Meet Caroline Mattioli | Professional Dog Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Caroline Mattioli and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Caroline, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
Dog training is not a one-size fits all. Due to that, there is a wide array of dog training styles. Some trainers are super positive and will never tell a dog ‘no’ (coined ‘Force Free’), others use a mix of rewards and punishment, and others are extremely punishment based (abusive). Owners should research their trainer carefully, and definitely learn to read a dog’s body language. Many owners anthropomorphize animals, which can cause issues when choosing a trainer. It’s important to remember, dogs are animals, not humans. They do not deserve to live a life only full of punishment, but also neither a life where zero rules apply. Owners should connect well with their trainers. If they are uncomfortable with something, speak up for your dog! A good trainer will offer a variety of techniques to choose from. Always remember, a dog’s owner is ultimately responsible for their animal. What you put into training, is what you get out. Owners who expect magic are highly disappointed, while owners who love to work their dogs thrive in training.

What should our readers know about your business?
Got It Dog Training, LLC is named after the countless clients who tell me “Ah, got it!” after we finish a training session. I want clients to really ‘get it’ when it comes to training their dogs. GOT also stands for Gary, Onyx, and Tiki…our dogs! and the logo is our other dog, Georgia. Getting to this point was definitely challenging. After completing college with a BS in Animal Science and completing a marine mammal training program, my intro into the dog world was as a kennel technician/daycare attendant while studying for my dog training school. I had several dog training jobs, and continued online education as frequently as possible. By shadowing various trainers and gaining experience at different facilities, I realized everyone does things a bit differently and has their own rules for what is allowed and what is not when it comes to training. I couldn’t train exactly how I wanted to lunder someone else, so I finally decided to form my own company.
Some lessons I’ve learned include… 1. You can change to better yourself, but if the change is hindering you, don’t do it. 2. Collaborate with colleagues and ask for advice. 3. Just because someone is doing something a certain way, doesn’t mean you have to. Do what works for you. I’d love for people to know that I have their and their dog’s best interest in mind when it comes to working with them. I enjoy keeping the company small enough to where I remember everyone and appreciate them, rather than them getting lost in the system which happens in the big corporate dog training companies.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Houston never disappoints! Some of my FAVORITE places in Houston include:
1. Eureka Heights – I come here often and bring my dogs Gary and Onyx to practice being chill ‘bar dogs’!
2. The Menil Collection – I love walking my dogs here and enjoying the scenery. The trees are gorgeous!
3. Gypsy Poet – My girlfriend introduced me to this incredibly delicious pizza place! Love it.
4. BB’s Tex Orleans – Crawfish season. Need I say more?
5. Ploughman’s Deli & Cafe – Jess and I went on a lunch date here, and I had a sandwich, soup, and beer combo that I still think about till this day.
6. Memorial Park – You can’t go wrong with a nice walk at Memorial Park.
7. Sumo – All you can eat sushi!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First, my parents for always encouraging me to pursue something I care deeply about, and supporting me with the education I needed. They both continue to help me navigate anything I need. Second, my girlfriend Jess for constantly having my back as I grow this business. She supports me by always listening to me brainstorm about something, sharing her ideas with me, giving me feedback, sharing my videos, making apparel, and never hesitating to help me when I need it. She has been an incredible support system, and I’m so happy to have her with me along the journey. She makes me feel like I can do anything. Thirdly, my clients! They give me so much support and positivity. I am extremely grateful to have such an amazing client-base who appreciates all of the effort I put into each of them. Their words mean so much to me, and I’m thankful to be the trainer they trust!

Website: https://gotitdogtraining.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gotitdogtraining/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih4jZjsxnyQ&t=4s

Other: I’m unsure how to link my google review page here, but if that’s possible that would be awesome!

Image Credits
My photos!