Stacks Image 84
    Jacob is a Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) Certified Training Partner (CTP), Teamworks Certified Dog Training Instructor, Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI), All-Star Performance Dog Team Captain (All-Star-TC), an active full member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, a professional member of the Behavior Education Network, and a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior.

    Jacob began training animals in the 1980s, gaining early experience and instruction on his family’s farm, while growing up in North Florida. He took his first dog training class twenty years ago; and has since continued to learn about dog behavior and training through classes, seminars, and hands-on instruction.

    In addition to his affinity for animals, Jacob is also skilled at teaching people. He is a licensed minister with 14 years of experience—seven years working with youth and seven years working in church media. He has a passion for helping others and draws from his training and experience to develop creative and compassionate solutions to training problems.


    For more details on Jacob’s qualifications, explore the other tabs on this page (some are organized with collapsible sub-sections, click each to expose its content).
    Jacob uses positive reinforcement based training to cultivate the trust and communication necessary for better relationships between people and dogs. He believes in communication for both ends of the leash.

    He embraces a holistic view of training that transcends problem solving; it uses force-free methods to develop effective communication, accelerate learning, strengthen mutual respect, and encourage a lifelong bond.
    Overview
    Stacks Image 100
    Jacob uses force-free training methods that are based in the science of Applied Animal Behavior. These methods are effective for teaching and changing behavior; and of equal importance, they make training fun for both dogs and people.

    Jacob specializes in "Clicker Training." He is a graduate of the prestigious training program at the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Behavior and Training where he received advanced instruction from the foremost experts in this often misunderstood method.

    For more about this technique, click the heading below.

    Clicker Training
    Clicker training uses a distinct sound to communicate to the dog exactly when she does what you're looking for, and then you make it work for the dog by following the click with a reward she enjoys (such as treats). It was developed by laboratory scientists, made popular by marine mammal trainers, and has been successfully applied to almost all species.

    This type of operant training works because the animal quickly learns desired behaviors through clear communication and generous positive reinforcement. It fosters a team effort that builds mutual respect and results in an animal that enjoys learning and responds with enthusiasm. Clicker training also teaches the dog to become a thinking participant in the training process and results in a confident dog with greater creativity and initiative. Dogs familiar with this method can learn new behaviors quickly and have long term recall of what they have learned.

    Jacob is skilled in basic and cutting edge advanced clicker training techniques; such as: micro-shaping, complex behavior chains, targeting, fluency, and compound and modifier cues.

    Watch the video clip above for a brief introduction to Clicker Training.

    Certifications
    • Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP)
    • Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI) – by “Do More With Your Dog” and the Trick Dog Trainers Association
    • All-Star Performance Dog Team Captain (All-Star TC)
    • Teamworks Certified Instructor
    • TAGteach Primary Certification (pending)
    Professional Affiliations
    • Karen Pryor Academy Alumni Association—Premium Member
    • Association of Pet Dog Trainers—Full Membership—APDT #78374
    • Behavior Education Network (of Animal Behavior Associates)—Pro Member
    Vocational Training
    • Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior, Professional Dog Trainer Program (Graduated with distinction, February 2012)
    • TAGteach Primary Certification Course (completed in August 2011 with a score of 99%)
    Conferences, Seminars, Webinars, etc. (Professional events that offer CEU's)
    -2012
    • Lateral Training: Working With Another Species (webinar) – Terry Ryan
    • Advanced Clicker Training – Kathy Sdao
    • 101 Dog Tricks (Tawzer Conference Video) – Kyra Sundance
    -ClickerExpo 2012 (Nashville, TN)
    • Changing Our World View – Karen Pryor
    • What to Do When Mistakes Happen – Ken Ramirez
    • Generalization: Scientifically Explored – Jesús Rosales-Ruiz
    • Component Training: Piece Together Success – Alexandra Kurland
    • 1+1=3: Adduction & Combining Cues – Ken Ramirez
    • Adduction (working lab) – Ken Ramirez
    • Aggression Treatment and Context – Ken Ramirez
    • Expert Panel Discussion
    • How Complex Behavior is Built from Very Simple Components – Clive Wynne
    • Launch! KPA-Style Class Implementation (teaching modular classes) – Helix Fairweather
    • Smart Reinforcement – Ken Ramirez
    • Conditioning Non-food Reinforcers (working lab) – Ken Ramirez
    • Smart Start: Training Top Agility Starts – Eva Bertilsson & Emelie Johnson Vegh
    • Current Research in Canine Cognition – Clive Wynne

