Today we’d like to introduce you to Raven Goller-Brown.
Hi Raven, 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?
Raven’s passion for dog training began in high school when she rescued a dog named Chico and taught him to sit, shake, lie down, and roll over—all in under a week. After winning local dog trick shows, she was hooked. Since then, she’s spent over 15 years in animal care, including including a B.S. in Animal Science, 7+ years as a veterinary technician, and 3+ years dog training experience at Mars Petcare where Raven developed a deep understanding of canine medicine, behavior and positive reinforcement methods. Seeing a need for more force-free trainers in Nashville, she launched her own business to help dogs and their owners build stronger, more positive relationships through personalized training.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The first year came with challenges—building trust, educating clients on reward-based methods, and adapting to the unique personalities and surprises that each dog brings. But for Raven, that unpredictability is part of the joy—it keeps every day exciting and every success deeply rewarding. Through persistence and passion, she’s helped countless dogs and their humans build stronger, more confident relationships.
We’ve been impressed with Smart Pups Nashville, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We specialize in personalized solutions that go beyond basic obedience, helping each dog thrive in their home and community. What sets us apart is the level of care and customization we bring to every client—we know every dog is unique, and their training should reflect that.
Our services cover everything from crate and potty training, basic obedience, loose leash walking in public, and desensitization for fearful dogs, to addressing separation anxiety and more. We offer in-home private lessons, day board-and-train, and 1- and 2-week overnight board-and-train programs—fully tailored to your dog’s needs. We also provide priority pet sitting and dog walking services to our training clients, ensuring consistency and continued support after training.
What we’re most proud of as a brand is our commitment to quality and compassion in everything we do. Our fear-free, reward-based methods create real, lasting results—and open the door to a happier, safer, more connected life for dogs and their people.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The most important quality behind our success is approachability—both in how we work with dogs and how we support their humans. Training can feel overwhelming at times, so we prioritize creating a positive, low-pressure experience where clients feel comfortable, supported, and even have fun along the way.
Pricing:
- Private Lessons start at $150/lesson (1.5 hour lesson)
- Day Board-and-Train starts at $240 (M-F, 8a-5p)
- 1-Week (5-Day) Overnight Board-and-Train starts at $1,300
- 2-Week (12-Day) Overnight Board-and-Train starts at $2,800
- Overnight Dog Sitting starts at $110/day
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.smartpupsnashville.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartpupsnashville/
