We had the good fortune of connecting with Gabrielle Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gabrielle, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I had recently started dog training full-time, and the environment I worked in was incredibly unhealthy. It was taking a considerable toll on my well-being. Finally, enough was enough, and I quit. That night, I posted on my social media that I was accepting new dog walking, pet sitting, and dog training clients.

I was flooded with work immediately! I had spent years building relationships in the local dog community. The job I’d held before the terrible one was managing a team of dog walkers for a company that invested in the community. I worked with many great families, rescues and shelters, veterinarians, and other dog folks for years. Folks were immediate and effusive in their support. Things took off so quickly that it was only three days later I realized I needed to get a business license, some business software, and an insurance policy.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The thing that excites me most about my work is the people. That’s not as common as I think it should be in the dog training and behavior world. Many people start working with dogs because they dislike people, which is unfortunate because dogs and people tend to be a package deal.

I specialize in working with aggressive behaviors and nervous system dysregulation, including hyperarousal, trauma, chronic stress, and anxiety disorders.

When I teach my human clients about mammalian nervous systems and the role agency plays in building resilience or approaching their relationship with their dog as a collaboration rather than a hierarchical power dynamic, it doesn’t just change how they think about their dog’s behavior. It also affects how they think about their own behavior, their kids’ behavior, their partner’s, and their parent’s behavior! They shift from seeing behavior as good or bad to seeing it as communication, and data. They move away from punishment and suppression into a space of understanding and patience.

They often become softer with themselves, and allow themselves more grace. They have more patience for their own anxieties or their own unwanted behaviors. They rethink how they problem-solve in their interactions with the people in their lives. It’s a really powerful thing; for some folks, dog training and behavior is the portal that instigates a wild growth journey.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love this question! It would depend on my friend’s interests and abilities = but I have a lot of ideas!

I spend a lot of time hiking outdoors with my dogs, and we have so many incredible options here in Richmond, VA, and the surrounding areas. Within a couple of hours, we can access strenuous mountain trails or long walks on the beach. Immediately in Richmond, we have an entire park system throughout the city featuring the James River. We also have a lot of SniffSpots, including the world’s largest, in the area, and I love to show those off to my dog-loving friends.

Richmond also has incredible local shops, makers and artists, museums, and restaurants! We couldn’t possibly run out of options during a week-long visit. I would take them to local favorites like Cary Town, Hollywood Cemetary, and Maymont!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My whole community has been absolutely amazing from the start. It’s hard to single out a specific person. Certainly, those closest to me have provided amazing support – everything from insights on running a business to emotional encouragement and validation. It’s been word-of-mouth referrals, it’s been a quick note on social media to tell me that what I’m doing matters, it’s been patient explanations of tax forms, it’s been dinner on the table after a long work day. I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without the incredible out pouring of support I receive on a regular basis from my community. I don’t think any of us can do it alone.

Website: bestlifedogservices.com

Instagram: instagram.com/bestlifedogservices

Facebook: facebook.com/bestlifedogservices

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@gabriellejohnson1538?si=mI6tp1O3NSgrP3r7

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestlifedogservices

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.