    -2011

    • Stress and Fear: Signs, Causes, and Preventative Measures (webinar) – Jeff Wise
    • Dog Training: Achieving Fluency (webinar) – Steve White & Gail Fisher
    • Holistic & Complementary Healthcare (APDT webinar) – Don Hanson
    • Canine Body Language and Communication (webinar) – Susan Briggs
    • Using TAGteach to Increase Skill Acquisition and Motivation for your Human Clients (webinar) – Theresa McKenon
    • Introduction to TAGteach (Primary Certification course – score of 99%)
    • Modular Dog Training Classes (webinar) –Terry Ryan & Lisbeth Plant KPA-CTP
    • Update on Separation Anxiety – Drs. Suzanne Hetts & Dan Estep
    • Bite Threshold Model for Understanding Canine Agression – Kathy Sdao
    • Improve Your "I-CUE": Learn the Science of Signals – Kathy Sdao
    • Coaching People to Train Their Dogs – Terry Ryan

    -2010

    -APDT Atlanta 2010 (Onsite + All Recordings)
    • The Umwelt of the Domestic Dog: Imagining the Dog's Point of View - Alexandra Horowitz
    • The Wow & How Factor - Victoria Stilwell, Kyra Sundance
    • Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking? And Introduction to the Central Questions in Cognition and Emotion in Dog Behavior - Patricia McConnell
    • The Origins of the Scientific Study of Puppy Love - Clice Wynne
    • New Discoveries About Dogs' Understanding of Humans - Monique Udell
    • When Human-Canine Realities Collide: Human/Canine Cognition and Emotion as These Relate to Problem Canine Behaviors - Myma Milani
    • Panel Discussion - McConnell, Milani, Udell, and Wynne
    • The Dog Vinci Code - Decoding Your Dog's Behavior - John Rogerson
    • Testing, Observing & Evaluating - Suzanne Clothier
    • Making the Leap from Pet Training to Dog Sports Competition Training - Laurie Williams
    • Knowledge is Power: Applied Research on Dog Training and Behavior - Margaret Slater
    • Turning the Tide - John Rogerson
    • Dogs & Dominance: An Ethological Perspective - Pamela Reid
    • The Evolution of the Cognitive Dog - Brian Hare
    • Teaching Dog Bite Prevention to Kids - Lauren Fox
    • Advanced Lure Reward Training: Off Leash Verbal Control without the Continued Use of Food - Ian Dunbar
    • Diagnosis and Treatment of Dominance Aggression - Kristen Collins
    • Canine-Assisted Play Therapy - Rise VanFleet
    • What Can Behavioral Science Do for Dog Trainers? - Nicole Dorey
    • Challenging Adolescents - Trish King
    • A Dog is a Terrible Thing to Waste: Behavior Problems and Solutions - Pamela Reid
    • Family Friendly Dog Training - Rise VanFleet
    • Dealing with the Alpha - Trish King
    • Putting Publications to Work for You - Margaret Slater
    • What's the Name of the Game - Lauren Fox
    • Damaged Goods: Working with Puppy Mill Dogs - Kristen Collins
    • How Veterinary Behaviorists and Trainers Can Work Together - Barbara Sherman
    • Treat/Retreat: Using Autonomy and Safety to Create Confidence and Skill for the Shy/Fearful Dog - Suzanne Clothier
    • Canine Cross Training Classes: Beyond Sit, Down, Stay and Come - Leslie Nelson
    • Making Your Night Job Your Day Job - Veronica Boutelle
    • Who is Watching the Kids? Learning HOW to Supervise - Colleen Pelar
    • Using Humor Effectively to Enhance Your Group Classes - Laurie Williams
    • But He Can Do It at Home - Jean Owen
    • A Look at the Emotional Lives of Animals - Temple Grandin
    • Go the Distance - Finishing the Job for "Real Life" Reliability - Gail Fisher
    • Improving Agility Handling Skills with Only One Jump - Jean Owen
    • Veterinary Use of Behavioral Drugs - Barbara Sherman
    • K9 Nose Work - Amy Herot, Jill Marie O'Brien
    -APDT 2010 – Practicum:
    • 6 hour Working Seminar using naive dogs from a local shelter: Canine Cross Training - Leslie Nelson

