About Jenn Stanley CBCC-KA
Jenn Stanley has had a passion for helping people and dogs from a very young age. She started in 4-H (competitive obedience and junior showmanship) before branching out into agility and AKC, UKC, and USDAA events as well.
She was a natural at dog training, and sponged up education from experts in the field including Grisha Stewart, Dr. Patricia McConnell, and highly skilled dog sport trainers Daisy Peel and Jenn Crank. She began teaching formally in 2003 and through seminars, courses, conferences, and apprenticeships she gained the knowledge and skills necessary to address families struggling with more complex behavior concerns.
Jenn specializes in dogs that struggle with other dogs or people, and has developed a proven process for reducing reactivity. This same process transfers well to dogs that might be described as over-the-top or out of control!
Since March 2012, Jenn has been certified through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. She is also a proud member of the Pet Professional Guild and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, advocating for methods that create a trusting, strong bond between families and their pets.
In her free time, Jenn enjoys participating in a variety of events with her dogs including agility, competitive obedience, herding, and conformation. She is pleased to have slowly dragged her spouse, A.M., into the world of dog sports with the help of Thrill who has chosen them as his favorite Mom.
Jenn has helped my family in more ways than we can count. Her knowledge of dog behavior and ability to tailor training ideas to each individual is invaluable. We couldn’t recommend her more!
– Tara B.
Recent continuing education:
- 2020 Lemonade Conference: 54 hours of continuing education covering a variety of training and behavior modification topics, latest research, genetic and medical influences on behavior, and supporting shelter and rescue dogs.
- 2020 Clean Run Conference: 27 hours of continuing education covering cooperative care and transitioning reactive, stressed, anxious, and/or excited into enriching activities near other dogs and people.
- 2021 Clean Run Conference: 35 hours of continuing education covering techniques to assist dogs that are stressed, anxious, excited, or just overly enthusiastic!
- 2021 Michael Shikashio seminar: 8 hours of continuing education covering latest techniques on treating human-directed aggression.
- 2023 Miranda K. Workman MS CABC seminar on the foundations of anthrozoology.
- 2023 Dr. Susan Friedman seminar on alternative techniques for reducing problem behaviors.
- 2023 Dr. Christopher Pachel seminars: 3 hours of continuing education covering development of reactivity and its impact on the body, as well as best practices in preparations for animal behavior consultations.
- 2023 Dr. John Ciribassi seminar on fear-based aggression in dogs.
Canine Assistants
Our job would be nearly impossible without our wonderful canine assistants! So many of our clients struggle with issues with other dogs, and having a team of predictable, easy-going dogs to help them overcome these issues is critical. Our current team of assistants include Thrill (10 year old Shetland Sheepdog), Hex (8 year old Shetland Sheepdog), and Brew (6 year old Shetland Sheepdog). Potion, the Border Collie pictured above between Thrill and Hex, was an integral part of our team until her passing in mid 2020. Her presence is very much missed.
I’ve been a dog trainer for several years and am always willing to seek education and guidance from my peers because that’s how I learn and grow and become better at what I do. I am so happy that Jenn is in this community and providing her knowledge and skills in a way that makes training fun, nonjudgmental and compassionate. She doesn’t judge you if you don’t know what to do or get frustrated. She is patient and kind. She helps you gain confidence and identifies solutions that will make life better for you and your dog. She helped me gain perspective and confidence in working with my reactive Aussie, Grace. You should give her a call. Life with your dog just got better if you do.
– Melissa L.
What is a CBCC-KA?
CBCC-KA stands for Certified Behavior Consultant (Canine) – Knowledge Assessed. This is an independent, standardized, internationally-available examination which covers essential dog training and behavior consultation skills including:
- animal husbandry
- dog ethology, anatomy, physiology, biology, and health
- body language, development, and life stages
- learning theory
- equipment knowledge
- applied behavior analysis
- observational skills
To sit for the examination, applicants must log 300 consulting hours in the past 3 years, have obtained a high school diploma or GED, adhere to a Code of Ethics, and provide references stating that they utilize humane methodology. The CCPDT also requires those who pass the exam to obtain a minimum of 36 continuing education units every 5 years in order to maintain certification. As of December 2023, Jenn is one of only 519 CCBC-KA credentialed professionals in the world.
What methods does My Charming Canine use?
Our methods are both effective and humane, using techniques backed in science rather than hype. We are proud to adhere to a strict code of ethics from both the Pet Professional Guild as well as the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.
We utilize the Humane Hierarchy, which begins with the most least invasive, minimally aversive (LIMA) option possible to teach/modify behavior. In most cases, we are able to use positive reinforcement training (which can include clicker training) to encourage preferred behavior. This is typically paired with approaches to prevent the dog from continuing to engage in the undesirable behavior. Behavior change in any species (whether it’s your dog jumping on guests, or trying to get yourself to stop biting your nails) takes time and many successful repetitions to build new habits. We will happily teach you how to create lasting change in your pet’s behavior instead of flashy but temporary suppression of the problem.
We promise to listen to you and your pet, and present the best methods for your situation. Above all, we promise to never employ methods that rely on pain, physical force, or fear.
Jenn is a certified professional dog trainer. I had the opportunity to observe Jenn’s training techniques when she enrolled her puppy in my puppy class at Over the Rainbow Dogs, LLC. Jenn didn’t need any training guidance from me at all! Jenn is a competent, positive reinforcement trainer who has the best interest of the dog and human in mind when she is training.
– Deb D.
Expert Interviews
Jenn has provided expert interviews and columns for The American Kennel Club, Chewy, DailyPaws, and the Kokomo Tribune. A selection of these include:
Prevention and Management of Firework Anxiety: What To Do When Your Dog Is Freaking Out Over Fireworks
Reducing Anxiety in Your Dog: anxiety-reducing products for your dog. If you’d like to read more about reducing anxiety in your dog, please see our blog post with the interview with journalist Jodi Helmer.
Professional Animal Acting
(Trainer and Set Handler)
Prior to moving to North Carolina from her home state of Indiana, Jenn trained and handled Potion in two commercials. The first was a state-wide campaign for the Indiana Attorney General’s office.
The second was a national campaign and co-starred Jack Hanna! Please note – we recommend you talk to your vet about what chews are right for your dog, and we don’t endorse any specific brand/product.