Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Elkins.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey into canine behavior really began in 2016 when I became a kennel technician at a veterinary clinic and met my first behavioral dog, Angel. I was in school at UMKC to become a lawyer, but that quickly shifted. Helping her feel safe and understood opened my eyes to how many dogs are struggling beneath the surface, and it set me on the path I’m on today.
I went on to become a Fear Free Veterinary Technician and spent years in animal rescue, consistently spending hours after work with the difficult dogs. But the turning point for me was in early 2021, when I joined The Pet Connection’s Team. During that time, I literally lived above about 20 dogs with various behavioral issues – dogs pulled straight from the euthanasia list at shelters across Kansas City. I spent every day with them, even holidays. When you’re with these dogs that consistently, you don’t just see their behavior problems; you see their softness, their quirks, the parts of them that hardly anyone else ever gets to see. You see the versions of them that could be, if someone just gave them a chance.
Since then, I’ve continued growing my skills with both people and dogs, earning both my Registered Behavioral Technician credential and the Certified Canine Behavior Consultant certification through the CCPDT. I specialize in helping dogs with fear, reactivity, anxiety, resource guarding, and complex behavior concerns (as well as happy little puppies). Today, most of my work focuses on keeping dogs in their homes: helping families understand their dogs better while still supporting rescues like Pawsitive Tails so fewer dogs end up on euthanasia lists to begin with.
At home, I live with my two dogs, Jenny and Doby, who have taught me just as much as any certification. I still foster behavioral dogs from time to time, and that early experience, seeing who they really are when they’re finally given a chance, is what continues to drive the work I do today.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road to where I am today hasn’t been a smooth one, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Working in rescue (especially with behavioral dogs) comes with its own challenges and heartbreaks. I’ve said goodbye to many dogs I loved and learned a lot of lessons the hard way. Dogs have always come naturally to me; it was people who were the harder part of dog training. I had to learn how to communicate clearly, how to read people the way I read dogs, and how to explain behavior without overwhelming owners. I spent hours recording myself in a bedroom, rewatching, critiquing, and rerecording. I was lucky to have mentors who taught me lots – like when to use scientific language and when to translate things into simple, practical terms.
A lot of my early learning was trial and error because rescue work doesn’t come with a rulebook. But the benefit of learning that way is that you never forget your mistakes, you grow from them. Since starting my business, I’ve had to make constant adjustments, both in how I train and how I run things behind the scenes. The biggest challenge has been navigating a field with so much misinformation. Dog training isn’t regulated and balanced or punishment-heavy methods often promise quick results. I’m always trying to help owners understand the bigger picture: the more humane, science-based approach may take longer but leads to lasting change and a stronger bond.
And even with the challenges, it’s paying off. Over the past year, I’ve been able to leave my part-time job and run my business full time. So I know the work I’m doing matters.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Empawthetic Dog Training?
Empawthetic Dog Training is built on the belief that every dog deserves compassion, clarity, and humane, science-based training. I specialize in behavior modification for reactivity, fear, anxiety, resource guarding, and multi-dog issues—while also supporting families with foundational skills. My focus is helping the dogs who don’t fit the mold and giving their owners the tools to truly understand them.
What sets Empawthetic apart is the combination of evidence-based methods and a deeply empathetic approach. I don’t use punishment or quick fixes; I address the root cause of behavior and help strengthen the bond between dogs and their people in a way that’s ethical, effective, and sustainable.
Accessibility is also a huge part of my mission. Many owners love their dogs but can’t afford traditional training, so I offer more affordable options than most trainers. My private lessons and discounted group classes at Northland Animal Welfare Society are designed to keep dogs in their homes and out of shelters. Since behavior is the number-one reason dogs are surrendered, I believe strongly that if we can prevent that, we should.
I also work closely with local rescues—especially Pawsitive Tails—helping with their more difficult behavior cases to give those dogs a real second chance.
I’m most proud that Empawthetic has become known for compassion, integrity, and individualized support. My services are realistic, humane, and tailored to each dog and family, whether you’re dealing with reactivity, fear, or just want better communication.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t really believe in luck as much as I believe in hard work, but I do think timing plays a role in everyone’s story. I’ve always been someone who acts quickly when something matters to me, and that instinct has opened a lot of doors. If I hadn’t been at the clinic the day Angel came in, or if I hadn’t checked my phone the day The Pet Connection posted their opening, I might not be where I am today or it might have taken a lot longer to get here.
When opportunities crossed my path, I didn’t sit on them. I jumped. And that willingness to act, combined with showing up and putting in the work, has helped me get to where I am now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.empawtheticdogtraining.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empawtheticdogtraining?igsh=aWxlZjdxcXJkazVi
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1a77tXUkAR/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmpawtheticTraining
