The Wag Pod

Richmond Griner of Wag Works sits down with Jeff Allen, founder of Cornerstone K9, for part two of their conversation. Jeff shares his journey into professional dog training, his decision to leave his career at Caterpillar to pursue training full time, and the work that went into developing Cornerstone K9.

Jeff discusses his years of experience training dogs, including his involvement in Protection Sports Association (PSA), where he has competed as a handler, worked as a senior decoy, and served as a judge. He also takes us through the early stages of Cornerstone K9, from offering private lessons to expanding the business and bringing other professional trainers onto the team. Jeff explains what he looks for when hiring trainers, the extensive process they go through before joining Cornerstone, and why finding people with the right combination of training experience, people skills, and passion for dogs is so important to the company.

The conversation also dives into what Cornerstone K9 offers and the philosophy behind its approach to training. Jeff discusses creating programs around the individual needs of each dog and owner, the importance of educating owners so they can continue their dog’s training at home, and the continued support Cornerstone provides its clients. Jeff also shares what he hopes to continue building with Cornerstone K9 and his vision for the future of the business.

Richmond Griner of Wag Works chats with Jeff Allen, founder of Cornerstone K9, in Part One of this two-part series, exploring the story of Murphy, the official Bat Dog for the Winston-Salem Dash. Jeff shares how his lifelong passion for dogs and experience in Protection Sports Association (PSA) training helped shape Murphy into one of the most recognizable Bat Dogs in Minor League Baseball.

The conversation follows Murphy's path from the world of competitive working dogs to the baseball field, including his time with the Sanford Spinners before earning his opportunity with the Dash. Jeff also discusses what goes into training a dog for a live stadium environment, the bond he and Murphy have built over the years, and the moments that helped Murphy become a fan favorite with baseball fans across North Carolina.

Whether you're a baseball fan, a dog lover, or simply curious about the incredible things dogs are capable of, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the remarkable story of Murphy the Bat Dog, the training behind his success, and the dedication it takes to perform one of the most unique roles in Minor League Baseball.

Richmond Griner of Wag Works chats with Alan Wieder in Part Two of this series, exploring the evolution of Crappily Drawn Pets and how a simple idea turned into a growing, highly personal art business.

Building on the shift explored in Part One, Alan shares how offering to poorly draw pets on Instagram quickly revealed real demand. What started as a lighthearted concept turned into something much bigger, as pet owners connected with the humor, personality, and individuality behind each piece. He walks through how the idea took shape and began gaining traction.

The conversation explores the realities of building a creative business rooted entirely in custom work. Each drawing is unique, requiring detailed communication, reference photos, and thoughtful decisions around composition and captions. Alan breaks down his process from initial concept to finished piece, along with the time, energy, and attention that go into every commission.

As demand increases, the discussion also touches on the challenges of scaling. Alan reflects on pricing adjustments, managing workload, and the possibility of bringing on help in the future, all while maintaining the style and quality that define the work.

At its core, Crappily Drawn Pets blends humor, storytelling, and a genuine love for animals, creating something that resonates well beyond the drawing itself. As the business continues to grow, Alan’s journey highlights how leaning into authenticity and connection can turn a creative outlet into a sustainable business.

Richmond Griner of Wag Works chats with Alan Wieder about a career that spans cable news, reality television, and an unexpected turn toward art.

After studying comparative literature with plans of entering academia, Alan moved into mass media, working in a fast-paced cable news newsroom during major late-’90s events. He later relocated to Los Angeles and built a long career producing nonfiction and entertainment television, including reality series, dating shows, game shows, and documentaries. For years, the industry was booming.

Then the landscape shifted. Networks slowed. Streaming platforms changed the economics. Fewer shows were being bought. What had once been a steady, in-demand business became far less predictable, and the path forward in reality television was no longer as clear.

Throughout it all, Alan kept creating. Photography. Cartoons and doodles. Gallery shows. T-shirts that built an audience. Much of the work leaned cynical and satirical, shaped by his humor and his experience inside television.

