Speak! Jennifer McCarthy's Blog: Career Archives

Career

To Be Animal...

Posted by jennifer on January 24, 2011.

To be animal, to understand what makes a human detached from its own comrades of mammals, you have to live it, you have to breathe it and essentially, "Be wild"...

Years ago, I had asked the most fundamental question that every human being seeks on the planet: Why am I here and what am I supposed to be doing.

I had worked in almost every aspect of the dog business, grew up riding horses, scuba dove and lived on boats all over the Caribbean but my most extreme hurdle was not in understanding the animals. It was the human psychology behind the issues & problems that I was faced with on a daily basis.

I couldn't wrap my head around one thing: How and why do humans think they are no different from a dog, cat, wolf or horse? Sure, we have more developed brains but is that a good thing? As far as I knew, the human race was facing many issues including over population, global warming and war to name a few. I saw wolves develop similar family systems in the wild and survive the ice age. We are still a new species to some animals and I had a feeling that some of them knew that. It seems that wolves had us from the beginning, they used us to get food and here we have the domestic dog. This basic and simplistic way of living for some species worked-they had survived when others had died off and in some terms, it made them wiser.

Most humans don't go around thinking every day in simplistic terms. We get to work, pay the bills and purchase what we need to eat, wear, live under and travel in. Rarely does a person hunt on foot, study a herd, live outside and wear what he kills & will eat.

I decided to head out to Colorado to work with wolves and detach from society as much as possible to study the interactions between my dogs & horses, cattle and wildlife high up in the mountains above Boulder. This extreme way of living taught me more in my career and in life than I had ever anticipated. I wanted to know what it was like to live life on the food chain without a gun and be to some extent, an animal in the wild.

Once removed from the ongoings of society, you let go of a lot of facades. What was once important became non-essential. I began to process a raw, more substantial outlook on life that didn't revolve around material things or complex social interactions.

I saw how much we are all sold products of someone else's life-things that other humans make as an impression of their ideas but not based upon who we are as people. Certain human issues became less important and I became focussed on studying and learning from my comrades in the forest.

Animals live life in the same way people do at fundamental levels. They experience joy, heart ache, depression, sadness, loneliness, happiness and excitement to name a few. Some are social creatures that like to have fun and play games but all struggle to survive. They eat, rest, sleep, travel, work, play and have families. I found more "humanness" in the woods than I found animal or maybe I was finding more animal in all of us as humans.

As my journey continued, I saw acts of tolerance between different species, I saw kindness and forgiving and I saw what makes life worth living to all of us on planet earth. This experience as animal, has me convinced that I learned more about being a human from other mammals. We can learn more from other species because they are our comrades. We should not deny the fact that we are one of them.

My journey continues to this day and as I seek to find answers in helping humans and animals co-exist, I only find myself going farther in search of my true purpose.

From the eastern shores of Africa to the reefs off the coast of Australia to the most remote corners of Yellowstone, I continue to gain more knowledge, grow more as a person and become increasingly skilled with what I do to share with anyone who needs help or is interested in listening.

To relate this all back to your pet has great significance because I believe in not speaking from a human perspective but a perspective of your pet. What other species teach me breaks way to a new understanding of working with one as an equal, not as a greater species which harbors great compassion and understanding for domestic pets and their human owners.

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Thanks :-)

Posted by jennifer on October 30, 2010.

Hey Everyone-
Thank you all for the beautiful messages and support I've been receiving from the airing of the Wolf-Dog special last night on the National Geographic Channel. There's much more to come as things are moving quickly in a bigger direction... With that said, I have many more research projects I'll be talking about, my work with coyotes and ranch dogs, horses, the Mexican Gray Wolf Program and much, much more! So stay tuned in here to my blog to get the latest news and I look forward to meeting more of you out there on this wonderful journey of helping animals. Howl and woof to you all!
All my best,
Jennifer

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You're Invited: Dog Whisperer Premiere Event!

