About

Jennifer is a certified trainer at Instinct Portland, offering both in-person and virtual coaching. She specializes in puppy raising, having worked with hundreds of puppies across all breeds during their critical early months. She also enjoys helping clients with cooperative care, and is known for her kind, compassionate approach that makes learning fun and rewarding for both dogs and their humans.

An honors graduate of The Academy for Dog Trainers, Jennifer is certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. She also holds credentials as a Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer and a Fear Free Certified Professional.

"A kind, compassionate approach that makes learning fun and rewarding for both dogs and their humans."

Background & Approach

Jennifer's work centers on the belief that early socialization and confidence-building shape the kind of dogs puppies grow into. Her experience across hundreds of puppies and all breeds gives her a deep, practical understanding of what works during those critical early months, and how to translate that into a relationship the family will enjoy for life.

Beyond puppy raising, Jennifer also brings specialized training in separation anxiety and cooperative care, holds a Certificate in Training and Counseling, and is a Professional Member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG).

Beyond the Clinic

Jennifer lives just outside Portland with her three dogs: Dizzy (the Supermutt), Keely (a Pomeranian/Shiba Inu mix), and Pizza (a Chihuahua). She enjoys doing dog parkour with all three and has even trained chickens to perform some impressive tricks. When she's not training, you'll likely find her in the garden, dancing lindy hop, or curled up with a good book.