Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Allen
Hi Lauren, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Two years ago, I took a leap of faith by leaving my stable office job to pursue my true passion—helping dogs and their humans build unshakable bonds. It was a bold move, but it was driven by my deep-seated belief that joy is the most powerful life language we have. For me, joy means bringing light into the lives of both people and animals, and I’ve dedicated my career to making that happen.
My journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t just about starting a business; it was about creating a mission-driven life. I’ve always had a strong business mind, bolstered by my Master’s degree in Data Science, which has helped me build a thoughtful and strategic approach to my dog training business. But while my analytical skills guide my business decisions, it’s my heart that truly leads the way. My passion for animal behavior and the joy I find in helping others have been the driving forces behind everything I do.
Growing up, I was the kid who spent every spare moment with animals. I remember watching Pit Bulls & Parolees and feeling a deep connection to the mission of helping misunderstood dogs and giving them a chance to thrive. Whether it was teaching people how to manage the behavior of their rescued dogs, volunteering with my self-trained therapy dogs for foster youth in Arizona, or rehabilitating and riding horses that were challenging for their owners, I always found my happiest moments in the company of animals and the people who needed them the most.
Meeting Justin Scher, a world-renowned canine behavioral therapist, was a defining moment in my journey. His groundbreaking work and TED Talk at UC San Diego on transforming dog behavior deeply resonated with my own mission to create lasting change for dogs and their owners. Having the opportunity to connect with someone of his caliber and receive his insightful advice was surreal—but more than that, capturing that moment together served as a powerful reminder of why I’m on this path and reignited my determination to keep pushing forward.
My goal is simple but profound: to transform lives—both canine and human—through compassionate, effective training methods. I believe that every dog deserves a chance to thrive, no matter their challenges, and that with the right guidance, any dog can become a beloved, well-behaved member of their family.
As I continue to build my business, I’m committed to blending my analytical skills with my heartfelt mission, ensuring that every interaction, training session, and client relationship is rooted in authenticity and care. I am also currently applying for a PhD in Animal Behavior/Psychology at UC Davis, driven by my passion for understanding the intricate ways animals think, learn, and communicate with humans. If you’re looking for personalized, effective training to help your furry friend reach their full potential, I’d love to be a part of your journey. Let’s make 2025 the year we fetch our goals and turn them into pawsome achievements!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Entrepreneurship is rarely a smooth road, and my journey has been no exception. Taking the leap from a stable office job into the uncertain world of running my own business was both exhilarating and terrifying. While I had a strong business mind and a Master’s degree in Data Science to guide my strategy, nothing could have fully prepared me for the challenges that lay ahead. The unpredictability of entrepreneurship tested my resilience, forcing me to push past financial struggles, self-doubt, and the immense responsibility of building my brand from the ground up.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was breaking into an industry where experience and reputation mean everything. Starting out, I had to prove myself in a competitive market, often working long hours, offering free sessions, and demonstrating my expertise to one client at a time. There were moments of doubt, times when I wondered if I’d made a mistake walking away from stability, but every breakthrough—every dog who overcame behavioral struggles, every relieved owner who saw their pet in a new light—reminded me why I started.
Social media was another challenge. It was never my comfort zone, but I knew it was a necessary tool to share my mission. The tricky part wasn’t just learning how to use it—it was putting myself out there in a way that felt authentic while also engaging an audience. I had to navigate the ever-changing landscape of algorithms, content creation, and the vulnerability that comes with sharing my experiences publicly. Finding the right balance between educational content, personal stories, and promotional material took time, but once I embraced it as a platform to connect with others who share my passion, it has become an invaluable part of my experience.
Another challenge I faced was transitioning from dog training to teaching people how to train their dogs. Shifting my focus from obedience, trick training, and meeting each dog’s specific needs or natural instincts to helping owners truly understand their canine companions was a major epiphany. It allowed me to equip pet parents with the tools for a deeper bond of care and devotion. This shift has been a constant reminder of the customer service skills, humility, and teaching techniques I’ve developed over the years. Much like working with animals, you never know who you’ll meet or what unique background they come from.
Throughout this journey, having a strong mentor made all the difference. I was fortunate to learn from someone who had already walked this path, someone who provided guidance when I felt lost and shared wisdom that only comes from experience. Their insights helped me navigate difficult decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and refine my approach to both training and business. The right mentor doesn’t just teach—they inspire confidence, challenge your thinking, and push you toward your greatest potential.
If not for the unwavering support of family, friends, and mentors—those who opened their homes to me, offered words of encouragement when doubt crept in, and continuously reminded me why I embarked on this journey—I don’t know where I would be today. In the darkest moments, when exhaustion threatened to overshadow my passion, their belief in me became the fuel that kept me going. They saw my vision even when I struggled to see it myself, and for that, I am endlessly grateful. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed, questioning whether the sacrifices were worth it, but having people who believed in me made all the difference.
I’ve learned that entrepreneurship is not just about skill or passion—it’s also about perseverance under trial. It’s about waking up every day ready to face challenges head-on and finding creative ways to grow, adapt, and improve. The struggles I’ve encountered have shaped me into a stronger, more determined version of myself, and I know that every hurdle overcome is a step closer to making a lasting impact in the world of animal behavior and training.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a canine behavioralist and dog trainer. With a focus on strengthening the bond between dogs and their owners, and a specialty in reactivity (aggression, fear, working breeds). My work is rooted in science-based, positive reinforcement techniques, but what truly sets me apart is my deep understanding of both animal psychology and human behavior. I bring a level of analytical thinking to dog training that allows me to assess behavioral patterns, tailor solutions, and ensure lasting results.
Beyond just training dogs, I teach people how to communicate effectively with their pets, transforming frustration into understanding and obedience into trust. My experience working with therapy dogs, as well as my volunteer work training rescue puppies for foster youth and orphans, has reinforced my belief that dogs have an incredible ability to heal and connect with people in ways we often underestimate.
I’m most proud of the impact I’ve made—not just in changing dogs’ lives but in giving owners the confidence to handle their pets with love and leadership. Seeing a previously reactive or fearful dog learn to trust again, or watching an owner finally experience stress-free walks, reminds me why I do this every single day.
What truly sets me apart is my holistic approach. I don’t just train dogs—I educate, empower, and build lasting relationships with my clients. Whether working with a first-time dog owner, rehabilitating a rescue, or helping service dogs refine their skills, my mission remains the same: to create a world where humans and dogs understand each other better.
How do you define success?
To me, success isn’t just about reaching a destination, it’s about growth, impact, and the relationships we build along the way. It’s about setting meaningful goals and staying committed to them, even when the path isn’t always clear. In my work, success is reflected in the tangible difference I can make in the lives of the animals I work with and the people who care for them. It’s about fostering stronger, more confident bonds between pets and their owners. But beyond that, success also means creating a community—one that is rooted in a shared love for animals and mutual support. Surrounding myself with like-minded, compassionate individuals who are equally passionate about animal welfare has been integral to my journey. This sense of community not only enriches my work but also motivates me to continue learning and growing, both personally and professionally and I continue to keep good connections with those people that I have worked with along the way.
Pricing:
- Raising in June 2025
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/lolosdogtraining/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lolos_dog_training/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lolosdogtraining/
Image Credits
N/A just the one photo with Justin Scher can be noted as to who that is.
