Conversations with Trish Chen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Trish Chen.

Trish, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I adopted my sweet rescue girl, Remy, in December 2020 and immediately got to work setting her up for success in this crazy human world. I wanted to make sure we’d be ready for anything life threw at us. We trained every day, made her crate a happy place, and bonded through play, food, and lots of naps.

She was a bundle of joy and enthusiasm… until she hit her fear period. Suddenly, the world felt overwhelming to her—airplanes overhead, loud noises, baths, nail trims, and even something as simple as walking outside. That’s when I truly started to see the world from a dog’s perspective. I dove deep into learning how to understand fear, confidence-building, and how to help her feel safe.

Through patience, support, and training, Remy grew into my best adventure buddy, ironically, the ultimate homebody, and my most favorite companion.

Dog training isn’t just about the trainer—it’s about the human being open to learning, trusting the process, and putting in the work. My client took the advice I offered, incorporating enrichment, intentional time together, and joyful play. Through this, he built an unshakable bond with his dog, creating clear and predictable communication and providing freedom through mutual trust and understanding.

The result? Ollie transformed from an unruly, stressed pup into a well-mannered, trusted family companion. This experience solidified my passion for helping people and their dogs build relationships based on empathy, compassion, and humanity.

Since then, I’ve moved from Massachusetts to Colorado and continue helping families build better relationships with their dogs. I love introducing the dog’s perspective and watching the connection between my human clients and their canines click into place and grow. With a soft spot for rescues, my goal is to touch as many lives as I can—unlocking the power of empathy and communication between humans and their beloved pooches.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Dog training is a constant learning process, and there is still much to discover about the nuances of dog behavior, motivation, and desires. In an unregulated industry, I wanted to ensure I was offering the best support possible, so I pursued formal education and earned my CPDT-KA certification.

I’ve been incredibly lucky to have two wonderful mentors and a collaborative dog training community that continues to challenge and inspire me. Every dog and human I work with teaches me something new, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Growth is part of the journey!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I work in the dog training industry as a dog trainer, but what I actually do is coach humans on how to connect with their dogs. So much of our lives are spent chasing goals—reaching a summit, hitting a milestone, getting to a final destination. But what I love about my work is watching humans and their dogs finally start to really see and understand each other.

I help people learn to communicate clearly with their pups, and one of the most rewarding moments is seeing a dog’s eyes light up when their human finally understands what they need. Dogs don’t need strict commands, those are human needs. They need compassion, empathy, patience, understanding, and humanity.

That’s what sets me apart—I don’t just train dogs. I build relationships. I help create a language between human and canine, one rooted in trust and connection. And that is what I’m most proud of.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Colorado is how dog-friendly and adventure-filled it is. The mountains, the trails, the open spaces—there’s no shortage of places for dogs (and their humans) to explore, sniff, and enjoy the great outdoors. Watching dogs experience pure joy on a trail or bask in the sun after a long hike never gets old.

What I like least? There isn’t much to complain about here but perhaps the unpredictable weather! One minute it’s sunny and warm, and the next, there’s a snowstorm rolling in. It definitely keeps you on your toes! And with such an active community, I wish there was even more awareness around compassionate dog ownership—giving pups the freedom to be dogs while also ensuring safety and respect for others.

But overall? Colorado is an incredible place to live and work with dogs. There’s always something new to discover, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://earsuppup.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earsuppup.dog.training/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568075648025

Image Credits
Lainie Dincola