. Doing all of the business stuff, marketing, etc. is the challenging part.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I help dog owners with their dog behavior issues. From puppy issues (toileting in the house, crate training, biting, etc.) to adult issues (aggression, separation anxiety, not listening, etc.). I offer In-Home Consultations and Board and Train. The first is a 2-3 hour visit in the home, where I teach the owner everything they need to do and then support them remotely after that as they implement what I taught. The latter is where I bring their dog to my home and work with them for a set amount of time. My method is based off of dog psychology and building a strong relationship of trust and respect with your dog. I don’t use shock collars, e-collars, or prong collars, and little to no treats.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Helping people have better relationships with their dogs and helping dogs to be happier and less stressed. When this happens, there are less dogs surrendered, abandoned and killed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://calmnaturedogtraining.com
