my training philosophy
My Approach
I struggle with calling myself a “dog trainer” because dogs are really good at being dogs!
In the history of domestic dogs, the pet dog era we currently live in happened quickly & recently, something evolution cannot keep up with, causing friction between what a dog’s genetics are telling them to do & how society expects them to behave. Add in popular training misconceptions, unrealistic expectations, & we have a lot of dogs & families who need help. Coexisting with another species isn't easy, for either of us! It takes a lot more than “sit” & “stay.” We need to learn their language to understand what they are telling us, how they are feeling, & teach them skills so we can live more cohesively together.
We need to move away from the notion of dogs needing to please & obey our commands & instead, meet their needs, enrich their lives, & have connection, trust, understanding, & cooperation.
I use reward based methods/positive reinforcement/force free/science based ,whatever you prefer to call it. It’s not just treats instead of shock collars. It is the most kind & effective way of training, used by respected dog trainer schools across the globe, & endorsed by leading professional industry associations. The dog’s happiness & comfort is my priority. I do not use fear, intimidation, or pain. I will never use a shock collar, prong collar, or choke chain. That being said, if you are using these tools but would like to explore other methods, please reach out- I have used some before too.
Changing behaviour should not be focused on suppressing the symptoms we see, but rather changing how the dog feels, meeting their unique needs, & motivating them to learn.
Changing behaviour begins with understanding why the behaviour is happening. As a Certified Family Dog Mediator (Kim Brophy’s L.E.G.S.® Model of Applied Ethology) I take into consideration your dog’s learning history, genetics, the environment he lives in, his individual characteristics, & more, as well as the goals and lifestyle of his humans- you.
Dogs are always learning & people are busy, so I make training a natural part of your daily interactions with your dog as opposed to having to carve out extra time for formal sessions.
My goal is to have your dog listen to you because they want to, as you have a relationship built on mutual respect, trust, & fun, & your dog feels safe, secure, & confident with you. I want you & your dog to enhance each other’s lives. That’s why you got your dog anyway, right?
An easier and more enjoyable life with your dog is just a consult away.
Loving & Effective
“Jessica is amazing! Everything she does is based on solid research and evidence about dog behaviour. Above all, she is super compassionate toward our family and our dog.
If you want to really understand your dog's behaviour and learn how to work with them in a way that is loving and effective, this is the perfect trainer for you.”
-Leo’s mom, Melissa
FAQ: HOW MANY TRAINING SESSIONS DO I NEED?
It depends (I know I know, people hate that answer, but when training ethically there is a lot of “it depends.”) It depends on your dog and how motivated and eager they are to learn. It will depend on the people working with the dog and how consistent they are. Simple issues like loose leash walking or potty training can be done in one session. With reactivity, we will accomplish a lot in our first session but consistency is key, so I recommend several to ensure long term success. With more serious behaviour problems like aggression more sessions is better although again, you will get a lot of help and information during our initial consultation.
More sessions are better as we can really build that foundation, keep adding skills, and practice in different environments, but I aim to leave you with enough to get you off to a good start after our first session.
“Dogs are doing the best they can with the education we’ve given them in the environment we’ve put them in.”
— Susan Garrett