Hidden Gems: Meet Aileen Cronin of Dogs of Sottsdale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aileen Cronin.

Hi Aileen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In 2013, I was selected to appear on an episode of Cesar 911 with my dog, Titan. Titan had social issues with humans and dogs, I was young and sought the help of many trainers, many who insisted Titan be euthanized. That’s when I found an application to appear on Cesar Millan’s new show, it was my absolute final hope. My experience working with Cesar Millan on the show led me to a network of behaviorists. I refinanced my home and spent three years learning from mentors all across the US.

In 2016, I moved to Arizona where I opened the first Dog Psychology based Rehabilitation Services and Pack Walk program for dogs. I am more than a dog trainer, I consider myself a Canine Behavior Consultant. This means I with owners to resolve behavior problems through a balanced approach.

A balanced approach includes structured exercise, creating healthy and consistent patterns, and learning when and how to share love and affection.

By using this method we can eliminate problematic behaviors and create a positive perception of the world for our beloved dogs. All of the dogs that have gone through our training are invited to participate in our walking program. Our pack walk program is designed as maintenance for some of our training clients and for others it is a structured alternative to traditional daycare.

Over the years, I have rehabilitated several foster dogs that would have been deemed otherwise unadoptable, found them appropriate homes, and taught their new families how to maintain their new way of living. I have helped hundreds of owners create healthy relationships with their dogs.

Since 2019, I have brought on four team members to organize and execute our pack walk program. Our pack walk program hosts over 70 regularly scheduled dogs a week. We explore all over Scottsdale neighborhoods and trails. We are all so proud of the dogs that have grown over the years, the humans that lead them, and what we have cultivated as a team.

Most recently, we have started a new branch of Dogs of Scottsdale called Baby Pack Leader, which is completely dedicated to dog and baby introductions, safety, and training.

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 was not always smooth. We’ve always had a hard time finding the right team members. It always sounds great to train dogs or walk them but people don’t realize how much consistency it takes to produce the results we can get! I went three years without an income while learning how to work with dogs, I would never expect that from anyone else nor do I recommend it! Additionally, Our clients have entrusted us with their dog, for some of our clients they are their children. We do not take that responsibility lightly.

We often have a waitlist while we are cultivating new team members to lead and train the dogs which can be frustrating for those hoping to utilize our services. We have made the decision to always uphold our current commitments and to not overextend ourselves or our team members.

Navigating Covid led to some amazing outcomes. My husband and I were able to start our family and now have an 8-month-old girl named Charlie.

We would have likely postponed that life event if we had not been given the gift of time. It’s been interesting incorporating Charlie into the business and has given all of the dogs an opportunity to learn how to be around a baby. It was good for me to share responsibilities with our other team members and I’m really proud of their ability to step into new and exciting roles.

Every business has financial ebbs and flows but I’ve never measured my success by income only, I’ve always tried to focus on what we have done to improve our community.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Dogs of Scottsdale is a premier and luxury dog care provider. We help with every aspect of dog ownership from puppy training to a full on rehabilitation for aggression or fear. We offer a lifetime of support through our day program and provide peace of mind when people are traveling by boarding in our home. We have a reputation for creating a place for all dogs from the happy go lucky excited dog to those with more serious behavior issues. We believe in accountability, consistency and follow through. This means we help owners identify what they REALLY want in their relationship with their dog.

Our team of trainers, pet care providers and walkers focus on making each day a positive experience for the dogs while maintaining the training we have instilled in the dogs and their owners. Our walking program fulfills the primal need for a dog to migrate, discover, and enjoy the outdoors. This alone can relieve so many behavior problems. We are not a daycare, we provide so much more than a day at daycare ever will. This isn’t dog walking, it’s one handler with 4-10 dogs all walking together, no pulling, no barking, no reacting to other dogs. It is calm, mellow, peaceful. It’s incredible to be on a trail and hear nothing but the ground beneath your feet and the rhythmic breathing of the pack. We also offer some amazing field trips to Sedona and the White Mountains for hikes and snow days! Next up, dog camp in the mountains for those looking for a place for their pup to beat the summer heat!

I do believe one the most appealing parts of our service offerings is that they all include pick up and drop off to make things less stressful for the owner and dog.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
It was a stroke of luck that the Cesar people read my application and invited me to be on the show. I literally thought my friends were pranking me.

Every client that has come in and become family found me by accident. We’ve built our company almost entirely on word of mouth which means every person has found us by chance. We always say, “You find us by chance, and by luck we have a place for you.”

I feel lucky all the time. To have found a husband that believed in a mission I had, so much so that he left his career of 13 years to work with dogs!

Contact Info:

• Email: info@dogsofscottsdaleaz.com
• Website: www.dogsofscottsdaleaz.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogsofscottsdale/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dogsofscottsdale

Image Credits
Dogs of Scottsdale