Today we’d like to introduce you to Robbie Estill.
Hi Robbie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in North Fort Worth where my father had worked with hunting dogs for the majority of his life. From a young age, my father taught me the importance of having a healthy relationship with animals and the important role that animals and humans play in each other’s lives. Growing up, we always had a variety of animals including fish, hamsters, lizards, turtles, birds, cats, rabbits, ferrets, and homing pigeons, but we always had dogs. I grew up and left my parents’ house to play college baseball then most of my professional career was in business operations at a few places, but I never felt fulfilled or passionate about what I was doing. I was given an opportunity to team up with a friend at Bevill Dog Behavior where I was the head dog behaviorist for the last several years. I finally found my passion and was excited about what I was doing. It also made me feel closer to my late father who shared a similar passion for animals but especially dogs. After years of working with Bevill, I decided I was ready to start my own venture and educate people on dog psychology while providing balance and fulfillment to dogs to help create a healthy human-dog relationship. I am proud to say Estill Dog Psychology is not only my own business but my true passion in life, and am so excited to share my knowledge and passion with the world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Overall obstacles were just figuring out what I wanted to do with my life, but once I teamed up with Bevill Dog Behavior it became very clear that this is what I was meant to do. I learned so much in my previous role that really helped me transition into starting my own business. When I felt ready to peruse my own venture, I felt confident that I could use some of the basic knowledge gained from my previous role and from various training programs I attended which were held by some of the most respected dog trainers in the industry across the country, in addition to my own ideas and passions, so I could hit the ground running.
We’ve been impressed with Estill Dog Psychology, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the owner/founder of Estill Dog Psychology. I am a dog behaviorist specializing in dog psychology. I teach others what dog psychology is and the importance of it as it relates to building stronger, healthier human-dog relationships. I offer board and train, structured boarding, and private lessons to any and all breeds, ages, and sizes. The majority of my client base is from word of mouth and repeat customers whom I have previously worked with and trained but come back for boarding services to ensure their dogs are exposed to a structured environment experience with other dogs going through the same program, so they are getting the full benefits of pack walks and socialization while sharpening skills they previously practiced in the training program. This leads to a more fulfilled and balanced dog.
I choose quality over quantity, and purposely take in a limited number of dogs at a time to ensure each training dog is getting all the repetitions and one on one time that the dog requires while maintaining a safe and calm environment for all the dogs. I also believe it is important to expose dogs to one another to improve socialization skills, learn from their own species, and introduce them to different types of energies and temperaments. At EDP we are training humans, one dog at a time.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I take advantage of any opportunity to collaborate with others that share a similar passion and always welcome it. I recently started a partnership at the Love Pit animal rescue service in Dallas, where I teach a monthly class to their alumni who foster and adopt dogs through the agency to help them understand and address dog behaviors to improve the success rate of the adopted rescues and help build a trusting, healthy human-dog relationship which is sometimes lacking in a rescue situation.
I also take advantage of collaborating with local veterinarians and other trainers such as Zen Paw and Buddhahood to learn from one another and improve our knowledge base while helping clients and their dogs.
My biggest support is people helping me to spread the word so we can educate more humans and improve the lives of more dogs.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.estilldogpsychology.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/estilldogpsychology/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Estill-Dog-Psychology-102788445721338/
