Owner and Trainer, Jill Halstead
Jill has been a certified, full-time, professional trainer since 2004. Specializing in in-home, one-on-one training, Jill has trained all breeds of dogs, from good old mutts to giant and miniature pocket breeds. She has worked with dogs of all ages, including family dogs, rescues and shelter dogs.
Through years of training, Jill remains convinced of the effectiveness of reinforcement-based training methods – even with the most difficult dogs. Jill uses only positive dog training methods as they are the only strategies scientifically proven to train dogs without unintended results like increased aggression and fear. |
Many area trainers and veterinarians refer Jill to people for her expertise in all aspects of training, but particularly for her success with fearful and aggressive dogs. Previous clients also refer Jill to their friends, family and community members because of her success rate as well as her kind and knowledgeable approach with both dogs and owners.
Jill has had many pets including Gina, an adopted German Shepherd - Rottweiler mix; Noo Noo, an adopted miniature poodle and Bailey, an adopted Border Collie mix, Hank a beagle/Chessie Mix. She now shares her home with Bugys, a sweet, friendly Am Staff mix who loves everyone - especially kids. Bugsy and I are looking forward to finding a placement with Therapy Dogs of Vermont once COVID allows a test.
Jill has had many pets including Gina, an adopted German Shepherd - Rottweiler mix; Noo Noo, an adopted miniature poodle and Bailey, an adopted Border Collie mix, Hank a beagle/Chessie Mix. She now shares her home with Bugys, a sweet, friendly Am Staff mix who loves everyone - especially kids. Bugsy and I are looking forward to finding a placement with Therapy Dogs of Vermont once COVID allows a test.
Education and Professional Development
1984 University of Massachusetts/Amherst Bachelor of Arts
2004 San Francisco SPCA Dog Trainer Academy, Graduate
The Academy, directed by renowned author and trainer Jean Donaldson, offered an intensive course and on-the-ground training at their California campus. The Academy's evidence-based program covers all aspects of dog behavior and is the most comprehensive in the US. The Academy is selective, rigorous and requires determination in order to graduate. Graduates stand apart in their thorough knowledge of their subject, and actual experience working with dogs.
2016 Webinar with Dr. Karen Overall
A workshop and lecture on the impact of elevated stress chemicals negatively affecting learning, as well as new theories in training.
2017 Webinar with Dr. Nancy Kay
This presentation focused on the results of the recent research and how our thoughts about neutering dogma are beginning to shift. There's little doubt that neutering recommendations for our pet dogs are beginning to change.
2018 Seminar: The emotional World of Dogs: New insights into training and behavior.
The latest research on dog cognition and emotion as well as how these findings can be applied in clinical practice.
1984 University of Massachusetts/Amherst Bachelor of Arts
2004 San Francisco SPCA Dog Trainer Academy, Graduate
The Academy, directed by renowned author and trainer Jean Donaldson, offered an intensive course and on-the-ground training at their California campus. The Academy's evidence-based program covers all aspects of dog behavior and is the most comprehensive in the US. The Academy is selective, rigorous and requires determination in order to graduate. Graduates stand apart in their thorough knowledge of their subject, and actual experience working with dogs.
2016 Webinar with Dr. Karen Overall
A workshop and lecture on the impact of elevated stress chemicals negatively affecting learning, as well as new theories in training.
2017 Webinar with Dr. Nancy Kay
This presentation focused on the results of the recent research and how our thoughts about neutering dogma are beginning to shift. There's little doubt that neutering recommendations for our pet dogs are beginning to change.
2018 Seminar: The emotional World of Dogs: New insights into training and behavior.
The latest research on dog cognition and emotion as well as how these findings can be applied in clinical practice.