Today we’d like to introduce you to Maggie Marshall
Hi Maggie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I began training dogs professionally in 2009. Like many trainers, I had a difficult dog, for whom I could not find help. I began reading and trying things with her and had amazing results. People would stop us out in public and ask how I got her to do things. It then occurred to me, that not only might I have a talent, but I might have an idea for a business!
I attended Animal Behavior College to earn my first certification and was fortunate to find a mentor to guide me. The late Bob Hammesfahr, who owned Behavior Training for Dogs was pivotal in my success. As the years went on, I achieved many goals and accolades including two more certifications, won Best Trainer in Jacksonville Magazine multiple times, completed the Aggression in Dogs Master Course, became a mentor to many other young trainers and enjoyed guest speaking at local schools, vet clinics, rescues, obedience clubs, and the Pet Therapy Expo.
I have always found working in the clients’ homes to be the most impactful, but I have taught group classes at several locations and owned my own facility for a few years. MMDT has recently expanded to offer services in West Palm Beach, FL as well as Jacksonville!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have had some struggles along the way that have taught me many lessons about business and myself. In 2021, I fell at a training session and shattered a vertebra. I was seriously hurt and unable to work for many months. I was able to have my assistant and my apprentice cover my groups classes during that time, but it was a big hit financially for me. If that accident had occurred before my reputation was solid, it could have been devasting to my business.
The worst experience I have had over the years, happened in 2023. I was attacked by a dog in the client’s home, resulting in several broken bones, ligament and nerve damage to my foot. The recovery took over a year. After two surgeries, I still do not have full function and live with pain and deformation. I knew getting hurt was part of my job, and over the years, I have incurred many, many minor injuries, but none impacted me like this last one. I have struggled getting back to where I was as a trainer, after taking so much time off from work and from not having healed completely. The toll, emotionally, has also been significant. After feeling sorry for myself for quite some time, I now see the lessons that I can appreciate. Overall, there are more safety measures in place now.
Like most naive and ill-prepared entrepreneurs, I had to learn by doing, by getting hurt and by paying attention to what works and what does not. I have always been a hard worker, valued education and experience, and been willing to take risks. Those qualities helped me meet my profit goals each year, but nothing like pain to really teach a girl! After the two injuries in three years, and with some time off from work, I have learned the most valuable lesson of all; I am as important as any client or dog. I always put my clients above myself and would work much harder than they did with their dogs. I gave my everything which resulted in feeling burned out and eventually badly injured. I now prioritize my safety, my time, and myself. I now ask myself if a client is good for me, whereas previously, I only thought about what I could do for others. I have matured as a human and a business owner. Although, this lesson came at a price, I was not listening to the small warnings and was working too much and too hard. There is more balance and healthy boundaries in my life now and I think my lessons will only make me more successful in the future.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Professional Dog Trainer and Canine Behavior Consultant. I go into a client’s home and allow them to tell me all about themselves, their dogs, their complaints and their wishes. I set realistic expectations and create a training plan specific to their needs, their willingness and their finances. I have specialized training in fear and aggression and have been known as one of the best trainers in the city for the toughest cases.
I am very proud of my accomplishments, my reputation and my ability to adapt throughout the years. I pride myself on my integrity. I value my clients as people and respect their privacy and feelings about their dogs and the training process. I am open minded and creative with my solutions to their dog issues. I have created simple and practical ways to bring harmony to the home while also creating safety and happiness for dog and owner.
I am most proud of my son, Joe Marshall! He has been working for me for almost three years and I now seek his council on cases. He is a natural talent and has better boundaries with clients than I do, and I have learned a lot from him. Knowing that I passed down my love of dogs and my training methods makes me a very proud mom and business owner.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://maggiedogtraining.com/ and https://www.marshalldogtraining.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggiemarshalldogtraining/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maggietraining
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MaggieMarshallDogTraining
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/marshalldogtraining/
