Mantravadi
Chandra Shekar, Founder & CEO, Progressive Canines
I'm Mantravadi Chandra Shekar, the visionary founder and CEO of Progressive Canines, the elite canine resort and institute nestled in Kokapet, Hyderabad. I’m a Canine Behavior Specialist, and my heart beats for the intricate science of how dogs communicate, and I’m dedicated to crafting innovative solutions for canine behavior. Whether I'm assisting devoted pet parents or lending a hand to police and law enforcement units, my mission remains the same: to customize and transform with actionable, impactful results.
Could you tell us about your venture, Progressive Canines, and its services?
Progressive Canines operates an eco-friendly, lush green, 2-acre campus in the vibrant Kokapet area of Hyderabad, South India, designed where pets can freely play and enjoy themselves. Launched in 2012, after eight years of scientific research and extensive study in Cynology, we began with a modest facility to accommodate 12 pets. Today, we proudly offer training and boarding services for up to 120 pets per month on average.
In our D2C segment, our services encompass customized dehydrated treats and freshly cooked meals as per the energy requirement of the pet by Dr. Dogmom, board and train programs, behavioral assessments, luxury boarding and lodging, pet swimming pools, agility courses, pet spa and grooming, and trekking activities managed by our Co-Founder, Dr. Madhulika. For our B2B clients, we provide specialized services, including the provision of training trainer courses, personal protection dogs, patrol dogs, drug detection dogs, bomb detection dogs, dual-purpose dogs, currency detection dogs, cadaver/human remains detection dogs, and industrial/private security solutions.
What inspired you to start Progressive Canines, and how has your leadership style contributed to the company's growth and success?
Initially, when I commenced pet training, I engaged in a door-to-door approach, visiting individual homes to train pets. During this period, I realized that it was the pet parents who required training more than their pets. The lack of commitment displayed by pet parents often resulted in the failure of our training programs. Most pet parents tend to prefer remaining within their comfort zones, which subsequently influences their pets to exhibit similar and multiple other behavior issues, thereby rendering the training and behavior modification less effective. This observation led to the inception of Progressive Canines, a dual-purpose dog training and boarding institution. Our campus is meticulously designed with a scientific approach that ensures it remains environmentally friendly. We began modestly with a facility that could host 12 pets in 2012 and experienced considerable success. Currently, we have expanded our capacity to accommodate 120 pets within our 2-acre campus located in the prominent region of Kokapet, Hyderabad, South India. The establishment of a boarding and training campus extends beyond mere training and behavior alterations; it encompasses the overall health and wellness of pets. To manage this extensive setup, a comprehensive team is necessary. Initially, I provided intensive guidance to our employees through every stage of the process in managing training and behavior modification and training handover sessions to pet parents. At present, our staff possesses the requisite skills to maintain the campus independently, supported by a robust system. Leadership roles such as team leader and operations head have been instituted to oversee the entire setup effectively.
Could you walk us through your professional journey, highlighting key milestones and achievements?
Unfortunately, our industry lacks a structured framework for educating professionals on dog behavior and training. Consequently, despite my enthusiasm and dedication, I initially faced challenges in understanding the science-based approach. Nevertheless, after participating in seminars and courses conducted by global experts, I gained the ability to effectively comprehend and apply these techniques. Through our innovative approach, we have now developed a unique and successful training system.
Much like other fields, the dog training industry also provides international platforms for trainers to validate their skills. I am proud to have achieved the first protection dog title, PSA PDC, with my Belgian Malinois, Czar, during the inaugural international competition held in Delhi in 2016. Following this, his offspring, Yodha, excelled by earning top scores and international titles in PSA PDC (2018, Delhi) and PSA 1 (2019, Pune). Additionally, Nieko, Jr. Czar, Rudra, and Ninja (2023, Hyderabad), from our breeding program, have also received titles, underscoring the excellence of our breeding program in Asia. Numerous other working dogs bred by us have earned titles in both India and the United States.
We have also supplied puppies to the National Security Guard and trained patrol dogs for notable companies such as Jindal Steels and TVS Sundaram. Our services extend to providing therapy dogs for corporations like Tech Mahindra, assisted canine therapy for CIMHANS (focused on children with ADHD), and trained drug detection dogs for Woxsen University, among other clients nationwide. Furthermore, we have organized numerous events for children on Children's Day, participated in demonstrations at expos in Hyderabad, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, and showcased our trained drug detection dogs to the Telangana Police.
