From Psychology Student to Dog Trainer: My Journey to Helping Dogs and Their People
Part 1: The Beginning
I remember the very first dogs I worked with. I was in college, scrolling through “side jobs for students,” when I stumbled upon dog walking. People get paid to hang out with dogs? It sounded too good to be true. Before long, I was signed up on Rover, leash in hand, and completely hooked.
My first clients were Genghis and Freddie, a seven-month-old Cane Corso and his four-year-old American Bully brother. Not exactly beginner dogs. They challenged me in every way, but those early walks taught me the quiet joy of belonging to their world. A world built on patience, presence, and unspoken understanding.
Throughout college, I kept walking dogs between classes. I had a deep desire to help people, which is what led me to my psychology degree in the first place. But over time, that academic path began to feel heavy. I dropped out in my fifth year. Later, I went back to study business, and dropped out again.
The one constant through all the uncertainty was dogs. They were my grounding force. It took two dropped degrees and years of soul-searching to realize that my passion had been beside me all along, wagging its tail.
Fast forward ten years, and I’m now a professional dog trainer living in Fort McMurray, what I believe to be Alberta’s most dog-saturated city. I’d worked in Grande Prairie, Jasper, and Edmonton before, but I’d never seen such a strong community of dog lovers in one place. Moving here was the turning point that allowed my career to unfold in ways I never expected.
Then came Duff.
In December 2023, my partner Tyler asked, “Do you want earrings or a puppy for Christmas?” It was a no-brainer, obviously a puppy! We went to the local SPCA that week, and the moment I saw Duff, I knew she was the one. Her name on file was Shania, an eight-month-old heeler cross.
I still remember where I was when I got the call saying we could bring her home. We were at “the spot,” standing on a hill overlooking the highway, the crisp winter air biting our cheeks, city lights glimmering in the distance. That moment changed everything. It was the pivot I never expected.
Life is funny that way — you never know the impact one decision can have. Adopting Duff was the catalyst that turned my lifelong love for dogs into my professional calling. Enrolling in a dog training certification program, finding mentors, and practicing daily felt natural, not forced like my previous studies. It wasn’t easy, but it felt right.
My journey hasn’t been linear or perfect. It’s been full of learning curves, mistakes, and growth. But every step — from psychology lectures to long walks with dogs — brought me closer to understanding what truly drives me: helping dogs and their people.
My background in psychology didn’t go to waste. It became the foundation of my training philosophy. Psychology taught me how people think, feel, and behave. How our patterns are shaped by genetics, emotion, environment, and culture. And that same lens applies beautifully to dogs.
When I assess a dog’s behaviour, I look at their biology (breed instincts and genetics), history (where their breed originated and why they were bred), and environment (shelter experience, home life, upbringing). Just like humans, dogs thrive when their basic needs are met and they’re given opportunities to learn and grow.
Understanding this connection allows me to bridge the gap between dog and owner. Training isn’t just about obedience, it’s about communication and emotional balance on both sides of the leash. Over the years, I’ve realized that my psychology background helps me just as much with people as my training skills do with dogs.
Listening, really listening, to owners’ stories is one of the most powerful tools I have. When people feel safe, seen, and understood, they’re more open to learning and change. Too often, dog owners are made to feel ashamed for not having the “perfect” dog. That shame creates fear, micromanagement, and disconnection.
My goal is the opposite: to build confidence, compassion, and trust between the dog and their human, and within the human themselves.
Being a dog trainer, to me, means being a coach for the team. A dog’s wellbeing is directly tied to their owner’s wellbeing. When communication is clear and the relationship is strong, training becomes a shared language rather than a set of commands.
Looking back, it all makes sense now. My psychology studies taught me how people learn and grow. My years walking dogs taught me patience and observation. And Duff, my little cattle dog with the big personality, taught me how to bring it all together.
She’s changed my life in ways I’m still discovering — professionally, personally, spiritually.
Dogs truly are amazing.
Our story is ongoing, and I’m grateful to share it with you.
From one dog lover to another — if any part of this journey resonates with you, follow along. There’s so much more to come.
xxoo
Raevin
About Raevin
Raevin is a professional dog trainer and founder of Adventure Paws Dog Training in Fort McMurray, Alberta. With a background in psychology and a passion for mindful training, she helps dogs and their people build stronger, more connected relationships.