Welcome to the very first installment of my Petpreneur Profile series! When it comes to interviewing business owners in the pet industry, this year I want to shake things up. After interviewing hundreds of amazing pet professionals on my podcast (including today’s profiled pro a few years ago on a cool double-header episode!), I’ve switched to solo video episodes for the podcast. You can still listen on your favorite podcast app, or watch on YouTube.
I may have changed the podcast format, but I still wanted a special way to highlight incredible women in the pet industry community. I’ll be highlighting a new woman each month in this series.
I love learning how petpreneurs got to where they are today! There’s always a great story behind why someone got into this line of work. That’s why this Q&A series feels like the perfect way to amplify women’s voices in the pet world. I also hope it inspires you to keep moving on your own petpreneur journey.
I’m thrilled to kick things off with Ruth Hegarty, the talented dog trainer behind Creature Good Dog Training and a founding member of Wear Wag Repeat Society!
I’ve known Ruth for many years. I even tapped into her dog training expertise to help with Burt’s reactivity to the UPS truck and Lucy’s passion for barking. Ruth has such compassion for dogs and their people. I know you’ll love getting to know her in the interview below.
Meet Ruth Hegarty, founder of Creature Good Dog Training
Tell us about your business,what do you do and who do you help?
I’m a positive reinforcement dog trainer and behavior consultant specializing in reactive behavior. I help individuals and families with reactive dogs so they can take peaceful walks, have guests over and enjoy life with their dog. We work on eliminating the barking, lunging, and other overwhelming behaviors dogs with fear-based reactivity and aggression have.
How did you get started in your pet business journey?
I didn’t grow up with dogs, so when I got my first dog – Jake – in 2010, I knew literally nothing about reactive behavior. Jake had been feral and had a ton of issues. I also knew nothing about the field of dog training. So I went to a local trainer who recommended using punishment to change Jake’s behavior. Not only did it not help, but I felt like the worst dog mom for doing it.
Further research led me to positive training. It was the game-changer Jake and I so desperately needed! With this new approach, I loved training Jake so much! I took classes in positive training, eventually committing to becoming a certified trainer. I left my day job to start a dog training business specializing in dogs like Jake.
I’ve worked with reactive dogs from day one and wouldn’t have it any other way. My company name was thought up by my 6-year-old nephew who was a huge supporter of my dream… and Jake’s other best friend. Basically, I found my true calling in my 40s because of one very special canine.
What do you love most about the work you do?
Obviously, changing dogs’ lives is the goal and the way I do that is by supporting their people.
What I love most about my work is seeing the look on my client’s face when they realize what their dog is capable of when they change their perspective of their dog’s behavior.
Helping dogs is the vision, supporting people to help their reactive dogs thrive is the mission.
“Your dog isn’t ‘being’ a problem, they’re ‘having’ a problem.” – Ruth Hegarty
What’s something unique about your approach that sets you apart?
I’m a people person in an animal-centric field. My background as a K12 teacher, mediator, college professor and life coach helps me explain canine science and dog behavior in ways that everyone can understand.
This helps me create behavior change for them and their dog faster and easier.
Over the past decade of working with reactive dogs & their families, I’ve also developed my own system for changing dog behavior that fits into any lifestyle and is specifically designed for reactive dogs.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I have typical weeks more than typical days. It usually a mix of in-person client sessions, online client support and business admin stuff, plus volunteer work.
Some months I’ll teach dog training classes in person or online. I also give presentations to various groups and businesses, from tiny reactive dog-friendly pet shops to the Boston Museum of Science.
What’s one tool, routine, or mindset that helps you run your business smoothly?
From all my life coach training, I’ve been a mindset nerd for many years. I’m all about thought management, journaling and having a gratitude practice.
I believe attitude is everything in life. That’s something I focus on every day in my personal and professional life. I also bring that to my client work.
Visualization is a proven process. I know that reframing negative perspectives and adopting a growth mindset has the power to change physical results.
In my training courses, I include custom journal prompts and talk about the language we use around our dog’s behavior. The words you use can have an impact on the decisions you make about your dog. One of my favorite sayings is: “Your dog isn’t ‘being’ a problem, they’re ‘having’ a problem.”
Supporting Dogs and People Through Grief and Change
You’re also a certified pet loss specialist — how does that shape your work with dogs and their people?
Being a certified pet loss specialist has helped me gain new insights into working with challenging dogs. I’m able to better support my clients. Because I work with reactive, anxious & fearful dogs, their people can have some tough emotions around their dog that most other people don’t.
