Meet Don Cherry | Animal Behaviorist

The four biggest habits that have helped me succeed as a business owner are:

1. Always start with a morning routine- My go-to routine is to wake up, meditate, read, write, and stretch. This structure at the beginning of the day helps clear my mind from yesterday and focus on what i need to get done today.

2. Treat every customer like you would treat your mother- This philosophy has been crucial in the success of my business. Always being polite, respectful, and understanding to my clients has allowed me to forge strong bonds and a loyal customer base.

3. Do not take things personal- It is very easy to get upset or offended when a customer or employee is upset. However, many times these feelings are coming from an exterior force. Perhaps they had a bad day at work, are stressed about family, or have a big deadline coming up. Regardless of the scenario, i always remind myself to be patient and not get offended if those feelings get directed at me.

4. Always do your best- This one is easy in theory, but extremely difficult to put into practice. Building the habit of giving “Maximum Effort” is so important to being a successful business owner. Facing all situations with this attitude will help build confidence, consistency, and trust from everyone around you.

Crafty Canine Club is a full-service dog training and boarding facility, specializing in strengthening the relationship between you and your dog. We offer an all-inclusive Club Boarding Program, a “no dog left behind” training policy, and a load of different training classes! It is our goal to create a safe and fun boarding environment, with top of the line training to match it. This business has been a labor of love since moving to San Diego in 2018. What started out as simple dog walking in high school turned into a lifelong passion for helping and rehabbing canines.

The “Best Day in San Diego’ itinerary would look a little something like this:

8am- Wake up and head down to Little Lion Cafe in Point Loma (The Benedict is a MUST!)

9am- Take a walk along Sunset Cliffs to bask in the sun light and prepare for the day

11am- Swing over to the OB Dog Beach for a late morning play session with the pups

12pm- Stop by Newbreak Cafe in Ocean Beach for a quick hot tea and pastry

1pm- Drive up to Mission Beach and relax near Point Medanos or Belmont Park (Great people watching!)

2pm- Grab a late lunch at Cannonball for the views and the sushi

3:30pm- Swing by Fiesta Island on the way home to let the dogs run around and play off-leash

5pm- Bask in the sweet & salty air near Torrey Pines state park and catch a beautiful San Diego sunset.

6:30pm- Head up to Valentina in Encinitas for an amazing dinner and wonderful ambiance

8pm- Grab a drink (and some bread and pesto of course) from Le Papagayo and reflect on the amazing food, views, and friendships from the day

My mother deserves a huge shoutout for helping me become the person i am today. Watching her manage 3 kids, a home, and a business as a single mother set the precedent for work ethic, passion, and perseverance. Through her example, I learned to juggle many different responsibilities without losing compassion or getting overwhelmed. Having her as a support system throughout my life allowed me to blossom into the man I am today.