My name is Erika Hall and I am the owner of Strutt Your Mutt. I was born and raised in Oregon where I graduated from the University of Oregon with a BS in Sociology and Political Science. My passion for dog training started when my dog Penny started getting into fights with certain dogs in addition to having extreme car anxiety. I desperately wanted to help her get over her behaviors, so I started studying dog psychology. I chose to focus my studies on figures like Cesar Millan and The Monks of New Skeet. As my knowledge grew and Penny's behaviors improved, I decided I was going to rescue another dog about a year later. That's when I adopted Teak from Roice Hurst Humane Society. She struggled with many fears and anxieties that stemmed from a lack of socialization and exercise. Surprised by how quickly I turned Teak's behaviors around, I started to get a burning desire to help as many dogs as possible. At that point, I was positive I was born to work with dogs, so I opened Strutt Your Mutt in 2012.
Over the next four years of business, I had to work overtime to get my name out into the public and build my skills as a reputable dog trainer. With no formal training and only the information I taught myself, I had to rely strictly on experience and practice to build my skills and talents. Penny and Teak stood by my side every step of the way helping me to rehabilitate dog after dog. It wasn't until 2016 that I hit a road block. I felt there wasn't much more that I could teach myself as a dog trainer so I sought out professional guidance to further my knowledge. With much enthusiasm, I enrolled in the Lucas Agnew training workshop in California. Cheri Lucas and Brian Agnew, who ran the workshop, gave me a whole new perspective on dog training. The workshops not only expanded my knowledge of how to create a closer bond and a stronger foundation with any type of dog, it also taught me more effective training strategies to help my client's build a healthy relationship with their own dogs.
My passion to share my knowledge, skills, and expertise with all types of dogs and dog owners is stronger than ever. My personal goal is to keep an open mind in the world of dog training. Each individual dog has its own personality, environmental circumstances, and behavioral issues which ultimately means each individual is its own puzzle to be solved. I believe if I keep an open mind, I will more clearly see the spirit of each individual dog, and I will be more receptive to the knowledge and lessons the dogs are here to teach me. In the end, an open mind will only make me a better, more well-rounded leader for all dogs and dog owners.
Over the next four years of business, I had to work overtime to get my name out into the public and build my skills as a reputable dog trainer. With no formal training and only the information I taught myself, I had to rely strictly on experience and practice to build my skills and talents. Penny and Teak stood by my side every step of the way helping me to rehabilitate dog after dog. It wasn't until 2016 that I hit a road block. I felt there wasn't much more that I could teach myself as a dog trainer so I sought out professional guidance to further my knowledge. With much enthusiasm, I enrolled in the Lucas Agnew training workshop in California. Cheri Lucas and Brian Agnew, who ran the workshop, gave me a whole new perspective on dog training. The workshops not only expanded my knowledge of how to create a closer bond and a stronger foundation with any type of dog, it also taught me more effective training strategies to help my client's build a healthy relationship with their own dogs.
My passion to share my knowledge, skills, and expertise with all types of dogs and dog owners is stronger than ever. My personal goal is to keep an open mind in the world of dog training. Each individual dog has its own personality, environmental circumstances, and behavioral issues which ultimately means each individual is its own puzzle to be solved. I believe if I keep an open mind, I will more clearly see the spirit of each individual dog, and I will be more receptive to the knowledge and lessons the dogs are here to teach me. In the end, an open mind will only make me a better, more well-rounded leader for all dogs and dog owners.