New York, NY
Jennifer Lea Reed
Jennifer Lea Reed first became interested in animal behavior as a journalist. In 2004, she graduated from the inaugural class of the ASCPA’s Dog Training Program in NYC and founded Big Apple Dog School. In 2006, she earned national credentials as a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). And after more than a decade of offering group classes, private training, behavior consultations and seminars on everything from puppies to aggression, Jennifer decided to specialize in one of the most difficult areas of behavior modification — canine separation anxiety. In 2016, she became the only New York City trainer at the time to be credentialed as a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT). And while she always conducted training in the most humane way possible, in 2021 Jennifer officially was certified as a fear-free trainer.
Training Philosophy
Jennifer Lea Reed's training philosophy is strongly rooted in positive reinforcement. For teaching new behaviors, she uses a reward system that encourages the dog to offer and repeat a desired behavior while using instructive correction to stop an unwanted behavior. Training is not complete until the rewards have been faded out.
For separation anxiety specifically, the approach needs to be modified as it’s not realistic or effective to try to reward the dog for relaxing in the owner’s absence. In this case, science-based, best-practices training relies on desensitization.
Services
Jennifer Lea Reed offers a variety of services, including:
- Group classes
- Private training
- Behavior consultations
- Seminars on everything from puppies to aggression
- Specializing in canine separation anxiety
Certifications
Jennifer Lea Reed holds the following certifications:
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
- Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT)
- Fear-Free Certified
Specializations
Jennifer Lea Reed specializes in canine separation anxiety.
Training Methods
Jennifer Lea Reed uses a variety of training methods, including:
- Positive reinforcement
- Desensitization
Customer Reviews
Renee D. - I first e-mailed three or four trainers. Of everyone I contacted, Jennifer wrote back immediately. The other trainers didn't show much interest in us. They just kept telling us how hard separation anxiety is to treat, which really isn't helpful when you've got a dog who has it. Jennifer explained how the treatment works, and that it could go very slowly at times. But she sent us additional materials the next day, and we were sold. We had a couple of setbacks in the following months, but nothing like what we had dealt with before on a daily basis. Jennifer really gave us the tools we needed. As a testament to Sophie's success, my husband finally took an antique carpet down from the wall and laid it on the floor! Now that's confidence! Thank you, Jennifer!
Sharon P. and Vicki L. - We didn’t know how to help Jake, so we just stayed home. We used daycare for when we were at work, but at night we wouldn’t leave the house. We were prisoners. We loved Jake and it was painful to think we could give up on him, but we were at the end of our rope. And it was starting to affect our relationship, too. We had no hope, but our daycare manager said she knew a trainer who could help us and put us in touch with Jennifer. Treating Jake’s separation anxiety wasn’t easy, and it took six months. But there was a night where we were able to actually go out to dinner together leaving Jake at home, and we realized it was the first time we had done that in five years. Thank you, Jennifer!
Jennifer F. and Joel A. - We can't thank Jennifer enough for teaching all of us how to live together peacefully and happily. She is a wonderful, warm and patient teacher. Living with a dog with separation anxiety is a very stressful situation, but from the beginning she reduced the stress and focused us on fixing the problem. It wasn't easy, but it all made sense and we could see the improvement. The best part was watching Max's old video and seeing how far he'd come. We are forever grateful to her.
Alex C. - Jennifer, thank you for everything! Gertie is so much more confident and sparky, and we really feel like we understand her and can read her better than we ever could before. We will continue your good work and everything we've learned along the way. We always felt she was special, but you’ve helped develop her into an even lovelier dog! Thank you!
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.
