In this episode of Love and Business, we sit down with Carter Wilde, founder of Wild Acres and one of the most respected dog trainers in Baltimore County. Carter’s story is one of grit, resilience, and transformation — from battling addiction in his early 20s to building a thriving 20-acre training and boarding facility, plus launching a dog gear product line.

Carter shares:

• How getting clean in 2012 ignited his entrepreneurial journey
• The surprising parallels between habit-building in humans and training in dogs
• Why replacing bad habits with better ones is the key to long-term change
• How his family (and becoming a father) reshaped his priorities and leadership
• The business lessons from buying and renovating an aging kennel into a thriving enterprise

Whether you’re passionate about dog training, interested in overcoming addiction, or curious about the grind of building a business from the ground up, Carter’s journey will inspire and challenge you.

Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro to Carter Wilde & Wild Acres
3:20 – Early life, first dogs, and training roots
10:45 – Sobriety & the mindset shift
18:20 – Habits: humans vs. dogs
28:05 – From side hustles to full-time dog training
37:45 – Buying and rebuilding a 20-acre kennel
50:15 – Parenthood’s impact on business and life
1:05:40 – Lessons in legacy, gratitude & growth

Connect with Carter Wilde:
Instagram – @carterwilde

Website – https://wildeacresmd.com/