Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivey Bowman.
Hi Ivey, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always known that I wanted to work with animals. As a kid, I was homeschooled which provided the freedom for certain aspects of my studies to be focused on animals. Dogs have always held that number one spot. Through both middle and high school I started investing more time with dogs to help figure out what area I wanted to focus on. Lots of trick training, adventures, pet sitting, dog walking, grooming, and an agility class too. Every time I was working with animals it solidified that I needed to make a career choice involving dogs. I was drawn to the trick training and agility more than the other opportunities.
A childhood dog of mine started having behavior issues, which was a whole new world of training I didn’t even know existed. I dove straight into gathering all the knowledge I possibly could. Not just on the behaviors he was struggling with but all behavior challenges. Working with him and using different techniques and methods I really got to see over a span of years what worked best and what didn’t.
As I started pet sitting for more families, I ran into dog after dog that struggled with some sort of behavior challenge. Every time a new behavior issue popped up, I was more eager to work with that dog than the previous one.
A few years later I started volunteering at a local dog rescue – Dirk’s Fund. The experience I gained from this was invaluable. Another world I hadn’t experienced yet. Through Dirk’s Fund I heard about a behavior trainer (Mandy K9 LLC) in STL that was looking for a training apprentice. After the application and interview process, I didn’t have any doubts that Mandy was who I wanted to learn from.
Since starting with Mandy K9, I have gone to APDT’s annual conference as a member, become a Registered AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, I am Fear-Free Certified, CPR & First-Aid certified, and this past spring I officially got my CPDT-KA certification as well!
Currently, I am working on my behavior hours to take CCPDT’s behavior consultant (CBCC-KA) test.
I now take my own clients through Mandy K9 at our Ellisville location and continue having observation and learning days with Mandy and her clients at our Manchester location.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I first started getting into the behavior world I fell into the more “balanced” or compulsion side of training. Unfortunately, most of what I initially started on was just a band aid over the behavior challenges. It wasn’t actually addressing the issue or cause. When I wasn’t seeing results, I felt that each session we were back to square one. I was getting frustrated easily and eventually there was a period of time I gave up. I was questioning where I was going wrong but I didn’t have the resources to figure out why it was happening.
Dog training is unregulated. Anyone can wake up and decide they want to be a dog trainer. I assumed the “professionals” I was learning from were credible. Lots of the methods being used were outdated and not actually addressing the behavior.
Shortly before starting with Mandy, I came across reward-based behavior modification. That was when the spark came back. Changing the behavior by teaching the dog what we do want rather than just stopping it. Keeping a good human-dog relationship and less frustration. I started implementing new protocols into the life of my dogs and building positive associations with triggers from a distance. I realized how much happier they seemed and how much more I was enjoying the training too.
This is one of the many reasons certifications are so important to look for. While they are not required for the industry, certain accrediting bodies will require extensive training, experience, and testing to ensure it’s a deserved title.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a certified dog trainer with Mandy K9 LLC. I use science-based and reward-based methods to address behavior challenges and teach new cues. My focus at this time is on puppy group classes for basic obedience and socialization as well as privates sessions to address basic and advanced obedience, reactivity, fear, overexcitement, anxiety, dog/cat aggression, mild human aggression, compulsive behaviors, resource guarding, separation anxiety and more.
I am proud of the relationship I help owners to build with their dog. It’s such a rewarding feeling to help both owners and dogs feel a sense of accomplishment and joy. When dealing with behaviors that bring stress and embarrassment or cause a safety concern it’s important to help owners feel empowered and confident so the dog and handler can both succeed.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Two pieces of advice!
One, don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone! Being homeschooled, I was nervous to get out there and talk to people. Challenges were difficult to face head on. At a certain point you have to throw yourself in the deep end and swim. This is human advice not for the dogs, haha! Once I started stepping more into the dog world, I couldn’t go back. It may seem intimidating or overwhelming, just dip your toes in the water and try it out.
Two, however much you think you know, recognize that there is so much more to be discovered! Working with animals is a never ending book, they’re living beings so research will always be moving forward.
I wish I knew where to look for local opportunities when I first started out.
Looking back, I’d now tell people to join local Facebook dog groups, reach out to shelters and rescues near you, ask neighbors and friends where they went to either adopt a dog or for training. Call and start a conversation, see what the places near you have as far as different opportunities. Mandy K9 offers training opportunities for aspiring dog trainers and you are welcome to reach out to us for more information.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mandyk9.com