Posted by jennifer on October 9, 2010.

To see the invitation, click here:

Dog_Whisperer_4x6_100710[1]2.pdf

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NAT. GEO. WOLF-DOG SPECIAL AIR DATE ANNOUNCED!

Posted by jennifer on September 22, 2010.

Stay tuned in on Oct. 29th at 7p.m. to the National Geographic channel for a one hour special on the show "The Dog Whisperer" regarding my work with wolf-dogs. Cesar & I will be rehabilitating 3 cases. See you on TV!

You can learn more here:

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/dog-whisperer/4523/Overview

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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ONE HOUR WOLF-DOG SPECIAL...

Posted by jennifer on August 8, 2010.

Hello Friends,
Please visit: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/dog-whisperer/4523/Overview for more upcoming information on my work with wolf-dogs on the emmy-nominated show, "The Dog Whisperer". This special episode will be airing soon so tune in here or the Nat. Geo. website for more information!
Woof & Howl,
Jennifer

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New Adventures...

Posted by jennifer on June 14, 2010.

Today I am heading home after spending some time with my friend Henry (a high percentage wolf-dog) as he recovers from an injury from hiking last week. It's one thing to get a 100 lb. animal that is pretty much all wolf, into the back of my Jeep and into emergency care. It's another thing getting him down the mountain, into the emergency clinic off a high traffic area street, going through surgery and then successfully adopting a lamp shade collar. Then after this, having to take him back to the emergency clinic after he figures out how to chew through the collar and pull out his drainage tube. I am happy to report that Henry is now doing well and is no longer resisting the lampshade although many objects tend to fall or get knocked over in his path.

I have a busy next two months ahead of me- I am leaving for Africa in two weeks, packing up a lot of my things into storage and when I return, heading to Arizona to begin a journey back to horses, coyotes, the Mexican Gray Wolf and coexistence issues between wildlife and ranchers. You may be wondering why I do all of this and you will soon find out as I launch a new behavioral concept this fall right here on my website based on four years of research. Don't worry, it still has to do with dogs but on a much broader spectrum.

After heading to Az. for one week, I am then in L.A. to meet with clients then up to a horse ranch where I will be living at for 1-2 years. I will still have my current locations and will eventually be heading back to Colorado but will still be there to meet with clients as I do in L.A. & Vegas in the meantime.

This is good news for those in Los Angeles and in Scottsdale, Prescott & Phoenix as I will be in these areas more often now to service those that need my help.
With all of this research, I have come to find some great advancements in the world of non-human animals so stay tuned for some amazing new information coming soon!
I am off to pack and gather up my equipment for some tent living in the bush of Gorongosa National Park as I document the re-introduction of species similar to that of the wolves in Yellowstone. I will be gathering information on local struggles between wildlife and livestock and see if they are having success with the Hyena and Wild Dog packs that run through the park and into local communities.
Off to pack and will blog from the road!
Best wishes,
Jennifer

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Filming Pics....

Posted by jennifer on May 13, 2010.

These are some pictures from filming a wolf transport across 5 states with a wolf, 4 of her week old puppies and the wolf-dog father. It took 3 hrs. to crate her using no tranquilizers, no catch poles as she viciously protected the pups as any mother wolf would. We encountered a tornado warning, hail, blinding rain, heat and snow on this journey to release them in their new home...

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"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I... I TOOK THE ONE LESS TRAVELED BY, And that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost

Posted by jennifer on September 30, 2009.

