Know the story behind Willful K9

Where it all started..

Hello, my name is William Diaz, and I am the owner and founder of Willful K9. With over a decade of experience working with dogs of all breeds and temperaments, I have dedicated my career to understanding canine behavior and developing effective training methods. My journey began at the age of 14 with my dog, Rican, an American Pitbull Terrier. That's back when I had my full hair lining on my head. Rican was highly food-motivated but struggled with leash reactivity. I was frustrated because he only acted like that outside on walks towards squirrels, rabbits, cats, but mainly dogs! To a point were he got off the leash a couple times and got into some close calls. Since I was in high school I didn't have the money for dog training. I knew I had to teach him to behave so I set out for answers. So I read books, blogs, listened to audiobooks, podcasts, bought educational videos, went to seminars attended workshops, and eventuality school. So my dog Rican sparked my passion for dog training because watching him think about making the right choices from the skills I taught him was powerful. Since I knew what it felt like when my dog got off leash and I couldn't call him back, or even when I was walking with him and how frustrating it was not being able to control him with his triggers his triggers around me. Once I trained him to handle any situation it strengthened our bond so much for us to just have the clarity and that is what I wanted other dog owners to feel as well.

Trusted the process

Straight out of high school I pursued being a dog trainer by looking at the different schools that could. At the time the one I picked was Animal Behavior College. Did the course and did an externship at facility in Chicago where i met trainers doing group classes and also got introduced to the working dog world as well (1st Row of pictures below). The first place I started my Career in training dogs was actually volunteering for Anti Cruelty Society. Then I ended up working there for 2 years. worked with cats and dogs. From helping dogs and cats get adopted, feeding the whole facility, caring for the sick animals, to Jumping on top of kennels to scrub them. I enjoyed learning about all the different dog breeds, temperaments, behaviors, and personalities traits.( 2nd row of Pictures below) Then I worked at my first dog training facility where I worked as a kennel tech, transporting dogs, monitoring dog socials to working my way up to a dog trainer. Got to do Privates and board and trains and also got experience with rescues for pit-bulls and other breeds and also a rescues with greyhounds. (3rd row) Then I worked with another training facility with a different system. Adjusted on how they did things and got more experience with training dogs and clients. Also working with rescues to train their dogs and teach potential adopters how to become better handlers to be a better fit for the dog they are trying to adopt. (4th row) I even worked security with dogs as well. Patrolled with dogs on train stations with CTA, Scrap yards, landscaping places, even worked Navy pier with security dogs. Working security was cool and learned a lot but I knew were my passion was and it was training dogs so I had to go back to that. Finally worked at the last facility and got to get more experience doing what I been doing at the other facilities. Doing more reps in Board & trains, Daycare & Trains, behavior modification, off leash reliability, 1 on 1 privates, and only thing new was me learning how to Decoy dogs since I was already in dog sports like IGP/PSA. (5th row)

And Enjoy the Journey...

I've been enjoying the journey throughout all of my 20's learning everything I could about dogs, met great people wether it been the people I worked with, clients I helped, and friendships I created throughout the way. Not to mention all the amazing dogs lives i've helped change. The compliments I received like people saying I'm "Chicago's best dog trainer" was worth more to me then any amount of money.

So now I started my own business since June 2024. Its defiantly been quite different owning my own business Since I been working for different places for so long, but I am looking forward to every step of the way. Helping as many people and dogs as I can and also helping up and coming trainers as well. Since I knew how it felt when I was just starting out and seeking knowledge from different people in Chicago. There are so many dogs in Chicago for everyone so I just want to create more of a community vs competition. What I'm excited the most is the new relationships i'm going to create. I've seen trainers that started with less then me and become really successful. So I figured why not me? I know I will get there. "If theres a Will theirs a way!"

My story is not done its only the beginning. This is my purpose and I will strive to help as many dogs and people as I can! One dog as a time.

Willful K9 transformed my dog's behavior! Their training methods are effective and compassionate. My dog is now well-mannered and social. Highly recommend their services!

Sarah M.

★★★★★