What Makes Us
Different?
The Experts in Behavior!
Dogsmartz Unleashed is a premier training facility that specializes in behavior work for dogs. Our trainers are highly skilled and have many years of experience. DSU is the only facility in the area that offers a Certified Canine Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA). DSU is also the first and most “Fear-Free Certified” trainers, as well as verified “Victoria Stillwell Professional Dog Trainers” (VSPDT). DSU also offers the most certified trainers and Fear Free trainers in the area. Many of our trainers have earned the CPDT-KA credential as well; and our trainers are always improving their craft. They attend seminars, webinars, and utilize books and other resources to enhance their skills. Why is that important? Dogsmartz Unleashed believes that we must be the best and most educated we can to better serve our clients.
What Makes Us
Different?
Voted the "Best of the Best!" - TWICE!
OUR TRAINING APPROACH
Dogsmartz focuses on scientifically proven and pain-free methods, using a variety of facets of learning theory, to achieve results. We never use pain or fear as a method to train; and science tells us we never need to! If you have used those methods in the past (choke, prong, shock), we welcome and invite you to learn a different and more emotionally sound way to train.
Our methods (positive reinforcement and negative punishment) include a wide variety of reinforcers, or rewards; from praise and food to toys and “life rewards.” We teach our students how to fade reinforcers over time once behaviors are fluent. This is so a dog is not “dependent” on a reward. We use a variety of techniques and reinforcers to develop customized solutions and plans to meet the needs of our clients and dogs. Our extensive experience in behavior allows us to do this successfully.
So, what else is different about us? We believe in a holistic approach and work WITH your veterinarian to help resolve or manage your dog’s behavior issues when warranted. For dogs with behavioral issues, we believe that it is a team approach with client-veterinarian-trainer, and sometimes, your groomer and boarding kennel.
OUR FACILITIES
DSU has two facilities (Poland and New Wilmington) and two satellite locations (Canfield and Hermitage). Please take a virtual tour of our main facility (Poland) here. We believe in a clean and healthy environment and disinfect our facilities every day: no exceptions. Please see our cleaning procedures for more details. We maintain strict vaccine and fecal policies to keep everyone safe. For more information, please see here. We want everyone who comes to one of our locations to enjoy and feel safe when doing so.
Cleaning Policies: Please click here.
Vaccine Policies: Please click here.
OUR
SERVICES
We offer a wide variety of group classes open to dogs of all breeds and ages. The average class size is 6 dogs per class.
We also offer specialized classes for dogs with specific behavioral concerns. In many instances, a trainer will reach out to you to discuss your concerns with your dog's behavior to ensure a class setting is the best option for your dog.
For those that would be better suited to or prefer one-on-one training, we offer private lessons in-home or at one of our facilities. Our private training is conducted by one of our highly skilled trainers. We also offer our popular, “Drop and Train” program for those that may have a more challenging schedule.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
No dog is EVER turned away regardless of behavior or breed,
and no dog “fails” at DSU. Some dogs will have immediate success and others will need more time. Training is a process, and at Dogsmartz we believe in helping our students reach their goals. If a student is struggling, we will work with you to find ways to get success. If you put the work in, we will be there to support you through your training journey. Training is not a pass/fail. It is a process of acquiring knowledge, developing skills, and becoming fluent in these skills.
We believe our clients should be heard so no issue is too small!
Our clients have access to their trainer to contact them
throughout their class or after their private training. Our privates offer lifetime follow-up via phone and email, as we know it is important for clients to have the option to reach out to us when needed. And, although we may recommend future training, our trainers are always there to help.
We appreciate and are grateful for all our clients. Our amazingly kind office team will listen to you and help you through the process of choosing the best training options for your dog. When you come to Dogsmartz, you are part of our family, and we will be with you every step of the way.
DSU strongly believes in educating and helping our community. We donate our proceeds from our community seminars to local rescues. DSU donates hours of our time monthly to help shelter dogs in need. We provide free seminars and training to shelter staff and volunteers to help make their job a bit easier and the dog’s stay more comfortable. We also donate classes to help them become more adoptable. Monthly, we collect needed shelter items and donate them to those in need. We believe in helping our animal community! We love shelter dogs and those that help them!
Dogsmartz Unleashed is your expert in behavior and we will strive to help you train your dog to be the best he/she can be. We appreciate you visiting us and look forward to working with you!
Meet Our Staff
Jenny Falvey
CPDT-KA, FFCP, CBCC-KA, & VSPDT
Trainer & Owner
Jenny is the owner of Dogsmartz and has been working with dogs for over 30 years. Jenny is the only Certified Canine Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA) in the area and just one of 242 worldwide. She is also a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers. She is the first person to earn the Victoria Stillwell Professional Dog Trainer title in Ohio (VSPDT). She was also the first trainer in the area to become a “Fear Free” Certified Trainer.
Jenny started her career working with shelter dogs and continues to volunteer her time and services for many local shelters and strongly supports animal welfare efforts.
She has an extensive background in behavior work with shelter and pet dogs and is an expert in working with fearful dogs. She has a special interest in early puppy development and works to create new and innovative programs for puppies. She teaches educational seminars for the community and has created and implemented Behavior Advisory Committees for local shelters. Jenny is currently a board member of a local humane agency.
Jenny is an AKC CGC evaluator. She is the former co-owner and co-founder of The Learning Dog Training & Enrichment Center. She is a mentor trainer for ABC training college and CATCH training academy. She is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), and The Pet Professional Guild (PPG).
She is a mentor for the Victoria Stillwell Academy and was honored to become a Faculty Advisor for this organization in 2019; where she mentors students from all over the country.
She trains in Poland and New Wilmington and does private one-on-one training, as well as fear, anxiety, and aggression cases. She oversees the Prison Dog Training Program at Trumbull Correctional Institution, where shelter dogs are placed with inmates to train and prepare them for adoption through The Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County.
She consults with many shelters on implementing training programs and protocols and is the founder of “Rescue Rehab,” an education forum for shelter volunteers and staff. She is an advocate for educating pet owners on fear and force-free training and hopes to see more people recognize that you never have to hurt a dog to train him/her.
She was raised in Southern California and moved to the area in 2001. She enjoys hiking, photography, and spending time with her dogs. Jenny serves on the boards of Animal Charity of Ohio, Love Vincent, and The Animal Protection League of Western PA.
She currently shares her home with her four rescue dogs: Josie, a 15-year-old Maltese mix; Vinny, a 12-year-old Bichon; Stuart, a 5-year-old Pitbull; and Hammy, a 3-year-old French Bulldog. She also has a black cat named Rocky.
