Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Hayes.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started working with dogs in the 90s. I was in my teens. I worked with rescue and shelter dogs mostly. I sought out the worst cases [human and animal aggression cases] for rehabilitation. I’m an introverted type human; dogs were my bridge to meaningful human interaction. They have honest body language and facial cues (unlike humans; who lie and mask motives).
Staring in the early 2000’s I took up an additional position at a kennel in NH (Olympia Kennels Chester NH), while I attended college at UNH. I took a full course load [majored in Entrepreneurial Venture Creation, with a minor in Communication), as well as working at my family’s welding shop (Mike’s Wleding in Revere), and serving an apprenticeship training and breeding dogs while working a kennel-hand position [daily dog daycare, boarding, training and grooming].
After a year or so of apprenticeship and hands-on work, I began to work full time (training and rehabbing dogs) and finishing up college. After 6 years under some of the most influential dog trainers in New England, I branched out into my own breeding program (and training business) circa 2008.
Since then I have molded what was once a single-handed effort to assure fewer animals were put on the vet’s table to be put down unnecessarily. To a multi-pronged full-fledged attack on the puppy mills/backyard breeders/anthropomorphizing masses/animal consumer markets by example (critique by creating -Michelangelo) as opposed to critique as such (moralizing).
The dog world is broken; what I offer are business models from breeding to training in an attempt to combat the cruelty and moralizing of our current canine consumer landscape.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No roads seldom traveled are without roadblocks, bumps, and dangerous intersections. As previously noted dogs were my bridge to a meaningful understanding of human interaction. I was slow to mature.
As humans progress (evolve) maturity rates slow (neoteny). Hence the uptick in those who’s brains systemize more (masculine bias; borderline Aspergers; we empathize less due to over systematization; social cues are often lost on us) but this doesn’t mean we lack compassion.
I had great success training troubled animals for an odd reason related to my lack of empathy (for the owner) in the face of more serious problems (a dangerously behaving dog). I have upset and lost quite a few clients due to this approach but my training success (in the realm of behavior modification) speaks for itself. I have to save 100s of dogs from ugly fates (more if you count non-hands-on advice that had an impact).
The American business model is garbage (I went to business school; I know this for a fact, our economics is immoral). Typically jobs in which companies work directly in service of clients pander (hard) to the client’s feelings. I don’t. I, literally, couldn’t care less how people feel about objective reality. I cared ONLY for good outcomes for the dogs to be helped.
I would set-up a single consultation/lesson for behavior cases; I would assure the client that if they listened (took notes) and watched closely that they could change their own habits in regard to their dog (which typically meant spoiling the dog LESS) and their dog’s behavior would respond in a positive fashion in return.
My goal was one lesson. I told clients they don’t need nor want me as their friend, but as a guide I’d never lead them astray; this was incredibly easy to offer because a barely lead them at all, I simply taught them to lead themselves and their animals and had serious disregard for how people FELT about my suggestions (as the proof is in the pudding).
Positive outcomes for dogs and families outweigh so heavily those I have upset through my career that it almost isn’t worth mentioning as an obstacle. 😉
Breeding, on the other hand, took a deeper and more serious toll on my mental health and emotional. I have now sold 100s of puppies [we breed working line German Shepherd dogs; arguably the greatest breed of dog on the planet; objectively] all of which I have had a connection with.
Getting close to animals and forming a bond in a landscape of business is a tricky spot to be. Many times doing the right thing by the animal is the worst thing possible for business. Demands of business care not for life (hence my claiming our economic immoral) and as such have to be molded and/or ignored to allow for moral choices. Often at the loss of profit.
The emotional toll was worst of all; I have been there for the passing of dozens and dozens of animals (adults and puppies including) the heartache is something that NEVER gets easy; you simply get used to operating while suffering. I was damn near 30 years of age before I came to terms with the emotional scarring that comes from the excess raw emotional output.
As of recent I have been harnessing technology to further spread good information about dogs to the public. I believe that the technological advancements can open the door to a modification of the dog market for the better. Where we can once again breed animals that add positive value to all of those around them.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Hayes Haus Kennels – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Hayes Haus Kenenls LLC offers training consulting and working line German Shepherd dogs and puppies to the public. As well as online resources for dog advice; email series/service, blogs, social media interaction, and products; food, toys, and supplies. If it has something to do with dogs we can help directly and if we can’t we can point you in the right direction.
We specialize in German Shepherds and behavioral modification and are known for the same. Pride is a deadly sin. But, it’s no falsehood to admit some pride in my work.
I’m mostly proud of the flexibility I offer myself, my staff and my clients. Animals don’t bend to business models they are on their own schedule, so to speak. I am proud that I can make decisions that hurt my bottom line (monetarily) in the short term without my business collapsing in on itself.
What sets us apart is mostly efficiency in the form of adaptability, an unrelenting focus on outcome tailored advice. Again, we do not pander. If you ask for advice we will go over your situation with a fine tooth comb; and we will place the blame and onus on remedying the issue with the responsible party, which is the client typically (dog training and rearing is a business where the client becomes the trainer) and some of them don’t like that.
We have recently been beta testing an email series that firs off at key developmental periods in your dog’s life to help aid in raising healthy well behaved animals. Hopefully, we will begin adding additional breeds (now complete for Shepherd type dogs) in 2019.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’ve learned not to plan any more than 3-5 years into the future if you’re aiming at concrete results. Shorter time frames will leave you desperate in the long term and longer time frames will leave your scrambling in the short term.
Over the next 5 years, I’d like to expand our reach. I am comfortable with the number of puppies sold; I hope to offer more training throughout our puppy’s lives and create more connections with the dog world outside of Hayes Haus.
Breeders are where it begins; we should be the healthy goal oriented base of the dog world. We ought to be able to offer recommendations for trainers that understand our dogs as well as vets and other dog professionals that can aid in the care of your animal throughout its life.
We are going to start taking a much firmer public stance as a bulwark against the consumer pet culture. Dogs aren’t stuffed animals; they are value adding creatures that need (like humans) to have a meaningful place in a family in order to stay stable (physically, emotionally, mentally).
We are doing dogs a disservice treating them like humans, take it from someone who’s been on the front lines for nearly 2 decades now.
Pricing:
- Puppies start at $3500
Contact Info:
- Address: 159 Indian Hill St West Newbury MA 01985
- Website: www.hayeshaus.com
- Phone: 9783587672
- Email: brandon@hayeshaus.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayeshausgsd/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HayesHaus/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HayesHaus
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
