Madison & “Charlie”
Temecula, CA

The RRP course is a game changer for anyone who is looking to build a closer relationship with their dog while overcoming reactivity issues. Before I began RRP I was frustrated, embarrassed and grasping at anything that could give me a quick fix to help my dogs anxiety. I came across Jenna’s program and for the first time I was excited to get working with my dog and felt hopeful that things could change. RRP is not a quick fix. But you will see changes quickly… not only in your dog but in yourself. I went from stressing out about taking my dog outside to getting excited to help her see the world in a new way. Our bond has grown exponentially and we take steps forward every single day. 

My relationship with my dog has improved drastically in just the three months of this program. I have a whole new understanding of her and have grown in grace and understanding of her situation. What started out as something I wanted a quick fix for has turned into a challenge that I look forward to working through and overcoming with her every day. I have had dogs my entire life but I have never had a dog that I feel this close and emotionally connected to. I can see that Charlie truly trusts me on a whole different level than ever before. 

My biggest takeaway from RRP has been that longer training sessions do not necessarily mean more effective training sessions. Before RRP I thought I was helping Charlie by exposing her to the world and making her go around the things she was afraid of. However, my approach was all wrong. In RRP I learned how to expose her to different types of situations in a productive healthy way while continuing to build the trust that Charlie and I have.  

I love the fact that the training was done on the videos which is funny because at first I didn't know if I would love it or be able to get much out of it that way. I re-watched those videos SO many times.  I love the fact that I can work through the videos at my own pace, pause, and re-watch videos when needed. The stress of trying to absorb all the information at once is not a factor with these videos. It really is suitable for everyone because it works regardless of the way they learn best. 

Not only is this program amazing because of the training purposes… but the community is incredible! Being able to communicate with other parents of reactive dogs helped provide a sense of support that I did not realize I needed. Everyone is quick to suggest ideas, provide support, or cheer you on. Whatever you need, the recovering rovers are there for you. 

Lastly RRP is amazing because of the trainer, Jenna! Sure you could get training advice from multiple different dog trainers out there but you won't find someone even close to Jenna. Jenna supports you, cares about you, and is active in you and your dog's recovery journey more than any trainer I’ve ever met.

If you are like me and you have watched every youtube video imaginable looking for help just to feel like you didn't receive any tangible results…. Or you got help from a handful of trainers just to feel like you were forgotten about and left on your own once again… then you should give RRP a shot. 

RRP is not a one time, quick fix purchase. It’s an investment into a happier, more fulfilling future with your dog. And an investment I would make over and over again.

Kendall & “Poppin”
Dallas, TX

As a dog trainer myself it was difficult for me to put my ego aside and admit that I needed help with my own dog. For some reason it felt like I had a blind spot with Poppin, I devolved into frustration and damage control as the quality of life in our household spiraled. 

 Having followed Jenna and Dog Liaison closely on Instagram I knew she was someone who I wanted to work with. When she announced that she was opening her online Recovering Rover Program I contacted her right away and we got started immediately. 

I was so impressed with the program. From the tools that Jenna has created for her students to develop and track their personal progress, to the unbelievable support that she offers throughout the course. She shows her clients the way, keeps them on the right path, and steadies them when they falter. 

The biggest [takeaway from the RRP] is definitely reading her better, understanding what she is saying when she is fearful, anxious, or excited, and how to manage those big feelings with her. 

[But] There are so many things! Practicing what I preach (hello high pitched voice!!!), tactics like BM, LAT, BAD (specific cues to help her cope in specific situations), cutting my losses on those days that don't turn out how I hoped. 

Thanks to Dog Liaison and the RRP Poppin and I have developed an entirely new relationship. While she has always made me laugh, even at the height of her naughtiness, we now find such joy and comfort with each other. Training is an ongoing process, but thanks to RRP we are on the right track. And I know that Jenna will say that Poppin and I did all of the work, but we honestly couldn't have done it without her! 

[Poppin and I] are so much closer. Our relationship has gone from one full of frustration (on both sides) to a joyful companionship. We play more, and our understanding of one another seems to have improved. There is nothing more joyful to me than seeing her recognize her voice, pop her head up and GLEEFULLY bound over to me with a wagging tail.

Alessandra & “Jaspers”
Tulsa, OK

When I first adopted Jaspers, all I wanted was a “normal” dog (whatever that is). I got him when he was 6.5 months old. In the beginning, things seemed fine. He was insane, but he was also a puppy. After a few months, though, things began getting rough. Jaspers never grew out of mouthing people, he began barking and lunging at people and dogs on our walks, he was often inconsolable and over-threshold constantly. I had no idea what was going on. I had never encountered a dog like him. I was in a rough place in my own personal life and couldn’t handle him. I regularly thought about the possible reality of having to give him back to the shelter, and then would hate myself for thinking that afterwards. I became quite reactive myself. I yelled and cried and slammed doors and just did not handle having Jaspers well at all. I know I made his reactivity worse, but I forgive myself for that now. 

