Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachelle Yates.
Hi Rachelle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As a child, I always knew I had two very specific callings. To be a mother and to work with animals. I grew up with a passion for animals, always wanting to understand them better and learn more about them; an animal connoisseur so to say! I grew up with dogs (of course!), longhorns, horses, goats, chickens, ducks, guineas, cats, rabbits, pigs, multiple reptiles and amphibians, sugar gliders, and quite the bug collection. I remember from a young age asking our local veterinarian to watch a surgery that had to be performed on my dog (he let me!) I spectated (and regretted) the castration of our pigs and multiple procedures on our livestock. Fast forward to my teen years. In our senior year, we had to pick 3 professions, and one of mine was a veterinarian specialist at Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center. I had the opportunity to scrub into several surgeries surgeries, learn about their day-to-day operations, how to read an X-ray, how to suture, how to administer medication, attend surgeries grad students don’t typically see, and discuss treatment with clients. Later, I was able to get involved with a local vet clinic to deeply explore my calling in the veterinarian field. I was a Veterinarian Technician and Animal Care Attendant at McKinney Animal Hospital, providing top notch care to the pets of the McKinney community and surrounding areas. They trained me from the floor up as a vet tech where I spent most of my time floating in between veterinarians and the blood work corner. I also gained experience back in the kennel area (which every aspiring trainer should do) taking care of dogs coming in and out for boarding. I left for college on track and with hopes of going to vet school. I started at Baylor University then took some time off. It was during that time off that I experienced animals on a different level personally. The energy of animals is incredibly healing, and I wanted to be a part of that. Somehow. I just wasn’t sure how yet. However, I still wanted to explore my options. I later transferred and graduated Cum Laude from University of North Texas with a BAS in Psychology and Spanish (studied in Spain) and a minor in Biology. During my time there, I volunteered at Mane Gait Therapeutic Horsemanship, helping children and adults with disabilities move beyond their boundaries by gaining strength and confidence with the equine companion, and volunteered at the SPCA of Mckinney. I attended the Zoological Marine Camp at Seaworld in San Antonio, Texas, where I worked side by side with trainers and marine mammals. I studied and learned about animal care, nutrition, husbandry, rehabilitation, enrichment, behavior, and training. I interned at the Gulf Breeze Zoo in Florida, where I was responsible for cleaning, feeding, and enriching some of our favorite wildlife. I also served as a docent at Frank Buck Zoo in Gainsville, TX, where I guided tours and explained the history and background of specific animals to visitors. Later, I also worked as a bather at Mutt Puddle. I experienced animals on ALL different levels and loved every minute of it. But my heart was still gravitating towards behavior and dogs.
I’ll never forget the monumental shift I had in college. I was studying literally all night for an exam and completely broke down into tears. The path I was on was not bringing me joy. I wanted to be a mother, and my heart kept leading me to the behavioral side of dogs, rather than medical. So, I switched majors!
Dog training isn’t a major in college, so I continued studying psychology and biology and decided to attend a trade school post graduating. During my time at UNT, I rescued my heart dog, Eli, and his sister from a terrible backyard breeder. After an unfortunate event, Presley passed unexpectedly. I was devastated. So devastated that I became so fearful and anxious that I would lose Eli. And that’s when I created separation anxiety (where I later addressed and rehabilitated at Highland).
Between college and trade school, I worked as the lead Wedding Coordinator at Bella Donna Chapel located in McKinney, TX, providing impeccable customer service and happily assisting couples turn their fairytale wedding into reality. Working with brides has been a critical piece of my business today, as I had to pay attention to little details, direct groups of people, quickly think outside the box if something didn’t go as planned, and communicate effectively and calmly to ensure my bride had the best day possible.
