Jenna Powell, CPDT-KA, CSAT
Jenna’s Credentials at a Glance
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer, CPDT-KA
- CSAT, Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer
- Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, American Kennel Club
- Puppy Start Right for Instructors, Certificate of Completion, Karen Pryor Academy
- Certificate of Excellence, Living and Learning with Animals with Dr. Susan Friedman
- Trained in Pet First Aid & CPR, DOGSAFE Canine First Aid
- Professional Member, Pet Professional Guild
- Supporting Member, International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
Location: Box Elder, South Dakota
Learn more about Jenna
Jenna is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT) through Malena DeMartini, a Puppy Start Right Instructor through Karen Pryor Academy, an American Kennel Club (AKC) Evaluator, a supporting member of the International Association for Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), and a professional member of The Pet Professional Guild (PPG).
Jenna wanted to work with dogs ever since she was a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind in her teens. She started seeking education and built her knowledge step by step. Naturally enterprising and practical, Jenna made the leap to full-time dog trainer after learning how to help her dog Bentley, who had separation anxiety.
Seeking to help Bentley had led Jenna to Lisa Waggoner, who was the professional CSAT who became her trainer and separation anxiety mentor. Separation anxiety training changed Jenna’s life, and not only with her own dog. It ignited a passion to help other people whose dogs and families have this problem. It became everything to her. As Jenna puts it, she couldn’t not share this knowledge that could improve and even save lives. She respects and holds dear the sacrifices that guardians of separation anxiety dogs make, and helps them use their dedication to actively help their dogs get better.
After deciding to pursue training seriously, Jenna performed the amazing feat of acquiring both her Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and her Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT) credentials within a month of each other. Both these credentials are by examination, and Jenna got the highest scores ever achieved on her CSAT midterm and final.
Jenna also has a passion for puppies. Puppies respond instantly to clicker training, and this, in turn, helps build their bond with their guardians. She loves how their owners light up when they see how smart their little ones are. She enjoys the whole process of training the basics: foundation behaviors like recall and stay, and showing people how these behaviors can be built upon over the course of their dog’s life. They are not only practical, but fun for dog and client alike.
She has taught a variety of classes at San Diego Humane Society and volunteered at Rancho Coastal Humane Society to teach other volunteers how to effectively train shelter dogs in an effort to increase successful adoptions. She enjoys helping newly adopted dogs settle into their homes and thrive!
Jenna continues to seek out and attend educational webinars, workshops, and conferences to learn from leaders in the training and behavior field such as Karen Pryor, Ken Ramirez, Susan Friedman, Patricia McConnell, Pat Miller, Kathy Sdao, Trish McMillan, and Michael Shikashio. Staying educated on the most up-to-date science on dog behavior and using the most effective and humane training methods are Jenna’s top priorities. She knows every bit of energy she puts into learning about dog behavior and training will pay out tenfold in her ability to help her clients.
Jenna’s combination of knowledge, empathy, outreach, and a positive attitude make her a perfect fit for Cold Nose College.
