Auntie M Dog Trainer Interview
We have some VERY exciting news to share with you! Auntie M Pet Care is now offering Dog Training!
This is something I’m very passionate about for many reasons, and something I have envisioned adding to our repertoire for several years now.
Since starting Auntie M Pet Care back in 2018, we have met and talked with hundreds of pet parents who are struggling with a variety of behaviors with their dog which have made their world and/or their dog’s world so small as a result.
When we get a dog, we imagine the peaceful companionship, the fun, and adventures ahead. Oftentimes, we don’t get so lucky to experience that ideal relationship with our dog either at the beginning or at some point along the way. That doesn't mean you can't get there though!
We get calls about helping dogs that are so fearful of new people or so reactive that the owners aren’t able to leave their dog with anyone. They can’t be out of the house to do something fun together or let alone, go on vacation together.
We know dog parents who have injured themselves because their dog’s pull too hard on the leash when out on a walk.
We know plenty of dog parents that can’t leave their dog home alone at all or for any extended period of time because their dog has separation anxiety of varying degrees.
It’s also not always rainbows and butterflies raising a puppy, or integrating a new dog into your life (this one hits hard for me, you know what I mean if you’ve been reading about our recent foster dog). We ask a lot of our dogs to integrate into our human experience, and it can be a lot for most dogs to adapt to.
All of these things, and others I haven't mentioned here, can make our lives and our dog’s lives very small. I have been wanting to help dog moms and dads in our community live bigger lives with their dogs, and we’re finally in a place to do that!
We are here to help you make the transition easier, to be a partner in solving the problems you’re struggling with, to help you reach your dream goals with your dog (even if you feel your dog is ‘good enough’), and to give you the tools to reach that ideal life you imagined when you were looking for a dog to join your family.
So by now you're probably wondering who our dog trainer is, right? Well, we’ve been working behind the scenes to find an experienced dog trainer who is in line with our mission here at Auntie M Pet Care, and who is also in line with my values in how to approach working with dogs and their humans. After a lot of patience we found Megan! She is so passionate about the work she does and is inspired by her relationship with her own dogs to help others.
Interview with Megan Thrasher
Auntie M Pet Care Professional Dog Trainer
How did you become interested in dog training, and what led you to pursue it as a profession?
I have always had an interest in training dogs. This began in childhood, raising Border Collie puppies on my family’s cattle farm. I pursued a professional career in dog training when I moved to Asheville and acquired my second cattle dog, Sage. I thought I knew how to raise cattle dogs, but Sage was different from any of my other puppies and I was struggling with her high drive/arousal, prey drive, and assertiveness. She required me to be a different kind of dog mom, and I didn’t know how. It was either be trained by Sage, or learn how to be the trainer myself, so I learned- and never stopped. My experience with my own dogs is what inspires me to help other people with their dogs.
Do you have any dogs of your own? Tell us a little bit about them.
I have two cattle dogs; Wayah, a 6 year old blue heeler, and Sage, a 4 year old red heeler. They are my best friends and daily inspirations. Wayah is a gentle soul who loves running free on a farm or in the mountains and brings joy wherever she goes. Sage is a spicy girl who loves her people and wants to be wherever I am, doing whatever I’m doing. Sage is my assistant pup and often accompanies me to sessions. Sage has a special gift with other dogs and helps me build relationships with them by showing them it’s fun to work together.
What is your experience and background in dog training?
I have a lifetime of experience with dogs that has allowed me to develop a deep understanding of canine behavior, communication, and needs, while my more recent professional training background, which began in 2020, has equipped me with the latest knowledge and techniques in the field of dog training.
Can you share a bit about your experience working with dogs of various breeds and sizes?
I have had the opportunity to work with dogs from many walks of life and each dog has taught me something new. One of the things I have learned is that each breed has its own unique characteristics and personality traits. My experience has taught me that we cannot, and should not, try to change our dogs by taking them too far from their original purpose- breed fulfillment is a significant part of a successful training plan and relationship with our dogs. For example, a high energy cattle dog is going to have different motivators and requirements than a low energy basset hound or high energy toy breed. By understanding the breed-specific traits of each dog, I am better able to cater to their individual needs and provide them the care, attention,and training that they require. Overall, working with dogs of various breeds and sizes has taught me the importance of being adaptable and flexible in my training approach.
Can you share a success story of a dog that underwent your training program and achieved significant progress?
One rather difficult case I worked on was with an Akita named Val. She was a young dog who had recently reached full maturity and was realizing how powerful she was. Val was reactive toward all other beings when on a leash, barking and lunging at them, as well as becoming more and more difficult to manage in the home for her humans. She would resource guard things she viewed as “hers” including people and spaces. Val’s owners were becoming fearful when handling her, and had begun to avoid doing things together. To address Val’s reactivity, I began with a thorough assessment. The next step was to build relationship through positive reinforcement, clear communication, and structured play- all while in very low stimulating environments.
