Today we’d like to introduce you to Bethany Faden.
Hi Bethany, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey into dog training is deeply personal, intertwined with my own experiences of growth, resilience, and learning to navigate life when it didn’t feel safe or predictable. Growing up, I faced dysfunction, trauma, and moments that left me feeling powerless and unseen. For a long time, I carried a sense of disconnection—not just from others, but from myself. It was through observing, connecting with, and understanding dogs that I began to rediscover trust, clarity, and the power of presence. Dogs don’t hide their feelings, they don’t manipulate—they respond honestly and fully to the world around them. That honesty became a mirror for my own life and taught me lessons I couldn’t have learned any other way.
I began training because I wanted to create something that didn’t exist for me as a child: a space where understanding and respect were foundational, where guidance and compassion worked together, and where growth was possible even after fear or frustration. Early on, I realized that dog training isn’t just about teaching a dog to sit or stay—it’s about building connection, fostering confidence, and helping both dogs and humans navigate discomfort in a way that creates lasting change. Each dog I’ve worked with has a story, and each person who brings a dog to me carries their own struggles, insecurities, and hopes. Understanding that deeply, and working within it, has been the cornerstone of my approach.
Along the way, I’ve faced challenges, made mistakes, and learned that true growth comes from confronting discomfort—not avoiding it. I’ve seen dogs transform from fearful or reactive into calm, confident companions. I’ve seen owners discover patience, clarity, and leadership they didn’t know they had. Those moments—the breakthroughs, the deep connections, the trust built over time—are what drive me. They remind me that progress is rarely linear, that love is often a practice of courage, and that guidance is most powerful when it is paired with empathy and consistency.
Today, through Be the Boss Dog Training, I focus on helping dogs reach their full potential—emotionally, mentally, and behaviorally—while teaching owners how to lead with understanding, respect, and confidence. My approach is balanced: it uses tools and techniques when necessary, but always as a means to build clarity and trust, never as punishment. What I love most is the transformation—not just in dogs, but in humans. Watching a fearful dog learn to trust, or a frustrated owner learn to lead with calm authority, is a reminder that the lessons we teach dogs are often the lessons we need ourselves: resilience, empathy, presence, and courage.
At the heart of everything I do is this belief: every dog, every person, every moment is an opportunity to grow, to connect, and to heal. My work as a trainer is never just about dogs—it’s about unlocking potential, fostering understanding, and helping families and individuals become their best selves, even in the face of their past. And every day, I am humbled by the way dogs reflect back the honesty, emotion, and resilience we sometimes struggle to see in ourselves.
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?
The road hasn’t been smooth at all. In fact, it’s been one of the most challenging journeys of my life—not because of external obstacles, but because of the internal ones. I’ve had to confront the parts of myself I didn’t even know existed—the fears, insecurities, and wounds that were buried so deep that for years, I didn’t even realize how much they were shaping my thoughts, reactions, and relationships. Facing those fears has been painful, often terrifying, and always humbling.
There were moments when I doubted myself completely—moments when I wondered if I was capable of holding space for others, of teaching, leading, or even just being present. I’ve wrestled with fear of failure, fear of being seen as inadequate, and fear that my past would define me forever. Those fears didn’t just disappear—they had to be acknowledged, felt, and worked through. And that process wasn’t linear. There were setbacks, times when old patterns resurfaced, and times when I felt like I was standing at the edge of something too big to face.
One of the hardest parts was learning to confront my own need for control, to sit with discomfort without trying to erase it, and to trust that growth often comes through struggle rather than around it. Working with dogs mirrored this process in unexpected ways: every fearful or reactive dog, every challenge with an owner, every situation that pushed me to the edge of my patience or confidence became a mirror for my own inner work. I had to learn courage, humility, and presence in real time, over and over again.
The struggles haven’t been just about technique or knowledge—they’ve been about becoming the kind of person who can truly see, understand, and guide another being without projecting my own fear or pain onto them. It’s been about learning to lead from a place of clarity rather than reaction, to have empathy without sacrificing boundaries, and to embrace vulnerability as strength.
And through all of it, I’ve learned that the deepest fears, the darkest moments, and the hardest lessons are often the very things that prepare us to do the work that matters most. Facing myself has allowed me to see dogs and humans more clearly, to connect more fully, and to teach from a place of honesty, courage, and heart.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Be the Boss Dog Training isn’t just a dog training business—it’s a philosophy, a method, and a commitment to helping dogs and their humans reach their highest potential together. We specialize in balanced, evidence-informed training that blends psychological understanding, behavioral science, and practical tools. Our approach is never one-size-fits-all. Every dog has a story, every owner has their own struggles, and we meet each pair where they are.
We’re known for taking a deeply individualized approach. That means we teach owners not just to manage their dog’s behavior, but to truly understand it—why their dog acts the way it does, how it thinks, and how to communicate clearly and respectfully. Our training isn’t about domination or simply stopping unwanted behaviors—it’s about building trust, confidence, and emotional balance in every dog, while empowering the owner to lead effectively, consistently, and compassionately.
What sets us apart is our commitment to both people and dogs. We don’t just train dogs; we coach owners. We help them navigate their own frustrations, anxieties, and expectations, so that training becomes sustainable and transformative. Our clients often tell us that working with us is as much a personal growth journey as it is a training program, and that’s by design.
We offer a full range of services, including private lessons, group classes, and digital resources for ongoing support. Each program is carefully structured to maximize learning, minimize stress, and provide real, lasting results. We’re proud of our reputation for producing dogs who are confident, attentive, and well-behaved—and owners who feel empowered, capable, and deeply connected to their pets.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is the clarity of our mission: to create strong, respectful relationships between dogs and humans. Every piece of content we produce, every lesson we teach, every interaction we have is rooted in that mission. Our goal isn’t just obedience—it’s transformation, understanding, and emotional growth, for both dog and human.
For readers, the most important thing to know is that we take the work seriously, but we never lose sight of the joy, love, and connection that brought you to your dog in the first place. We provide the guidance, tools, and insight to turn challenges into breakthroughs, confusion into clarity, and fear or frustration into trust and confidence. With Be the Boss Dog Training, you’re not just learning to train your dog—you’re learning to lead, understand, and grow alongside them.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
To be honest, I don’t have a lot of pleasant childhood memories in the traditional sense. What I do have, however, are deeply spiritual memories—moments of clarity, connection, and awe that shaped who I am today. Even in times of hardship or uncertainty, I remember feeling something greater than myself, a quiet knowing or guidance that helped me navigate life when nothing else felt steady.
Those experiences taught me resilience, faith, and the importance of inner strength. They shaped my understanding of patience, empathy, and perspective—qualities I carry into my work with dogs and their owners. While my childhood was often challenging, those spiritual moments became my anchor, guiding me toward growth, understanding, and the ability to see potential and light where others might only see struggle.
Pricing:
- Free
- Custom Pricing
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bethebossdogtraining.com
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dogsunleashedutahcounty
