How She Did It: Kay Sweezey, Double Creek Kennels

You can find Kay at her kennels in one of three ways: You can listen for the dogs, you can listen for the whistle, or you can listen for the sound of the Kubota tearing through the woods, with the dogs and the whistle. The dogs staying at Double Creek get daily workouts the likes of which we’ve never seen before: joy-filled romps at full-speed, chasing the Kubota on a mile-long run through the woods, sometimes with a big finish of a swim in her pond. The dogs love it; the ones that can’t run get a ride in the ATV, leading the pack.

Kay has been training retrievers and field dogs for decades. But Mistress of the Hounds is actually on her third round. She first put herself through school to be a hairdresser, used that job to put herself through school to be a teacher, which she did for a decade. All the while learning about training prizewinning field dogs with her late husband, Jay. So on to number three.

Have you ever daydreamed about the outdoors life surrounded by adoring canines? Here’s how Kay did it:

WHAT I DO: Double Creek Kennels is dog daycare, boarding and training center for hunting dogs, on Maryland’s eastern shore.

WHY THIS? I just love it. The first time I saw a field trial, I fell in love. The movement of a fine animal that’s well trained, I just see them as so beautiful.

SO, HOW’S IT GOING? It’s a successful business, and it’s all been word of mouth. I’m exhausted every day, but happy. I can’t see retiring. Cutting back, maybe selling off part of the business, but not retiring. It’s financial, but at the same time, I don’t know what I’d do with myself.

HARD-WON BITS OF ADVICE:

  1. Do something that gives you pleasure. Something that’s second nature to you. You need parts of it that you enjoy and that are almost effortless to you in order to stick with it.

  2. Dog training is a good field for women. I saw women get into it starting in the ‘70s. The women started to run their own dogs, they had a way with the animals, and the electric collar started being used. Women can get inside a dog’s head and understand the animal. After a while, if you’re observant, you can read them, see them making a decision. I know one woman who says “I speak golden (retriever).” And she does!

  3. More about dogs. Watch everything. It takes a long time to be a good dog handler. Dogs can’t tell you when they’re not feeling well. Be aware. Especially with caretaking, it’s like being a nurse when the patient can’t tell you how they feel.

  4. Every ten years, do something new. Try something new. Learn something new. Take on a new responsibility. When things get ho-hum, you aren’t being as effective anymore.

  5. Get yourself help, and be able to delegate. Otherwise, you’ll never be able to walk away or have a break. I have great help, but I still hate leaving my dogs.

IS THERE A “WHAT’S NEXT”?

I think I would like to help teach people to run their own dogs in trials. It’s to make you a better handler. Once a teacher always a teacher.

Kay doesn’t have a site, but she should. And she’s right, all her business is word of mouth. That’s how I found her. Her affordable and loving boarding changed our lives. Two Cosmos for Kay!

Contact: Double Creek Kennels, Double Creek Road, Chestertown, MD. 21620. 410-778-0204. On Facebook at Karen M. Sweezey.

REINVENTElise Kolaja