Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Eckerd.
Hi Alyssa , 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?
My name is Alyssa Eckerd. I have had a special interest and passion for animals, dogs, and dog training since I was young. After I dropped out of college and quit my job with no plan in place for what would happen next, I spent the almost all of the remaining money I had traveling, attending courses and dog training seminars, and investing in learning how to best help people and their dogs. I started reading again, and specifically recall reading a book titled “Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life.” Ikigai, in short, roughly translates to “a reason for being” or the happiness of always being busy”. Learning about and training dogs was my “ikigai”, and from that moment on, I dedicated myself to these animals and their families full time. I started MADD K9 Academy LLC in February of 2023, not knowing where it would take me or if I would be successful. What I was sure of, was that training dogs was my passion and my art. While I endured many financial, emotional, and mental struggles, I never lost my love for dogs. I worked with several different dog training companies and dog trainers in an effort to always be sharpening my skills. In 2025, I left an arrangement with a business partner and met my girlfriend, Stephanie. She has been my biggest supporter as I started MADD K9 Academy LLC over with a new vision, mission statement, and outlook on life. More recently, I’ve added one of my closest friends, Taylor Caban, to my team, and we haven’t looked back since. Our mission is to “Make a Difference for Dogs”. This industry is not about business tactics and making money, its about bringing proper education, coaching, and care to dogs and their families.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There are always bumps in the road. I believe that being uncomfortable and facing challenges is the key to growth. The biggest struggles I faced were managing finances becoming a business owner with personal bills, and having to add business expenses to the equation. The beauty is in the process, and regardless of how cliche it sounds, the most important lessons are in the challenges that we face, whether personally or in business. Learning how to navigate teaching and communicating with a variety of living beings with different temperaments is a struggle in itself, but it only makes you a more efficient trainer.
As you know, we’re big fans of MADD K9 Academy LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
MADD K9 Academy LLC is a dog training business that specializes in teaching dogs on-leash, off-leash obedience, behavior modification skills. We also offer services like grooming and boarding. Our primary services are focused on both teaching the dog and owners to ensure success on both ends of the leash. Our biggest goal is to ensure that after training, owners have the skills to confidently maintain and troubleshoot their dog’s behaviors, and understand that training is a lifelong commitment. Dogs are not like cars that get repaired and they are fixed and ready to go. Dogs, as all animals, are living beings, and deserve the same patience and guidance as a human should and would. Before, during, and after the training process, we focus on communication and education. Even if your dog begins having challenges a year after training, we will still be available for support, no matter what. We are not a company that will over charge or give you false promises for your money. We believe in equipping owners and dogs with the tools and skills to be successful months and years after training.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I feel as if our passion for dogs and our commitment to them and their families contributes most to our success. I am a firm believer that if you are giving and your focus is about putting good things out into the world, good things will return.
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