After I earned her respect to teach her, and she began to understand my expectations, I was able to begin counter conditioning protocols. Once her thresholds increased to where she could perform her obedience without reactivity at a distance, it was time to enact behavior modification techniques to see how close she could get to her triggers. It took consistency and patience, and open communication every step of the way. After about 8 weeks, Val learned that she could trust and respect her owners, and we were able to work through her reactivity to have full off leash privileges. She was able to become a “go anywhere, do anything” dog happily working for her owners. Through establishing clear communication and fair consequences to unwanted behaviors, Val learned that we could all work together.
Can you describe a particularly challenging case you worked on and how you approached it?
Dog training has many challenges. One case that stands out is Ella. Ella was a catahoula/pit bull mix, about 3-4 years old, and newly adopted from a shelter to a mother and her young son. When Ella’s mom contacted me, she was alarmed at some of the behaviors she was seeing and described Ella as “aggressive on the leash” as well as “concerning growling and nipping” toward her son. Dog Mom had stopped walking Ella completely because of the extreme barking/growling/lunging/uncontrollable strength and was very embarrassed and nervous of taking her dog anywhere. I assessed Ella, noted an elevated level of concern with other dogs and strangers, confusion of expectations, and general lack of guidance. We discussed a plan of action, including training tools, and got to work. We did not know Ella’s background, but suspected her life was tough and it taught Ella to mistrust her world. The biggest challenge here was that the owner was not aware of the type of dog she adopted, the behaviors she would be required to manage, or the changes in lifestyle this required. We had many conversations on how to navigate this major shift and acceptance of meeting Ella where she was.
Dog Mom was not a fan of training tools upon arrival, but through empathetic education, I was able to show her the benefit of properly trained and utilized training tools. I taught Ella’s mom how we communicate with a prong collar, and through consistency, clear and fair communication, and changing some human behaviors, Ella’s behaviors became more manageable and her people are now able to walk and play together again. That was a particularly daunting case with a positive outcome for dog and family. It doesn’t always go that way, and I’m especially grateful when it does.
How do you prioritize building a positive and trusting relationship with both the pet parent and the dog during the training process?
Building a positive and trusting relationship with both the pet parent and dog is essential during the training process as it sets the foundation for success. Some strategies I prioritize to accomplish this are: open communication- delivering the truth with kindness, empathy, connection and rapport, creating a positive and supportive environment, adapting training methods to suit individual needs of dog and parent, and celebrating the wins!
What do you enjoy most about working with pet parents and their dogs?
I enjoy helping pet parents learn how to communicate more clearly and easily with their dogs which improves quality of life and empowers them to try new things with their dogs, and in their personal lives. One of my greatest motivators is witnessing a pet parent learn something about themselves through working with their dogs.
What is your favorite aspect of being a dog trainer?
My favorite aspect of being a dog trainer is seeing the confidence an owner experiences when they accomplish their goals with their dog, and witnessing how that transcends their relationship to the next level.
How do you stay updated on the latest training techniques and research in the field of dog training?
I am dedicated to continuing my education through courses/online courses, seminars, online resources, consulting with other trainers and industry experts, and joining professional organizations. I also pursue extra curricular training with my personal dogs at every opportunity.
What is your training philosophy and approach?
In my dog training philosophy, I believe in taking a balanced and holistic approach that considers the physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral aspects of the dog, and human, to achieve training goals effectively. I believe in addressing the whole picture, not just focusing on obedience commands or behavior modification, but also promoting overall well-being and enhancing the human-animal bond.
What types of training methods do you use?
In addition to positive reinforcement methods, I also incorporate balanced training methods in my approach to dog training. Balanced training involves using a combination of positive reinforcement and correction-based techniques to address behaviors effectively while maintaining a focus on the well-being and mental health of the dog. Some techniques that I may include are: clicker/marker training, luring, redirecting, counter conditioning, desensitization, management, interruptions, corrections.
How do you handle specific behavioral issues, such as reactivity or aggression?
I handle behavioral issues such as reactivity or aggression by being firm but fair. When dealing with a heightened state of mind in any animal, I have learned that it is most helpful to provide calm, confident, neutral energy that they can rely on to lead them through their challenges. If I do not know the dog, or it’s a first encounter, I will likely ignore the reactivity. Ignoring a dog is one of our most under-used superpowers, in my opinion, and I utilize that technique often to alleviate pressure from the reactive dog which can reduce the reactivity significantly.
How long does it typically take to see results from your training programs?
It typically takes an average of 6 weeks to see results from my training programs. Extreme behavior cases, such as fear aggression, can take 8-12.