Hello and welcome to the opening chapter of Stoked on Dogs!
My name is Mat Stokes, and I’m a dog trainer. If you couldn’t guess from my name, I am stoked on dogs and I am excited to have you join me on this journey. Since 2016, I’ve gained professional experience in nearly every field that involves dogs. It’s been an incredible ride, and now I’m venturing out on my own to share my message with the world. This step is both thrilling and daunting, but I realize it’s been a long time coming.
A Lifelong Love for Dogs
Growing up, there was always at least one dog in the house, often adopted from giveaway ads or strays who found their way to us. My love for animals persisted throughout my life. When my not-yet-wife and I got our first puppy, Midas, it felt like a natural progression. Midas, with his golden touch, became the light of our lives and taught us the real meaning of sleepless nights.
Training Midas was a learning experience. During our first class the instructor, in response to Midas jumping, bopped him on the nose with her first. I was appalled and knew immediately that this wasn’t the right approach. This incident led me to explore positive reinforcement training as an alternative to such aversive methods. Over the years, I devoured books and articles on the subject, shaping my own handling skills and fostering a deeper connection with dogs.
From Service Industry to Dog Daycare
At the time, I was working in the service industry, and after several surprise closures, it was time for a career change. An ad for a doggy daycare job marked the beginning of my professional journey with dogs. I intentionally sought out workplaces that encouraged non-aversive handling, allowing me to learn from the training teams.
My dedication would sometimes put me at odds with management. Once, I was fired from a daycare job for proposing an after hours book club. Despite the setback, it paved the way for a significant turning point: pursuing certification in dog training. I chose the Karen Pryor Academy, inspired by her book “Don’t Shoot the Dog.” The science-based approach resonated with me, and KPA’s program was a challenge worth undertaking.
Volunteering and Beyond
During my certification process, I met the new trainer from a local rescue’s behavior department. Her job sounded terrific and that solidified my passion for training. When the world went into lockdown, I had to pause volunteering. But, Midas and I kept busy practicing for my KPA certification. After becoming a Certified Training Partner and the world reopened, I returned to volunteering. Once it became clear I wasn’t going anywhere, they hired me as a fulltime trainer.
Working at the rescue was incredibly rewarding, surrounded by dedicated colleagues and wonderful dogs. Despite the challenges of working in animal rescue, I loved every minute of the several years I worked there. Leaving that position was tough, but it felt like the right time to take everything I’d learned and share it with a broader audience.
The Vision of Stoked on Dogs
I believe that when people know better, they can do better, especially with their dogs. My mission with Stoked on Dogs is to inspire others to make better choices for their canine companions as well as themselves. Dogs deserve to feel how special they are to us, and we owe it to them to continually learn and improve our training methods. It’s through this loving support that dogs are able to give back everything we give to them, and then some.
I’m grateful that you are joining me on this adventure. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experiences with you, helping to create a community of informed and compassionate dog owners, and making the world a better place for dogs and the people who love them.
