Why I Started Retriever Prospects: A Story of Grit, Loss, and Loyalty
The Real Reason I Started Retriever Prospects
Starting a dog training business wasn’t always the plan. But after years of working in the industry and witnessing the kind of behavior that made me question everything — I knew I had to create something different. I saw injuries covered up. Illnesses hidden from clients. Excuses made instead of accountability. And I couldn’t be part of that anymore.
I didn’t just want to train retrievers. I wanted to build trust. That’s why I founded Retriever Prospects — a place where ethical dog training isn’t a marketing phrase, it’s the foundation.
A Breaking Point and a Turning Point
My journey wasn’t easy. After being bitten in the face by a coworker’s pit bull, I was diagnosed with PTSD. I had nightmares. I became afraid of the animals I used to love working with. Then, as I tried to get back to training, I got bit again — this time by a litter of puppies. My confidence shattered. The federal government declared me “medically frail,” and honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get my life back.
I lost a full year. Just tying my shoes or deciding if I could shower felt impossible. I was trapped in my own mind. But something changed. I started having these strange visions, moments of clarity where I saw a future again. I began donating to charity — thinking maybe this was the end. But it wasn’t.
From Loss to Loyalty
I realized I wasn’t done. I couldn’t work for anyone else again — not after the betrayals, the backstabbing, and the mistrust. Especially not after one of the dogs I trained died under someone else’s care. That moment broke me. But it also pushed me. I knew then: I had to do this my way — or not at all.
Why ‘Retriever Prospects’?
The name means a lot to me. “Prospects” is about possibility — the prospect of success, the hope of healing, the golden potential in every dog. It also nods to baseball, where prospects are your upcoming stars. I want every dog I work with to be treated like that — not just another body in a kennel.
I was tired of the generic kennel names like "West Bay" or "Green River" retrievers. I wanted to stand out. And I wanted clients to always know exactly how many dogs I had in my care — because transparency should never be optional in this business.
A New Chapter Begins
I officially launched Retriever Prospects on January 6th, 2025 — a clean break from the past and a commitment to doing things differently. This business is about grit, loyalty, and recovery. Not just for the dogs, but for me too.
If you’ve ever been burned by bad trainers or lost trust in the system — I see you. And I built this for people like you… and dogs like yours.
Interested in working with a trainer who puts integrity and your dog’s well-being first?