What are your areas of expertise, and how have they played a role in your success at Progressive Canines?
As a Canine Behavior Specialist at Progressive Canines, my primary area of expertise lies in problem-solving a wide range of canine behaviors. My role involves addressing and resolving both common and complex behavioral issues, from basic obedience concerns to more specialized needs within the security industry.
The versatility and depth of my expertise allow me to tackle behavior challenges effectively, ensuring that our clients receive the utmost quality in training and behavioral modification. This includes working with pet owners to improve their pets' behavior at home and collaborating with security firms to train dogs for specific operational roles.
Our organization's success is a testament to our comprehensive approach and the consistent results we deliver. The reputation we've built means that clients travel from around the country to have their pets trained at Progressive Canines. The trust and satisfaction of our clientele play a pivotal role in our continued success and growth in the canine behavior field.
What do you consider the most significant achievement during your 20-year journey at Progressive Canines?
Our organization derives immense pleasure from achieving result-oriented outcomes for our clients. Whether serving pet parents or security companies, we strive for excellence and satisfaction in all our interactions. Ensuring that our services meet and exceed expectations is our primary goal. This commitment to delivering top-tier results fosters trust and loyalty among our clients. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to provide innovative solutions and exceptional service. By continuously refining our methods and staying attuned to client needs, we create successful, lasting partnerships. We pride ourselves on being a trusted and reliable partner for all our clients.
What advice do you give aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start their business in the pet care industry?
When I began my journey about 20 years ago in the pet industry, we had minimal support and resources available for learning and implementing best practices. Today, our organization not only excels in this field but also offers training programs for individuals who aspire to become trainers and build sustainable careers. Unfortunately, many newcomers today allocate insufficient time to proper education and hands-on experience, which hampers their ability to deliver quality services to clients. This is where we step in to assist. Our program emphasizes the importance of a solid scientific foundation in both theory and practice. My aim is to genuinely help people acquire the necessary knowledge, including facility management, to achieve professional excellence.
To aspiring entrepreneurs who wish to start their own business in the pet care industry: prioritize gaining comprehensive knowledge and training first. Invest in understanding the scientific principles and practical aspects of pet care. This will not only enhance your credibility but also ensure the highest quality of service for your clients. Building a strong foundation through education and experience is key to long-term success.
I'm Mantravadi Chandra Shekar, the visionary founder and CEO of Progressive Canines, the elite canine resort and institute nestled in Kokapet, Hyderabad. I’m a Canine Behavior Specialist, and my heart beats for the intricate science of how dogs communicate, and I’m dedicated to crafting innovative solutions for canine behavior. Whether I'm assisting devoted pet parents or lending a hand to police and law enforcement units, my mission remains the same: to customize and transform with actionable, impactful results.
Could you tell us about your venture, Progressive Canines, and its services?
Progressive Canines operates an eco-friendly, lush green, 2-acre campus in the vibrant Kokapet area of Hyderabad, South India, designed where pets can freely play and enjoy themselves. Launched in 2012, after eight years of scientific research and extensive study in Cynology, we began with a modest facility to accommodate 12 pets. Today, we proudly offer training and boarding services for up to 120 pets per month on average.
In our D2C segment, our services encompass customized dehydrated treats and freshly cooked meals as per the energy requirement of the pet by Dr. Dogmom, board and train programs, behavioral assessments, luxury boarding and lodging, pet swimming pools, agility courses, pet spa and grooming, and trekking activities managed by our Co-Founder, Dr. Madhulika. For our B2B clients, we provide specialized services, including the provision of training trainer courses, personal protection dogs, patrol dogs, drug detection dogs, bomb detection dogs, dual-purpose dogs, currency detection dogs, cadaver/human remains detection dogs, and industrial/private security solutions.
What inspired you to start Progressive Canines, and how has your leadership style contributed to the company's growth and success?
