San Mateo, CA
Jennifer Dekker-Davidson
History
Jennifer started training dogs at a very early age. At the age of 8 she got her first dog, Dolly, and begged her mom to go out and get the book “Training Dogs the Woodhouse Way” by Barbara Woodhouse. She spent many hours watching her on tv and practicing “walkies” in the yard with Dolly. Fast forward about 12 years to her next love (who was anything but loveable) and that was Samson.
Samson was a Great Dane/Lab/Pitbull mix and was a bit of a challenge. He was protective and a one-woman dog which posed many challenges. He was not friendly and was terribly dog aggressive. He lived to the ripe old age of 12 and even though she was able to manage his issues, he was a challenge till the end. Samson left behind Delilah, an Australian shepherd, and Rosie a golden retriever/lab mix.
These two sweet girls were the apples of her eye, though they were not perfect. Delilah was a typical active Aussie who could always be found with a ball in her mouth. She also had a bit of fearful. She was able to overcome it on most occasions and lived 11 wonderful years with a ball in her mouth.
Next was Rosie, and Rosie is the dog that set Jennifer firm in the belief that dog trainer was what she was meant to be. Rosie taught her everything she knows. She was about as perfect a dog as they come. She taught her about body language, dog interaction, how to control situations without force and just having a calm energy. Rosie helped many foster dogs adjust to life to in her house. They don’t get better than her. She always knew exactly how to handle a situation and in turn taught Jennifer how. Rosie passed away at the age of 13 but not before she left her with another angel that she raised, Cassie.
Jennifer currently shares her life with 3 rescue dogs – Cassie (9-year-old yellow Lab), Kaep (12.5-year-old German Shorthair/German Shepard mix) and Doc (4.5-year-old German Shepard/Great Pyrenees mix). Cassie and Doc have earned their AKC Novice Trick Title and are currently working on their Intermediate Trick Title. Cassie is also working on her Rally Novice Title. Kaep is working on living the best life a senior dog can live and playing with his friends.
Training Philosophy
Jennifer is a humane reward-based trainer who focuses on all aspects of a dog’s well-being (which includes exercise, enrichment, diet and the bond between dog & owner).
Services
- NEW PROGRAM Adventure Day! – This program entails Jennifer picking your dog up and going on an outing (will last about 2.5 – 3 hours between pick and drop off). Going to a park, pet friendly stores or coffee shops/patio restaurants etc. to work on behaviors in these environments. This program is best suited for dogs whose owners want to take them out on the town but just need help getting them more exposure and practice. – Inquire within for pricing
- In-Home Training & Behavior Consults: $105 for a 75 minute in-home evaluation and follow up email support. If client wants and time allows Jennifer will also start training at evaluation. Future visits billed at $90 per hour to be discussed at end of consultation. (Ask about her discount for newly adopted rescue dogs)
*depending on location travel fees may apply - Private In-Home Lessons (1 hour): $90 per lesson. Jennifer offers a 5-session package (1 hour lesson each) for $400. Inquiry for another package offers.
- Day Training Packages: Please contact Jennifer for more details on how to get started.
- Tiresome Teenagers Weekend Camp. This program is like Jennifer’s Weekend Puppy Camp but for teenagers. Jennifer will focus on the rough (but rewarding) teenage phase. Helping the puppies to be the best they can be through patience, experiences and fun. This program is for puppies ages 6 months to 2 years old. These will be hosted Friday Evening to Sunday Evening or Saturday Early Morning to Sunday Evening. All appointments will need at least a three-week commitment for booking (larger packages are available).
Rates start at:
3 weeks worth of two nights for $900 - Puppy Camp Program 2, 3 or 4 week options: This is a training program which includes crate/house training, basic foundation behaviors, start of loose leash walking, socialization, and daily adventures. Daily videos of what your puppy is doing, training session at drop off and follow up email support. This program is for puppies up to 10 months of age. Contact Jennifer for pricing. –
- Puppy Weekend Camp (for puppies 10 weeks – 5 months): Your pet will be taught the basics including leash training, loose leash walking, Crate and house training, basic foundation behaviors, socialization and occasional field trips along with any other concerns you have for your pup. This option allows you to work with your puppy during the week and create a stronger bond while practicing the methods taught over the weekend. These will be hosted Friday Evening to Sunday Evening or Saturday Early Morning to Sunday Evening. All appointments will need at least a three-week commitment for booking (larger packages are available).
Rates start at:
3 weeks worth of two nights for $900 - Coming Soon!
AKC CGC Classes!
Certifications
Jennifer is a graduate of Susan Friedmans’ Living and Learning with Animal’s course. She is a professional member of the Pet Professional Guild and the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.
Training Methods
Jennifer is a humane reward-based trainer.
Customer Reviews
“Jennifer is an exceptional dog (and human!) trainer! Her training methods are patient, and successful for both dog and human, as she takes the necessary time to teach not only the command to the animal, but teaches the human how to reinforce the command. It’s an important skill for any dog trainer to have, but Jennifer has a keen ability to successfully meld these two components of training and by doing so, she helps create a bond that leads to a happy, well-trained dog, and a happy, well-educated human.”
Bronwyn Hogan, Mack & Harriet
“Jennifer was great with helping us train our puppy, Faucet! Our in home consultation was very informative as we were able to learn how to consistently train Faucet to be the puppy we wanted him to be while allowing him to be himself – minus stealing socks and dryer sheets.”
-Natalie Ong & Marissa Williams, mommies to a Border Collie/Pyrenees
“I’ve been very pleased to work with Jennifer Dekker Davidson, first helping her with dogs and then watching as she grows into a trainer of her own. I have so much faith in her that I enlisted her aid training a service dog pro bono, and she did an amazing job. I feel confident referring people to her with a variety of dog issues such as anxiety, general house manners (chewing things up, crate training, house breaking, jumping, etc.), and problems with various types of aggression, as well as general obedience. Not only is she a great trainer in her own right, but she’s willing to admit her limits and get advice and help when needed – something all trainer ought to do, but not all are humble enough to do!
I would (and do) highly recommend Jennifer to anyone needing help with training their dog. She already knows more than trainers I see coming out of various training programs, and I look forward to her future successes.
Jenna B. McDonald
Jenna McDonald’s Feathers and Fur Dog Training
feathersandfurdogtraining.com
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.
