Jennifer Skiba-Owner & Trainer
Jennifer shares her life with a wonderful husband, Michael and two wonderful dogs, Stanley and Walter.
“I discovered my passion and gift with dogs a little late in life. When I was a child we always had a family dog so I thought I knew what it meant to have a dog. It wasn’t until I was grown and my first dog entered my life that I really understood.
My first dog, Maverick, was an easy puppy and through training him my passion was sparked and started to smolder. I didn’t know how to train a dog but knew that he needed to listen to me because he was going to be a big dog. So, I signed up for my first (of many) training class. Training came very easy to me, it made perfect sense to me, and training him was a breeze. I remember being in his obedience classes thinking, “Wow, this dog training thing is so easy, why doesn’t everyone have a well behaved dog?”
Foolish, foolish me. We then decided he should have a companion, a buddy, a brother and we welcomed Jasper into our lives. Let’s just say that Jasper was the exact opposite of Maverick. He isn’t a BAD dog-but he certainly isn’t an EASY dog either. It was then that I discovered that I barely knew anything about training a dog. Jasper forced me to learn, grow, and become a better trainer, leader and guardian for him.
The more I worked with Jasper the more I learned about different styles and methods of training. I had to learn to read dog body language, including signs of stress. I had to learn how to work with a “reactive” dog. I came to really understand how important early socialization is for all dogs. I had to learn to be patient. As I worked with both of my very different dogs I realized that as much as I was teaching them, they too were teaching me. As I watched our relationship develop that passion that had been smoldering started to burn. I wanted everyone to experience what I was experiencing. A RELATIONSHIP-not just ownership. To hear what our dogs are trying to tell us. To learn from them. To enjoy our dogs. “
All my dogs work with me in some capacity. Two of my beloved dogs have come to me, lived a full life and have left me. I share them here so you know who I mean when I reference them, as I surely will, and because the lessons they taught me that I will teach you are part of their legacy.
Maverick was a beautiful black standard poodle. He was a confident easy going dog. He specialized in teaching puppies boundaries and was a cool cucumber with over reactive dogs. Maverick died on July 6, 2016.
Jasper was a stunning parti poodle. He was very intelligent and exceled at tricks. He was the dog I used when I wanted to challenge a reactive dog as his energy signal is very different from other dogs. Jasper died Nov 6, 2018.
Stanley is the "Brown Dog" or "Big Dog" - he goes by many names. He is a BIG guy who weighs in around 90 pounds. He is a happy dog and very welcoming to dogs of all ages and can often be found in puppy classes helping encourage shy puppies to play. He has a very loving, gentle soul and loves all people and dogs.
Walter is the newest addition to the pack. He is 2 years old and came to our family to alleviate Stanley's grief after Jasper died. Walter is a love, as a brand new puppy he would lay with my Dad in the nursing home and just hang out and bring comfort. He may even be smarter than Jasper was, I will know more when I start getting to harder tricks. He's a watcher - he watches everything. He is still coming into his own and I'm not sure how he will assist me in work just yet. Right now I am focusing on "Who are you?" And actually listening to what he says.
Jennifer shares her life with a wonderful husband, Michael and two wonderful dogs, Stanley and Walter.
“I discovered my passion and gift with dogs a little late in life. When I was a child we always had a family dog so I thought I knew what it meant to have a dog. It wasn’t until I was grown and my first dog entered my life that I really understood.
My first dog, Maverick, was an easy puppy and through training him my passion was sparked and started to smolder. I didn’t know how to train a dog but knew that he needed to listen to me because he was going to be a big dog. So, I signed up for my first (of many) training class. Training came very easy to me, it made perfect sense to me, and training him was a breeze. I remember being in his obedience classes thinking, “Wow, this dog training thing is so easy, why doesn’t everyone have a well behaved dog?”
Foolish, foolish me. We then decided he should have a companion, a buddy, a brother and we welcomed Jasper into our lives. Let’s just say that Jasper was the exact opposite of Maverick. He isn’t a BAD dog-but he certainly isn’t an EASY dog either. It was then that I discovered that I barely knew anything about training a dog. Jasper forced me to learn, grow, and become a better trainer, leader and guardian for him.
The more I worked with Jasper the more I learned about different styles and methods of training. I had to learn to read dog body language, including signs of stress. I had to learn how to work with a “reactive” dog. I came to really understand how important early socialization is for all dogs. I had to learn to be patient. As I worked with both of my very different dogs I realized that as much as I was teaching them, they too were teaching me. As I watched our relationship develop that passion that had been smoldering started to burn. I wanted everyone to experience what I was experiencing. A RELATIONSHIP-not just ownership. To hear what our dogs are trying to tell us. To learn from them. To enjoy our dogs. “
All my dogs work with me in some capacity. Two of my beloved dogs have come to me, lived a full life and have left me. I share them here so you know who I mean when I reference them, as I surely will, and because the lessons they taught me that I will teach you are part of their legacy.
Maverick was a beautiful black standard poodle. He was a confident easy going dog. He specialized in teaching puppies boundaries and was a cool cucumber with over reactive dogs. Maverick died on July 6, 2016.
Jasper was a stunning parti poodle. He was very intelligent and exceled at tricks. He was the dog I used when I wanted to challenge a reactive dog as his energy signal is very different from other dogs. Jasper died Nov 6, 2018.
Stanley is the "Brown Dog" or "Big Dog" - he goes by many names. He is a BIG guy who weighs in around 90 pounds. He is a happy dog and very welcoming to dogs of all ages and can often be found in puppy classes helping encourage shy puppies to play. He has a very loving, gentle soul and loves all people and dogs.
Walter is the newest addition to the pack. He is 2 years old and came to our family to alleviate Stanley's grief after Jasper died. Walter is a love, as a brand new puppy he would lay with my Dad in the nursing home and just hang out and bring comfort. He may even be smarter than Jasper was, I will know more when I start getting to harder tricks. He's a watcher - he watches everything. He is still coming into his own and I'm not sure how he will assist me in work just yet. Right now I am focusing on "Who are you?" And actually listening to what he says.
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Colorado Facilitator - Wesley Loyd
Wes was a student of Jennifer's and when she was looking for someone to help expand her business he jumped at the chance to become her first play group facilitator. He hosts and monitors drop in classes and play groups in Colorado. He has a wonderful way with dogs and has been the "go to" guy for all his family and friends when they have a dog question. He has years of personal dog training experience and is available to help blended learning students with hands on skills implementation. While he isn't Jennifer he can certainly help you learn how to talk to your dog. Wes and Jennifer are a team that will help you get the relationship you want with your dog.
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