As the industry cooled, a conversation with his dad pushed him to consider making something more positive. Combined with his connection to animals and his passion for drawing, that shift began steering his work in a new direction. Alan openly describes himself as a “bad drawer,” not a traditionally trained artist, yet his humor and strong attention to detail are exactly what people respond to.

Part One of this two-part series follows Alan’s path through media, the industry reset, and the creative pivot that would eventually lead to Crappily Drawn Pets.

Richmond Griner of Wag Works chats with Sam Khera, founder of Royal Dog Chains, about building a brand that blends durability, personality, and true “royalty” for dogs of every size. Sam shares how the idea was inspired by his beloved soul dog, Rajah, whose presence and demeanor felt larger than life. Rajah, meaning “King,” carried himself with a kind of elegance that left a lasting mark, and that legacy became the foundation for everything Royal Dog Chains stands for.

In this episode, Sam walks through his entrepreneurial journey and how the brand began taking shape during the COVID era, when he started building the vision, the look, and the identity behind Royal Dog Chains. The conversation highlights the moment that made it all click, realizing the pet space was full of either basic functional collars or flashy pieces that did not feel built to last, and there was a missing middle ground for owners who wanted something meaningful, bold, and premium without it being out of reach.

Sam also shares how Royal Dog Chains has grown through pure grassroots hustle, learning Instagram, showing up at dog shows, and putting the product directly in people’s hands. From statement chains for big dogs to newer lines made for smaller pups (and even cats), the brand continues expanding with matching leashes, custom colors, and personalized name plates so every pet can feel one of one.

This one is for anyone who loves dogs, loves style, and loves hearing how a personal story can turn into a real company. Royal Dog Chains is still early, but the vision is clear, and Rajah’s spirit lives on in every piece.

Richmond Griner of Wag Works chats with Sam Kheri, founder of Royal Dog Chains, about building a brand that blends durability, personality, and true “royalty” for dogs of every size. Sam shares how the idea was inspired by his beloved soul dog, Rajah, whose presence and demeanor felt larger than life. Rajah, meaning “King,” carried himself with a kind of elegance that left a lasting mark, and that legacy became the foundation for everything Royal Dog Chains stands for.

In this episode, Sam walks through his entrepreneurial journey and how the brand began taking shape during the COVID era, when he started building the vision, the look, and the identity behind Royal Dog Chains. The conversation highlights the moment that made it all click, realizing the pet space was full of either basic functional collars or flashy pieces that did not feel built to last, and there was a missing middle ground for owners who wanted something meaningful, bold, and premium without it being out of reach.

Sam also shares how Royal Dog Chains has grown through pure grassroots hustle, learning Instagram, showing up at dog shows, and putting the product directly in people’s hands. From statement chains for big dogs to newer lines made for smaller pups (and even cats), the brand continues expanding with matching leashes, custom colors, and personalized name plates so every pet can feel one of one.

This one is for anyone who loves dogs, loves style, and loves hearing how a personal story can turn into a real company. Royal Dog Chains is still early, but the vision is clear, and Rajah’s spirit lives on in every piece.

Richmond Griner of Wag Works chats with Cole Parsons, co-founder of Tucker’s Tap Yard, about how life with pets and RV travel helped shape Winston-Salem’s first off-leash indoor and outdoor dog yard and bar.

After losing their orange tabby cat, Lego, Cole and his wife Kim found themselves adjusting to life without a pet for the first time. With weekends increasingly spent traveling by RV, hiking, and exploring new towns, they decided a dog could be the right companion for that lifestyle. They soon adopted a beagle puppy from the local rescue AARF and named him Tucker, who quickly became part of every trip.

As they traveled throughout the Southeast, Cole and Kim made a habit of seeking out dog-friendly breweries and taprooms, but consistently ran into the same limitation: dogs were welcome, but only on a leash. Over time, they discovered off-leash dog park bars in other cities and saw how much more enjoyable the experience was when dogs could safely run, play, and socialize.

