Meet Roseanna Burnam

Jun 23

Canvas Rebel Article, 6/23/33

Alright, Roseanna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of the most important things we can do as business owners is ensure that our customers feel appreciated. What’s something you’ve done or seen a business owner do to help a customer feel valued?

I have a rewarding job as it is being a dog trainer. I get to create very personal and impactful relationships. One thing I love to do is give meaningful gifts to long term clients. One year I did personalized pillows with a favorite picture I had taken of their pets. Another year I did the same with coffee mugs. I also picked up painting pet portraits during 2020, so I would occasionally paint different pets and give those to their owners. People adore their dogs and there’s nothing better than a personalized item. Receiving a personalized gift has always made me feel special, so being able to do the same for the people who help me live this lifestyle is so awesome. They mean a lot to me and I love that I can give back in a special way.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I went to school with the focus of getting my teaching degree for elementary education. During my residency I realized this was not the path I wanted long term. I had always had a passion for animals and truly wanted to find a way to pursue this. I actually lucked into a company that had good ethics and intentions in the way they wanted their trainers to train. I became intrigued by dog behavior when I adopted my first big dog. She is such a special dog. Her name is Asia and she’s a Siberian Husky. Interacting with her and observing the way she interacted with other dogs was fascinating to me. She is what I would call a very balanced-confident dog. These are becoming more and more rare in today’s society. I absolutely lucked out with her. My mentor/trainer at the time pointed out how amazing and easy it was to read her body language. She used her as a way to read the aggressive or fearful cases she was taking on as a model dog. It was a really cool experience to see how she read other dogs from afar and gave good indications of whether or not a dog was safe to approach.

I became very invested and dedicated to learning from other trainers with this positive reinforcement based learning model. As a trainer I take it very seriously that we are never done learning. I am also glad that I get to work with people and dogs in a humane and science-backed way. I leave my clients feeling good and they also feel relieved once they learn how to communicate effectively with their dogs.

Most of the time, once it is laid out, hearing how to effectively communicate with a dog seems like common sense, but I always tell my clients that you cannot do better until you know better. There is a world of information on ways to train dogs out there. It is not always good advice, so I take the initiative learn as much as I can in order to be able to relay accurate information to my clients.

The main things I want clients to get when working with me is relief, clarity, and value. It is so rewarding to hear that through working with me and their dog, they feel better. I love seeing the progression of the dogs knowledge and the owners confidence in the relationship. Owning a dog or puppy is not always butterflies and rainbows and I enjoy easing the common frustrations. I love helping people know I am on their side and not here to judge them on things they may have tried. Getting everyone on the same page is a big task, but it is so fulfilling as a dog trainer.

Goals can be big or small but helping people understand good things take time is important. We are a very impulsive society, but there are no quick fixes when it comes to behavior and relationships. It is all about the hard work and dedication people put into it. I can lay a foundation, but its ultimately up to the owner to follow through and keep up the work.

I love my brand because it represents my morals and ethics. Better Pups Dog Training explains I am here to make things better for everyone. The longer I am in this field the more knowledge and experience I gain. It only gets better with time and I love where this journey has and will continue to take me.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me has been referrals. I have been blessed to be introduced to some very impressive people in Dallas. I also get to work with friends and family of previous clients. It is so rewarding to be trusted and shared with others. People that want you and your business to succeed mean so much.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think being in this field for the right reasons means everything. My goal at the end of the day is to provide a solution for people in need. Being authentic and hearing the other side of the leash is so important. People who hire you have many options for other trainers out there, so to be picked and trusted is something I never take lightly. Each and every case is special and important to me. I think people really thrive off of feeling comfortable and heard. It is so much more than a way to pay my bills. It is a way to create really meaningful relationships with people and their beloved pets.

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