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Meet Megan!
- Samantha Ewashko
- Sep 2
- 4 min read
Who: Megan at Mainely Hounds!
Where: Windham, Maine
Offerings: Private lessons, structured dog camp and adventure walks
How to connect on Instagram: @Mainely_Hounds
Megan completed the Fall 2024 Mentorship & Shadow program, and I am truly so excited to introduce her. Below you can read more about Megan's professional work, however, I'd like to introduce her the way I have gotten to know her, as both a trainer and human.
If I think of a word that describes Megan, it is compassionate. I first met Megan because she adopted my foster puppy, now named Tallulah. Megan has the biggest heart and wanted to give a extremely fearful and shy pup a second chance. Since the time that I have first met her, she has grown as a trainer in some pretty incredible ways! Megan used to be more anxious around opening her work up as a trainer, and now? Phew, now she is so CONFIDENT in the work she does with dogs and their owners! It's been absolutely incredible to witness! She has inspired me to remember the growth each of us can have if only we put our hearts into this work and allow ourselves to learn from others around us. I am so grateful to Megan for being a part of this community, and so proud of the work she is doing in the world!
Now, hear from Megan herself a little more about her journey!
What do you love about dog training?
"Watching the transformation—not just in the dog, but in the relationship between the dog and their person. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing a dog go from stressed or misunderstood to confident, calm, and connected."
Tell us about your journey with your own dogs!
"Mulligan -- tested me in more ways than I can describe. He came to me with allergies, picky eating, anxiety, fear, undisclosed bite history. You name it he had it. It tested me beyond belief.
Finn -- struggled with big feelings toward the world around him. He was afraid of things like grass, the wind. He was never exposed to anything so his fear really challenged me.
Tallulah -- my sensitive little bean needed a completely different approach to build her confidence.
Each of them came with such different and unique challenges and each time I thought I knew what I was doing they forced me to dig deep, learn, and adapt. There were moments of frustration, self-doubt, and overwhelm. I know what it’s like to feel stuck, to wonder if things will ever get better, and to try one thing after another without seeing results.
But through trial and error, mentorship with Sam , and a holistic approach that connected health, emotional regulation (mine and theirs) with training, I began to see real change.
Mulligan’s health and confidence bloomed, Finn learned to channel his energy in healthier ways, and Tallulah slowly came out of her shell. Their experiences taught me that success isn’t just about teaching commands it’s about understanding the whole dog, It’s about building trust, creating safety in the relationship, and realizing that love and affection doesn’t fix everything. That’s why I train the way I do now. I felt so alone and my dogs misunderstood. Traditional training didn’t help us. And as an owner I felt left in the dust. I never want another dog or human to go through the grief I did.
What is your favorite kind of dog to work with?
"Hounds of course. Specifically Vizslas! But I have a soft spot for the ones with big feelings. Often they are labeled as reactive or fearful and shy. I love working with dogs who need help with emotional regulation whether that’s a sensitive rescue learning to trust, a high-energy working breed learning how to settle, or a fearful pup finding their courage. Watching them go from tense and uncertain to relaxed and confident is the most exciting part for me. It’s not just about the dog though it’s about helping their owner see them in a new light, understand what they’re feeling, and build a partnership that works in the real world."
Since the Mentorship program has ended 10 months ago, what are the biggest changes you have seen in your business?
"My mentorship with Sam was truly a turning point. She gave me not only tools and techniques, but also the confidence to trust my instincts and lean fully into the holistic, relationship-based approach that is so uncommon in my area.
Since our mentorship ended, the biggest change I’ve seen is in my clarity and confidence both in how I train and how I run my business. I’ve developed programs that are more structured yet flexible enough to meet each dog and owner where they are. I’m more intentional about integrating emotional regulation, nervous system awareness, and lifestyle structure into every plan, and I’ve seen those elements create deeper, longer-lasting results.
On the business side, I’ve become more confident in my pricing, my boundaries, and the value I bring to my clients. I’ve built stronger systems for onboarding, follow-up, and client education so owners feel supported long after our sessions end. Most importantly, I’ve stepped into my own voice as a trainer I think and while I am still inspired by what I learned from Sam I am learning what my style is learning how to be authentically my own."
One thing you wish you could say to every single dog owner:
"Your energy matters as much as your dog’s. Work on both ends of the leash."
One thing you wish you could say to every single dog trainer:
"Never stop being a student—of dogs, of people, and of yourself. Techniques and tools are important, but your ability to truly see the dog in front of you, adapt to their needs, and guide their owner with empathy will define your impact far more than any protocol or technique."
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