About
New puppy or kitten driving you crazy?
All cuddles and purrs one moment and nothing but claws and jaws the next moment?
Losing sleep over your cat or dog’s behavior?
Frustrated with people telling you your pet is “bad” and offering unsolicited “advice” on how to handle them?
Hound dog resting chin on table
I’ve fostered litters of puppies and kittens, taken in hospice dogs, adopted large dogs, small dogs, pure-breeds and mixed breeds, dogs with physical, emotional and mental problems and all ages of felines as well.
So yeah, I can relate.
And better still, I can help you get on the right path with your pet!
Kristi and Mama in pumpkin patch
Kristi and Mama posing
Kristi and Mama posing 2
Hi, I’m Kristi.
Officially, it’s Kristi Jones, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CET and my official bio reads something like this:
I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Certified Pro Dog Trainer, Certified Behavior Consultant-Canine (CBCC-KA), Family Dog Mediator (FDM), and Certified Enrichment Technician (CET). I am also Certified Fear-Free and have achieved the Silver level of Low Stress Handling certification in the Sophia Yin program. I am a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), and the Pet Professional Guild (PPG). Moreover, I am an AKC evaluator for Canine Good Citizen, Fit Dog, and Trick Dog Titles. I value keeping up to date with the latest proven techniques and methods as I continue to enhance my education by attending seminars on training and behavior modification, pursuing additional certifications, and participating on panels relating to both dog and cat behavior.
Experience
I have worked with rescue groups and shelters in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri for over 15 years in all capacities. I specialize in taking in hospice dogs, older dogs, and those that are difficult to rehome, as well as special needs cats. I have volunteered with a shelter, rescuing stray, feral, and former fighting dogs off the street; working with these dogs to prepare them for life as loving family members, therapy dogs, and service dogs. I have fostered dogs and cats of all ages, sizes, and breeds.
My own rescue family includes a black and tan Coonhound, a handicapped Pug, an American Pit Bull Terrier, and a cat. In my free time, I love to train my dogs in tricks, nose work, rally, Hoopers, and agility, and my cat in tricks, as well.
Specialization and Focus
I cannot stress the importance of fear-free and pain-free training enough, from new puppies and kittens to geriatric pets to behavior issues. I only use up-to-date and scientifically proven methods for changing behaviors without the use of aversives such as: choke chains, pinch collars, or any type of e-collar, such as vibration collars or shock collars.
“My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am.”
— Source Unknown
But, beyond those credentials… here is my personal story:
Years ago, I began training my own dog, who at the age of four months was labeled naughty, stubborn, dangerous, dominant, etc.
I knew there was a good dog inside there, I just didn’t know how to reach it and bring it out.
That was 15 years ago, when balanced training was the newer, kinder way of training dogs.
Jerk on their collar and force them into position with one hand, and then give them a treat with the other hand. That was the norm.
Jack became manageable and even went on to earn his AKC Canine Good Citizen, AKC Community Canine, and Trick Dog Novice titles; and his APDT Rally Level 1 title.
Despite all that, I know I still failed him in many ways.
Once I began training other people’s dogs, credibility was paramount to me in a field that has no regulations on who can call themselves a trainer or behaviorist.
I became a Certified Fear-Free Professional Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant and I vowed to always use the best, most up-to-date scientifically proven methods available.
Old theories of dominance and submission have been disproved repeatedly. Current data proves time and time again that great training is possible without resorting to pinch collars, choke chains or e-collars; by treating dogs as the sentient beings they are, and by cherishing and respecting the relationship between dog and owner.
Dog sniffing flowers
Today training has moved beyond teaching them individual behaviors, such as sit and down, to instilling concepts such as Calmness, Self-Control, Optimism, and Confidence to name but a few.
A dog that is calm and self-controlled will be a dog that chooses to sit, that greets people politely and walks nicely on leash with much less effort.
So let me show you the journey you can take with your dog where you both learn, grow and have fun doing so!