Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Glahn
Hi Angela, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been an animal lover. I wanted to be Dr. Doolittle when I grew up so I could talk to the animals. When I was a youngster, we had two dogs—a Doberman named Bandit who was afraid of everything, and an Old English Sheepdog, Reggie, who humped everything (I’m rolling my eyes right now). These two couldn’t stand each other. I vividly remember my dad tossing Reggie into the pool once just to break up one of their many fights. Yikes! Bandit got “exiled” to his own part of the yard for his safety, and my heart broke for him. Reggie didn’t fare much better, though—he got his own little section too, but he figured out how to climb up to my bedroom window, and I’d sneak him inside for cuddles. Looking back, that’s probably where my fascination with animal behavior started.
But really, like most dog trainers, I got into this field because, well, my own dog was a bit of a handful.Ok, he was a big handful, but I loved him with my whole heart. He was an extremely leash-reactive dog who once dragged me into a tree while screaming at another dog across the street. This was equal parts humiliating and terrifying. I found myself constantly wondering, “Why is my sweet, lovable dog, that I took to so many training classes, acting like a complete jerk whenever we see another dog?” It wasn’t just the embarrassment—I was genuinely worried about what could or would happen if got away from me. What if he hurt someone, or another dog!?! Was he a lawsuit just waiting to happen? I mean that really shook me and kicked off my journey into the fascinating world of dog behavior.
After that tree incident, I knew I needed to figure out what was going on with him. I started reading everything I could get my hands on about dog behavior, why they do what they do, how they communicate—all that good stuff. It wasn’t long before I realized I was completely hooked. It turns out, dogs’ behaviors are often driven by their emotions and unmet needs, just like us humans. The more I learned, the more I understood that my dog wasn’t being difficult just to be difficult—he was overwhelmed and didn’t know how to cope with his “big feelings”.
That’s when I saw a huge gap in the dog training world. So many people think training is just about teaching dogs to sit, stay, and follow commands. But it’s so much deeper than that. Most of the dogs I work with—and my own included—aren’t disobeying because they are”bad” or “stubborn.” They’re having huge emotional reactions to things they don’t know how to deal with. They aren’t trained to process or handle stress, fear,frustration, or even over excitement, in this human world that they live in.
And that’s how The Quirky Canine came to be. I wanted to fill that gap and help dog parents understand that their dogs aren’t robots—they have feelings ( and sometimes big ones) too. It’s not just about controlling behavior; it’s about addressing the emotions behind it. I wanted to help people see their dogs as more than just pets to be trained, but as emotional beings who need guidance on how to cope with the world around them.
I started taking every course, webinar, and certification I could find. I became obsessed with behavior science and learning theory—anything that could help me better understand how dogs think and feel. And the more I learned, the more I realized that so many dogs were ending up in shelters or being given up by their families not because they were bad dogs, but because no one had taught them how to handle their emotions, and nobody was teaching the humans how to look for the signals that their dogs were struggling. People would adopt these adorable puppies or rescue dogs, only to be shocked when their new fur baby turned out to be anxious, reactive, or just plain overwhelmed. They didn’t understand that their dogs were struggling with big feelings, and they didn’t know how to help them.
That’s where I come in. My mission with The Quirky Canine is to help dog parents understand and communicate with their dogs on a deeper level. It’s not about forcing obedience, it’s about teaching dogs the skills they need to live in our human world without feeling scared, stressed, or out of control. I teach people to listen to their dogs—really listen—so they can intervene before things spiral out of control. Instead of punishing their dogs for reacting and all that “bad behavior”, I help them understand why their dogs are reacting with that “bad Behavior” in the first place and work together to address the root cause.
My goal is to empower dog parents to become their dog’s biggest advocate. I believe that when we start looking at our dogs as partners in this journey—rather than as property or something we need to “fix”—we can truly change the relationship we have with them. It’s about building trust, fostering communication, and teaching our dogs how to cope with the world in a way that works for them and for us.