I couldn’t find trainers that I felt positive about. I saw a dog behaviorist and met with a trainer. Both of them suggested courses of action that never felt right in my gut (i.e. very aversive methods). I looked into bootcamps that promised a perfect dog in only a couple of weeks, but was nervous about sending my dog off somewhere where I couldn’t see what was being done to him. I stumbled upon a book about dog reactivity (Why Is My Dog So Growly? by Beverly Courtney) and that’s when things began to change. I discovered the world of dog reactivity and was able to start working with Jaspers in the ways he needed to be worked with. It was still too much to handle and I found myself drowning in information. Jaspers was getting better in some ways, but there was so much to do and I didn’t know how to take the information I had and use it effectively and compassionately. After starting an Instagram account for Jaspers, I began following trainers and stumbled upon the reactive dog community on Insta. I didn’t like the idea of e-collars, but I started believing that maybe that’s what I had to do for a dog like Jaspers. There are a lot of people on instagram who believe in, practice, and preach aversive methods to overwhelmed and desperate dog parents like myself.  

While Insta-browsing, I came across the Dog Liaison account and started following it. The posts were oozing with good information, nerdy science stuff, and compassion. I felt good about things while reading them. One day, there was a post that ended with “DM me to find out if the RRP is right for you”, and so I did. Jenna and I had a great little back-and-forth about Jaspers, his specific reactivity, what we were already working on, what we would like to be able to do in the future/what our goals were, and what the RRP was all about. (I just went back and looked at the very first messages and they made me smile.) We scheduled a consultation, and the rest is history.  

I used to be unable to take Jaspers to the park, in the car, to the vet, or even around the neighborhood or have friends over to our house without lots of stress and reactivity. I definitely broke down and cried during walks more than once. I used to hate myself for thinking about giving Jaspers back to the shelter and because I—a certified animal nerd—couldn’t train my dog. I was experiencing very public failure every day, and that wears a person down. Since joining the RRP, Jaspers and I have come so far. Jaspers is now one of the best behaved dogs at the park. More importantly, he is confident, happy, and having his needs met! The world isn’t so terrifying for him, and that is one of the best feelings ever (for both of us). I know how to communicate with Jaspers now, and he has learned how to better communicate with me. He has agency. He’s not just some creature to be forced into submission or told what to do all the time. He can make good decisions for himself, and I can set him up for success. I now know what to do in the stressful and reactive situations that do occur. I can confidently handle training Jaspers and have the tools now to tackle things on my own. When I first started working with Jenna she said one of her goals is to get her clients to no longer need her, and I love that. We’re nearly there. 

The RRP is a program based in science, love, and compassion. The techniques are all based on the most current scientific research and done without the use of e-collars, prong collars, choke chains, spray bottles, throwing things, or other ways of scaring dogs into being commanded. There’s no fear in the program, only understanding. The methods are easy to understand and the videos and training sessions are great deep dives into the world of canine mental health. I’ve been obsessed with dogs and learning about them since I was a kid, and I have learned so much about dog language, communication, mental health, and needs during this program. If you do the work, you will see the results. I think just seeing how Jaspers is today is proof enough that it works and works well. Jenna has been nothing but kind, patient, and reliable. I know I can always go to her with whatever questions and concerns, and be met with both expert knowledge and enthusiasm for the work I’m doing. Jenna and the RRP are the real deal. If there is some universal force that intervenes and acts in our lives, I know the universe was looking out for me by leading me to Dog Liaison. I trusted my gut instinct and am so grateful that I did. 

Life with Jaspers is good now. I no longer have any question or doubts about keeping him. We play, camp, walk, sleep, hike, drive around, and live well together. While we still have a lot of work to do—reactive dog training is a long game—I know how to do it. Jaspers trusts me to keep him safe and loved. More often than not I am beaming with pride and happiness at the park or in the neighborhood or at the vet because Jaspers has come so damn far. He’s still a little demon dog, but he can now channelh is over-excitability into playing and doing zoomies and going on sniffaris. Life is good.

Agneta & “Flora”
Toronto, CAN

I had a lot of trouble bonding with Flora as a young puppy. I know this is not uncommon, especially for a new puppy owner, but I was surprised at how disconnected I felt from her. At our lowest points, I wished I hadn't gotten her.