I am a graduate of the School for Dog Trainers at Highland Canine Training, LLC, where I finished in the top of my class. Following their intensive program, I stayed to intern, later becoming their Dallas trainer. My passion for training unfolded as I learned about various avenues of training. I’m a hands-on learner, so having the chance to experience different fields like detection dogs, search and rescue, pet dogs, service dogs, behavior modification, sport training, along with the business side of things. As a student, I was introduced to a difficult dog to work with, and I remember discussing training plans with several trainers to figure out how to get this dog unafraid of her shadow. I couldn’t touch her. Through time and patience, and effective training, this dog started to come out of her shell. And I officially adopted her! She unlocked a new passion of working with fearful dogs and how it can take several modalities along with an energy shift to meet your goals with a dog. I moved back home and opened Highland Canine Training in Dallas, Texas, specializing in pet dogs, behavior modification, and service dogs.
After some time, I decided it was time to venture out on my own. Highland provided an amazing foundation for me, and I’m forever grateful for their leadership. After a lot of thought and prayer, K9 Revolution was born to teach owners how to be the change their dog needs. Recharge, Rebuild, Reconnect. I have a passion for reconnecting owners with their dogs to help them understand, trust, and respect each other while ensuring they have the proper building blocks to continue fostering a healthy relationship to maintain their dog’s training for life and have fun along the way. I find it an honor to be a part of these dogs’ stories and take this role very seriously. I want to help each dog reach their full potential.
I live in the countryside of Van Alstyne, TX, with my high school sweetheart and two beautiful girls, along with several animals and, of course, dogs! My special needs boy, Eli, the Italian Greyhound, recently passed over the rainbow bridge and is no longer physically here but will always have a piece of my heart and my story. I also have Misha, the Catahoula mix (my logo!). We did agility together back before I had kiddos and had a blast together along with trick training. Ginger, the Shepherd/Boxer mix (from Highland), and Sprinkles, the Goldendoodle. I recently dove into the world of dog sports and will begin competing with Sprinkles this spring. I have big plans for us! When I’m not training with clients or personal dogs or attending seminars, you’ll find me with my family at the Lakehouse, and I also hope my garden is successful this year!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not, but sometimes the more difficult experiences lead us to growth and established boundaries. Struggle can lead to resiliency and perseverance, which is especially helpful when facing stress or difficulty. The struggles can reveal changes that need to be made and open up new opportunity for success. The initial struggle was coming from North Carolina back to Texas after attending training school to start building my business and clientele. Starting is always hard! But it will never start unless you take the first step. Thankfully, I’m not a shy person, so I used that to my benefit!
Another struggle has been finding appropriate balance. I’m a homeschooling mom and have two young kiddos (one being a baby!) with several extra-curricular activities (one being in dog sports!), so finding the balance between training and family poses a challenge to me at times. If dogs are in my care, kiddos are often involved with me! I often find myself battling internally. If I’m working a dog, I feel I should be spending more time with my kids or family, and when I’m with family, I feel the pressures of needing to train, meet certain goals, and feel that I’m running out of time. Setting schedules in advance has helped me with this so I can be present in everything I do.
Time!! I love learning from other professionals in the industry and am always planning which seminar to attend next or which course to take. There are so many courses I want to take and not enough time. So, I plan to be intentional about where I spend my time and money and continue expanding my education every chance possible.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I truly love what I do. I get to meet some seriously awesome people and pups throughout this process, and they become part of the K9 Revolution family. I always want them to feel valued and supported. I’ve had the privilege of meeting and learning from amazing trainers (some that turned into best friends) and other dog professionals. The valuable information and insight from other professionals have been pertinent to who I am as a trainer.
I take pride in developing a meaningful relationship with not only the dogs but their owners. I want to be thorough with my clients to help give them the best results possible, and I never hesitate to reach out if a question arises. I’ve loved the relationships I’ve built throughout the years and am always excited to hear success stories months/years down the road. Or the phone call/text about wanting more training for their next dog and even the questions about how to troubleshoot or what to do is certain scenarios. It’s not “6 lessons and good luck”. With K9 Revolution, it’s how can I continue to help?
