Discover Denis Toader’s journey and Dog Scouts Romania, a project that transforms a passion for dogs into educational events and unique experiences, promoting respect, empathy, and the bond between humans and animals.
Denis Toader is a person who loves animals and is passionate about event organization. Through Dog Scouts Romania, he has managed to combine these two passions in his daily life, and in doing so, has gathered a national community around him and contributed to educating and connecting people who want a better relationship with their dogs.
C&B: If we were to look at a narrative thread of your career or business, what were the key moments that defined you?
Denis: The first defining moment was organizing the first camp. That was when I realized I could turn what I love into a form of work, contribution, and even a business. Then, step by step, I formalized everything by launching the Dog Scouts company, and the most visible point of growth was the opening of Dog Scouts Aqua Park – the first swimming pool for dogs in Romania. There, I felt for the first time that this project could have a national impact and that it was worth pursuing, planning, and building for the long term.
C&B: What were the biggest challenges when you transformed your passion for animals into a concrete initiative?
Denis: The biggest challenge, from the beginning until now, has been mentality. Changing the way people view their dog – not as an animal they have to “obey,” but as a partner – is a tough mission. But step by step, more and more people are beginning to understand our direction. Also, behind the scenes, business challenges are real: from maintaining financial sustainability, to keeping a high level of quality, to offering services at an affordable cost for our audience.
C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Denis: The dream that always guides me is to see a Romania where animal welfare is the norm. I want us to reach a point where the human–dog relationship is based on respect, education, and empathy, not dominance or control. In the long term, I dream of building a large, integrated space where we can offer all Dog Scouts services – a sort of canine campus, a complete place for the well-being of dogs and the happiness of their humans.
C&B: What did you look like at the start of this journey, and how do you feel you have transformed since then?
Denis: At the beginning, I was very enthusiastic but quite chaotic. I didn’t know where to start, what to prioritize, and I was juggling between a full-time job and camps. I commuted between Bucharest and Făgăraș, and every day was a struggle. Now, after seven years, I feel more balanced, with direction, clarity, and a supportive team. We’ve moved from a weekend hobby to a long-term endeavor.
C&B: If we met with your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Denis: I think they would say I have a lot of ideas — maybe too many sometimes — and that I should put them on paper more often. In my head, they’re organized, but I don’t always manage to communicate them clearly. I think they’d also say I’m demanding, care about details and quality, but I never ask for anything I wouldn’t do myself first. There have been tense moments, which is normal, but I’ve always prioritized collaboration and mutual respect. I try to keep around me people who believe in what we do and feel they are part of something important.
C&B: What is the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?
Denis: I think all important decisions are interconnected. The first was organizing the first camp — simply, without much planning. Then, opening the company and turning the camps into a real business. An important step was leaving my stable job to dedicate myself 100% to Dog Scouts. And one of the best decisions was opening the dog swimming pool. It was a challenge, but also a validation that we were doing something truly different.
C&B: How has this project changed your perspective on leadership and entrepreneurship?
Denis: It changed it completely. At first, I thought I knew how entrepreneurship worked — I saw examples around me, and it seemed easy. But in reality, leadership isn’t about being the boss; it’s about constantly learning, listening, encouraging, and creating space for others. Entrepreneurship is a continuous learning process. And if you don’t enjoy it, you can’t understand or approach it correctly. I believe it takes a bit of madness to be an entrepreneur. You have to genuinely like being an entrepreneur, not just be one.
C&B: What do you think differentiates your business or professional approach from the rest of the industry?
Denis: We put the dog at the center. We don’t organize events just for owners or just for socializing; we create contexts where dogs and their humans learn to be a team. We don’t call ourselves “owners,” but “partners.” We don’t just want obedient dogs, but confident dogs. Hence our slogan: “for dogs and their humans.” We also differentiate ourselves by constantly innovating: themed camps, retreats, workshops, the pool, excursions — concepts no one had done in Romania before. Plus, we invite top experts from the country and abroad and invest heavily in the quality of information we provide. And, last but not least, the community. Dog Scouts is a living, growing community, with people who have become friends and support each other.
C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments bring you the most satisfaction?
Denis: The truth is, I don’t really have a “typical day.” Every day is different. During the week, I work a lot from the office — planning, paperwork, discussions with the team, collaborators, clients, marketing, and everything related to organization. I also try to visit locations when needed. So it’s a mix of office work and field work. On weekends, if I’m not at a camp, I’m at an event. The greatest satisfaction comes when I close a successful event, confirm a long-awaited speaker, or see an idea resonate with people. But especially when I receive real feedback from participants — when they tell me that after the camp their relationship with their dog changed drastically and they see results. There are dogs who have attended camp 7–10 times, and their progress is visible. Clients become friends. And I think that’s the greatest satisfaction: that Dog Scouts has become a big family.
C&B: What is the mission of Dog Scouts Romania, and what role does it play in educating and raising community awareness?
Denis: The mission of Dog Scouts is to create a national community, with small centers in every major city, with people organizing local meetups, events, and educational sessions. We want people to understand that the relationship with a dog is built on respect and empathy, not fear and punishment. We promote exclusively positive methods and support a relationship where both partners — human and dog — have needs that deserve to be heard. Through camps, workshops, and educational content, we encourage people to educate themselves, get involved, and invest in their dog’s well-being, not just “obedience.”
C&B: How did the idea of Dog Scouts Romania come about, and what motivated you to start this project?
Denis: The project started in 2018 after I saw that the Golden Retriever Romania group organized a mountain outing for the community. That was the moment I realized I could do something similar. I had the location, I had the passion, and my mother fully supported me, helping with all the organizational aspects — she was my biggest support and still helps me today. I created the first event, posted it on Facebook, and it caught on. I invited Vlad Vancia, a biologist and canine behavior specialist, who later became one of our main collaborators. Since then, Dog Scouts has grown step by step. We wanted to create the Romanian canine scouts club, but realized that name would have been too long and not as appealing to the public. So we chose the name Dog Scouts Romania.
C&B: What message would you give to young people who want to build a socially impactful project in Romania?
Denis: Start. Write down your ideas, gather friends who believe in you, and get to work. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people, send emails, ask for help. You’ll be surprised how often you receive positive responses. People are more receptive than we think. There’s a lot of potential in Romania for socially impactful projects. There are resources, great people, funds, and organizations ready to help. You just have to take the first step.
C&B: What are the development plans for Dog Scouts Romania? Are you considering international expansion?
Denis: We want to grow the network of locations — both fixed and partner — to offer new experiences for people and their dogs. We are planning camps abroad — trips in Europe, organized in Dog Scouts style. On the community side, we want to further develop local groups and launch an online learning platform. Practically, this would allow access to our information and methods even if you can’t attend events in person. As for international expansion as a brand — we haven’t seriously considered it yet. It’s a bit early. We still have a lot to build here at home.
Through passion, perseverance, and vision, Denis Toader has transformed Dog Scouts Romania into a vibrant and inspiring community, bringing people closer to their dogs and showing that relationships based on respect and empathy are possible. His story is a testament to how a passion can turn into a socially impactful project.
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