That experience stayed with them back in Winston-Salem and eventually became Tucker’s Tap Yard. The downtown space features large fenced outdoor play areas, a climate-controlled indoor area, a separate small dog section, and trained Yard Rangers on site to monitor play. For people, the yard offers a full bar with beer, wine, and cocktails, covered patio seating, private event space, and additional amenities like a self-wash room and grooming services.

In this episode, Cole shares what it takes to build and operate a dog-centered business, how Tucker’s Tap Yard has grown into a consistent community gathering place, and why creating a safe, clean, and welcoming environment remains the priority. The conversation highlights how a love for dogs and time spent on the road turned into a space where pups play and friends stay.

Richmond Griner of Wag Works chats with Candie Kemp and Catherine Napoli-Bruce of Corgi Town USA, a corgi-focused podcast and community-centered brand built around education, connection, and better outcomes for dogs and the people who love them.

Corgi Town USA exists to support pet parents with practical, experience-backed information on health, training, grooming, traveling with dogs, rescue, fostering, and how to responsibly find the right puppy. What began as a deep love for the corgi breed has grown into a collaborative platform aimed at helping people make informed, dog-first decisions.

In this episode, Candie and Catherine share how they met through the corgi community, including the story of a foster corgi named Digby who ultimately found his forever home with Catherine. That connection deepened their friendship and played a meaningful role in the creation of the Corgi Town USA podcast.

The conversation explores the corgi breed more broadly, from common health considerations and responsible breeding practices to the importance of education and advocacy as the breed grows in popularity. It also dives into the shared perspectives Candie and Catherine bring to the corgi community and how they build on each other’s strengths as co-hosts.

At its core, Corgi Town USA is about providing reliable resources, amplifying responsible voices in the dog world, and staying focused on what’s best for the dog. This episode offers a thoughtful look at how shared values, collaboration, and community can create meaningful impact for pet parents everywhere.

Richmond Griner of Wag Works chats with Alejandra Avila and Aaron Irmas, the co-founders of PartyAnimal, a California-based company created to make celebrating dogs simpler and more personal. It began with Alejandra wanting to do something special for her dog Maya’s birthday and realizing there was no easy way to bring everything together in one place.

PartyAnimal grew out of that moment. Alejandra leads product development, design, and hands-on creation, while Aaron brings his background in marketing, branding, and entrepreneurship to the business. Together, they built a personalized party experience where dog parents submit a photo of their pup and receive a custom-made celebration delivered in one box.

In this conversation, Alejandra and Aaron talk about building a company as a team, how clearly defined roles helped them grow, and why early feedback from friends, family, and customers shaped the product into what it is today. They also share what it looks like to scale a handmade business, transition fully into ecommerce, and manage the long days that come with fulfilling high volumes of personalized orders.

Giving back sits at the core of PartyAnimal’s mission. As rescue dog parents themselves, they donate 10% of every PartyPack to dog rescue organizations, support adoption efforts by spotlighting dogs in need, and stay personally involved in helping rescues beyond financial contributions.

A thoughtful look at partnership, creativity, and building a business rooted in love for dogs, while using celebration as a way to make a meaningful impact.

Richmond Griner of Wag Works chats with Jennifer Estelle, founder of the B & Let Liv Project and creator of Endless Mountains Vineyards, about advocacy, adoption, and the connection between human and animal wellness.

Jennifer shares how adopting Buster, an American Staffordshire terrier, became the turning point that shaped her life’s work. Living with a breed so often misunderstood exposed her to the realities of discrimination and inspired her to create the B & Let Liv Project, a nonprofit focused on education, advocacy, spay and neuter initiatives, and promoting adoption over shopping while honoring Buster’s legacy.

The conversation also explores Endless Mountains Vineyards, a vineyard in Pennsylvania’s Endless Mountains that grew from Jennifer’s vision of a restorative space in nature where human healing and animal welfare can coexist.

This episode highlights how one dog can change a life and how purpose-driven spaces can create meaningful impact for people and animals alike.