Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Pasko.
Hi Rebecca, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started my journey in dog training over 20 years ago, originally just wanting to learn as much as I could about dogs. I spent years volunteering, working for free, and putting myself in any environment where I could get hands-on experience with dog behavior and training.
After serving in the Marine Corps, I eventually made the decision to go all in and build something of my own. That’s what led me to Miami, where I founded Happy With Dogs, a professional dog training company focused on helping owners with obedience, reactivity, anxiety, and behavior challenges.
In the beginning, it was just me, building from the ground up. Over time, it grew into a full team, and we’ve helped thousands of dog owners in Miami through in-home dog training, training retreats, and behavior programs.
Miami really shaped me as both a dog trainer and a business owner. It’s a fast-paced environment with a wide range of dogs and behavior issues, which forced me to adapt quickly and get very results-driven in my approach.
Since then, I’ve expanded the business and transitioned to a more flexible model, while still serving clients in Miami with hands-on dog training services.
Now I’ve also brought Happy With Dogs to Michigan, where I’m continuing to grow the business, build community, and expand access to dog training through both in-person and online programs.
It’s been a long road, but everything I’ve built has come from experience, consistency, and genuinely loving the work.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.
In the beginning, one of the biggest challenges was just getting enough experience and figuring things out. I spent years volunteering and working for free just to learn dog training and behavior. There were a lot of moments where I questioned if I was doing things the right way or if I was ready to be charging for it.
Building the business in Miami was another challenge. It’s a competitive market, and I had to learn not just how to train dogs, but how to run a business, market dog training services, and build a team. Those are completely different skill sets.
There were also plenty of moments of self-doubt. I’d work with difficult cases like reactivity or aggression and feel the pressure of needing to get results for clients. That can weigh on you, especially in dog training where people are trusting you with something really important to them.
Over time, I learned that challenges are just part of the process. Every difficult dog, every tough client, and every mistake made me better.
If anything, those struggles are what shaped me into the trainer and business owner I am today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Happy With Dogs?
Happy With Dogs is my dog training company, and we work with dog owners who want real results, not just surface-level fixes.
We specialize in everything from basic obedience to more complex behavior issues like reactivity, aggression, and anxiety. A lot of our clients come to us feeling frustrated or overwhelmed, and our job is to simplify the process and give them a clear path forward.
What really sets us apart is that we don’t just train dogs, we train people. We focus heavily on communication, structure, and helping owners actually understand their dog, not just follow commands. That’s where the long-term results come from.
We offer a mix of in-home dog training, training retreats, and online programs, so we’re able to meet people where they’re at, whether they want hands-on support or something more flexible.
I’d say we’re known for being results-driven and honest. We’re not going to promise overnight fixes, but we are going to give people the tools and support to actually change their dog’s behavior and their day-to-day life.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is the impact. We’ve helped thousands of dogs and their owners, and a lot of those situations felt pretty hopeless when they started. Seeing those transformations and the confidence it gives people is what matters most.
At the end of the day, everything we do is about helping people feel calm, confident, and in control with their dogs.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like most about Miami is the energy. It’s fast-paced, there’s always something going on, and you get to work with such a wide variety of people and dogs. From a dog training perspective, it pushes you to grow because you’re constantly dealing with different environments, lifestyles, and behavior challenges.
What I like least is probably that same fast pace sometimes. It can feel a little chaotic, and not everyone has the time or patience to really commit to the training process. Dog training takes consistency, and in a city like Miami, that can be a challenge for people.
But overall, it’s a place that definitely shaped me, both as a trainer and as a business owner.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.happywithdogs.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happy.with.dogs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/happywithdogsMiami/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/happywithdogs
