9 minute read
RWO HAS GONE TO THE DOGS Mark Forrest Patrick
MARK FORREST PATRICK
Recently Rochester Woman Online had the opportunity to ask some questions of long time friend, and supporter, Mark Forrest Patrick, owner of Tuxedo K-9 Training. This is what he told us.
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Tell us a little about where you grew up and your family…
I grew up omg s small beef cattle farm in Leicester, NY and attended Perry Central School. My parents both worked for the State of New York. I have two sisters that bothlive locally in the area. My father passed in February 2020 after a long illness and my mother still lives on the same property that they purchased as newly weds.
After you graduated, what career path did you decide to follow and why?
Upon graduation I attended Genesee Community College and then University of Wisconsin-Green Bay majoring in Business Administration/Public Relations. From college I relocated to Los Angeles and worked at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for several years prior to my career as a Manager with AT&T Wireless in Los Angeles. In 2005 I relocated back to the Rochester area where I chose to make a career change and began my career in Pet Services.
What made you decide to work with dogs?
I have always enjoyed working with animals, as a small child I showed dogs, horses and beef cattle. I have always felt the connection and bond
with our animals. Working with dogs and building the relationship between the human and their dog has been a rewarding experience for the past ten plus years. When you receive the call from a dog owner and you can hear in their voice the frustration and concern with their dogs behavior. You listen and provide guidance with patience and compassion for not only the human but also for the family dog. Many pet owners are first time dog owners and are concerned that they are doing what is right for the dog and their family.
I truly love my profession and working with my clients is a gift that I was given. Observing the bond between a human and their dog grow over time is truly an amazing feeling. It always makes me laugh when people say “Wow, how did you do that?” Then I show them how they can do it too and they realize that it is not a trick but it is communication and consistency.
When and why did you decide to open up Tuxedo K9?
I worked in Corporate America for several years and I was getting burned out and needed a change. When I began my research I was looking at the growing business categories in 2009. At that time Pet Services was a growing field and now today the market has become concentrated and there are pet service businesses popping up through out Monroe County. The number of dog owners has also increased with more and
more landlords allowing dogs into their apartments. As the owner of Tuxedo’s K9 Training Camp we have partnered with several community organizations and events with sponsorship and offering our services when in need. My goal as a business owner was to provide a service for everyone. I have spoken to inner city school children on pet safety and to residences of senior living on pet companionship and the affects of the having a resident pet.
Owning a small business has been rewarding and enjoyable to see the impact we have been able to make on the community.
What is your favorite part about your business?
The dogs are definitely my favorite part of the business. There is nothing better than being out in the community and a dog hears your voice and gets excited when he see’s you. I also enjoy the human bond that I have made with pet owners. For some pet owners I have trained several of their family pets. That bond really makes a business owner feel good.
What is the one thing you would change about your business?
I wish I would have started my business where I had more opportunity for growth. Our location is at capacity and their is not much room for an expansion like adding an outdoor space or swimming pool for the dogs. I would also like to have a larger training facility to offer more training opportunities. Currently I offer ten training classes a week and manage a 24/7 staffed operation so I keep very busy.
What is your favorite breed of dog and why?
This is a tough question because I like so many breeds and not sure that I have a favorite. I enjoy watching all the breeds learn, process and the excitement in their body when they know they have pleased the handler.
What method of training do you utlilize the most?
I am a Force Free, Positive Reinforcement trainer. I use a reward based method and for dog owners that are concerned about using treats there as so many other option other than food. For some dogs food is not a reward but a toy, ball is a higher reward. I customize the training based on the clients need as long as it is a positive reinforcement method.
Who was the one person/or animal you have met that has made the biggest impact on your life?
There are so many people and their pets that have had an impact on my life. But one that always comes to mind is a client that contacted me that she has a very large dog that was very strong and shows having some challenges managing his strength and listening. Her dog was not a friend of large trucks and they owned a company that had large trucks making deliveries daily. She called and said she needed help before someone got hurt. When I arrived the dog coming bouncing and barking out of the home and ran to the side of my car. He was large, powerful and excited. I slowly opened my car door and before I was able to step out of the car he was sitting waiting for me to exit the car. He jumped up on me and very excited. Our bond in stately began and with a few months he was at the family wedding, walking down Shoen Place and was one amazing boy that truly loved his human bond. He will forever be one of my fondest memories among many others.
I know you had a major life changing event recently. Tell our readers about that event, and how it changed your life.
February of this year I had been working with a dog on his impulse control when meeting and greeting strangers. He had come so far and was able to sit and rest when visitors would come into his home. During a lesson in February, we were working on a leave it cue. He had done this cue several times previously and had shown no reactive or responsive tendencies. He had played down and we placed a treat on the floor as we had done several times before. As I stood up he lunged and grabbed my arm biting off a chunk of my arm. After weeks of recovery, plastic surgery and many hours of evaluating the situation and the sequence of events. It is important for all of us to realize that our dogs are animals and can some times have difficult days and their behavior can be unpredictable. I have learned so much from this situation and Icontinue to learn,
evaluate and process this sequence of events that lead up to the attack. Has it changed the way I interact with dogs in my profession - absolutely! I am much more aware and continue to focus on continuing education. The profession os continually doing scientific research on animal behavior. It is critical for everyone In this profession to continue learning.
What makes you unique or different from other dog daycare and training facilities?
We are available 24/7 through Social Media and when you call the business you will likely speak to me or I will respond to you via social media. We also have a Veterinary Technician on staff along with two other trainers. We also have an amazing relationship with several veterinary c l i n i c s i n t h e community. Our rates are all inclusive and there are NO hidden additional charges.
What is the one thing about YOU that people may not know?
I love to travel the world and when I am on vacation the dogs still seem to find me. When I was in Costa Rica two years ago we went zip lining and out of no where these dogs came running down the hill and came up to me to say hello. There are so many trainers and pet care business owners that influence my business daily. The pet services industry is unique because there are so many opportunities to meet fellow trainers and business owners and conferences and continuing education seminars.
Name one thing that you love about
owning your own business…
Flexibility and branding your product. I enjoy the marketing and building the business partnerships.
What piece of advice would you give a young entrepreneur starting in this field?
The industry is in the process of developing standards and a certification process. Develop a marketing plan that will allow flexibility and opportunities for growth and change. Be prepared for changes in the industry and more and more states develop operational guidelines.
If you could do one thing over in business what would it be and why?
Since so many of our clients are coming from rescues any are not socialized or given a breakdown period before they are put into the community. So many do not know how to cope in their new environment. Build out a larger training space for our clients that are having social behavioral concerns.
L a s t l y , s i n c e Covid-19 hit, how has it affected your business both positively and negatively?
Our business has been impacted by the pandemic with schools closed and colleges closing early more people are working from home. We are beginning to see the long term impact of families staying at home. Many dogs are developing separation anxiety and behavioral concerns when family members leave the home. We are beginning to see more training needs and some of the behaviors are significant with destruction and resource guarding of objects and people in the home.
