Today we’d like to introduce you to Meaghan Summerbell.
Meaghan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey working with dogs started as a young child. My parents bred Akitas back in the early 90s, so from a young age I spent most of my time around large, intense dogs and their puppies. Early on I was taught to respect the nature of dogs and my family appreciated the dogs for who they are, as opposed to trying to suppress the characteristics that made our dogs.
In middle school, I lived on a ranch learning to train and show horses: mustangs from Wild Horse Inmate Training Program run at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center, Quarter horses, and Thoroughbreds. Naturally I tried to apply what I was learning to the other animals on that ranch: baby cows, goats, bunnies, cats, and the dogs.
I moved to Portland on my own as a 17 year old, and a few weeks after I turned 18, I started working at the North Portland Club K-9. I was hooked on learning everything I could about dogs. Before I knew it, I was living in the studio apartment attached to the building, caring for the dogs overnight, 7 days a week, for over 3 years. I started managing the facility about 9 months later. I was living and breathing dogs everywhere I went. The love I had for the job slingshotted me into volunteering for Oregon Humane, Underdogs Rock Rescue, and Northwest Animal Companions of Oregon. If I could foster, walk dogs, or fundraise, I was in. By this point, I had 3 of my own rescue dogs. I decided to move out of the facility, though I still managed it, and pursued becoming a professional dog trainer. I enrolled the Karen Pryor Dog Professional Training Program. From there, I hyper-fixated on going to every conference, taking every course, and earning every certification I could. Currently, I have 3 active certifications and I’ve allowed 3 past certifications to lapse.
I am passionate about helping people understand and uplift their dogs so that they can strengthen their relationship, develop sustainable cohabitation practices, and take what they learn from our lessons to create their own ripple effect.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Opening my currently facility was not a smooth road. I tried out a few different dog training business before landing where I am: a dog training app that is no longer around, I co-owned a much larger dog training facility for almost 5 years before leaving to open Dog Flower on my own, about 9 months ago.
The biggest struggles along the way are time, money, imposter syndrome, and rebuilding a completely new community due to the terms I agreed to when leaving my previous facility.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Dog Flower offers comprehensive dog training services designed to help your canine companion thrive. Owned and operated by a multi-certified dog trainer with over a decade of hands-on experience with hundreds of dog breeds, we provide a range of classes from puppy and adolescent socialization to group classes and private one-on-one instruction. Our offerings also include small-batch all-day day training at the facility, at-home daytraining which is perfect for reactive or sensitive dogs, and virtual training options to meet your specific needs. Serving the Gresham, SE Portland, NE Portland, Fairview, Troutdale, Sandy and Happy Valley areas, we are committed to strengthening the bond between you and your dog.
Our facility is one-level, air conditioned, has parking directly in front of the building, a fenced-in and shaded potty yard, a bathroom, we supply fresh water bowls for all dogs coming into the classes, and have padded floors to protect your dog’s joints.
We believe in giving back to our community, often hosting fundraising events to support local non-profits. We are one of the only dog training facilities in the Portland metro that offers group class scholarships and sliding-scale private training services.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love that our city has so many dogs. I least like that too many people allow their dogs off-leash in areas where they are not permitted to be.
Pricing:
- Group Classes: $240 for a 6-week class
- Puppy Socials: $30 for a single session, packages available
- Private Training (at facility or virtual): $135
- Private Training (in your home): $165
- Daytraining: $100-$185, varies based on service
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dog-flower.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogflowertraining
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dogxflower
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dogflowertraining
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@dogflowertraining
