Hello-
My name is Jennifer, I live in Chicago. I am a professional dog trainer. Most of my time is spent training my client's dogs, from pups, basic ob, to aggressive or problem dogs, etc. I take every dog as an individual. I teach dogs, fix problems, use positive reinforcement of praise, and use corrections.

The rest of my time is spent training MY dogs, which is a hobby with my two Malinois, one is older, he is my PP dog, SchH3, I work him often, he is almost 9 and is fabulous. My pup I'm training in French Ring Sport, which is my favorite dog sport. I do not want to be known for having Malinois, or for doing a sport, but for being a good trainer to all dogs, and making great dogs.

I also have rescue dogs, which I foster and adopt out on my own. It is usually Pit Bulls, but I have had many other dogs such as GSDs. I also try to educate people on finding a good breeder and not supporting BYBs, but reputable ppl who understand genetics, health, and breeding for betterment of the breed.

I also do nutritional consultations. I am a believer that "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," and I am an advocate of completely vaccine-free dogs, raw diets, alternative medicine, massage, and holistic health, among other things. I have worked for dog food companies, too.

I like to read up on behavioral research and studies, etc. about animals in my spare time, if I have any, I am usually reading. Or trying to relax, of course, and I am single with no kids. I always like to learn more and meet other trainers, picking up new tips and ideas.
I also write articles on dogs, behavioral issues, relationships with humans and dogs, raw diets, and many issues in the dog world. I am politically against BSL and any groups or legislation that aims to take away our rights as dog owners!
Here is a bad picture of me and one of my rescued Pits:



Here is my other Maligator, she is French lines, grand-daughter of Judex, and is a little monster:




Feel free to add me on myspace.com/myherocanine

---

I love your Mal pics!

Hey, a question - for your PPD, did you train him yourself to a SchH III ( and are thereby a member of the SchH III club ) or was he bought titled?
Just curious....

Gorgeous dogs!!! Was your sig picture taken recently? if so I gotta say your boy sure did age well, doesnt look a day over 2

I'm gonna add you on myspace, my name is Alpha Bitch, lol.

That IS a special puppy pic.

Shes got a great face.:smile: Wonderful expression that is flashing, "HANDFULL HANDFULL HANDFULL!!!"

Welcome to this forum Jennifer. There is (as you may already know) an abundance of good information here.

I don't know why you say "here is a bad picture" of you and that pit...looks like a good picture to me!

And as for your lil pup, well, I can feel your fingers (uh, body?) bleed. I thought my lil pup had "the look". HHHAAAA!

And, like Will inquired, I'm curious too, did you buy your 9 year old mal already titled or did you take him to III? We all start somewhere, just wondering how you got started in the dog sport world.

 Quote: Will Rambeau

I love your Mal pics!

Hey, a question - for your PPD, did you train him yourself to a SchH III ( and are thereby a member of the SchH III club ) or was he bought titled?
Just curious....

Sure, No I did not buy him titled, a friend handled him at club trials, he did his 3 a few years ago.

Hey Jennifer, how was tracking with him?

To add more about me-
Now his training is focused on ensuring that he would perform well on a civil level- he guards the car/house, barrels through obstacles for bites, building searches, etc. We still do SchH for his fun, as the routine of it makes him happy and is not stressful to the dog like street protection.

To answer someone elses question, I got my start in the "dog world" growing up with my family showing wire haired fox terriers, I always liked the big dogs though, so I got my first pit bull (much to my family's dismay, lol). I got a job as a dog trainer, then did apprenticeship, etc. You will laugh when you know one of the places where I started dog training

I am always trying to be better and learn more such as diff. methods, and I might also learn grooming next just for something to do, lol. Yes I use drive training, marker training, yes I use compulsion, too. When I do use compulsion it's fair to the dog, dogs do not get corrected for something they don't know, and my goal is not to break the dog down, as it all shows in their performance and their willingness to work! The proof is in the end result. I work all different types of dogs, what motivates one may not work with another, and some have very little drive and motivation to work with, which is more of a challenge.

Once you can train dogs, and have trained hundreds and hundreds of totally different dogs, then doing a sport for fun is all just learning the individual rules of the sport, then obviously practicing a lot, as it's not hard just takes tons of time on the field and a decent dog.

 Quote: steve strom

Hey Jennifer, how was tracking with him?

Boring.

 Quote: Jennifer N. Hack

Sure, No I did not buy him titled, a friend handled him at club trials, he did his 3 a few years ago.

Why not HOT? It seems strange to put all those years of work into a dog, to not handle him at trial.

Will you handle your FR pup at trial?