Jennifer McCarthy started her training at the age of 5, teaching her own dogs to do some tricks. Those tricks lead to experiments like training her goldfish to swim in a circle for food, teaching her horse to bow for a carrot and her cat how to sit. Jennifer notes, "I always felt a connection with animals - I don't know how to explain it other than a mutual understanding."
In 1996, Jennifer formed Very Important Pooch (V.I.P.) in Los Angeles, California. She started the business after college with just a few business cards and word of mouth from clients. She later extended her services to teach group classes as the primary dog trainer for Chateau Marmutt, a high-end pet boutique/daycare in Los Angeles. V.I.P. lead to work with international investigation and security firms, for whom she trained numerous personal protection dogs for their celebrity and top executive clients. V.I.P has since developed into Jennifer McCarthy World Class Dog Training and its divisions, The K-9 Ranch Training Center, located in the beautiful mountains above Boulder, Colorado and one satellite office in Los Angeles, California.
Known as the "Wolf Woman", Jennifer McCarthy, has appeared on national television (NBC, ABC, CBS, Bravo) and in publications such as The Los Angeles Times, Orange Coast Magazine, 5280 Magazine, Southwest Airlines' Spirit Magazine, Pet Business, Pet Product News, The Daily Times-Call, The Palm Beach Post, The Palm Beach Daily News, The Dog Daily.com, Palm Beach Society Magazines, National Geographic Adventure Magazine, AllureMagazine.com and IParenting.com. Jennifer has also been featured on many nationally syndicated radio programs including The Animal Radio Network as well as local radio stations across Colorado and Los Angeles. For over 13 years, she has trained the likes of A-list television, film, and music celebrities and has traveled around the country as a live-in dog trainer for some of the world's most influential people.
McCarthy is a fourth generation dog trainer and is skilled in a wide variety of fields including: obedience, behavior, protection, training for television and print, trick training, Schutzhund, Personal Protection, Guard Dog Training and American Kennel Club (AKC Handling). Jennifer has also completed a two-year study of wolf behavior which she applies to domestic dogs. She has studied and consulted with veterinarians, animal control, K-9 officers, and top breeders; most notably, Enid Quick, top breeder and AKC Judge of thirty-five years who has produced over 100 AKC Champions since 1979. Jennifer has also studied underneath Captain Haggerty, former Captain of the U.S. K-9 Corps, renowned author, and "Grandfather of Dog Trainers".
Growing up as an accomplished equestrian, Jennifer applies natural horse pack behavior and horsemanship to animals as well as her interest in the Native American culture's relationship and spirituality to all creatures. Jennifer has formed a devote following of fans over the years. She has a cutting edge approach unlike any other in the industry. Going above and beyond the norm, she has followed and researched dog and animal behavior that has led her from the dangerous streets of South Central Los Angeles documenting feral dog behavior, to the back country of Yellowstone working on the front lines with wolf biologists. Jennifer is looked upon as being a teacher to some of the best trainers in the business today. With a dog trainer school that requires a wait list to get in, a growing fascination by the press, television producers, networks, agencies and a very busy travel schedule, Jennifer has become highly in demand.
Continued education, constant research, and attendance at industry seminars and conferences keep McCarthy at the top of her game. An accomplished writer and entrepreneur, Jennifer was the training expert and online columnist for retailer Planet Dog (Read about this exciting partnership), has been published by The Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is currently an advice expert for Tails Pet Magazine. She is also an avid speaker and lecturer across the country. Some of her speaking engagements have included: Whole Foods - Beverly Hills, California, The Space Science Institute - Boulder, Colorado, Planet Dog - Portland, Maine and Mission: Wolf in Westcliffe, Colorado.
"I believe in consistently improving my craft. I'm always reading, researching and educating myself to bring everything I can into my sessions with my clients. I love to learn more about what I do – to me that's fun. I believe in not only my knowledge of dogs, but also my research into other animals and human psychology in which I can apply to dog behavior. Most of all, I think if it's too much time to spend a few minutes hanging out with your dog, you should probably get a cat! See you in school!"
- Jennifer McCarthy
Active memberships include:
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers
Schutzhund U.S.A.
The German Shepherd Dog Club of America
The International Association of Dog Behavior Consultants
The International Association of Canine Professionals
International Wolf Center
Mission: Wolf
Celebrity Clients include:
- Jim Carrey
- Christina Aguilera
- The Osbournes
- Renee Zellweger
- Alyssa Milano
- Rachel Hunter
- Vince Neil
- Julian McMahon
- Christine Lahti
- Beverley Mitchell