I’m Shauna Geier, and I’m the proud owner of Happy Tails K-9 Training and Supplies based in Watertown, SD. After a 14-year military career, I pursued my passion to help troubled canines and their owners. We offer a variety of training and assessment opportunities including Private Evaluations, Behavior Modification, and Socialization, Obedience, and Educational courses. We also provide Service and Therapy Dog Training with Canine Good Citizen Certification. My education includes: CACTP (Certified Advanced Canine Training Professional), CCTBS (Certified Canine Trainer and Behavior Specialist), and a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology.
My passion for troubled canines began with my first 2 rescue dogs. I learned the impact behavioral issues can have on dogs and their owners' lives. Canines deemed "dangerous" or "vicious" are euthanized daily, majority of which could be prevented by using training techniques and education. Lack of socialization from 3-20 weeks of age and improper use of punishment or reinforcement methods could have a devastating and permanent effect on a canine's behavior. Transforming a dog's mind from a fearful, insecure, or aggressive state to a confident, secure, and balanced one positively impacts canines and their families and can help prevent a dog from being euthanized.
We rescued Kyra (black and white Aussie/Samoyed) from a kill shelter in 2006. She was highly sensitive to sounds due to breaking her leg with a metal gate as a puppy. We began desensitizing her to high-pitch sounds as her fear to more sounds intensifed. She helped raise multiple dogs over the years, including our 4 sheperds until her passing in 2020 at the age of 14.
We adopted Zeus (red and Copper Australian Shepherd) in 2010 after noticing that he was extremely fearful of human and dog interactions. We spent month habituating and socializing Zeus to both humans and dogs. He learned how to conquer agility courses at the age of 5, which increased his confidence. He cared for and cleaned dozens of foster kittens throughout the years before passing away in 2019 from lymphoma.
WHERE WE STARTED
My husband and I have six dogs (either rescued or rehomed) from different situations and had different behavioral issues. My husband and I spent a total of 2.5 decades in the military, so we have a large passion in GSDs, Dutch Shepherds, and Malinois.
Nigel is a senior 100lb GSD. He had 4 owners (by the age of 3) and had severe toy (resource) aggression by the time we adopted him. He is now a confident boy and works with aggressive canines daily.
Marshal is a GSD, Malamute, Wolf mix. He was in a shelter in Atlanta, GA and had been transferred from a Louisiana before we found him in 2019. He wouldn't approach people within 20ft when we first adopted him due to extreme fear. He became desensitized to humans through dog association.
Wyatt is a GSD/Pitbull/Chow/Lab that we rescued from an Alabama shelter in 2019. Wyatt was reactive to high-energy and in-tact canines that approached his face. He has Cushion's Disease and lives a pretty stress-free life.
Benji is a Belgian Malinois that we adopted from a rehoming situation in 2020. He reacted to dominant canines and was sensitive to loud noises. He has grown the most of our boys. Benji loves to work and play, which helps increase confidence in those without the ability to do both.
Indiana was born in 2020 and surrendered to the GLHS. We adopted him at the end of 2020, and he is the first Chihuahua we've owned. He helps determine if canines have high predation during evaluations.
Harrison is a Chihuahua/Dachshund/Rat Terrier that was born in 2023. We rescued Harry in 2024 at a little over a year old. Harry is shy of humans and helps increase confidence and play in a number of nervous canines.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
SERVICES AND FEES
GROUP TRAINING
We offer different group courses at multiple times during the week and multiple levels from puppy to adult canine socialization and obedience classes, leash etiquette, to 3 different Advanced Courses. Click Book Online to view availability and register for classes.
6-Week Group Courses, totaling 11 hours of training: $225-$275
PRIVATE TRAINING
Private Training is reserved for canines requiring specialized training for aggression, fear, or shyness. Training dates and times are flexible; however, an initial evaluation is required to determine the best options for you and your canine.
Evaluation: $30-60
60-min Training: $45-$65
EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS
Starting in January, we will offer weekly, educational classes for canine owners or potential owners. My goal is to answer basic to elaborate questions and concerns to educate and help owners and their canines. There will be weekly topics to begin the conversation.
60 min: $10| 90 min: $15
HAPPY TAILS
