Exploring Life & Business with Heather Moore of Wag It Better Dog Training and Boutique

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Moore.

Hi Heather, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was 23 years old and got a yellow lab puppy, who was terrible! She didn’t like people she didn’t know, hated kids, and was mean to other dogs. I needed help so I enrolled in a dog training class. I enjoyed it so much that I asked afterwards if I could help out. That was it, dog training then became my second job (first was a school teacher) and I dove into learning as much as I could. I apprenticed under Susan Marett in Charleston, SC, and began teaching my own classes as soon as I was ready.

I worked with Susan for many years and still do! We have an online dog training course we developed together called Rescue My Rescue. I moved to Murfreesboro, TN about 8 years ago due to my husband’s new job and Wag It Better Dog Training was born. I have now been in business for almost 8 years in this area. I have now trained dogs for over 2o years. I am a positive trainer and use only positive methods to train dogs.

This past March I opened my first permanent location for Wag It Better and in May our dog boutique opened! We are now located at 215 Robert Rose Dr, Murfreesboro, TN 37129! Along with four other trainers and myself, we offer group classes, day training, board and train programs, and private lessons! Whether your dog needs basic commands and manners or serious behavior modification, we can help any age dog.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Dog training has come easy to me. Training dogs is a passion and I feel very blessed to love what I do. What I do struggle with is running the business side. I have never taken a business class in my life. Opening our own location, I learned a lot. Just finding a location was a struggle in itself.

I looked at many locations and was heartbroken to be outbid on a place I thought was perfect. It took a while to get over that disappointment. However, in the end, our current location, couldn’t be more perfect and I fully believe I am following God’s plan for my life.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Wag It Better Dog Training is one of the only places that teaches positive training methods to your dog. Most other trainers in this area use shock collars and corrections. We can teach your dog the same sills and not use any corrective collar. We want you to build a positive relationship with your dog through training. We offer group classes, private lessons, day training, and board and train programs. We can teach basic commands and manners and also help with behaviors such as separation anxiety, aggression, fearful behaviors, etc. We welcome the whole family to attend our training.

Wag It Better Boutique carries all the training tools that we recommend when training your dog. We try to have local products and made in the USA products whenever possible. We have everything your dog could need or want- from pearl collars, raincoats, chews, gourmet cookies, matching leash and collar sets, pj’s, and even birthday presents! Bring your dog and shop. We also offer a self-service dog wash.

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Before this year, I would have said it was when I quit my full-time teaching job to do dog training full time. That was a big change but I never regretted it and never looked back. I feel like I just took the biggest risk so far in my business career! Opening my own training center and boutique was huge. It required a business loan and now I have bills I’ve never had before, rent, utilities, etc. It was a huge risk. But as they say, if you build it, they will come! In just three short months, they have come! We are off to a great start and it was well worth the risk.

Pricing:

• Group Classes range from $150-$225
• Private Lessons $125
• Board and Train/Day Training programs differ in price depending on individual needs and wants and length of stay

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.wagitbetter.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wagitbetter/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WagItBetter/

Image Credits
Patricia Drach J. Recher