Jenna Sabo MS, CPDT-KA
Owner and Senior Trainer
Intuitive Animal Behavior
I have been training animals since 2010. I began with training horses for various disciplines. I knew there must be a better way to communicate with these animals that didn’t rely on pressure-release methods. I earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Animal Sciences with a Concentration in Companion Animal and Equine Studies from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While in college, I even trained my own cat to do a myriad of behaviors (sit, stay, crawl, even use the toilet) using positive reinforcement methods. College also brought me a close friend and mentor in Trish McMillan. She boarded her horse at the same barn I did and took me under her wing. With Trish’s help, I learned about the importance of positive reinforcement in the dog training world. I credit her for helping me see training not only as a viable career path, but also stoking a lifelong passion in building connections between animals and their owners.
Since then, I have continued to grow and learn as a trainer. in 2021, I had accrued enough hours to qualify to sit for the CPDT (Certified Professional Dog Trainer) exam and passed, earning the distinction of CPDT-KA. In order to maintain this credential, I complete continuing education credits annually. This also allows me to stay current on the newest methods and studies in the field. I routinely attend the Aggression in Dogs Conference, Clicker Training Expo, Canine Connection and several other mentorships and webinars offered from various trainers (including Grisha Stewart, Michael Shikashio, Kathy Sdao, Leslie McDevitt and Susan Garrett to name a few). I recently completed a Master’s degree in Veterinary Medical Sciences with a concentration in Shelter Medicine from University of Florida. In the future, I hope to unite my training skills and interest in veterinary medicine to be an applied animal behaviorist.
In my spare time, I like to find new, fun experiences for my dogs. I volunteer with As Good As Gold Golden Retriever Rescue of Illinois as a foster home, Board member and Education Coordinator. I also teach foundational group classes at Animal Care Center of Barrington a couple evenings per week.
When training, I enjoy working with complex behaviors including reactivity, fear aggression, and resource guarding.
Professionally, I am working towards my Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) and Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor (CBATI) credentials. I hope to have both completed this year.
CATCH Canine Trainers Academy Graduate
Ian McCallister
Ian is a professional dog trainer and CATCH Canine Trainers Academy graduate. He is also a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator from the AKC, and a member of the Pet Professional Guild. Ian has been training dogs for the past 4 years and is currently studying to get his CPDT-KA (certified professional dog trainer- knowledge assessed) accreditation.
“As a child, I never got to grow up with dogs. So I spent hours with friends and family members that had mastiffs, dobermans, and rottweilers. I got my first job with dogs working at a day care and training facility and wanted to expand my knowledge into training dogs. I started working for different training companies that taught me an older, outdated approach to training. It relied heavily on the use of corrections and force. I soon came to realize that these methods were not for me and that there must be a better approach.
I was hired at a local animal shelter as a dog program manager, which is where I first learned of Fear Free techniques and positive reinforcement training methods. Through my continued experience working with rescues and shelter dogs, I realized my passion for understanding how dogs learn. I decided to apply to CATCH Canine Trainers Academy where I studied learning theory and science-based dog training.”
I have a passion for educating families on canine body language and working with dogs that have leash reactivity and anxiety.
A Word About Training
The training industry in the U.S. is largely unregulated. Because of this, anyone can call themselves a dog trainer or even a dog behaviorist. This can be very detrimental to pet owners looking for guidance and support. Even if you don’t select our program to work with you and your dog, we encourage you to please ask for credentials. Those of us who have taken the time to build our knowledge and obtain certifications will always gladly share them with potential clients. You are looking for a professional who can help you navigate your animal’s behavior. Asking for those reputable credentials is a great way to ensure that you receive quality help.
Examples of reputable credentials include: KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA/KSA, PPG, IAABC, Fear Free and so on.
If you are unsure about credentials you have found, feel free to reach out and we will happily help decipher them.
