How I Went from a Clueless Dog Parent to a Potty Training Expert
Here at Dog Life Made Better, I help dogs have better parents. If you’ve ever struggled with potty training or felt lost when it comes to understanding your pup, you’re not alone—I’ve been there, too. Let me share my story with you and why I built ‘Dog Life Made Better.’
My First Dog & My Biggest Mistake
I have always loved dogs, but growing up, I wasn’t allowed to have a dog. So the moment I got out on my own, I did the first thing my heart longed for—I got a puppy—a beautiful 6-week-old Labrador Retriever.
But there was one problem: I had no idea what I was doing. I thought love alone would be enough. I figured my puppy would “know” what to do, but of course, he did not.
Thankfully, I surrounded myself with other great dog parents and picked up a few things along the way. By the time I got my second Lab, I thought I had it all figured out. That is, until my vet asked me a simple question:
“So, how are you going to train this dog?”
Cue the deer-in-the-headlights look. I had no answer. I assumed that because I loved my dogs, they would naturally behave and understand what I wanted. But as I learned, love alone isn’t enough.
The Potty Training Disaster That Changed Everything
However, I still continued to learn on my own and grow our Labrador Retriever family. Fast forward a few years when we became a family of 3 Labs — all while working in a busy career as a Clinical Pharmacist. At this point, I had my fifth Labrador, Marley, and we had settled into what I thought was a solid routine. Then, one day, I walked into my living room—and there he was, peeing on my brand-new leather chair.
He was one year old. Supposedly “fully” potty trained.
That was the moment I realized something was missing. I took him to the vet the next day. Thankfully, no medical issues were causing this incident. Then, the following week, we signed up for obedience training. What I learned in that class changed everything.
By the end of the course, I was named “Most Improved Dog Parent & Trainer.” But more importantly, I finally understood that potty training wasn’t just about getting my dog outside on time. It was about understanding my dog’s behavior, communicating in a way he could understand, and building a deeper bond.
Why I Made It My Mission to Help Others
Because of my love for dogs, I started volunteering at a no-kill animal shelter. That is where I learned something heartbreaking—that many dogs are surrendered to shelters simply because their owners could not get them potty trained.
Seeing frustrated dog owners give up simply because they didn’t have the proper guidance set off a mission in my soul to help dogs have better parents.
My Mission: Helping Dogs Have Better Parents
I’m here to help you quickly and effectively potty train your dog—whether they’re a puppy, a rescue, or an older dog with sudden accidents. But I don’t stop there. I want to give you the tools and confidence to truly understand your dog, create a home of calm instead of chaos, and avoid the unnecessary frustrations and financial expenses that come with trial-and-error training.
You’re in the Right Place If…
You’re struggling with potty training and feeling lost.
You’ve adopted or rescued a dog and want to start off on the right foot.
Your dog has suddenly started having accidents, even though they were previously trained.
You want to truly understand your dog’s needs and behavior beyond what obedience school teaches.
What’s Next After Potty Training?
Potty training is just the beginning! Once your dog is fully trained to go outdoors 100% of the time, we continue helping you build the life you love with your Labrador Retriever. This means:
Equipping you with confidence in understanding how your dog thinks.
Learning what your dog really needs from you to be happy and well-behaved.
Keeping your dog safe and out of the emergency room.
Gaining access to fun, quick training games for mental and physical exercise.
Learning valuable skills they don’t teach in obedience school that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable.
I believe training is not about obedience—it’s about sharing a language for effective communication. Dogs are incredibly smart, but they don’t automatically understand what we expect from them. That’s where I come in.
If you’re ready to say goodbye to indoor accidents, confusion, and frustration—and hello to a happy, confident relationship with your dog—you’re in the right place. Let’s build a life of love, fun, and understanding with your pup together. 🐾❤️🐾
Take Your Potty Training Success to the Next Level
Be sure to grab your free guide: “The 7 Biggest Mistakes Destroying Your Dog Potty Training Efforts: A Guide for Busy Working Dog Parents.”
Take Your Dog Parenting Confidence to the Next Level
Be sure to grab your free guide: “Confidence Unleashed: A Guide for New Labrador Retriever Parents.”