Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassandra Collins.
Hi Cassandra, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am 33 years old and own and operate Wise Tails Academy in Bee Caves, TX. I moved out to the hill country when I was 11 years old and lived in the heart of 78704 for 5 years in my early 20s. I spent 2 years in Australia and New Zealand in my mid 20s before deciding Texas was truly my forever home. I live with my life partner, Plennie and our 4 dogs, Khaos, Havoc, Bindi, and Breakfast. Our 4 bottle fed orphaned kittens, Sméagol, Gollum, Precious, and Betty Boop, and our 23 silkie chickens. I also have an Off the Track Thoroughbred horse named Costanza. We live on 20 acres and my mom lives on another 10 acres down the street. We are slowly building out little slice of paradise out here and I feel so blessed to be able to call this my home.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I dropped out of my second year of college with no clear idea of what I wanted to do with my life. Everything felt uncertain, and during a time when so much was changing, my dog, Bandit, was the one constant I could rely on…. that is until he started biting people. Like, a lot of people. When I reached out to trainers for help, I was repeatedly told that euthanasia was the only option for him. Unwilling to accept that answer, I dove into learning about canine behavior. The more I learned, the more obsessed I became and that curiosity quickly turned into a career. Bandit transformed from the dog I was fighting for into the dog who shaped my entire future. He went on to become my demo dog, helping not only me but countless other dogs and their owners along the way. I’ve gone on to train over 500 dogs but I’m STILL learning. I remain endlessly fascinated by these magnificent creatures and the bond we share with them. I lost Bandit last summer, and not a day goes by that I don’t thank him for everything he gave me. He didn’t just change my life, he truly gave it direction. I lost Bandit last summer when I was taking a client dog back to France and not a day goes by I don’t thank him for everything we have built.
Starting my own business was terrifying! It felt impossible, yet I still had this pull to just get out there and go for it. I couldn’t imagine anyone trusting me enough to send their dog to me. I remember right after when my first client dog got dropped off I just sat there staring at him in my front yard thinking “is this real?” Then every small businesses worst fear… the pandemic happened. I was terrified… but it also ended up being when everyone went out and got a dog! What I thought would have us close our doors forever ended up catapulting us.
This path of dogs has taken me places I never imagined and introduced me to some really amazing people. We don’t just service austin, I have clients all over Texas and some even out of state. I’ve actually had a client fly his dog from out of the country for one of our programs and then flew me to France to return her. Never did I think dog training would take me to France haha
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Wise Tails Academy is a canine training company that specializes exclusively in Board and Train programs. Once a dog completes a program with us, they become part of our community for life, with ongoing access to daycare, boarding, private lessons, and continued training support to help maintain and build on their progress.
Most clients tell me their dogs rush over to the phone when they hear my voice through the phone while browsing our Instagram stories or that they get super excited in the car when they turn down our road.
Over the years, I’ve done private lessons, in home lessons, group classes and day training and I firmly believe Board and Train programs provide the most efficient and effective path to lasting behavior change. When dogs come to Wise Tails Academy they receive consistent, daily work that simply isn’t possible if you did weekly lessons. This allows for faster progress, clearer communication, and reliable results that transfer smoother into real-world situations. All training is is communication. Something so many dogs are desperately craving to have with their owners.
Texas has a problem with overpopulation of dogs. A serious problem. With the little extra time I do have I spend it with my foster dogs offering free training to help them get a second chance and find a forever home. It’s tiring, hard on the heart, and expensive (everything out of my pocket) but so so so worth it when they find their second chance. I have big plans to one day have a legitimate rescue as well!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I used to waste so much energy in “being cool” and dressing cool or keeping up with the newest trend. Gah, SO exhausting and pointless. EVERYONE who knew me knew I was obsessed with animals and my dog, but I still felt this need to shelter that part of myself for so long. Like, I don’t want to be that crazy dog lady. Yet ironically I was fairly lost before I completely leaned into this life. I am a crazy dog lady and once I fully embraced it so many wonderful things have happened in my life! IF you have a passion I fully recommend leaning into that passion and soak up as much information as you possibly can and going out and spreading it to more people! You will find people who share that same passion and you will be happier surrounding yourself with them versus trying to be something you’re not.
Pricing:
- My programs range from $2288-$7500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wisetailsacademy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisetailsacademy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wisetailsacademy
Image Credits
Royal Hounds Productions – Ezekiel Rosanthal (dog biting picture)
Little Acorns Photography – Claire (unsure of last name (group family photo)