Hello Out There~
I have been on the road now for over two weeks traveling everywhere from Los Angeles to Phoenix to the Wet Mountains and Mission: Wolf in Colorado. I am home temporarily as I leave soon to live with the wolves again for a week. Next I'm off to the Gila National Forest to dive into the Mexican Wolf controversy and from there I will hit the Defender's of Wildlife Carnivore Conference. Home seems to be where my suitcase is and going from all different climates, I take a variety of gear including two different sleeping bags, one tent, extra blankets, flip flops and my snow shoes. Then again, I could be hiking in rattlesnake country on the outskirts of Scottsdale. My theory is, I never know just quite where I'll be until I get there.
Included in this blog are photos from today in the mountains near Westcliffe, Colorado. I hope you enjoy them.
Soon, there will be some interesting information here on my website for those thinking about purchasing a wolf or wolf dog. I hope you'll come back to view it as it contains fascinating data regarding behavior, financial responsibility, fencing, etc. After reading it, those thinking about getting a cute, cuddly, wolf puppy may want to reconsider as the implications can sometimes far outweigh the rewards. I am not an advocate of owning these animals as pets but if you are considering adopting an unwanted wolf dog (best case scenario), this is something you should definitely read. My thanks go out to Mission: Wolf for allowing me to put it on the website and also Annie White for re-editing and doing such a fantastic job putting it together.
In the mean time, I finally get to sleep in my own bed. It's such a reward for a long journey in one big loop to L.A., Phoenix, New Mexico and up into Colorado. Home sweet home! "Life is about the journey... Not the destination.."
Best,
JMc

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Is The Lemon Worth The Squeeze? March '09

Posted by jennifer on September 9, 2009.

Man can create some of the most beautiful things yet we destroy what we do not appreciate. We seem to have lost our connection with the earth...

Someone once asked me "Is the lemon worth the sqeeeze?" I of course repled yes. When I think of all the places I've been, people and animals I've met and roads that lead back and forth over the west, I realize that I've led a life most people my age would be lucky if they lived half of it. I pay attention to things like watching wildlife and being the ultimate observer. My TV is reality. Tonight I sleep in my car but getting here I crossed through a horrible blizzard over the summit, saw two highschool kids having fun in their muddy, lifted pickup in Utah, ate dinner with a bunch of highschool kids that were in ballroom dance competitons and met a young police officer who was nice enough to give me a ticket. I love the saying that life is about the journey and not the destination.
I feel so blessed. I work hard and I sometimes do better on my own. I can travel anywhere, do any thing by myself. There's a certain sense of freedom in that. My dogs and cat are my heart. I love them more than words can say, I am so lucky to have unbelievable friends who have given me the shirt off their back and then some many a time. My parents have taught me so much but they have both earned my highest respect as human beings.
So as I sit here being locked out of my house, after driving 12 hrs, crossing four states and driving through a big blizzard, sleeping on a couch instead of a hotel room in Vegas, doing an interview, training lots of dogs, sitting here in 20 degree weather waiting for a locksmith to arrive, yes- even after all that, life itself is one beautiful journey.
Looking forward to learning more on the next big adventure...
JMc

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This Has Been A Very Long Journey...

Posted by jennifer on September 6, 2009.