    -APDT 2009: (Recordings)
    • Basic Clicker Training - Kathy Sdao
    • Identifying Triggers and Resolving Fear – Kathy Sdao
    • Get Smart – Kathy Sdao
    • A Conversation with Bob & Jean – Bob Bailey & Jean Donaldson
    • Client Buy In – Pia Silvani
    • Fear and Loathing & Seperation Fun – Ian Dunbar
    • Pet Dog Training – The Absolute Basics – Ian Dunbar
    • Training a Thinking Dog…Marker Training – Gail Fisher
    • Training the Behaviors Students Want Most… - Gail Fisher
    • Problem Solving for the Real World – Steve White
    • Trainers’ Untrained Dogs – Steve White
    • Anticipation: Harnessing It’s Power to Attain Exquisite Control & Reliability – Steve White
    • Is Good Help Hard to Find? – Teoti Anderson
    • Inspiring Dog Owners Into Dog Sports… - Sue Stemberg

    -APDT 2008: (Recordings)
    • Relationship Centered Training – Suzanne Clothier
    • Are You Seeing What I’m Seeing? – Sophia Yin
    • What Zookeeping Teaches Us About Training With Positive Reinforcement – Grey Stafford
    • The Spice of Life: Keep Clients Coming Back – Lauren Fox
    • Successful Class Training – Pia Silvani
    • Conditioned Reinforcement – Jennifer Sobbie

    -APDT 2007: (Recordings)
    • Conceptual Learning – Pamela Reid
    • Owner Compliance – Trish King
    • Cueing Demystified – Kathy Sdao
    • Mission Review – Kathy Sdao
    • Update on Behavioral Genetics and Treatment _ Karen Overall

    -APDT 2006: (Recordings)
    • Clicker Training and The Pet Owner - Karen Pryor
    • A View from the Bridge - Karen Pryor
    • Training 101: The Practical Side of Science – Ken Ramirez
    • Variety, Variability & Creativity – Ken Ramirez
    • Drive: Building Controlling & Maintaining It – Susan Garrett
    • Click to Calm – Emma Parsons
    • I Was Lured – Ian Dunbar
    • Taking A History – Nicole Wilde

    -APDT 2005: (Recordings)
    • Teaching So Your Students Will Listen – Donna Duford
    • Animals In Translation – Temple Grandin
    • Problems with Single Trait Selection – Temple Grandin
    • “Nothing in Life is Free”: A Kinder, Gentler version of Dominance? Kathy Sdao
    • How Buffy Learns and How Best to Teach Him – Terry Ryan
    • Working With Clients Based on their Personality Type – Kimberly Barry
    • Shaping Without Tears – Nina Bondarenko
    • The Holistic Handler – Nina Bondarenko
    • Dirty Dogs Done Dirt Cheap – Steve White
    • Body Language – Suzanne Clothier

    -APDT 2004: (Recordings)
    • Candy is Dandy but a Clicker is Quicker - Kathy Sdao
    • Training In The Real World – Kathy Sdao
    • Reinforcement: Premack Principle – Kathy Sdao
    • Genes and Behavior – Temple Grandin
    • How Animals Think and Feel – Temple Grandin
    • Both Ends of the Leash – Patricia McConnell
    • Developing Your Classes Curriculum – Pat Miller

    -APDT 2003: (Recordings)
    • Instruction Skills: Custom Classes for your Community – Terry Ryan
    • Clicker Training with Shelter Dogs in an Urban Environment – Terry Ryan

    -APDT 2002: (Recordings)
    • Anticipation: Using Counter Conditioning and Behavior Chains… - Donna Duford
    • Biggest Mistakes I Ever Made… - Steve White and Patricia McConnell
    • In Search of the Holy Grail – Steve White
    • The Science Behind Behavior and Behavior Modification – Sophia Yin

