Meet Jowhar Karim | Certified Dog Trainer & Breeder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jowhar Karim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jowhar, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
During a period when COVID was affecting all aspects of our lives. The pandemic changed my perspective on life, my goals and my future. I wasn’t happy with the direction my career was heading and I had been considering a change for some time. There was no better time than the present to take action and pursue my passion.

Having owned and bred Boxers for that past 20 years I was ready to change my status from hobbyist, to professional. Raising and training dogs consumed most of my time, brought me in contact with dog lovers across the globe and I was able to use my field of study; biochemistry on a daily basis. That degree wasn’t earned in vain after all.
No longer did I aspire to climb the corporate ladder. My hobby became my passion, my purpose. In December of 2020 I completed an extensive training course, Training Without Conflict, under the highly accomplished dog trainer, Ivan Balabanov. In the months to follow I was required to demonstrate my knowledge and understanding of the methodology with several dogs from different breeds and ages before being certified.

On May of 2021, I took that leap of faith and have not looked back. Starting my own business has been the best decision I could have made.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Mirak K9 Training Base is a family operated, training and boarding facility. Our clients canine companions are integrated in our household with 24/7 professional care and all the comforts of home. As a certified Training Without Conflict™ trainer, I respect and harness your dog’s intelligence. I have been trained to appreciate and understand that dogs are born genetically pre-programmed by nature with certain behaviors (desirable or not), which are impossible to eliminate. As a TWC trainer, I know how to develop training plans and lessons to guide and control the dog’s instincts without unnecessary stress and conflict, while maintaining the dog’s confidence and true desire to interact with the trainer and its environment.

I am excited to spread the methodology of training without conflict to dog owners that are struggling with their relationship with their dogs. It’s rewarding to see both human and dog grow as a team and create a stronger bond.

My journey as a business owner has been an adventure. There is only so much preparation you can make before taking that leap of faith and learning as you go. As a small business owner, you wear all of the “hats” needed to operate a business.

Thankfully I have had great mentors in similar businesses that have given me the support and guidance needed. Our local small business administration put me in contact with SCORE, a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Let’s start in Tucson, where they have a great art and culinary vibe. The local artists have created beautiful murals throughout the city and at some of the local eateries. Near the University or Arizona you’ll find some great spots to eat, my go to for Japanese is Yoshimatsu. When I’m craving Mexican take-away, I go to Rito’s Mexican Restaurant in Phoenix. Try the red chimichanga. Getting away from the city and heading north to cooler weather and outdoor activities, you’ll find a hidden oasis called Fossil Creek. It’s well worth the drive and short hike where you can enjoy a refreshing swim in crystal clear waters flowing through the mountains. If you’re feeling adventurous you can jump off the waterfall. You’ll find plenty of places to hike and camp in this area of the state. Of course you can’t visit Arizona without seeing the Grand Canyon and checking out a few places on route 66.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to Doris, my mom, my number one supporter that has encouraged me since childhood to never make excuses for not being successful. My sister Halimah, for helping me think outside of the box and challenging my ideas. Ivan Balabanov, for teaching me the blueprint to becoming a successful dog trainer.

Thanks to the support from my dog friends, trainers and mentors that are instrumental in my growth and development.

Website: www.mirakk9.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirak_k9_training_base/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jowhar.karim/

Image Credits
D.D. Barrett, Ivan Balabanov