The most common feeling is grief around not having the dog mom life they wanted. People have a dream of what life will be like when they get a dog.
When that life not only doesn’t materialize, but they get a much harder life, it’s a real loss for them.
Being able to help people process and even reframe those feelings has helped me empower positive change in clients.
“People have a dream of what life will be like when they get a dog. When that life doesn’t materialize, it’s a real loss for them.”
Then there are the people who realize they can’t give the dog what they need and make the decision to rehome their pet. This is a compassionate and difficult decision that brings guilt and grief. Even when they know they’ve done the right thing.
These aren’t the people surrendering a senior dog so they can get a puppy. In rehoming cases, I work with my client and a rescue to find the right home for the pup.
Navigating Difficult Decisions
An even harder aspect of grief is when a dog’s reactivity becomes aggressive. At times, they can become dangerous to the family and/or community. In those cases, behavioral euthanasia must be considered.
Fortunately, this situation has rarely come up for me. But I know it’s one of the hardest decisions a dog parent can make and the grief can come with a lot of judgment from others.
Of course, the most common situation is the natural passing of a beloved pet. My training has given me the tools and language to support my clients, whether their dog passes during our work together or they’re struggling to not compare a new dog to their previous pup.
The short answer to the question is that my grief support training has given me another way to support my clients and others in a new way. It’s also helped me help myself when I suddenly lost my beautiful dog, Shadow Dawn, in February of 2025.
Business Growth and Insights
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in your journey as a petpreneur?
It might sound cheesy, but it’s BE YOURSELF! Show up as the real you and the right clients and partners will show up.
I’ve noticed that when I take business courses from someone who is more trendy or less quirky than me, their methods don’t work for me. When I work with someone I would love to know in real life, I get amazing results.
What would you say to someone thinking about starting a pet biz of their own?
If you are 100% passionate about it and 100% committed to making it work, go for it! The pet industry is huge and there’s a spot for everyone who has the passion to help pets and their people.
Get support from successful people you like and admire (like WWR Society, obviously!) and promote your business in ways that feel good to you.
Be open about your vision for pets. And be generous, while looking out for your own energy and bottom line. That will make for a win/win for you and your customers.
Finding Her Pack: Ruth’s Experience in WWR Society
As a founding member of Wear Wag Repeat Society, what’s been the biggest impact of being part of this community for your business or personal growth?
No doubt, membership in the society has played a big role in the success of my business – both in income for me and my ability to help more clients. One of the things I love about being a member is that there really isn’t just one thing that’s made the biggest impact.
I can break it down into 3 categories:
- What I’ve learned from the lessons has grown my business. I’ve learned things like writing an awesome newsletter, optimizing and improving my blog, streamlining my processes, etc.
- The connections in the community have given me opportunities to collaborate, network and learn from other pet business owners. It also helps me see how I stand out in a crowded market.
- Being part of WWR Society has inspired me to think bigger for my business and what I can offer clients.
“Each year I’ve been a member of WWR Society I’ve had significant growth in income and opportunities.”
I’m much further along in the prosperity of Creature Good Dog Training than I would ever have been on my own. Each year I’ve been a member I’ve had significant growth in income and opportunities. The longest I’ve ever stayed in a membership other than WWR was 6 months, which I think says it all!
Resources from Ruth
Ruth generously offers several free training resources for reactive dog parents:
- Peaceful Walks Start Here: A Free Course for Pawrents of Reactive/Fearful Dogs
- Reactive Dog Owners Facebook Group: Get tips, ask questions and connect with other reactive dog owners
- Weekly Blog Articles: She writes weekly blog posts to support reactive dogs and their families
When you enroll in Ruth’s free course above, you’ll also get access to her weekly email newsletter.
Want to grow your pet business with the support of amazing petpreneurs like Ruth? Join us inside the Wear Wag Repeat Society! The membership gives you access to expert training, monthly implementation calls, weekly Voxer support, and a community that truly gets what you’re building.
Connect with Ruth:
- Website: Creature Good Dog Training
- Instagram: @creaturegooddogtraining
- Facebook Page: Canine Good Dog Training
This Petpreneur Profile series highlights the amazing pet professionals in our community. Want to be featured? Comment below!
Did you enjoy this post? Get to know more petpreneurs:
How to Be Authentic on Video with Dog Trainer Mikkel Becker
15-Year-Old Petpreneur Ava Dorsey, Founder of Ava’s Pet Palace
How to Become a Petpreneur: A Guide to Start Your Pet Business
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