Name: Jill Freifeld
History:
Jill Freifeld is one of a handful of people who have attained both Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA), Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Knowledge-Assessed (CPDT-KA) certifications. She's also an Animal Behavior College honors graduate. Jill offers in-home behavior modification and dog training services as the owner of Happy Hound Training.
Jill demonstrates her commitment to professional integrity by maintaining membership in the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), the Mid-Atlantic Association of Professional, Positive Pet Trainers (MAAPPPT), & the Pet Professional Guild (PPG). She is also an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.
Jill's professional experience highlights include co-founding R+K9, Winchester's largest force-free training facility, serving as Lead Instructor and Director of Service Dog Training for world-renowned author and dog trainer Pat Miller, opening and managing a dog daycare, running America's Vetdogs' service dog training prison puppy program, and building a successful dog walking and pet sitting company.
Training Philosophy:
Jill proudly utilizes modern, science-based, force-free training methods, which is just a fancy way of saying that she's a skilled dog trainer who doesn't need to use any pain, fear or intimidation to train your dog. Her primary training tool is positive reinforcement, which employs rewards (praise, affection, toys, treats, etc.) to motivate your dog to succeed. Positive reinforcement training motivates dogs to learn, stimulates their thinking, builds confidence, improves your relationship with them, creates lasting results and best of all, makes training fun! Dogs learn better when they use their noggins to figure out how to earn rewards rather than doing the minimum to avoid punishment.
Services:
Happy Hound Training offers in-home dog training and behavior modification services. They offer private, in-home lessons that are customized to meet your goals. They also offer group dog training classes that are limited to six dogs to ensure you get plenty of one-on-one instruction. They offer help for common (and not-so common) behavior issues like aggression toward people and/or other dogs, separation anxiety, over-excitement, resource-guarding, and fearfulness.
Certifications:
- Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA)
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
- American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator
- American Red Cross pet first aid & CPR certified
Specializations:
Behavior Modification, Obedience Training, Puppy Training
Training Methods:
Force-free training, positive reinforcement training
Customer Reviews:
Lydia M. in Middletown, VA - If you work with Jill consider yourself extraordinarily lucky! I've worked with trainers, read training/behavior books, & I've lived with dogs all my life. I've never met anyone who was so able to get inside a dog's head as Jill. She's professional, funny, easygoing & I found her to be supportive to both me & my dog. She's a PLEASURE to work with & I cannot recommend her highly enough! Do it for yourself. Do it for your pet!
Maria Y. in Olney, MD - I highly recommend Jill Freifeld. Despite having many years of experience rescuing Scottish terriers, Jill's counsel has provided many "Aha" moments. The challenges I've faced with my very smart, young terrier using what I've learned from Jill have me looking forward to continuing to learn, to have fun, and best of all, appreciate my relationship with him.
Heide F. in Washington, DC - I totally admire Jill and her team because of their in-depth knowledge of how to read dog behavior. Their philosophy of training is rooted in positive reinforcement and immediate reward. Sasha, my Maltese, absolutely loves her training sessions with Jill privately in our home or in a group setting. The atmosphere is always light, safe, sensible and fun for all!
Alan P. in VA - Thanks, Jill! We all love Buster even more than before, thanks to you and his newfound manners and obedience! Thanks!
Cecilia S. in VA - Thank you so much Jill! Your class helped me and Penny in numerous ways. You are a wonderful instructor!
Jess P. in Berryville, VA - I just wanted to let you know that Willow's responding really well to the "$1,000 treat" technique. She's not as skittish around strangers, & she'll now take treats from my mom. It's working so well that Willow now follows her to the kitchen & sits because she knows that she's going to get the good stuff. We couldn't be happier with the results! Thanks again for putting us on the right path to communicating with Willow & helping her overcome her anxieties!
Daria I. in Inwood, WV - I had new patio doors installed today. Taylor watched from inside the house. At first he barked at the men and headed for my bedroom but I got the treats out and worked on Look at That. He got quiet and was able to watch the men working without barking. Very proud of him today! Lots of traffic in the house lately with less barking.
B.B. in MD - I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful experience. Anna and I learned so much attending the class. Thanks again for such a great experience.
Patrick S. in VA - Thank you for everything you have done for us and Sammy! He has really come out of his shell with the combination of training and opportunity to socialize with the other dogs.
Media Appearances:
Washingtonian Magazine Best Dog Obedience & Behavior Trainer, 2013
2012 DogTec Business Makeover Winner
2011 & 2013 voted Washingtonian Magazine's Best Pet Care
Photographed for the Washington Post
Interviewed for the Washington Post ("Tips for Running with Dogs")
Quoted in the Maryland Gazette
Authored feature on pet care for Angie's List
We've got the answers for your questions
Seriously, if you have any questions about training your dog, we have the answers.
We have created a directory of licensed dog trainers specializing in positive reinforcement methods. These trainers are not affiliated with Dogo, and all information is gathered from publicly available sources. Each profile provides a brief overview of the trainer's experience and expertise.
Start by evaluating your dog's needs and identifying your training objectives. Each trainer's profile provides insights into their areas of expertise. Match these with your dog's character and your goals to find the ideal fit.
All trainers listed here are certified professionals with extensive knowledge of positive reinforcement techniques.
Positive reinforcement centers on rewarding preferred behaviors, ensuring a pleasant learning journey for your dog. This humane approach is scientifically proven to be the most effective long-term training method, strengthening the bond between you and your pet. By consistently rewarding good behavior, your dog learns to associate actions with positive outcomes, leading to lasting improvements and a happier companion.
Yes, they are. Trainers are adept in basic obedience or intricate behavioral challenges. Browse their profiles to identify a trainer who specializes in the particular issues you wish to address.
Simply click on the preferred trainer's profile to access their contact details. From there, you can get in touch to discuss your requirements and set up training appointments.
Group sessions offer a communal setting where your dog learns general obedience alongside other dogs. In contrast, private sessions grant focused attention, making them perfect for targeted behavior modifications or individualized training agendas.
All trainers are committed to positive reinforcement techniques and steer clear of any harsh or punitive methods. Their primary goal is to make training a joyous journey for you and your dog.
Results depend on factors like your dog's nature, the specific behaviors in question, and your training consistency. While many clients observe improvements in just a few sessions, it's crucial to be patient and persistent.
Reach out to the trainer you're interested in to discuss possibly attending a session. It's a great way to get a feel for their approach and see if it aligns with your expectations.