To put this into context, I had wanted a dog since I was six years old. I was never allowed to get one (fair enough...), but I don't remember any point in my life that I didn't want a dog. Six years before I got Flora is when I decided that I will 100% be getting a dog when the time is right. That is when I started casually watching training videos (thankfully stumbled upon positive reinforcement/intimidation free training from the get go). I also started researching different breeds and decided on the vizsla then. Fast forward, I spent a year choosing a breeder, then put my deposit down a year before just to make sure the timing was right (even though I could have gotten a puppy from an earlier litter). In that last year, I was in full preparation mode. Especially the months leading up to getting her, all I did was watch videos, read blogs, read (parts of) books (that I still need to finish). All I could talk about was dogs.

Having prepared a lot, I think I really set myself up for disappointment when things weren't quite going as I'd planned. I was also hesitant to reach out for help, in part because I didn't know what I didn't know and in part because I was picky about whose help I would accept. But I found myself getting annoyed with Flora and at times responding to her in ways that I knew were counter-productive. I envied my friend's "easy puppies". I felt stressed taking her out on walks. The timing of the Webinar on Leash Reactivity was serendipitous, and the presentation really resonated with me. I wanted to have this great relationship with Flora, and I wanted to be the one to train her. What I was missing was a coach, and here was this amazing opportunity to work with someone I already trusted, having already watched all their YouTube videos :D.

Signing up for the RRP has been the best money I spent on Flora. Our relationship and communication have improved so much. I've learned to be more effective in my training, I've learned to understand her better, and to communicate more clearly with her. At the risk of sounding crazy, I am actually grateful that my puppy is leash reactive just because it led me to the RRP and working with Jenna. The things I have learned through the RRP go way beyond reactivity. I truly believe that my connection with Flora is stronger now than it would have been if she were one of those "easy puppies" that I used to envy, because we are working through this together, as a team, and with the help of an amazing coach!

I highly recommend working with Jenna, if you have the opportunity! 

To answer the question, my relationship and communication with Flora have improved so much. Our relationship improved as soon as I signed up, frankly. I suddenly felt optimistic and hopeful, knowing that I would have support and guidance. Just my psychological shift made a big difference. Throughout the program, our relationship continued to improve as I learned how to be more effective in my training, how to understand her better, and how to communicate more clearly with her. I have literally said to people that, at the risk of sounding crazy, I am grateful that my puppy is leash reactive, because otherwise I would have never signed up for this program and I would have not learned all the things I learned. I now felt like Flora and I are a team, working through her reactivity together. But the things I learned in this program go way beyond reactivity. We'll never know how my relationship would have been with her had she not been leash reactive, but I imagine it would not be as deep a connection because there would be a lot that I wouldn't have known.

I need an awesome training coach! Like you said, it's the missing piece. I don't regret preparing as much as I did. Thankfully, all my preparation did in fact allow me to recognize that I needed help. I knew that her leash reactivity would get worse, and that it could even turn to fear or aggression if not carefully addressed. I knew that I was fumbling and unsure how to help her. But it took me a couple months to get there. Now that I know more than I did before, I have a better understanding and appreciation of how much more there is that I don't know. And how no matter how many videos I watch, it just doesn't give me the knowledge and experience of a professional. It seems really obvious to say, almost silly. But I definitely have a better understanding now of how much goes into training a dog. I now 100% without hesitation know that the best, most effective, and least frustrating way to train a dog is with guidance.

Rachel & “Jack”
Marquette, Michigan

Jack was surrendered to a local shelter from a hoarding situation at 2.5 years old. At the time of his surrender, he had had no individual human attention - never touched, groomed, leashed, anything. At the shelter he showed signs of extreme anxiety- the only way the staff could handle him is by cornering him (which they did as needed) and this scared him so much he lost control of his bladder and bowels each time. I adopted Jack in April and began reading everything I could find on the internet about helping a fearful dog. It was in this research that I found the Dog Liaison YouTube channel. In August we joined the Recovering Rover Program. At that time Jack had made tremendous progress in his ability to function as a dog in our home, but still had not built a trusting relationship with me, it was more of an uneasy truce. Through Jenna's expert coaching I was able to adopt some new strategies, tweak some things I was already doing, and make sense of Jack's body language. Our time with Jenna has had a tremendous impact on Jack's emotional well-being. We are well on our way to solidifying a bond that will allow him the happily-ever-after he so deserves. 

My relationship with Jack has improved by leaps and bounds. I have become more in tune with reading and respecting his body language, and I established healthy sleep patterns that set him up for success. His personality means that (as of now) many games that would be enriching for most dogs are scary for him, but we were able to come up with many strategies that are helping him live his best life.

