Today we’d like to introduce you to Ian McClellan.
Hi Ian, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In 2009, I was drinking and driving in Nashville and caused the wreck that took the life of an innocent young women. I was sentenced to 22 years in prison. During my incarceration, I became part of a dog training program that trains service dogs for multiple different types of disabilities. The organization is based out of Nashville, Retrieving Independence is where I learned how to train dogs, while incarcerated. It was a way to give back and do some good while I was serving a sentence for something horrible I caused.
I gave my all to these dogs, they became my best friends. The dogs wouldn’t make fun of me for crying, the dogs didn’t care that I was scared, the dogs didn’t care about the color of my skin, how much money I did or didn’t have, they didn’t care about why I was in prison. The dogs just loved me unconditionally because I was their provider.
When I made parole, one of the trainers for Retrieving Independence asked me what I was gonna do once I got out. I told them I guess I was gonna go back to construction because I had nothing and had to start making a living. She told me that if I didn’t train dogs, I would be wasting a talent God gave me.
When I got out in January 2020, I went to work for a big box store as their dog trainer. I moved up quickly and got promoted to the point of being the head dog trainer for our district and being in charge of all dog trainers for 13 different stores. I was beginning to get burned out because I was pouring myself out and felt that I wasn’t getting as much in return from the cooperate store.
I had gotten married during this time, my oldest daughter had a daughter, and my wife was pregnant. We were needing to find a way to be able to provide for our growing family.
I was able to get my driver’s license back and that was the key needed to start Set Free Dog Training. Now that I had gotten my license, I wasn’t having to depend on others to help me with my transportation.
I was encouraged by a few of my clients to make certain business moves.
With the faith my wife and I share in God, we had faith that He would provide for us. When people first hear the name, Set Free Dog Training, people think it’s because I was released from prison. The truth is, Set Free Dog Training’s name came because while I was in prison, I built a relationship with Jesus. I would take the dogs to church services because they would play music, sing, clap, and it was an environment that I thought would be a great training tool. Little did I know at the time, Jesus had snatched ahold of my heart and I was gonna be a new man. I had became set free from the guilt, shame, and condemnation that the devil was attacking me with. I was also set free from addictions, set free from gossiping, slander, and many more things that I personally struggled with. I was Set Free before I was released from prison.
When I got out, I wanted to be able to provide people the same relationships with their dog, as I had with each of mine. That’s how Set Free Dog Training was born. I’m a different kind of trainer. I use only positive reinforcement and fear-free methods. Love is enough and fear doesn’t belong in any relationship. I help people build relationships with their dogs built on love, trust, and mutual respect. I also teach the pet parent how to train their dog. I go into people’s homes and we teach the dog how to live around the pet parents’ family rather, than the pet family living around the dog. I teach the pet parents how to teach their dogs to think for themselves, make appropriate choices, and behave in a manner that’s acceptable without constantly having to be cued on what to do.
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?
It’s been fairly smooth because we put our trust in God to provide. Yes, stresses come but we just have faith in God because He hasn’t failed us to this point so why would He start now.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Set Free Dog Training is a fear-free, positive reinforcement dog training business. We do everything dog training-wise aside from seeing eye dogs and protection training. We train emotional support, therapeutic, and service dogs. We also train basic puppy and adult obedience. What sets Set Free Dog Training apart from other training is that we teach the pet parents how to train their fur baby. We also specialize in teaching dogs to make appropriate decisions and learn to live around the family, rather than the family living around the dog.
Dogs are more intelligent than we give them credit for and I teach pet families how to use their dogs’ smarts to have a happy, healthy, loving relationship with their dog.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
That if we, as humans, could be more like dogs and love unconditionally and forgive the way dogs do, this world would be such a better place.
Contact Info:
- Email: setfreedogtraining@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/setfreedogtraining
- Facebook: Facebook.com/setfreedogtraining