This has been a very long journey for me that seems to have been a life long process over the years. I'm somehow unsure how I've gotten here besides just putting one foot in front of the other but this journey has led me every where from training Coon Hounds in Florida to working side by side sharp shooters in L.A., to hiking off leash with wolves and dogs in the back country of Colorado. If only I knew as a young girl obsessed with animals and horse back riding, teaching my dogs tricks in the kitchen and learning from my Mom how to take care and train all of our dogs, well..., I never thought I would be here.
I would say that the circle of life- how to pull this all together across many fields is what interests me the most. I believe we are all animals and I believe there is much to learn from animals beyond our comprehention. They are invaluable teachers. I don't beleieve we are greater nor less but as equals. We are coming into a time to bring us back to basics- the wind, the sun, the earth are the very resources we need to partner with to sustain our existance for a brighter future. As basic as it sounds, Native Americans had this whole thing figured out long before we did. The difference is we never stopped to listen. With that said, animals- play an imporatnt role in sustainable living, teaching and growing our relationship with them is an important one in the future of a new planet. We have to be careful to sustain balance. Humans love to tip the scales.
Now that I think about it, the most peaceful place on earth to me is in with the predator. I feel truly connected to something greater- almost as if my alignment goes out of whack the more humans I'm around, the more I become centered- the more wolves I'm around. A true sense of peace. The same with scuba diving- I'm always the last one up because I hardly waste any air- just purely relaxed underwater around sharks or when a Rottweiler has my arm in it's mouth & viciously shaking, I relax my arm and he let's go. If that makes me weird- so be it. I have always felt different around animals.
And then there are the dogs. I am still a dog trainer but enjoy educating people on my latest research as it pertains to their given situation is the essence to my philosophy- thinking "outside the box" and being creative.
I would love to do more nature therapy for dogs and their owners. I recently had a situation in L.A. with a woman who had no respect for me as a person- forget about what I do. She had two assistants, a housekeeper, etc. and was hiding behind this mask or wall in which she created for herself that I could see right through. I thought to myself, if I could put this woman in generic clothes, no makeup, no brand names to hide behind- just a backpack made of tarp and a seatbelt, gave her a leash with her dog and sat her down after a long hike to talk, she would have let that mask begin to come down and I would have seen a real human being.
Everyone is affected by their childhhood just as animals affected for life by theirs. There are good mothers and bad mothers across all lines- life is funny that way. It does not hold preference to species. The thing that most people fall into is the trap of, is time. Animals have all the time in the world. If you take away time, take someone into the woods and break them down to build them back up- having to survive to care for the basic needs if themselves and their dog, you have a human being not associated by job, rank, money or fame. To learn to be a good parent, I truly believe one has to have the experience of caring for an animal. If you can protect your dog, surely you can protect your child. The power of nature is beyond comprehention and most that get to experience it on a deep level, will never forget it. Get outside!

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A Few More Pics....

Posted by jennifer on September 6, 2009.

Last Trip For Macho At The Grand Canyon:

Snow Shoeing In The Mountains:

Snow Shoeing With Elvis & Lola:

Elvis Tired After A Storm:

My Tent: Yellowstone

My Tent At Mission: Wolf-

Hiking With The Dogs In Winter:

Colorado Blizzard In The Mountains:

Backpacking The Sand Dunes With Sandrine (Friend Dog Trainer From Paris):

California:

Back Country Yellowstone:

Sleeping Under The Stars:

Searching For Tracks:

Dog Sledding: Telluride

Backpacking Sand Dunes With Elvis & Lola:

Snow Angel:

Hiking With Elvis: Colorado

Wolf Research:

Feeding The Dogs:

Back Packing: Colorado

Captive Wolf Research:

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Posted by jennifer on September 2, 2009.

Venice, California:

Se: San Diego-

Johnny Cash: Newest Addition To the Pack-

Juno: Phoenix, Arizona-

Co-Pilot:

Juno: Tired From Road Trip...

Juno At Home In Phoenix:

Sleeping On the Floor In Vegas-

Lola & Elvis In the Woods-

Lola & Elvis In L.A.-

Living With the Wolves: Lola & Max Hunting

Lola & Elvis In The Pond:

Lola Hunting For Mice:

Lola In The Snow:

Snow Face-

Traveling To Save Wolves-

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Back To the Missing Deer...

Posted by jennifer on September 2, 2009.

