Meet Genna Rittenhouse | Canine Communication, Obedience & Leadership Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Genna Rittenhouse and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Genna, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
In mid-2014, I adopted an eight month-old cattle dog mix named Bubba Gump. I remember having to convince his foster mom that my goals of becoming a trainer were so close, and given this pup was very, very nervous, he was going to need a different kind of person for his Forever Home. This dog was my first step into the dog obedience world. Bubba Gump taught me that being flexible, patient, and a clear guide are some of the many important skills to have as a dog trainer. Over time and with a focus on building trust, this once terrified dog completely opened up, and has been on countless adventures and has experienced life to the fullest. Over time, I began to see several other training cases like Bubba, and helping these kinds of dogs (and their owners) was the most amazing feeling.

The majority of my canine career was spent in kennels and dog facilities, but I found true joy during my private lessons. Being able to help people understand the benefits and application of obedience in their own environments meant that their overall relationship with their dogs completely changed. I loved seeing the confidence built in both dog and owner, because they now have a better understanding of how each other communicate. So, eleven years after bringing home Bubba, Best Good Friend Training was formed, officially, because I love coaching owners in canine communication so they can have the most fulfilling bond possible with their companions.

“Bubba was my best good friend. And even I know that ain’t something you can find just right around the corner.” — Forrest Gump

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
About 12 years ago, I began working at a gun-dog training facility in Connecticut, where I am originally from. I knew that becoming a trainer was my end goal, and learning hands on from kennel-care was an incredible lesson in canine wellness, dog behavior and overall kennel management. During this time, I was attending the online Animal Behavior College courses to begin on basic training theory. Shortly after, I became an apprentice trainer at the kennel, I was able to learn hands on the art of training a dog. Training a dog from start to finish is one of the best ways to learn to train, but I was missing the key aspect of teaching people.

I moved to Charlotte in late 2015, where I was put in contact with Andy Bunn at Star Dog. I was used to a huge, two building facility with sometimes hundreds of dogs, so to go to a much smaller day-care focused dog facility was a big shift. Here, I was able to both my hands on training, but was also taught a much more personalized approach to relaying the training to the owners. Andy’s long-time trusted relationship with his clients brought a true authenticity to the entire training experience, so I found a natural flow in the way I taught. This applied to both dogs and people. Over the next five years my career as a trainer grew until about mid-COVID, June 2020, I was offered the position as Facility Manager and Head Trainer at a two acre boarding facility in the Triad. So I relocated from Charlotte to pursue this next venture. In my head, and my heart at the time, this was the only logical next step,

Over the next two years, I was able to learn the ins and outs of running a boarding facility of that size. I mastered multitasking with scheduling , educating new staff members on animal wellness and socialization, all the while offering board & train options as the only trainer on premises… I also experienced countless challenges from every single aspect of running an animal boarding facility — staffing issues, maintenance, injuries (both the canine and human varieties), scheduling issues, and the excruciating burnout that goes with being a perfectionist and workaholic. But above all I learned that being in that portion of the pet industry removed me from what I loved doing best and that is training. I am grateful for the hardest lesson of all: you are always allowed to walk away from something that is no longer healthy.

I took a small pause from the dog scene while I gathered myself and refocused on the task at hand: now that I can finally be myself as an obedience trainer, what do I want it to look like? How can I help my clients most in achieving the most harmonious life possible with their dogs? I know the relationship I created with my own three dogs, and I’m often complimented by others on their mannerisms and their trustworthy, reliable nature. But I didn’t achieve well-behaved dogs simply through obedience repetitions. Over time, dog communication and mindful leadership became a way of life, so being able to effectively and efficiently teach others how to do the same will strengthen any bond between dog and owner.

I want Best Good Friend to be known as more than just obedience training. It is a canine communication & leadership coaching approach to dog training for the everyday owner. I coach people through the relationship-building aspect of dog ownership, educating in the nuances of dog mentality and behavior to create more stable and trusting relationships through foundational obedience training in a way our dogs understand. I help make it easy to tackle the task of applying training to daily routines and surprises through authentic, attention-driven and affordable coaching. My coaching sessions are about addressing our emotional role we play and how being mindful of our own mindsets have such an impact, so in some ways, it becomes almost like a therapy session for clients to be the best puppy parents there can be. And I have always loved every second of it, so to get to now help owners the way I find the most natural and authentic is an amazing feeling.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite part about Charlotte is that there is a little bit of everything for everyone. Each neighborhood has it’s very own vibe, but some of my personal favorite stops are to walk or bike around Plaza Midwood when the weather is nice! Giddy Goat’s empanadas are heaven, and you can’t beat a patio pint with one of the pups. My stops are either Legion or Resident Culture! All the greenways are a fun trek, and Music Factory is always the spot for live shows, especially the Comedy Zone.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for Andy Bunn at Star Dog. Andy had me on at his facility as a very new trainer when I moved to Charlotte nine years ago, and he believed in me and my skills to really allow me to grow in all aspects of my career. Without Andy’s mentorship, I wouldn’t be half the trainer I am today. I also wouldn’t have an incredible freestyle frisbee dog and have gotten to experience the amazing world of dog sports quite the way I have.

With over 30 years of training in Charlotte, Andy’s reputation precedes him. But most of all, his incredible work with his organization, Paws for All — Star Dog helps certify their members who are interested in volunteering with their dogs at various hospitals, libraries or assisted living homes around the city. He is dedicated to training new classes of amazing dogs, both in the realms of obedience and therapy work, to bring joy to wherever they go.

Website: https://www.bestgoodfriendtraining.com/

Instagram: @best.good.friend.training

Facebook: Best Good Friend Training

Image Credits
Danny Ruhland