Today we’d like to introduce you to Montana Hayes.
Montana, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have over 32 years as a certified, professional obedience and foundation dog trainer utilizing reward based leadership skills and specializing in dog behavior, puppy development stages, and genetics. I started my professional training career in 1980 in Washington State as a horse and dog trainer. I am the owner of Big Sky Dog Training.
Over the years, I have been asked to evaluate and work with dogs at shelters, animal control agencies, and for clients of veterinarians. Extensive exposure to a wide variety of canine breeds and temperaments has greatly contributed to my success as a trainer and to owner satisfaction.
I am continually updating and expanding my knowledge by working with other trainers, attending seminars, and studying the latest theories and methodologies. From new sources, I select what I believe are positive methods for instruction and adds them to her training repertoire. I use five basic rewards: touch, voice, loose leash, treats, and play.
An emphasis is placed on foundation training, basic to advanced work, and creating a well-balanced companion and/or sport dog.
Currently I am a professional member of IACP, APDT, AKC, ASPCA, and The Pet Professionals Guild. I am also certified to teach and a certified tester for AKA in S.T.A.R., CGC, and CGCA. For APDT for C.L.A.S.S.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Like in most startup businesses, marketing and getting people to know not only who you are, and that you actually know what you are doing, and do it well, was my initial challenge. I did not have a financial backer and did not want to joint an already established training company. I wanted it to be my business, I wanted customer service to be at the forefront of my mission. I had the experience, and knew as I trained and studied more, my experience would grow with me, providing my customers with good, solid training advice and help them with their canine problems, being a puppy or adult dog.
So I took a leap of faith and got my business cards was fortunate enough to have a good friend help me with my WEB page. Now 32 years later, business is good. I’ve has two great demo dogs and I am as busy as I want to be helping people with dog problems, dogs with people problems and contributing to the adoption and service dog industry.
Please tell us about Big Sky Dog Training.
Big Sky Dog Training is a reward and play based positive dog training company. We provide group classes and private in-home lessons. We specialize in helping owners and puppies, under 1 year get started on the right path to becoming a great companion or sport dog. We also specialize in correction and redirecting of problem behaviors in puppies and dogs.
We clearly understand the developmental stages of puppy’s up through 18 months and the training, enrichment and exposure they need. We also consider ourselves a concierge dog training business. We are available by cell phone 7/365. We will help you shop for a new dog or puppy so you get the best and appropriate products for the best price. We will stop by your home (for established clients) at no charge to help you with a problem.
We also give you honest advice. We encourage a new client that is interested in private lessons, to take one, make sure we are a good fit, and go from there. There is no hard sell, no required amount of lessons or classes to take, it is all up to the customer with my recommendations.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Really not much. I learned a lot of lessons, but that is how we get better at what we do. Keeping track of students, dogs, and their problems was a bit challenging at first.
Pricing:
- Private lessons run from $125 for an hour and 1/2 or $100 for one hour
- Group class is $175 at two locations, Morton Grove and Winnetka (at the present time.)
Contact Info:
- Address: 9011 Kildare Ave.,
Skokie, IL 60076 - Website: www.bigskydogtraining.com
- Phone: 847-997-4707
- Email: montana@bigskydogtraining.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BigSkyDogTrainingIL/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/big-sky-dog-training-skokie-5
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