Upon return, the cat may have moved it to a safer location but then everything else came in from coyotes to Magpies, foxes and ravens. Maybe even a bear had a go at it. Both Henry and Max played tug of war over a deer leg while Lola and Clide chewed on some vetibrae bones. Elvis always on the go, had better things to do. It fascinates me how so many things are similar between wolves and dogs yet some things are drastically different.
We hiked into the forest as I looked over the tree trunks for scratches or signs of fur but nothing. Once again, my eyes scanned the high rocks, trees and talll grass for signs of motion. I pay more attention to my animals for anything out of the ordinary more than I do signs of motion. The wolves tune into prey much quicker than the dogs do. Once the dogs realize the wolves hear something, then they tune into it. This alone has been fascinating.
My cats at home are also great alerters to any thing unusual which brings up an interesting point... Domestic cats are far more closer to their wild cousins in behavior than domestic dogs to wolves. The reason is simply that they haven't been domesticated that long and can thrive on there own being feral after being pets. Dogs can't do this. Dogs are so much more dependent on us. They look to us for not only food but decission making, advice, etc. That's of course if they are a well behaved dog. A dog with dominance or aggression issues will usually take these matters into his own hands which is not good.
Human behavior is as important to look at as any other animal's behavior as we influence them. From the roads we build to the stress in our own lives, animals are affected by us.
It's also important to work with animals from a level to which they operate and are sensitive to- that being intuition or feeling. Never making a decission or judgement until you meet the dog, cat, horse or wolf. I've had to learn this the hard way. No matter how many books I read or videos I watch, it goes out the window on an initial encounter on how I'm going to solve a situation.
Why is it important to teach people about nature? Because people are spreading at a rate so fast outside of cities and beyond that we will be faced with the co-existance questions more and more down the road.

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Pictures, Pictures, Pictures...

Posted by jennifer on September 1, 2009.

In My Tent: Yellowstone

Jeep In the Snow: Colorado

Jeep On the Road- Mission: Wolf

Splash Magazine Photo Shoot: Los Angeles-

Splash Magazine: Los Angeles-

Workin' Like A Dawg-

Mission: Wolf- Fall 2008

McKinley Wolf Transport: 2008

Hangin' Out In the Tipi:

McKinley- Mission: Wolf

McKinley-

Two Story Tipi- Mission: Wolf

Camping With the Dogs: Colorado

Searching For Mountain Lions: Colorado

San Diego-

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"Wolves Do Not Look At You, They Look Through You." - Doug Smith

Posted by jennifer on September 1, 2009.

Living With the Wolves: June 11th, 2009

Today I ventured out for a hike when the sun broke through the dark clouds above. We've had so much rain & snow this spring, their seems to be a ton of water rushing down the rivers, creeks and streams and the grass is growing higher than I've ever seen it. The land is lush, speckled with purple, white and yellow wild flowers. Such a beautiful property here but as I hiked, my eyes scaled the trees, ridges and boulders and I watched for any sign of motion behind bushes in the forest. Although beauty reins, the lion is on the prowl amongst me- probably watching my every move. This feline may be back for lunch upon the kill site and I was headed there alone without refuge from the force of of my canines and wolves which would potentially disturb evidence. I walked and turned often, making sure this predator didn't strike from behind breaking my neck as they so well do. Any kill is potentially dangerous. From cats, to bears, wolves & coyotes- when you put food in the picture, it brings things to a whole different level. Before I got here, the owner of the property had forwarned that the deer lay near the barn. Knowing mountain lions full well- they will return to the kill after a few days to feast or even move the carcass. I searched and I searched- no deer. "That's it." I told myself. "I'm going to get the dogs and wolves." Within a few seconds, the animals took me right to a spot over near a large wood pile. Sure enough, something was killed there. Where did it go? The wolves concentrated on the scent at the scene of the crime. Eventually, Max lost interest and decided instead to catch a near by mouse which he played with, hung out his mouth while it squeeled and swallowed in one gulp as Elvis chased him around for it. If the cat moved the deer, the likely place it would be would be the forest in the center of the property where it could be out of view. However, lions up here use old mine shafts as dens and I've seen 3 shafts thus far in relative proximity. Could it have carried the deer back to it's den? Tomorrow I'll venture where I think the kill may have first occurred. A mountain lion will usually drag the carcass before performing surgery on it. I'm also going to look for any scratch marks on trees there- a signal that this is a male's turf.

