Today we’d like to introduce you to Maryna Volotovska
Hi Maryna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
A story of Gretta’s Dog Training began in 2017, when I moved from Ukraine to the United States. While I had some prior experience in dog training, I wasn’t sure how my skills would be received in the U.S. As a newcomer, I was open to any job related to dogs that would help me settle into my new life.
After arriving in Chicago, I found work as a dog handler at a daycare. However, I soon realized that my qualifications exceeded the responsibilities of the role. After just two weeks, I decided to leave and pursue a more fitting opportunity—dog training. I took a proactive approach, sending emails to every dog training facility I could find. Only one responded. That one meeting turned into a job as an assistant to the head trainer at a dog training facility. Till this days I am so grateful to them. Considering I had not a lot of experience and not perfect English, they gave me a chance. Over the course of a year, I gained invaluable hands-on experience, and my confidence as a trainer grew.
By this time, I was eager to start my own dog training business on the side. I took on any work, often for very little pay. I trained dogs outdoors during the frigid Chicago winters because I couldn’t yet afford to rent space.
In the fall of 2019, I moved to San Diego. Starting over in a new city came with its challenges, but I had learned enough to know how to make things work. I worked part-time in retail and as a dog trainer for another company to support myself while continuing to grow my business.
Then came 2020, a year that changed everything. While many businesses struggled, I found that there was still demand for dog training services. I managed to keep my business afloat, even as the world was in turmoil. Like many others, I spent more time outdoors during the lockdowns, hiking and exploring nature. It was during these hikes that I had an idea: why not combine pleasure with business? And so, I introduced a new service—dog hiking, where clients could have sent their dogs to do hikes with me, having an adventure and getting some training.
By 2021, I was ready to take the leap and commit to my business full-time. I quit my part-time jobs and focused entirely on Gretta’s Dog Training. What I quickly discovered, however, was that running a small business isn’t just about providing a service. It involves marketing, content creation, customer service, and constant learning. The journey was just beginning, and every day presented new opportunities to grow.
Today, Gretta’s Dog Training continues to evolve. It’s been a rewarding journey, full of challenges and triumphs, but one thing remains clear: I’m passionate about what I do. And while the road hasn’t always been easy, I’m excited to see where this adventure takes me and the dogs I have the privilege of training.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wish the journey had been a smooth one, but like most things worth pursuing, it’s been a constant process of learning and adapting. One of the biggest challenges I faced was the fact that English isn’t my first language. This made every interaction a bit harder, especially since my work involves in-person meetings where I need to break down complex concepts and explain them clearly to clients.
In my first year, the most I could handle was about four hours of work a day. During those hours, I was constantly translating everything in my head, which was mentally exhausting. But with time, things got easier. My language skills improved, and my mental endurance grew as well.
The rest, however, is much like any small business: trial and error. I made countless mistakes, but each one was an opportunity to learn and grow. With every mistake, I found a solution, and over time, I got better at what I do.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Gretta’s Dog Training (named after my dog, Gretta) is all about providing personalized solutions for dogs and their owners.
Many issues on the surface might look like dogs just don’t want to listen, when in reality these challenges often stem from a gap in communication and a lack of understanding between humans and their dogs. After all, we’re two completely different species trying to live under one roof. My job is locate the roots of an issue and to teach both sides a “language” they can understand, so they can coexist more harmoniously. Almost never its about “sit”, ‘down”, “stay” 🙂
Another key point is that a dog’s success is closely linked to how their owner feels. I rarely get hired to prevent problems —such as when you first get a puppy or notice early signs of unwanted behavior. More often, clients reach out when things have already become difficult: the dog is confused, and the owner is frustrated, sometimes even feeling upset with themselves. In these situations, I often focus on working with the owners first, especially if I sense them being deeply upset, helping them regain confidence and understanding. As funny as it sounds, I tend to train the humans first—and then the dogs!
I also offer a service designed to keep both dogs and their owners happy: dog hikes. Once a week, I take a group of dogs on a hike, giving them a chance to explore and enjoy the outdoors. Seems its just about dogs, but my main focus is people. I dedicate a lot of time to communication with the owners, providing feedback after each hike. I know the dogs have a blast, but what truly makes it special is seeing the joy in the owners’ faces when they witness their dogs’ happiness.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
People trust me with their dogs—some see them as companions, others as their babies :). A huge responsibility come with it. Training sessions are relatively low-risk because the owners are present and involved, but group dog hikes come with a greater degree of risk. Many things can happen, from potential conflicts between dogs to more serious dangers, like a rattlesnake bite.
I approach these risks by dividing them into what I can control and what I cannot. For every potential risk, I assess how I can manage or minimize it. For example, the possibility of a dog fight can be reduced by carefully selecting dogs based on temperament and history. If a dog were to get lost, I use GPS tracking to ensure I can quickly locate them.
The one risk that remains entirely out of my control is rattlesnakes. It’s the biggest danger, and it can be fatal. As a precaution, I avoid hiking during the seasons when rattlesnake activity is at its peak. Thus I avoid this huge risk.
So far, this approach has proven successful, and I hope it continues to keep everyone safe.
Pricing:
- visit www.grettasdogtraining.com/services for personalized pricing
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.grettasdogtraining.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/grettasdogtraining; www.instagram.com/grettasdoghiking
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/grettasdogtraining
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@grettasdogtraining
