About Me.
Hi, I’m Jess
My interest in dog behaviour & training began in 2016 after attending puppy class with my new pup, Marlowe. I had met Bilinda of K9 Misfits a year before during some private sessions with my fearful dog, Duchess. I found myself fascinated by the behaviours and body language that Bilinda pointed out in class. I took back-to-back classes with Marlowe for a couple of years.
In the meantime I landed myself a job at a veterinary clinic. I used to want to be a vet, so I loved working there. But the more I learned about dog behaviour the more I realized how many dogs with behaviour issues we saw at the clinic & how many owners misinterpreted what their dog was trying to tell them. I found myself discussing behaviour with clients more & more frequently & loved helping them in this area.
In 2018 I enrolled in K9 Misfit’s Canine Behaviour & Training Methodology Program, graduating with honours. At that time I made the hard decision to leave the vet clinic to work with K9 Misfits, teaching classes & working with the boarding dogs.
In fall 2019 I attended a 3 day seminar with Dr. Susan Friedman & enjoyed it so much that I completed her course, Living and Learning with Animals.
I am continuing my education & certifications as I feel it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest research & information, & there is always more to learn! I am a certified Family Dog Mediator, having completed Kim Brophy’s L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation® Professional Course in November 2022. I am currently enrolled in Michael Shikashio’s Aggression in Dogs Master Course. I am a member of the Pet’s Professional Guild, supporting member of the IAABC, & part of the Alberta Force Free Alliance.
I currently share my life with 3 dogs, my horse, husband, & our 3 year old son.
Meet my gals
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Marlowe
My 7 year old Am Staff Terrier mix I’ve had since 8 weeks old. Marlowe is my main squeeze. We do agility, kicksled in winter, & play & cuddle a lot. She is sweet, confident, & sensitive. Marlowe is the poster child of R+ training giving a dog the skills to make good choices & fit into society’s expectations, while maintaining their personality, creativity, & sass. I adore this dog and am so proud of her.
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River
My 4 year old Shepherd x Rottweiler x Alberta reserve special. I took River in as a foster when she was a few months old & she was quite feral, we couldn’t touch her at all. She put my knowledge to the test and we made good progress. We adopted her partly out of love & partly because for her sake and the public’s, the best place for her is on our acreage. She is one of the smartest dogs I know, as most “world dogs” are. Can’t take the wild out of her!
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Jazz
My 20 year old TB/QH/Belgian mare. Jazz and I have been partners for 16 years! We have been through it all together. We used to compete in dressage but now ride for fun & to keep her body feeling good. She keeps me in check. Mind over matter, she teaches me to stay calm in the storm. She is sassy and loyal, super smart, & I love spending time with her. I’ve recently been exploring transferring my knowledge of R+ training with dogs to horses. If I’m not with my dogs then I’m at the barn!
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Molly
Our 3 year old Dogue de Bordeaux we foster failed in 2023. Molly was found on a farm in the same town Duchess originally came from as a puppy mill dog. How could I say no? She is huge, over excitable but once she’s got her zoomies out she is happy to just sit quietly beside you. Molly came to me with no skills- a challenge at 115 lbs- but she proves that “no breed needs a heavy hand.”