In my research into habituation, I picked up the Daily Camera today. There was a story about an Eagle pocher and a bear that wouldn't leave a woman's backyard. I thought it would be a good idea to start keeping track of various animal encounters and try to make headway into the Colorado Division of Wildlife. I will need to take an overview of all animal encounters over the past 20 years with a concentration on coyotes. How has their behavior changed of late and when did this start occuring?

Next I need info. on how many wolves are currently believed to be in Colorado at the moment running wild. How many from Yellowstone vs. How many are thought to possibly being released? Are there any wolves currently in the state? What's happening with the wolf in Steamboat?

Yellowstone used to keep track of every wolf that left the park. Now they no longer do which is a positive sign.

The main question: When will wolves be thriving back in Colorado because we desperatly need them here...

Before I go, a word of advice: Never live your life around a dog. Make them live their life around you.

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More Pictures...

Posted by jennifer on August 31, 2009.

Henry: Boulder-

Henry-

Hiking With the Wolves & Dogs-

Hiking-

On the Road-

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Posted by jennifer on August 31, 2009.

Las Vegas-

Getting Hair Done In L.A.-

Got Snow?

Lola & Elvis In Beverly Hills-

On the Strip...

Elk- Yellowstone

Elmo & Ghandi- Phoenix, Az.

Jumping Out of the Jeep...

Elvis & Mitten-

Elvis & the Wolves-

Elvis & Henry Chasing Max: Living With the Wolves-

Elvis Swimming-

Elvis-

Max Following Elvis-

Elmo & Ghandi- Phoenix

Ghandi-

Grand Teton-

Grizzly: Yellowstone-

Grizzly-

Life On the Road-

Henry & Clide: Boulder

Henry & Elvis: Living With the Wolves

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Posted by jennifer on August 31, 2009.

Cowgirl & Juno- Phoenix

Coyote- Lamar Valley, Yellowstone

Daisy- Mission Wolf, Colorado

Daisy

At Home In Colorado...

Elvis & Lola Searching For Mountain Lion Tracks-

Elvis & Lola Hiking-

In Vegas-

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More Excerpts From My Journal Writing...

Posted by jennifer on August 31, 2009.

What I'm doing with animals acendes many levels. My communication to them is a feeling, sixth sense or psychic connection. I believe this to be true as I feel a lot of things from the core of my being when working with them.
Everything is nothing. Not controlling is freedom when working from an equal plane. Doing things from the feeling creates success. This is how I feel instead of "dominate" or control the situation- it's not written in a book rather a learned mutual conversation whether it be a horse, wolf or dog. - May 22nd, 2009 Hiking Alone In The Woods

Fresh mountian lion kill- deer near barn on property. Second kill within months, same general area. Possible habitual route lion is taking on property. Tomorrow going to kill site to investigate. Fascinating that these kills are taking place so close to the house and this one in broad view. Wondering if lion would have the same response to wolves as the coyote but that us unlikely as it has no fear entering captive wolf territory. Our hikes venture on the property line or outside of it in national forest. Lion kills seem to be more centrally located. Deer seems not as present the same as when my property was occupied by many deer visits until they realized dogs lived there. If lion is consistantly seeing wolves and humans, the potential for attack on an animal other than deer down the road would be likely if this is using as it's hunting grounds.

Going back to the lion that ate 7 dogs and a horse near my home two years ago, eventually killed by a neighbor, Dept. of Wildlife refused to kill such an animal. If a lion is that easily transfering from deer to dogs, cats, a horse, what comes next is a child or a human being. Where do we draw the line in the habituation with wolves and other animals? What constitues killing vs. Protecting? Educating people on how human behavior influences wildlife is key. Hunting may be a nessasary messure to allocate certain predators from uprising too far. Hunting interest has fallen however by 8%? Where do we find co-existance with mother nature is key question. Watching the scales tip could be dangerous: too much love of animals could backfire just as eliminating a predator altogether.

