Hi! I'm Jenny and I'm currently the Behavior Program Senior Manager at Homeward Pet Adoption Center in Woodinville, Washington. I've worked in shelters in Washington State coming up on a decade now, and truly found my passion for shelter behavior here.
I'm originally from Texas, graduating from Texas A&M University with a degree in Biomedical Science. I'm a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), a Certified Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA), and a Fear Free Certified Professional.
While my passion at work lies with the dogs and cats that need us most behaviorally, at home I spend my time caring for super senior dogs in need of end-of-life care. My husband and I foster and adopt hospice dogs who need intensive care to ensure their comfort for whatever time they have left. Our pets at home (who are the best foster helpers) include Kale (an old, reactive, fearful poodle mix with severe IBD), Posey (a very chill, old westie), Ruth (an old, blind chihuahua), and Lola (a toothless, sassy calico cat).
Certifications:
CCPT-KA
CBCC-KA
FFCP
More info about Jenny Black's dog training:
While my main job is overseeing the behavior care provided to the animals at Homeward Pet Adoption Center (including enrichment, socialization, and behavior modification), my team and I also provide free behavior consultations to anyone who needs behavioral support. Our main goal is to help prevent or solve behavior issues that would have normally resulted in surrendering the pet to a shelter, but we are also here to have honest conversations about the shelter system and how we may be able to help someone through rehoming or other outcomes.
Behavioral issue focus:
At Homeward Pet, we work with a wide variety of behaviors including fear, anxiety, shelter stress, reactivity, handling sensitivities, aggression, jumpy/mouthy behavior, and more.
Dog training methods:
We evaluate our animals throughout their stay, creating unique training plans to meet their needs along the way. We also provide post-adoption behavior support to ensure our animals are as successful as possible after they leave our care. We use positive reinforcement-based training, following Fear Free methods whenever possible.
Why I became a dog trainer:
I always saw myself working with animals, even as a very young child. I didn't know there were other paths to an animal-focused career besides veterinary medicine, so that was my intention going into my university coursework. As I worked in more and more vet clinics in a variety of roles, I felt that I didn't enjoy working with animals in that type of setting as much as I thought I would. After graduating, I moved to Washington State from Texas and starting pursuing other job opportunities. I found myself accepting a job at Seattle Humane and quickly found my way into shelter behavior. A few years later, I decided to become certified and make it official!
My favorite part of being a dog trainer:
I could never hold a job that felt the same every single day. This job involves a lot of problem solving, improvisation, quick thinking, and there's always something new happening to keep things exciting!
But I really found my passion helping animals through the shelter system. Being a source of comfort for them in such a difficult time can be really hard, but it's truly rewarding in every way. I love knowing that I can play a small part in so many animals' lives, doing whatever I can to ensure that these tough days lead to something better for them.
My #1 dog training tip:
Focus on consent. Ensure that the animal you're working with is 100% on board with what you're doing. Let them have the freedom to make choices and opt out if needed.
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Get safe exercise for your dog by renting a private dog park near you
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David Adams is a man of many passions, but his love for dogs stands above all. He is not only a dog lover, but also the founder of an innovative platform called Sniffspot. This unique platform connects dog owners with private property owners who are willing to rent out their space for off-leash playtime. While the idea of Sniffspot was initially conceived by his wife, Rebecca, David has been the driving force behind its remarkable success, tirelessly overseeing its growth and development.
David's dedication to providing safe and enjoyable spaces for dogs to play, explore, and socialize is evident in his unwavering commitment to Sniffspot. He strongly believes that dogs need ample space and opportunities to stretch their legs and have fun. As a result, he has worked tirelessly to build a network of private property owners across the country who share his vision and are willing to offer their space for the benefit of dogs and their owners.
Despite his busy schedule, David always finds time to indulge in his passion for the great outdoors. He loves nothing more than exploring new hiking trails and embarking on thrilling outdoor adventures. Whenever he is not working on Sniffspot, he can often be found hiking or visiting multi-acre fenced sniffspots with his two beloved dogs, Soba and Toshii. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys the fresh air, breathtaking scenery, and the sense of freedom that comes with being in nature.
David is based in Salem, MA.
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