So, that’s my story! I’m passionate about helping dogs with big feelings—and their humans—find a way to thrive together.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been anything but a smooth road—more like a series of zigzags, potholes, and the occasional u-turn! Working for myself sounded like a dream—no more corporate rules or quick-fix expectations, and I’d finally get to focus on quality training and truly helping dogs. So, I just jumped right off the cliff, quit my day job, and started The Quirky Canine! What I didn’t anticipate was how much of my time would be spent on things that had nothing to do with dogs at all. I had to figure out how to be my own marketing team, accountant, customer service department, AND still have time to help people with their dogs. I was the entire team rolled into one person! I should have cloned myself.
Another huge challenge is that the dog training industry is unregulated. Essentially, anyone can call themselves a dog trainer or behaviorist without any formal education or certification. There’s no standardized licensing process like there is for other professions like therapists, lawyers, or other tradespeople. And pet parents are often not aware of reputable certifications and credentials. This creates a kind of wild west situation. People are bombarded with all this conflicting (or just plain weird) advice from the internet, social media, and TV. It makes it hard for them to know what to do, when to seek help, and whose “advice” they should trust.
I’ve had dog parents come to me with all sorts of bizarre advice they’ve found online. Or they’ve tried to handle serious behavioral issues from online advice and it went dangerously wrong. Misinformation thrives out there, and dogs and their families end up paying the price. It’s so frustrating…
Anyway… despite all my soapboxing, all the learning curves, and the numerous times I thought I’d pull my hair out, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. The challenges have only made me stronger, teaching me not just about business, but about myself. And the best part? I get to help more dogs and their families, while continuing to learn every day how to make The Quirky Canine thrive.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in helping dogs and the people who love them learn how to coexist and communicate effectively. My focus is on addressing the “why” behind behavior issues, allowing for lasting change by teaching both sides to meet each other’s needs without the stress of those overwhelming “big feelings.” Whether it’s fear, stress, anxiety, or reactivity, my goal is to help families better understand their dogs and become their biggest advocates. There’s no need for meltdowns or aggressive behavior when we can teach more appropriate ways to communicate.
What sets me apart is my background and certifications. I’m a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and a Certified Separation Anxiety Professional Behavior Consultant (CSAP-BC). I’ve also earned Fear Free certification, which ensures that the emotional well-being of the animals I work with is always a priority. I take pride in using humane, science-based methods to address even the most challenging behaviors.
But what truly makes my approach unique is my compassion and understanding. I know firsthand how heartbreaking it is to have your dog labeled as aggressive or reactive. I’m not just teaching obedience; I’m teaching life skills. I help pet parents find relief, reconnect with their dogs, and understand that their dogs aren’t broken—they’re just a little misunderstood. And that’s what I’m most proud of—when a family tells me they were able to keep their beloved dog because of what they learned from me.
Another thing that differentiates me is my down-to-earth, relatable style, infused with a ton of empathy and a bit of humor. I don’t just train dogs; I focus on teaching pet parents the skills they need to continue the process since they live with their dogs every day. My approach goes beyond dog training—it’s about meeting needs, understanding the purpose behind behavior, and finding better ways for dogs and their families to not only succeed but thrive together.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about Dallas and its suburbs is that it’s home for me, so there’s a special connection. Beyond that, there’s just so much to do! Whether it’s catching a live show, exploring the museums, indulging in the incredible food scene, or, of course, going on an Ikea adventure, you never run out of things to enjoy. I also love the cultural diversity here—you can really experience so many different traditions and perspectives. And, generally speaking, people are friendly, and there are all these quirky little spots scattered around that make the city feel unique.
Now, as much as I love Dallas, the summer weather is… brutal. It gets so hot, it feels like you’re melting just stepping outside, and that heat can make everyone a little cranky. And don’t get me started on the tornadoes—that’s a whole other level of stress. Then there’s the traffic. City driving can be chaotic, and some drivers make you question how they got their license. Oh, and the highways? The exit and entrance ramps feel like they were designed to confuse everyone, especially when they’re right on top of each other. And if you want to get anywhere, you often have to deal with toll roads. But despite all that, it’s home, and I wouldn’t trade it for anywhere else!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thequirkycanine.com