There was another attack by a coyote on a man recently here in Colorado. This is the second attack I've heard about within a matter of 3 months proximity. The way nature is rapidly growing out of allignment without the wolf is evident. However what if the wolf down the road becomes habituated to humans? Can we become friends with this predator and live in harmony is ultimatly a question that will effect the very future of our land. There is the very real possibilty the wolf will loose it's fear of us. - 6/10/09 Living With The Wolves

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Hello From The Rockies!

Posted by jennifer on June 10, 2009.

Hi Everyone-
Sorry it's been a while since I have written. A whole lot has been happening for me career wise and it's been a little hard to keep up with everything. Between filming, extensive research trips to Yellowstone and beyond, writing, book deals, meeting with clients, meetings in L.A. and running this little enterprise known as World Class Dog Training, I have been one busy lady lately. My time now is more valuable than ever.
With that said, I am happy to report that in the coming year you will witness great things taking place far beyond your dog that lives in your living room. My research in the wild has proven to be a fantastic aid to our domestic canine companions and what I am witnessing in all forms of wildlife should be of great interest in the coming months.
From coyotes, wolves, deer, mountain lions, domestic dogs to your human behavior, we are all connected on one level and the circle of life has no boundaries, zip codes, states, cities or regions.
I look forward to sharing much more information on these topics in the coming months but for now, it's top secret!
Wishing you all the best for a wonderful start to the beginning of summer and stay tuned to hear much more!
All my best,
Jennifer

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Hi from Jena

Posted by on February 24, 2009.

Hi Everyone! Jena here - Jennifer's Boulder, CO Assistant. I am incredibly excited to be joining Jennifer and Dana on this adventure. I can't wait to discuss tips and experiences with Dana in Vegas and of course learn everything my brain can soak up from Jennifer. I look forward to getting some pictures posted on the Pack Members page - I have 3 incredible dogs! I am also finishing up our short bio's too, so check back in a day or two to find out more!
Just bloggin in to say, "HELLO!"

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Dana Lauren Wants to say "HELLO" to JMdogtraining !!

Posted by on February 7, 2009.

I just want to say "hello" to everyone out there and let you know how excited I am to embark on this new journey with JMdogtraining. I know working with Jennifer and McKenzie is going to be beyond amazing! I cant wait to see what this adventure holds for me and my dog Kenzie as we open up the Las Vegas office.
So far so good, it looks like things are going to start moving very fast here in Vegas as we will begin to take over the city real soon! I better hold on to my seat cause its gonna be crazy-good! :)

so.... HELLO!!!

<3
Dana

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Behind the Scenes...

Posted by jennifer on February 21, 2008.

O.k. folks, here's a little insight for you as to what goes on when I'm not working with you and your dogs. Many people around me know that when I'm working, I can be extremely focussed almost to the point of obsessive about my research and bringing everything I can into my sessions and classes. For instance, It's now 10 p.m. and the last three hours I've spent on the computer researching sensory systems in animals, audio frequencies and reviewing Monty Roberts techniques on Natural Horsemanship. Now you may ask "What in the world does this have to do with dog training?" Actually, it has everything to do with dog training. This is what seperates me from the competition and probably why you didn't choose to go to a local chain store for advice on a behavioral problem. Something I may have learned from a person trained in studying the human brain just might be a link to a case with an aggressive dog who has an owner with a panic disorder.
Out of box solutions is my way of re-inventing a service that has many years of tradition and hence has lead me to profound results that have been proven to work time and time again. The foremost way to a dog's brain is to comminicate with them on their level. Once this is done, the rest is easy. There are so many animals (not just dogs) that are looking for ways to work or have a job to do. Many dogs prefer to be of assistance to the pack just as they naturally would in the wild.
This year in 2008, things are only going to get better. You can read here on my blog my attempt to re-introduce myself to a wolf who bit me several times in the face. She was only doing her job- protecting her adoptive pups but the last time I saw her, she still hadn't forgotten. Will this opportunity prove that she can forget the past and move forward into the future? I hope so as it will once again show me these creatures are truly remarkable.
Yellowstone will be calling me back into the wild and as my journey continues, I will be doing more research into the stray packs of feral dogs that roam the dangerous city streets of Los Angeles. Stay tuned for more and keep your mutts happy & healthy!
All my best,
Jennifer

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Seriously... Thank God For Red Bull.

