WE ARE DEDICATED TO HELPING YOU REDEFINE YOUR DOG'S FUTURE.
Our goal is to empower dog owners, handlers, rescue volunteers, & other pet professionals.
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Fearless K9 Dog Training specializes in the rehabilitation of feral, nervous, shutdown, traumatized & incredibly fearful dogs. We are here to help those who are both passionate & dedicated to improving the quality of life of their canine counterparts. Additionally, we offer canine obedience & advanced canine obedience packages in the Tampa Bay area of the state of Florida.
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'COURAGE IS THE POWER OF THE MIND TO OVERCOME FEAR.'
- Martin Luther King Jr.
MEET SAKO. THE DOG THAT STARTED IT ALL.
Sako met our lead trainer by a chance encounter while she was volunteering at a local rescue. As she was passing by kennels she noticed a dog balled up in the corner of his enclosure shaking. German Shepherds were a breed that had been in her family for generations & seeing one so paralyzed by fear haunted her. When she learned that he was at risk of behavioral euthanasia, she couldn't shake the idea of him never knowing peace & decided to take a chance on him.
The dozens of fosters she'd helped rehab over the last 5 years had not prepared her for a dog that was as feral & as shutdown as Sako. Their progress felt stagnant for months, as he'd take one step forward only to take five more back. When she tried to seek professional help, it proved to be even more of a daunting task. Many trainers appeared to be unequipped to deal with the recovery of extremely scared, distressed, & traumatized dogs as well as the process of integrating a feral dog into a home environment. Her heart told her that there must be alternative methods to flooding & forceful overexposure, before considering euthanasia.
Determined not to fail, she started reading books on canine behavior & training philosophies. She spent countless hours researching, taking classes, watching videos & studying other trainers. She focused on building a strong, trusting relationship & facilitating humane opportunities to develop his coping skills. Understanding primal behaviors & helping him learn to embrace being 'a dog' became a core part of her practices. But above all, she remained consistent & dedicated. Sako would eventually learn to live a fulfilled life with meaning instead of fear, gaining freedom from his own mind.
In just 3 years, Sako learned the joy of living life off leash & began his career as a trained medical alert dog. His rehabilitation journey is what inspired the creation of 'Fearless K9 Dog Training'. While he is now enjoying his retirement, his resilience & his story has reached many handlers across the globe helping to fuel their own passions. He is also the face behind our notorious "Working Mongrel" brand which features a line of natural dog treats & chews called the "The Drooling Mongrel" along with "The Fueled Mongrel" supplements.
MEET OUR LEAD TRAINER, HILARY.
FEAR BASED BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST
After she started sharing Sako's story, Hilary discovered how many dog handlers & pet parents alike found themselves in a similar situation with their canine counterparts. She was frustrated at the lack of transparency in the industry & the natural intimidation that comes with approaching a trainer for a consultation. She made the decision to create Fearless K9 Dog Training to help other dog enthusiasts & animal lovers like herself face every day hurtles with their dogs. While she is incredibly passionate about the world of working dogs, fear based behavior modification has become her focus & the dogs that her heart goes out to the most. She believes strongly in empowering owners with the tools they need to build a foundation for a great relationship with their dog to help them thrive. She believes that every dog deserves a fair opportunity in learning how to live life along side humans as a fulfulled dog, finding freedom from their fears.​
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Hilary's experience includes:
-Receiving an education in training & behavior from the Animal Behavior Institute
-Working as a kennel technician at Eastview Veterinary Clinic
-Behavioral foster for over 60+ dogs from various rescue organizations
-Volunteering with American Belgian Malinois Rescue
-Volunteering with her local SPCA as a behavior specialist
-Attending various seminars to further her knowledge in both behavior, training, & canine nutrition
-Continuously seeking mentor opportunities under trainers with diverse backgrounds