Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Jedlicka.
Hi Maya, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My career choices and path have never been conventional or linear. I actually started my career in law. I earned three degrees and graduated from SMU School of Law. I only practiced for a little over a year after graduating before I ended up starting my first business. I developed and patented a slip-and-fall safety product, found overseas manufacturing, and got it placed in a major retailer. It was a crash course in entrepreneurship, and the product is still used in businesses over twenty years later. That experience taught me that I loved creating things and taught me a lot about the business world.
The road in entrepreneurship is not an easy one. I had many challenges. After selling my first company, I ended up back practicing law — this time in oil and gas. Around that same time, I started diving into what I had been so interested in as a child: dogs.
In the 20 years since then, I’ve trained through clubs, competitions, and hands-on experience, eventually opening Cosmic Canine eight years ago. I originally opened the business as a hobby so I could have a place to train my dogs indoors during the Texas summers. It just grew from there. Over the last eight years, I developed the Clarity™ dog-training philosophy — a simple, practical approach built from all the real-world lessons I learned along the way.
My businesses grew not because I planned it that way, but because people were looking for guidance, and I understood what it felt like to be searching for answers. I recently launched an online training platform, ClarityDogTraining.com, to try to reach more dog owners, bring more joy, and hopefully teach more people how to have an incredible relationship with their dog.
If there’s a theme in my story, it’s reinvention. I’ve gone from law, to product development, to building a training and behavior center — and every chapter has taught me to stay curious, stay adaptable, and keep building things that help people. I never stop learning or trying to be better. In dog training, I am always working to train more, learn more, and reach a higher level. In my personal training, I have competed many times nationally in the sport of IGP (Schutzhund) and represented the U.S. in international competition. This year we placed 5th in Germany, and next year we’ll be doing it again in the Netherlands.
I plan on continuing to work hard and do my best to help people and their dogs, especially through the Clarity program.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
o, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. When I was younger, I was overly trusting and, honestly, a bit naive. That cost me a lot over the years — mostly by allowing the wrong people too close to my businesses and giving trust that wasn’t earned. I’ve also worked with some truly fantastic people, but it took time and experience to learn the difference and to understand that not everyone has good intentions. Those lessons were difficult, but they shaped how I lead today and how I choose the people I surround myself with.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At its core, my business is about helping people build better relationships with their dogs. Through Cosmic Canine and the Clarity™ training program, we focus on practical, real-world solutions that give owners the confidence and skills they need to live peacefully with their dogs. We work with everything from puppies to serious behavior cases, and we’re known for taking the time to understand each dog as an individual rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
Cosmic Canine initially grew because we took in difficult dogs and had great success rehabilitating them. Many things set us apart that most people don’t know about dog training and dog trainers. Most people look for “certified” trainers without really knowing what that means. Cosmic Canine is actually certified by the Department of Labor to certify trainers. Most certified trainers simply earn letters behind their name from an online class with no real supervision — just multiple-choice tests and video submissions. Our apprentices, on the other hand, must complete 288 hours of study and 4,000 hours of hands-on, supervised experience. As a trainer, I am constantly learning and testing my skills in competition in front of international judges. We bring this level of skill and depth of knowledge directly to our clients.
Another thing that sets us apart is our daycare. We have a training-based daycare that really surprises people. Unlike most daycares, dogs in our program are learning. They are offering behaviors, practicing settling in groups, and walking on leash. We have “skills of the week” that the dogs practice. It’s a very cool thing to see.
The training system behind Cosmic is Clarity™ — our trademarked philosophy that focuses on relationship, positive emotion, and building a strong foundation first.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that we’ve created a place where owners feel supported, not judged. Dog training can be overwhelming, especially for people dealing with difficult behaviors, and we’ve built a community that focuses on education, honesty, and results. With the launch of ClarityDogTraining.com, we’re hoping to reach even more owners and give them access to training tools and guidance no matter where they live.
What I want readers to know is simple: our goal is to help you understand your dog better and enjoy life with them more. Whether someone needs in-person training, online learning, behavior help, or just a clearer plan, Clarity™ is designed to meet them where they are and give them a foundation that truly lasts.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to never quit. In every challenge, there are really only two choices: lay down or get up. If you choose the first, you guarantee failure. If you choose the second, you give yourself a chance to succeed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cosmiccanine.com
- Instagram: @cosmiccaninetraining
- Facebook: @cosmiccaninetraining
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CosmicCanineTraining
