Hi, I’m Jill Breitner and for almost 40 years, as a dog trainer I have devoted myself to coaching clients about the nature of dogs i.e, canine body language and energy- as it relates to effective training for both dogs and humans alike. This knowledge transforms relationships. My focus is on creating joyful and respectful relationships between people and the animals that enrich our lives so much.
I have professionally trained Companion, Therapy and Service Dogs for hundreds of clients. Some of my celebrity clients include Jerry Bruckheimer, Natalie Cole, George Lopez, Martina Navratilova, Beatrice Arthur, Wendy Tokuda, Debby Boone, Steven Segal and many more.
I volunteer in animal shelters, helping staff better understand canine body language and behavior. I love writing about my experience with clients and their dogs as a teaching tool for my blog.
My lifelong interest in helping people train their dogs began at age nine after reading a LIFE magazine article about Dr. Jane Goodall. Goodall’s work observing chimpanzees fired my own devotion to animals into a full-blown passion. From that early age, I keenly observed the creatures around me and how people interacted with them. Years later, my zeal schooled by a degree in Animal Science from Pierce College in Los Angeles and sharpened by working as a Veterinary Technician, I came to understand that my true calling was coaching people how to better understand and train their dog.
In the name of safety and humane education between dogs and humans, I created the smartphone app about dog body language. Dog Decoder was inspired by the huge numbers of people being bitten by dogs because of the lack of understanding about how to read dogs.
Most of my time now is doing virtual dog training via Skype, podcasts and doing workshops for veterinary clinics, boarding and day care facilities, elementary schools and anyone else who wants me to speak at their event.
My Philosophy
LAUGH AND TEACH!!! If you’re not laughing with your dog, you’re most likely not having much fun. I can help bring the joy back into your dog training experience. A spoiled rotten, disciplined dog is my philosophy.
I believe that dog training is about understanding the natural instincts of dogs, how they learn and how to read their body language and energy. Developing these skills will enable you to be better equipped while training your dog. When you learn what motivates your dog, be it food, their favorite toy or a game of tug, the reward is there to reinforce the desired behavior. This is how dogs learn best and what makes dog training fun for both of you.
Dog and puppy training starts with two willing partners. Being a leader means understanding how dogs live in and learn their world. You are calm, confident, flexible and prepared. Know what you are asking for, be consistent and have your dogs best interest at heart. Know what motivates your dog and let the fun begin. As a leader you are shaping, directing and redirecting while modifying behaviors positively with rewards; games, toys, food, etc. Training done consistently, positively and in a timely manner can bring out the best in your dog and bring you years of joy and satisfaction.
Every interaction you have with your puppy is a training session. Either you are training the dog or she is training you. It’s a dogs nature to want to turn training into a game and rightly so. It’s your job as a leader to learn to respond not react to this jovial nature wherein you can make the training experience fun for you and your dog .
I live in the USA on the West Coast and I share my life with my beloveds–all rescued animals: two dogs Rascal and Timber; Yogi, the wonder cat and my two favorite mounts, Oriah and Bodhi. In my free time, I spend time with family and friends and I’m totally smitten with my 5 year old granddaughter. I love playing with and riding my horses, hiking in the hills with my dogs, dancing to the full moon and educating you.
I am very proud to be part of the Fear Free Professionals who are making a difference in helping our pets feel safer and more secure when visiting the vet, groomer, day care; anywhere they may feel afraid. If you don’t know about this program please find out more and ask your vet if they can go fear free.