My compassion for dogs and training shows through my dedication and the manner in which I interact with my clients, two-legged and four-legged. I am experienced in utilizing a number of different tools and methods for training dogs to help reach the best results possible and with the dog’s best interest at heart. Seeing my advice taken and boundaries applied is incredibly rewarding because you see a change and progress in the dog. At K9 Revolution we have fun because if we aren’t having fun while learning, then I don’t want to do it. I teach clients how to properly utilize different skills, how to problem solve think outside the box, and implement boundaries to reach their dog’s full potential. I provide undivided attention to make sure they are learning, the dog is learning, and that the client has the proper building blocks to continue fostering a healthy relationship to maintain their dog’s training for life.
Along with my formal education in dog training and behavior modification, I am also consistently referred by a number of professional dog professionals (vet clinics, groomers, dog walking services, dog daycares, etc). I am passionate about working with dogs and people, and I understand that the needs of each dog and client are different. It’s not a cookie cutter approach, therefore I customize training plans depending on what the dog and client needs. My services are designed to fit the individual needs of my clients, putting an emphasis on personal customer service because I understand the importance of communication.
I offer private lessons in kennel training (also known as board and train), group classes, pack walks, CGC testing, and boarding (and I am looking to expand into online training/classes in the future). I specialize in I specialize in people 😂 Kidding, kind of! I specialize in puppies/puppy raising, basic and advanced training, behavior modification, testing and choosing the right service dog, and service dog training with an emphasis on client communication and relationship with their dog. It’s a vital part of the dog’s success! I offer private lessons, board and train, group classes, pack walks, CGC testing, and boarding.
What makes you happy?
So many things!
My amazing husband and two beautiful girls. Their support and enthusiasm is so encouraging. It’s my greatest accomplishment in life. I often have many things to juggle and animals to care for, so having them in my corner is extra motivating and meaningful.
My family. My family has poured a lot of time helping me build my business from helping me build/renovate my current kennel building or offering their time to watch the girls while I’m in lessons or working with a dog. They understand how important my clients are and how seriously I take the role as their trainer to help them meet their goals with their dog(s).
My friends. I don’t get a whole lot of friend time these days, but it’s really nice to have true friends where we don’t miss a beat when we are together. My circle of friends are the greatest, and I’m so thankful for each of them.
My dogs. There’s something about the bond between a dog and a person that is unlike any other, which is one of the reasons I landed in the dog world. Each one has taught me something very specific about myself, which has, in turn, made me a better trainer with a better understanding of how to help dogs and their owners.
Nature. There’s something special about stepping out into fresh air and sunshine. It’s calming, invigorating, refreshing. Nature is mysterious and beautiful, and grounding. We are constantly bombarded by screens and media and noise so having the ability to step outside to disconnect from that to reconnect with myself is important to me. It gives me new perspectives and clarity.
Learning. I’m always open-minded and eager to learn new things, especially in the dog training world. I would love to eventually get a master’s in animal behavior, but it currently isn’t the right season. I love attending seminars, listening to podcasts, reading books, and taking online courses to keep my education sharp and current. My oldest daughter and I have recently gotten a taste of the dog sport/competition world, and we love it. We are hooked! It’s a lot to learn and practice, but I’m here for it, and I know it will benefit me as a trainer overall. It’s also been a really special experience getting to share this process with my daughter.
Holistic living. This involves taking care of the mind, body, emotions, and soul. It’s all connected. You name it! I am passionate about this lifestyle, from homeopathy, gardening, canning, natural medicine, foods and ingredients, bodywork, homesteading, mindfulness, etc. I am seasoned in many areas and just beginning in others.
God. My faith and relationship with God is foundational to who I am. Letting go of the reigns is a challenge for me at times. And though I may not always see his plan clearly in the beginning, He has proven it always turns out and unfolds just the way it needs to and better than I could’ve done it. His love is steadfast and unwavering, beautiful and perfect. Everyone deserves to be loved like that (and they are!) He gives me purpose and worth and has blessed me in more ways than I can count. I hope to share that love through the people (and dogs) I meet.
I also love my traveling (all over), music, going to concerts, chocolate, dressing up but also sweatpants. Shopping, Amazon, my camo hat, pedicures, and being at the lake.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k9revolutiontx
- Facebook: K9 Revolution
