Englewood, FL
Jeff holds certifications from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, and is a member of The Association for Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) and The Pet Professional Guild (PPG). He serves as the lead behavioral therapy trainer and program manager for the not-for-profit shelter program at A Sound Beginning Program.
Jeff aids thousands of dogs and cats annually in shelters across the country. He offers community support through virtual, phone, or in-home behavioral consultations to assist pet parents in keeping their animals at home. Additionally, he mentors new and existing dog trainers in the Florida area.
Jeff believes that teaching and training are both a science and an art. Understanding the science behind training is important, but the timing and application of it are crucial to the overall process. Everything begins with forming a relationship, which then develops into understanding and learning for both humans and canines.
Jeff follows simple guiding principles and a teaching philosophy based on four pillars of relationship bonding: Mutual Motivation, Mutual Communication, Mutual Trust, and Mutual Respect. The experience between the human and canine working and learning together will create, strengthen, and maintain a bond for a lifetime.
As a lifelong learner, Jeff enjoys reading books on training, canine language, animal behavior, and psychology, as well as watching DVDs, taking online classes, and attending seminars on the same subject matter. His real-world learning is based on numerous years of volunteering for various shelters, rescues, humane societies, and animal control.
Mentoring and collaborating with colleagues are invaluable resources to his canine training education. Joining the A Sound Beginning Program team reinforces Jeff’s desire to continue learning, sharing, and growing, as well as becoming a more significant partner in the complete training process for both ends of the leash.
Jeff has been living in Florida for the past six years and has been married to his soulmate for over 40 years. He is also a proud grandparent. Jeff shares his life with his canine companions and dog mentors, Missy and Lilly, who continue to teach him the value of the human-canine bond.
We've got the answers for your questions
Seriously, if you have any questions about training your dog, we have the answers.
We have created a directory of licensed dog trainers specializing in positive reinforcement methods. These trainers are not affiliated with Dogo, and all information is gathered from publicly available sources. Each profile provides a brief overview of the trainer's experience and expertise.
Start by evaluating your dog's needs and identifying your training objectives. Each trainer's profile provides insights into their areas of expertise. Match these with your dog's character and your goals to find the ideal fit.
All trainers listed here are certified professionals with extensive knowledge of positive reinforcement techniques.
Positive reinforcement centers on rewarding preferred behaviors, ensuring a pleasant learning journey for your dog. This humane approach is scientifically proven to be the most effective long-term training method, strengthening the bond between you and your pet. By consistently rewarding good behavior, your dog learns to associate actions with positive outcomes, leading to lasting improvements and a happier companion.
Yes, they are. Our trainers are adept in basic obedience or intricate behavioral challenges. Browse their profiles to identify a trainer who specializes in the particular issues you wish to address.
Simply click on the preferred trainer's profile to access their contact details. From there, you can get in touch to discuss your requirements and set up training appointments.
Group sessions offer a communal setting where your dog learns general obedience alongside other dogs. In contrast, private sessions grant focused attention, making them perfect for targeted behavior modifications or individualized training agendas.
All our trainers are committed to positive reinforcement techniques and steer clear of any harsh or punitive methods. Their primary goal is to make training a joyous journey for you and your dog.
Results depend on factors like your dog's nature, the specific behaviors in question, and your training consistency. While many clients observe improvements in just a few sessions, it's crucial to be patient and persistent.
Reach out to the trainer you're interested in to discuss possibly attending a session. It's a great way to get a feel for their approach and see if it aligns with your expectations.