    -APDT Multiyear Research Library: I have worked through a wide range of topics from this resource.
    Journals (relevant to dog training)
    • The Whole Dog Journal (2006- Present)
    • The APDT Chronicle of the Dog (2010- Present)
    • AKC: Family Dog (2006-2007)
    • AKC: Gazette (2006-2008)
    • Sheltie Pacesetter (2006-2008)
    • The Sheltie International (2006-2008)
    • Psychology Today (2000-2004)
    Internet Groups
    • APDT List
    • Certified Trick Dog Instructor
    • Clicker Competitive Obedience
    • ClickerExpo
    • ClickerSolutions
    • Clickertraining.com newsletters
    • ClickSport
    • ClickTeach
    • CU_Dogs
    • Dog Behavior Science
    • Dog Obedience
    • DogHealth
    • Frond and Finish
    • Good Dog Training
    • K9Connections
    • K9infocus
    • Karen Pryor Academy Alumni
    • Pos-4-ReactiveDogs
    • Rally-obed
    • researchingTAG
    • shy-k9s
    • TAGteach
    • Teamworks - Instructor Group
    • Teamworks - Student Group
    • TreatnTrain
    • TrickDog
    • Truly Positive
    • (various dog health and nutrition groups)
    Dog Training Books Read (2006-Present, partial list)
    (I've provided links to books I recommend where available. Those without links are ether unavailable on Amazon or cannot be recommended without parenthetical guidance. Please help support this resource by purchasing through the provided links or the links in the resources section if you find these recommendations useful).

    10-Minute Dog Training Games - Kyra Sundance
    101 Dog Tricks - Kyra Sundance
    51 Puppy Tricks – Kyra Sundance
    • A Clicker Cookbook - Shirley Chong
    Animals Make Us Human – Temple Grandin
    Animal Training: Successful Animal Management Through Positive Reinforcement - Ken Ramirez (Portions)
    Barking: The Sound of a Language – Truid Rugaas
    Before & After Geting Your Puppy - Ian Dunbar
    Canine Behavior: A Photo Illustrated Handbook - Barbara Handelman
    Chill Out Fido! - Nan Arthur
    Click for Joy! - Melissa Alexander
    Click to Calm - Emma Parsons
    Click Your Way to Rally Obedience - Pamela Dennison
    Clicker Training for Obedience - Morgan Spector
    Coaching People To Train Their Dogs - Terry Ryan
    Control Unleashed: Creating a Focused and Confident Dog - Leslie McDevitt
    Culture Clash - Jean Donaldson
    Dog InSight - Pamela Reid
    Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook - Lisa Carlson, James Giffin
    Dog University: A Training Program to Develop Advanced Skills With Your Dog - Viviane Theby
    Do More With Your Dog – Kyra Sundance
    Don't Shoot the Dog - Karen Pryor
    Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats - Richard & Susan Pitcairn
    Excel-Erated Learning: Explaining in Plain English How Dogs Learn and How Best to Teach Them - Pamela Reid
    Feisty Fido - Patricia McConnell, Karen London
    Getting Started: Clicker Training for Cats - Karen Pryor
    Getting Started: Clicker Training for Dogs - Karen Pryor
    How Many Dogs?! Using Positive Reinforcement Training to Manage a Multiple Dog Household - Debby McMullen
    How to be the Leader of the Pack…And Have Your Dog Love You For It - Patricia McConnell
    • How to Housebreak Your Dog in 7 Days (Revised) - Shirlee Kalstone
    • How to Raise a Puppy You Can Life With - Clarice Rutherford, David H. Neil
    • How to Train Your Shetland Sheepdog - Liz Palika
    It's Not the Dogs, It's the People! - Nicole Wilde
    • Just Plain Clicker Sense - Shirley Chong
    On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals – Truid Rugaas
    Plenty in Life is Free: Reflections on Dogs, Training, and Finding Grace - Kathy Sdao
    Puppy Whisperer - Paul Owens
    Quick Clicks: Fast Fun Behaviors to Teach Your Dog With a Clicker - Cheryl Smith
    Reaching the Animal Mind - Karen Pryor
    • Sheltie Talk – Betty Jo McKinney
    • Shetland Sheepdogs at Work - Joanne Carriera
    So You Want To Be A Dog Trainer – Nicole Wilde
    Structure in Action: The Makings of a Durable Dog – Pat Hastings, Wendy Wallace, & Erin Ann Rouse
    The Cautious Canine - Patricia McConnell
    The Clicked Retriever – Lana Mitchell
    The Dog Tricks and Training Workbook - Kyra Sundance
    The Dog Whisperer - Paul Owens
    The Dog Whisperer Presents: Good Habits for Great Dogs – Paul Owens
    The Everything Dog Training and Tricks Workbook - Gerilyn J. Bielakiewicz
    The Other End of the Leash - Patricia McConnell
    The Power of Positive Dog Training - Pat Miller, Jean Donaldson
    Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog To Reach Others - Kathy Diamond Davis
    Zoomility: Keeper Tales of Training with Positive Reinforcement – Grey Stafford
    Dog Training Instructional Videos
    • Best of 101 Dog Tricks - Kyra Sundance
    • Clicker Puppy
    • Clicker Training: The 4 Secrets of Becoming a Supertrainer – Koeste & Egtvedt
    • Control Unleashed (DVD Foundation Seminar) - Leslie McDevitt
    • In Focus: Crying For Control - Deborah Jones
    • In Focus: Foundation Work - Deborah Jones
    • Puppy Kindergarten
    • Take A Bow Wow (1 & 2)
    • Beginning and Intermediate Dog Training – Paul Owens
    • The How of Bow Wow
    • The Shape of Bow Wow
    • Train Your Dog - The Positive Gentle Method - Nicole Wilde, Laura Bourhenne
    • http://www.youtube.com/user/JBHollingsworth (see recommended pages)
    Group Classes, Instruction, and Coaching with Personal Dogs
    -1990's
    • Private Training
    • Obedience 1, 2, & 3 - Santa Fe Community College & University of Florida -Community Education

