Jake Giammarino, co-owner of Discover Dogs alongside his wife Tanya, operates a dog-focused retail store specializing in nutrition and behavioural products for dogs of all sizes. With a mission to educate dog owners on biologically appropriate, minimally processed foods, Discover Dogs offers more than just products—they provide nutritional consultations and support through desensitizing nail trims. Celebrating over a decade at their Kingsway and Fraser location, they recently expanded with a second store at 8th and Yukon, continuing their passion for improving dog health through diet.
What is your business called and what does it do?
We run Discover Dogs – a dog-focused retail store specializing in nutrition, diet and behavioural products for dogs of all shapes and sizes. We pride ourselves on providing an inclusive environment for all our clients and staff while providing a high level of knowledge in pet food, toys and treats. We also provide nutritional consultations and desensitizing nail trims. Our Kingsway and Fraser location just celebrated 11 years of being open and we just opened a 2nd location at 8th and Yukon and we’re loving the new neighbourhood.
What made you want to do this work?
We are super passionate about dog nutrition and reducing the amount of processed foods being fed to dogs. So many people have ongoing issues with their pets’ diets and we saw a gap in the focus on whole, biologically appropriate foods for dogs. Our aim is to provide an educational environment where clients can freely ask questions about their dogs’ nutrition and we can support them as they make steps towards improving their pets’ health through food.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
Education is something that we pride ourselves on. Education of our staff which leads to better education for our clients. Most pet stores have very limited knowledge of the details of pet nutrition and how to solve diet issues for clients so we saw an opportunity to provide a high-knowledge staff paired with a highly curated selection of products for pet owners who are looking for something a little different from their pet store.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
Dog owners are a diverse and varied group and we do our best to provide a space for all of the different doggy parents out there. While it’s tough to pin down a particular client or demographic we find that our clients commonly share a goal for a deeper knowledge of how to provide better for their pets. With the internet, everyone can gather the basics on dog care and nutrition but our clients are often looking for deeper knowledge, a better understanding of their dogs’ needs and a place they can ask those questions in a judgement-free, high-information environment.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
At its base, Discover Dogs makes money by selling dog products to our clients but really I find we make our real money by being a support system for dog owners as they navigate the crazy and challenging world of owning a dog. Sometimes it’s recommending a product, sometimes it’s having hard conversations about diet and sometimes it’s about just being a listening ear for our clients to vent about the challenges of owning a dog but what helps us create a lasting impression on our clients is having a vested interest in the long term health of their pet and the happiness of pet owners.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
3 ways to shop
– Online at discoverdogs.ca (we ship all over the lower mainland)
– Our first store at Kingsway and Fraser (amazing lunch spots in the neighbourhood)
– Our new location at 8th and Yukon
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
Q: What is the best thing I can do to improve my dog’s health?
A: Increase the amount of unprocessed foods and decrease the processing, carbs and fillers in foods. Investing in low-ingredient, low-processing, dog-appropriate foods is the number 1 way for our clients to increase the life span of their pets, greatly increase the happiness and health of both you and your pet and save you the most amount of money long term.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
The best part of our job is seeing a marked improvement in the health of the pets we service. Since we see the same dogs week in and week we get to keep tabs on changes (good and bad) and how generally things are going in the life and health of the pet. With this, we get to see our clients come in and talk to us about the improvement in their pet’s health, behaviour, relationship and general well-being and for the dog lovers that work in our store that is the best part of the job.
The worst part would be fully invested pet owners, doing their part to do the best for their pet and not seeing the results they want. Our pets’ health affects our own health (physical and mental) and it’s super tough to watch a client struggle to know what to do when their pet is not well.
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
Why are dogs like phones?
Because they have collar-ID…
Where can we follow you?
Subscribe to our newsletter at discoverdogs.ca or check out our Instagram
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
Right now we can’t stop eating the bagels and hummus at Mish Mish on Fraser Street. Great service, reasonable prices and amazing bagels!