Posted by jennifer on November 8, 2007.

I've been working like a maniac. It's not just with dogs but all this information I'm putting together for my new philosophy on dogs. I just got done and it's after 2 a.m. I've been working since early this morning. I have to thank two Red Bulls and a coffee for the completion of my document_ Without them, this would have never been possible. Another thank you goes out to my patient animals who, for whatever reason understand when I'm in a creative mode that I'm temprarily un-available to play sporaticaly (Sp!) around the house. Finally, I thank Mitten for catching the mysterious mouse that has been in my garage. Thanks Mitten for a job well done and Goodnight to the rest of you!
All my best,
JMc

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Busy is an understatement...

Posted by jennifer on September 28, 2007.

Between radio interviews, newspaper & magazine interviews, phone calls, e-mails & client sessions, in one week my career has reached the snowball effect and I'm loving every minute of it :-) I guess they say "When it rains it pours"- right now it's massively raining dogs & wolves... lol Stay tuned for more exciting news to come!
All my best,
JMc

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Taking Off & Flying High...

Posted by jennifer on September 12, 2007.

Hello Everyone!
Sorry it's taken me a while to get back to you on here... A LOT has happened in the last month or so. For one, my PR campaign officially began August 15th and thus far has hooked me up with a producer in Los Angeles to pitch a TV show concept. Although the process is a long one, the ball has started rolling which I'm very grateful for. I've also been traveling back and forth to Los Angeles for clients and meetings and let me tell you- one of these days I need a tour bus because life without my 3 beautiful dogs gets a little rough sometimes. Work is work though and since I've been away, I'm taking Dylan, Lola & Elvis up to Mission: Wolf with me for 4 or 5 days. Just me and the dogs for a much needed getaway to visit our friends the wolves before the snow starts coming in.
SO.... Lots of stuff happening, lots of progress and we're looking forward to finishing out 2007 with a bang! Give us a call if you need any refreshers or any help- we're always here to make your relationship with your dog the best one ever!
See you in school-
All my best,
Jennifer

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GolinHarris: PR Firm Picked!

Posted by jennifer on June 14, 2007.

After a great meeting in L.A. last week, I've finally picked the PR firm I'm going to go with. I was very impressed by their thorough presentation, friendliness, and firm belief in my company and what I'm doing with dogs. GolinHarris was voted Large PR Agency of the Year 2007 by The Holmes Report, Large PR Agency of the Year 2007 by the PRWeek Awards and PRWeek Editors’ Choice 2007. I think these guys know what they're doing :-) My contract will begin on Aug. 15th, 2007 and I'm very much looking forward to where this firm will take me. Congrats GolinHarris from World Class Dog Training!

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Ready To Roll...

Posted by jennifer on May 15, 2007.

What does success mean to you? For me, success in work doesn't always mean success in life. I'm a believer of mind over body, body over mind. It's important I think to live your life in all aspects to the best of one's ability. Nobody's perfect, we all make mistakes but the question is do you learn from your mistakes or do you keep repeating them over and over again? I would love to say I've never repeated a mistake in my life but I know I have. I try however to live my life as healthy as possible. For me, that's success. I try to bring people into my life that bring me up and not pull me down. It's important to be a friend to someone and have it returned and I try to be a loyal and good person to those around me.
This year as I enter a PR campaign, I finally feel ready in all aspects. To me, success can't be fully reached unless you've got your bases covered. Health, animals, career, friends, family, mental & physical strength and a little but of luck will get you there. Now is my time to shine & I'm not taking any prisoners. I'm ready to go, want to sign on the dotted line, get a handshake, a smile and not look back. Life's a journey and I'm just getting started...

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