    -2006 - 2010
    • Basic Manners - Sylvie Pleasant, K9 Solutions
    • Competition Coaching (4 Sessions)- Leslie Carpenter, TLC Dog Training (CPDT, NADOI)
    • Distraction Proofing - Susan Krieg, Teamworks
    • Rally 1 & 2- Christie Canfield, Teamworks (CPDT)
    • CGC Out on the Town - Mandy Baker, Teamworks (CPDT, performance championships)
    • Therapy Dog - Christie Canfield, Teamworks (CPDT)
    • Tricks & Acting 1, 2, & 3 - Mary Jo Sminkey, Teamworks (multiple performance championships & TV appearances)
    • Correspondence with Kyra Sundance on Trick Training and Instruction
    • Competition Foundations (3 Sessions) - Hannah Branigan, Wonderpups (KPA-CTP, CPDT)
    • Obedience Coaching (3 Privates) - Hannah Branigan, Wonderpups
    Other Relevant Animal Experience and Education
    • Animal Sciences 1-4 – JoAnn Brady, Santa Fe High School (1994-1998)
    • Teacher’s Aid – Billy Farrell, Large Animal Vet Tech Class & Lab (1997-1998)
    • Raised, Trained, & Showed 3 Show Pigs for Youth Fairs (1996, 1997, 1998)
    • Join Up with Monty Roberts – Seminar on Horse Training (2001)
    • Have worked with: Horses, Cattle, Goats, Chickens, Quail, Cats, a Ferret, etc.
    • Manager & Caretaker of a Hobby Farm with 22 Quarter Horses after my grandfather died (2001-2002)
    • Many Undergraduate (BA) and Graduate (MA) level Psychology Courses
    • Collaboration with Kyra Sundance and other CTDI's to formulate Trick Dog Champion title criteria
    Accomplishments of Current Pets
    -Chara (Sheltie) 2006 – present
    • Name & Titles: TDCH Shadow Hill Chara Tes Zoes RA CGC CCT ETD AST
    • AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
    • Certified Therapy Dog: Carolina Canines for Therapy (CCT)
    • AKC Rally Novice [Legs: 2nd Place, 1st Place, 2nd Place] (RN)
    • AKC Rally Advanced [Legs: all 1st Place] (RA)
    • 1st Place Leg toward AKC Rally Excellent Title
    • AKC Rally scores average in the 90's
    • Novice Trick Dog (NTD)
    • Intermediate Trick Dog (ITD)
    • Advanced Trick Dog (ATD)
    • Expert Trick Dog (ETD)
    • Trick Dog Champion (TDCH)
    • Dog tricks & clicker training demonstrations
    • 2012 All-Star Performance Dog Team (AST)

    -Kitty (Cat) 2011-persent
    • Novice Trick Dog (NTD)
    • Intermediate Trick Dog (ITD)
    • Advanced Trick Dog (ATD)
    Formal Education
    • Piedmont International University, Postgraduate studies 2010-11
    • Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, M.A., December 2009
    • The Baptist College of Florida, B.A., May 2003
    • Santa Fe High School, (College Prep track & Vocational Animal Sciences Track with Honors) Alachua, FL, 1998
    Student Accomplishments
    • Jacob has helped several dog & handler teams successfully prepare for Rally Obedience Titles, Trick Dog Titles, and Therapy Certifications. More importantly, his students (human and dog) have learned to communicate more effectively and have developed stronger mutual bonds.
    And...
    …continuing to learn at every opportunity!