Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Peugeot.
Hi Courtney, 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?
Growing up, I’ve had a lifelong passion for dogs. I knew I wanted to work with dogs but got to a point where I knew I didn’t want to work in VetMed, although I very much appreciate those who do work in that field. I discovered dog training through raising service dog puppies with non-profit service dog organizations. I started puppy raising in 2021 and raised for 2 different organizations over the course of about 4 years. During that time, I worked at a training facility, met mentors, and continued to learn more about dog training. I began offering dog training in 2022 to family and friends, it has since blossomed into my business that I started in 2024, Middle Tennessee Dog Training! In March 2024, I adopted Clifton, a dog from my service dog volunteer work. Clifton serves as the mascot and logo for MTDT. In 2025, Clifton and I completed the Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional Program and I earned the KPA-CTP certification. In 2025, I also began my journey in dog sports with my dog, Clifton. We do barn hunt, fast cat, and agility. Dog sports have helped me meet new connections and become an even better dog trainer for my clients and my own dogs.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There has been plenty of ups and downs throughout this journey. The dog training community can be a very toxic community which can make it very tough for new people entering the community. This was a huge learning process for me. The important lesson I learned is to always remain positive, stay away from the negativity, don’t feed into the hate, we can all have differing opinions, and it is just so simple to be kind. It’s also been quite tough realizing how unregulated the dog training profession can be. There are many people that use the dog trainer label but don’t have any formal education in dog training or experience. This makes it very tough for the average dog owner to find a trusted dog trainer. These issues I learned when entering the community has only made me continue to have a passion for helping dog owners build strong, confident bonds with their dogs. I strive daily to continue to be a positive light in the dog training community so I can uplift those entering the profession as well as dog owners looking for a dog trainer.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Middle Tennessee Dog Training is a positive reinforcement-based dog training business. MTDT is a mobile business that serves the middle TN area.
I specialize in foundational obedience, puppy training, light behavioral modification, and trick training.
Middle TN Dog Training also offers AKC testing such as Canine Good Citizen, Tricks, S.T.A.R. Puppy, etc!
Having the KPA-CTP certification definitely sets my business apart from other training businesses. Not every dog training business is positive reinforcement like mine, and there’s only a very small amount of KPA-CTPs in the state of TN. Karen Pryor Academy is something that taught me a lot and I’ll always be proud of. It helped me become a better dog trainer for myself and for my clients.
What makes me the most proud is that I am in it for the dogs and for helping their owners. I want dog guardians to live a happy, easy-going, and fulfilling life with their furry friend. My goal is to ensure that I give them exactly that. All of the client success stories make me oh so proud. The best feeling you get as a dog trainer is the feeling of a job well done of helping a dog guardian and their pup.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I’ve had a lot of great supporters and mentors along the way. My boyfriend has been my biggest support system throughout my entire journey and I couldn’t thank him enough for that. He’s been a massive help with various aspects of business-owning and I couldn’t be more grateful. Having him by my side has made this journey easier. My best friend has also been a huge supporter of me. We both love working with our dogs and she also has a dog training background, so she’s been a big support for me. Of course, my parents and my sister have been huge supporters and advocates of my training journey. It wasn’t easy starting a business but they’ve supported me every step of the way.
When talking about cheerleaders and supporters, I can’t not mention my sport dog instructors and my Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional Program instructor.
First, I’ll begin with my KPA instructor, Laurie Luck. I would not be the trainer I am today without KPA and the help of Laurie Luck. She is an incredible instructor and helped me learn more about dog behaviors, dog training, and how to be the best trainer I can be for my clients.
Next, my barn hunt instructor, Kristy Netzer with Music City Dog Sports. Kristy is the best barn hunt instructor I could’ve ever asked for. Kristy has been nothing but kind, knowledgeable, and helpful. Her barn hunt teaching skills are truly unmatched.
Lastly, in our new journey of agility, I must thank our agility instructor, Elizabeth Evans with Jump For Joy Agility. Elizabeth has been incredible in my short time of knowing her and starting agility classes with her. She is patient and beyond helpful.
Of course, I have to thank and give credit to my first clients that believed in me so early on. I am thankful for every client that chooses MTDT, but those first few clients that put so much trust into your brand new business truly means a lot.
Last, but definitely not least, I have to give credit to my two dogs, Jamie and Clifton. Both dogs have helped me continue to learn more about dog training. Coming home everyday to two of the best dogs in the world is a feeling that can’t be replaced.
I could go on about the people named and I could continue on to list even more names of people that have impacted my journey greatly, but I think readers would be reading for quite some time!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://middletndogtraining.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middletndogtraining
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D16MFkZdx/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@middletndogtraining
