Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie Weber.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My career with dogs began in 2013 when I got a job as a dog daycare attendant at No Leash Needed. I learned a lot about dogs and their behavior working in the day camp yards, and after about a year I expressed interest in learning about training to the owners of the company. They brought me on to learn from them and their trainers, so I got to learn on the job by shadowing them, and I worked there as a trainer for four years, eventually being promoted to head trainer at their Rock Hill location; I’m so grateful for my time at No Leash Needed and all I learned from them.
About six and a half years ago, with the support and encouragement of friends and family, I decided to quit my job at No Leash Needed to pursue training independently. In September of 2018 I started Good Dog Training, a mobile in-home training service for pet dogs in the St. Louis area. I began part time, training two to four days a week and nannying my sister’s baby two days a week, but a few years in I was busy enough to go full time. I’m incredibly grateful to get to do what I love on my own terms.
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?
The first few years of working for myself were relatively smooth and steady, all things considered; I actually had a huge boost in business from the pandemic, since so many people got dogs during that time. I was so busy that I considered hiring help for things like scheduling, social media, etc. Thankfully I never followed through with that, because in 2023 business slowed down considerably. I don’t have a definitive explanation for the slowdown, but I think it may have been partially due to a shift in the way people were spending their money once Covid restrictions had been lifted. Regardless, I’m grateful to say that things have been much steadier and smoother since 2024, and Spring 2025 has been busy in a great way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Good Dog Training provides pet dog owners in the St. Louis area with personalized, one-on-one dog training services. I work with puppies and adult dogs on behaviors ranging from basic obedience and puppy manners to reactivity, aggression, anxiety, resource guarding and more.
I come to my clients’ homes and work with them and their dogs where they live, ensuring that not only the dog learns these skills, but that my clients feel knowledgeable and confident in their own handling abilities, for that’s of course the most important part. I find that the in-home setting sets me apart from bigger training facilities; dogs’ behavior can shift a lot from one environment to the next, so I find it most helpful and efficient to work with them where they spend the most time: the home and surrounding neighborhood.
I pride myself on the individual attention I’m able to give to each individual dog and client I work with; even within the same breed, there can be so much variation in terms of temperament and behavior, so being able to take my time to get to know each dog I work with allows me to cater my approach to best suit their needs. Generally speaking, my approach is heavy on positive reinforcement- treats, play, praise & affection- and ensuring that the dogs I train are happy and confident, with owners who feel they have proper control and can communicate effectively with their dogs. My goal is to help people enjoy life with their dogs to the fullest!
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I was fortunate in the mentor department, having learned from other No Leash Needed trainers (as well as the then-owners of the company); I still have relationships with a few of the trainers I used to work with, for which I’m extremely grateful. If I didn’t have them, I think social media can be really helpful for finding other dog professionals in the area.
Pricing:
- $100 for me to come to your home for a one-hour private lesson
- $1000 for a twelve day intensive Home School program (also in-your home)
- Sliding scale pricing for those who qualify
- $50/day for in-home dogsitting for those who qualify
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @gooddogtraining.stl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gooddogtrainingstl