Initially, when I commenced pet training, I engaged in a door-to-door approach, visiting individual homes to train pets. During this period, I realized that it was the pet parents who required training more than their pets. The lack of commitment displayed by pet parents often resulted in the failure of our training programs. Most pet parents tend to prefer remaining within their comfort zones, which subsequently influences their pets to exhibit similar and multiple other behavior issues, thereby rendering the training and behavior modification less effective. This observation led to the inception of Progressive Canines, a dual-purpose dog training and boarding institution. Our campus is meticulously designed with a scientific approach that ensures it remains environmentally friendly. We began modestly with a facility that could host 12 pets in 2012 and experienced considerable success. Currently, we have expanded our capacity to accommodate 120 pets within our 2-acre campus located in the prominent region of Kokapet, Hyderabad, South India. The establishment of a boarding and training campus extends beyond mere training and behavior alterations; it encompasses the overall health and wellness of pets. To manage this extensive setup, a comprehensive team is necessary. Initially, I provided intensive guidance to our employees through every stage of the process in managing training and behavior modification and training handover sessions to pet parents. At present, our staff possesses the requisite skills to maintain the campus independently, supported by a robust system. Leadership roles such as team leader and operations head have been instituted to oversee the entire setup effectively.
Could you walk us through your professional journey, highlighting key milestones and achievements?
Unfortunately, our industry lacks a structured framework for educating professionals on dog behavior and training. Consequently, despite my enthusiasm and dedication, I initially faced challenges in understanding the science-based approach. Nevertheless, after participating in seminars and courses conducted by global experts, I gained the ability to effectively comprehend and apply these techniques. Through our innovative approach, we have now developed a unique and successful training system.
Much like other fields, the dog training industry also provides international platforms for trainers to validate their skills. I am proud to have achieved the first protection dog title, PSA PDC, with my Belgian Malinois, Czar, during the inaugural international competition held in Delhi in 2016. Following this, his offspring, Yodha, excelled by earning top scores and international titles in PSA PDC (2018, Delhi) and PSA 1 (2019, Pune). Additionally, Nieko, Jr. Czar, Rudra, and Ninja (2023, Hyderabad), from our breeding program, have also received titles, underscoring the excellence of our breeding program in Asia. Numerous other working dogs bred by us have earned titles in both India and the United States.
We have also supplied puppies to the National Security Guard and trained patrol dogs for notable companies such as Jindal Steels and TVS Sundaram. Our services extend to providing therapy dogs for corporations like Tech Mahindra, assisted canine therapy for CIMHANS (focused on children with ADHD), and trained drug detection dogs for Woxsen University, among other clients nationwide. Furthermore, we have organized numerous events for children on Children's Day, participated in demonstrations at expos in Hyderabad, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, and showcased our trained drug detection dogs to the Telangana Police.
What are your areas of expertise, and how have they played a role in your success at Progressive Canines?
As a Canine Behavior Specialist at Progressive Canines, my primary area of expertise lies in problem-solving a wide range of canine behaviors. My role involves addressing and resolving both common and complex behavioral issues, from basic obedience concerns to more specialized needs within the security industry.
The versatility and depth of my expertise allow me to tackle behavior challenges effectively, ensuring that our clients receive the utmost quality in training and behavioral modification. This includes working with pet owners to improve their pets' behavior at home and collaborating with security firms to train dogs for specific operational roles.
Our organization's success is a testament to our comprehensive approach and the consistent results we deliver. The reputation we've built means that clients travel from around the country to have their pets trained at Progressive Canines. The trust and satisfaction of our clientele play a pivotal role in our continued success and growth in the canine behavior field.
What do you consider the most significant achievement during your 20-year journey at Progressive Canines?
Our organization derives immense pleasure from achieving result-oriented outcomes for our clients. Whether serving pet parents or security companies, we strive for excellence and satisfaction in all our interactions. Ensuring that our services meet and exceed expectations is our primary goal. This commitment to delivering top-tier results fosters trust and loyalty among our clients. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to provide innovative solutions and exceptional service. By continuously refining our methods and staying attuned to client needs, we create successful, lasting partnerships. We pride ourselves on being a trusted and reliable partner for all our clients.
What advice do you give aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start their business in the pet care industry?
When I began my journey about 20 years ago in the pet industry, we had minimal support and resources available for learning and implementing best practices. Today, our organization not only excels in this field but also offers training programs for individuals who aspire to become trainers and build sustainable careers. Unfortunately, many newcomers today allocate insufficient time to proper education and hands-on experience, which hampers their ability to deliver quality services to clients. This is where we step in to assist. Our program emphasizes the importance of a solid scientific foundation in both theory and practice. My aim is to genuinely help people acquire the necessary knowledge, including facility management, to achieve professional excellence.
To aspiring entrepreneurs who wish to start their own business in the pet care industry: prioritize gaining comprehensive knowledge and training first. Invest in understanding the scientific principles and practical aspects of pet care. This will not only enhance your credibility but also ensure the highest quality of service for your clients. Building a strong foundation through education and experience is key to long-term success.
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