Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsey Harris.
Chelsey, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up, I would always watch my dad training dogs. We got this one dog and she was like no other dog. She was a rebellious one who just did not like to listen at all. I saw my dad start different training with her.
He structured her life differently by using the kennel and taking time out of his day a couple of times a day to train her. She grew so much and his relationship with her grew. I always thought of how when I grew up I wanted to start at the beginning with my own dog and build up that relationship.
I went off to school and got my associate’s in Liberal Arts and my bachelor’s in Psychology but every summer when I came home I would ask my dad if I could work some days with him training dogs. I got to see him go from training dogs out of our home to training dogs at a vet facility, and now at the training facility. I wanted to learn all I could about the dogs and the business. Once I was done with school and I officially moved back home I worked with my dad, and just got to see how much the family dog business, West Tennessee K9, had grown.
I got a full-time job as a Behavioral youth counselor working with troubled kids, but even with this full-time job, I wanted to still be involved with the dogs. I loved the behavioral aspect of learning how the dogs would respond to their environment or what their body language would tell you before, during, and after situations. After a little while of working both jobs, I decided to go to my dad and ask him if I could work full time with him and the dogs.
Throughout this process, we found a building and just grew. Now it’s been a couple of years and we have expanded the business to Nashville where I am the owner of the Nashville branch. I focus primarily on one on one private sessions with the owners so they get the full hands-on experience throughout the entire training process.
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?
There have definitely been some challenges along the way. When it came to deciding that this was a goal that I wanted to do it was hard for me. I had always pictured myself using my degree and doing something in the psychology field or even going back to school for my master’s. There was also doubt that what if I do this. I follow my dad, and I am not as good as he is. Then I would have to start all over with a career choice. I was even worried that I would miss working with kids since that had been a dream of mine as well.
I learned that I did not have to be just as good as my dad. I learned that I have my own strengths that I can bring with me. My perspective is different and that can help me. This company was my dad’s dream for so long. I watched him work other jobs and he just never seemed truly happy with them, but when it came to him training dogs and talking about this company he dreamed of he glowed. This always stayed with me. I wanted to make sure whatever career I chose I was truly happy with it.
Then there were some struggles when it came time to expand. It was a lot of worries when it came to, is this the right time, are we moving too fast. I was worried about going off on my own and not being at the training facility where I always had my dad right there if I needed help with a dog or any situation. I was worried about leaving the facility. I knew it would be fine. My dad had been running it before me and he could do it without me, but the training facility was basically my home.
It’s where my confidence grew so much. Once it was decided I was taking that leap it was hard. I had to figure out how to start making a name for myself in Nashville. I am lucky that in Memphis we are considered one of the top trainers. This is helpful in Nashville because I do have some credibility. Nashville is such a big place it was overwhelming, and it is something I believe I am still working on today. I look to social media to make posts and show helpful tips.
I go to local pet stores and vets to build relationships with these companies. The most challenging part with this is that it all takes time. I am happy we have expanded. I am so happy to continue to grow and build relationships.
As you know, we’re big fans of West Tennessee K9 Nashville. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
West TN K9 Nashville is a family dog training business. We were founded by Terry Harris, my dad, in Memphis, TN. We have now expanded to Nashville, where I am the owner. We like to think of ourselves as a boutique dog training business. We are all about helping out each individual client in a specific way for them. Even though this business is training dogs and just simply teaching dogs obedience. We have learned that it is more about the owners of the dogs.
If you empower the owners and give them the confidence to teach and guide their dog through life we have seen that the relationship between the owner and dog grows stronger. We love to find the program that is the right fit for the client. In Memphis, we offer board and trains, private sessions, puppy sessions, virtual sessions, and daily drop-off sessions. In Nashville, we currently offer virtual sessions and private sessions for puppies and adults.
In Nashville, I come to the owners in their homes and we work on the problem behaviors right where they start. I also love to do outings with dogs and simply meet owners at local dog-friendly stores or parks. There we work on impulse control. This allows me to be there as support for the owners, while also building up the owner’s confidence in showing them they are ready and can do this and so can their dog. I am proud to be a dog trainer. I am proud to help owners grow in their relationships with their dogs.
I love to see a dog wanting to work and follow directions from its owners and be excited to follow directions. Training dogs is not hard, but can definitely seem that way when dogs are being difficult, and I love to empower owners to feel like they are capable of doing it too.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I see us growing so much. I can see us having a building in Nashville where we will be able to help more owners and their dogs. I can see us adding on more hands-on and in-person programs for the Nashville branch.
I am hopeful we will be able to bring more people in who want to learn and grow as trainers. With the world around us becoming more and more virtual I see this company continuing to stay hands-on, and figuring out more ways to become even more hands-on with working with the dogs and the owners.
Contact Info:
- Email: westtnk9.chelsey@gmail.com
- Website: https://wtnk9nashville.com
- Instagram: @wttnk9nashville
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wtnk9nashville
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TerryHarrisWestTennesseeK9
