Influential Woman · Dog Training
Mayra Luna, CDBC
Business Owner / Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, Elevate Dog Training Club
Houston, TX 77417
Her Story
About Mayra
Mayra Luna is the founder and owner of Elevate Dog Training Club, where she specializes in helping families navigate behavior challenges with anxious, fearful, and reactive dogs. With more than 13 years of experience in the animal care and dog training industry, Mayra has built her reputation on compassionate, ethical, and relationship-centered training that prioritizes both the wellbeing of the dog and the long-term success of the family. Through in-home behavior work, puppy training, and confidence-building programs, she is dedicated to creating supportive environments where pets can safely remain in their homes and thrive.
As a bilingual trainer fluent in both English and Spanish, Mayra is passionate about making behavior support accessible to a wider range of families and creating meaningful connections with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Mayra’s journey into dog training began at 18 years old when she started working as a cashier at a local pet store. After transitioning into a dog training role, she quickly advanced to become a district mentor while also growing into leadership and management positions. Although retail training gave her a strong foundation, she realized that many fearful or reactive dogs needed a quieter, more personalized approach than a busy store environment could provide. That realization led her into in-home behavior work, where she discovered her passion for supporting families through some of their most difficult training challenges.
Her path to entrepreneurship was shaped by resilience and determination. While overcoming financial barriers and rebuilding after divorce, Mayra continued pursuing her education and expanding her expertise in behavior and training. In 2020, she made the decision to leave corporate retail behind and pursue dog training full time, eventually launching Elevate Dog Training Club from the ground up in late 2024 with no outside funding, driven entirely by grit, compassion, and a commitment to helping both dogs and people.
In 2024, Mayra earned her Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) credential through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, a distinction held by only a small number of professionals in the Houston area. Beyond her professional work, Mayra is passionate about mentorship and community involvement, including volunteer efforts with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Whether she is leading in-home lessons, mentoring pet owners, or building partnerships within the rescue community, Mayra remains committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care while strengthening the bond between people and their pets
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Mayra
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to building this business entirely from the ground up through grit, resilience, and an uncompromising commitment to quality. From the beginning, I made the decision that profit would never come before ethical, compassionate care. A philosophy that continues to guide both my work and the team I’ve built.
Coming from a humble background and overcoming significant personal challenges taught me discipline, adaptability, and perseverance early on. While my path was unconventional, I built my education through more than 13 years of hands-on experience in animal behavior, leadership roles within the pet industry, and advanced professional certifications. Earning my Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) credential through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants remains one of the proudest milestones of my career.
Every experience, from leadership and entrepreneurship to rebuilding through adversity helped shape the foundation of the company I lead today: one centered on expertise, integrity, and meaningful results for both dogs and their families.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Build your career on curiosity and consistency. Stay teachable, seek out people who challenge your thinking, and let experience refine your skills over time.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Your reputation, ethics, and professionalism are the foundation of your success in this field. Stay committed to being a lifelong student. Seek out experienced mentors, stay curious, and remain humble enough to learn from every case. Growth comes from consistent hands-on experience, reflection, and a continued investment in your education and development.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Ethics are one of the biggest challenges in the dog training industry right now, largely because it’s unregulated and often driven by quick fixes over long-term welfare.
At Elevate Dog Training Club, I’m focused on setting a higher standard by keeping ethics at the center of every decision prioritizing humane, evidence-based methods, continuing education, and clear, honest communication with clients.
For me, it’s about shifting the industry toward long-term behavioral change and accountability, where welfare and professionalism are the baseline, not the exception.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important value in my work is an unwavering commitment to quality and ethics. I’m dedicated to upholding high professional standards, investing in continuing education, and bringing in-compassionate professionals who share that same philosophy.
What I love most about this field is the ability to transform relationships that directly impact a person’s quality of life. This work goes far beyond obedience, it’s about strengthening the bond between people and their dogs in a way that can truly change both of their lives.
Dogs are some of the most selfless companions we have, and being able to support families in building trust, clarity, and connection with them is deeply meaningful. I’ve been able to help dogs remain in their homes who otherwise may have been surrendered, and that is what continues to drive my work.
This field requires genuine passion and responsibility, and I feel grateful to be in a position where I can create that kind of lasting impact.
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