Our goals are long-term, and there are no quick-fixes for a sensitive dog but a good coach can set the course for long-term success. To anyone with a reactive or fearful dog - the Recovering Rover Program has the potential to be a game changer.

Moira & “Gaia”
Toronto, CAN

Jenna has really helped me to better understand how my dog communicates with me, and has empowered me to act as an advocate for my reactive rover. Jenna has taught me to be attentive to my dog’s body language in order to gauge her comfort level in a variety of situations and environments that might be over stimulating, which helps me to be more aware of the triggers my dog is exposed to. With a deeper understanding of my dog’s mental health I am better able to foster a trusting relationship with her. Gaia knows I will respect her boundaries and remove her from stressful situations ASAP.

I love that Jenna educates pet parents on how to help our reactive pups using positive reinforcement! I want our training experiences to be relationship building, allowing my dog to behave well as a choice (because she is well rewarded and trusting) rather than because she is afraid of the punishment for behaving badly. Jenna is supportive and encouraging as we continue on this journey, available by email and DMs to cheer for our successes and bolster us when we’re struggling.

I especially want to note the value of Jenna’s YouTube videos, too! I love that I can revisit these ideas when I am in the right headspace to absorb the information. I appreciate that Jenna speaks to experts and delves deeply into the research, and has more practical videos with activities and training games too. 

Jenna has fundamentally changed the way I look at dog training: not as a task with a finish line but as the ongoing building and maintaining of a positive and enriching, mutually beneficial relationship with my dog, for life! Thanks so much, Jenna!

Grace P. & “Bell”
Orange County, CA

Before Jenna, Bell would lunge and be very reactive towards any dog walking by as she was the bossy aussie on the street and she had to correct every dog that passed by. Bell also enjoys correcting the dogs on the other side of our house fence and when I would try to correct her or get her attention on me it was as if she couldn’t hear me (*didn’t care to hear me).

Now, walks are ENJOYABLE! Never thought I would feel that way when walking Bell. She can now pass dogs calmly and checks in with me to tell me she is afraid or unsure of the dog passing by without her feeling she has to be reactive or take charge of the situation herself.  In situations where passing the dog walking wasn’t ideal, I used to never be able to have her sit and watch a dog pass by without her being reactive and now she sits there calmly and lets the most reactive dog pass her by. Sometimes I joke what happened to my sassy girl?!

With the backyard fence if she hears the neighbor dogs barking she looks me and cries and comes over and sits versus running out charging the fence to correct the because she has learned the game where if the neighbors dogs bark and she offers me a “spin” or “wave” she gets a treat versus barking back at them. Jenna taught me how to make new people coming over to be a positive experience for Bell and to teach her to be less reactive when the door would open.

Her personality has done a complete 180 too and it's incredible how much she listens to me now. Most importantly - I can truly say Bell is SO much happier. She seems less stressed out and on edge all the time. Best part about it all is that Jenna taught me how to successfully utilize positive reinforcement training to accomplish these goals. Through Jenna, I learned the skills and confidence I needed to be successful so that Bell could be successful. I also feel I have grown closer to Bell and have a whole new relationship with her through everything I have learned.

Emily and Troy M. & “Julep”
Louisiana

Jenna was wonderful to work with! She was incredibly responsive with all emails and review videos. Her ability to read a dog's body language and then in turn teach us how to read our specific dog's body language is so impressive. I knew what my dog's specific triggers were before working with Jenna (UPS guy, strangers in driveway, etc.), but I had no idea what to do when Julep was triggered or how to make Julep less anxious around the house and we had a new baby on the way and knew we needed to get a handle on it. 

We feel more comfortable understanding Julep's triggers and being able to predict (better) when/what will make her anxious and how to respond to her. I think it has made her trust us more and we feel better giving her positive reinforcement rather than "punishing" her to the back room.

We were worried about what would happen when the new baby arrived and we began working with Jenna 3 months before the baby was due. The first 4-5 days after bringing home the baby were very stressful (for obvious reasons) and Julep had a tough time adjusting to her - but with all the knowledge Jenna imparted on us over the previous three months in regards to Julep's triggers and redirecting with positive reinforcement, we were able to successfully help Julep adjust to the new baby (and to all the visitors we had). When we started playing the "training games" Julep instantly relaxed and understood what was expected of her - Julep thrives on routine and feels safest when she knows what to expect and if we had not practiced/trained with her for the previous 3 months she would not have been able to relax around the baby. The craziest thing is that Jenna never specifically taught us training for when we brought the baby home - she taught us how to handle Julep's anxiety around triggers and we were able to successfully implement the training for every instance we recognized Julep was anxious/triggered.

Valuable knowledge that will help Julep and us the rest of our lives!