Student of the Dog

You guys embody your work as a whole and I have never met people I respect and admire so much. It’s clear how much personal work and growth you guys do/have done and how well developed you guys are, I feel that directly correlates to your success with the dogs, your business, and in life. I had no clue what to expect but your workshop has changed everything for me, I left feeling a major shift. I was aware I learned a lot from you guys but over this past week the amount of things that have clicked and that are becoming clear are amazing to me.

- Nicole

Your work is what I seek to cultivate with my pack and it felt amazing to witness what an embodied practice actually looks like.

- AJ

The reason you came up with this method resonates with me to my bones. I have been feeling like there’s pieces in the process missing for me, and I have felt stuck. I can relate to Cole so much on not loving the feeling of having to bring a super assertive side of myself to the table. It doesn’t feel good, or natural, and I’ve been feeling stuck in my work. I now feel like I have tools where I can show up as myself, and connect with/ride the wave with many more dogs, and get to a better place.

- Anonymous

I've just started your online content and I'm LOVING it, so so so much! I can't stop thinking about all the things you're both saying and reflecting on how I am, and how I live with Rika.

- Emily

Traveling Mentorship

It was very nice to have you two here with my pack and walkers. So that I can have clear picture what to do with my everyday walk with my pack. Especially I was not so sure how to incorporate the Jentle Method until you guys showed us. I was happy to have my team on the same page now since we understand the fundamentals of the Jentle Method. My pack is already so much better without treats and corrections. I enjoyed to see you two work with my pack members and how quickly their behavior improved and how clearly you communicate with them.

- Junko

Coming from an equine background myself, I found the incorporation of principles from horsemanship offered a unique and helpful perspective on dog communication and handling.

- Christine

Fast forward to when I discovered your podcast. This may sound exaggerated and even odd to you, but it was very moving to me. It gave me rest. It was exhausting to live with confusion, regret, self blame, and other noise in my head regarding raising my dog. I had been trying to draw water from an empty well, and words from you and Jonathan helped fill that well. I felt validated and strengthened—it was freeing and joyous.

- Anonymous

This method brought my dog a level of peace that used to take 2-3 hours of intense exercise to achieve per day.

- Soriah

Workshop & Oregon Tails Online

I've been on OTO for a while now and the workshop helped to expand my understanding of the method and work through nuances in my handling using the steps. The videos and virtual support you offer is great, but the energy from learning in person really improved my understanding of the nuances of each step and the philosophy behind the approach. It was particularly helpful to have you observe each of the students and provide real-time guidance to help us improve whatever it is we were working on in the moment. It was also really lovely being in a community of people who all shared the same desire to connect more with their dogs. Much of what I've learned from other trainers has felt like managing my dog's undesirable behaviors, but this feels more like working him through them and getting him to the other side, however long it takes. It's become even more clear for me that my dog's progress is so connected to my ability to reflect and expand my own awareness and dog handling skills.
- Samantha

What I enjoy the most is learning from you guys. You always manage to create a peaceful, non judgmental environment that I endlessly appreciate. Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge and your enormous capacity to meet handlers where they are.

- Cami

Whenever there are unfamiliar dogs around, my main concern is safety- will the dogs have enough space, is everyone paying attention to their dog, etc. Jon and Cole fostered a calm and safe environment. At no point did anything feel out of their control.
- Anna

Oregon Tails Online has very detailed videos to guide you better than any online training I’ve done before, responsive to questions, logical approach to guide you in helping your dog overcome issues.

- Corinne

Traveling Mentorship

It’s an unbelievable feeling to be able to communicate with Roka without using words, corrections, or treats. We can go out and have things we can work on daily just by using her lead as a ways of communicating. It’s an amazing feeling I get in my chest when I see she’s showing me she needs my support in even the slightest moments where she would normally lose it. At the end of the day when I see her curled up and sleeping so soundly… knowing she’s happy that we are building another level in our relationship instead of knocking it down with corrections… the feeling is indescribable.

- Emily

Not only did Koda & I dramatically improve our relationship, but EVERY SINGLE dog in the class also showed dramatic improvement. It was remarkable to see.

- Karl

I started to listen to the Oregon Tails podcast recently as I drive into work.  The episode where you and Cole describe why a bump is not a correction, how words influence feeling and energy, and how you see humans as guides for dogs really resonated with me and helps me focus on working with Olive and now this new pup.  By shifting my perspective to understand I'm guiding her through a time of fear or need rather than focusing on why we aren't having success in steps has greatly shifted me away from feeling frustrated. Or if I do, I'm able to recognize and then pivot away from those feelings more easily.

- Calvin

Jonathan & Cole were so welcoming & it showed how deep their passion runs for enhancing dogs & humans lives.

- Erynn

Student of the Dog

During the workshop I was worried about the embarrassment of Louie’s reactivity. There’s an anxiety that used to fill me when he would react aggressively, and I didn’t want to be the “bad” student. Very quickly I realized that the environment was a safe one to learn in with him. The simple fact that not one person reacted to Louie’s aggression made me feel very welcome to learn in that space. I feel more at ease with my relationship with Louie. The communication we share continues to strengthen. Our bond has grown in even just the week since the workshop has ended. More importantly, I have learned the importance of my behavior and emotions when he is feeling vulnerable. The frustration we used to feel has become minimal, as we realized the issue was not Louie being spiteful or “difficult”, but us simply not giving him the guidance he needed to be successful.

- Schaeffer

I experienced the workshop as a doorway to self exploration, as well as a healing & educational experience between my canine companion & me.

- Alicia

She might have looked like she was walking well beside me, but I knew she was a ball of tension in this slow non-work moving mode. I would find myself losing patience. Your method has definitely helped us understand each other much better in this middle gear. And I would say that this piece of our relationship is helping to finally close a beautiful circle of connection between us. And for that I am grateful.

-Leslie

It's certainly not a band-aid solution. It's not "training" in the traditional sense of the word. It's a technique to help you and your dog become more attuned to each other... which benefits their behavior in ways that "training" can't.

- Sam

Jentle Method

Before coming across the Jentle Method, I felt I was approaching a place where I was just trying different strategies within the positive reinforcement realm. I had settled on the idea that the plan was mostly management and everyone would make some sacrifices. I would not do some of the things I wanted to do with other people and June would sometimes spend the afternoon/evening alone in my bedroom. Life was ok, but she would still react to certain situations and I never knew what to do. Do I correct her? If so how? Do I ignore? Then treat? Nothing felt right and I was inconsistent and reactive to her reactivity. Since starting the Jentle Method, I know what to do when she reacts to something.  There is no question and therefore less frustration. The Jentle Method doesn't require me to cause June pain, so I don't have to deal with the anxiety of anticipating a correction or punishment.

-Maria

It offers a better way to connect, build a relationship and be compassionate and ethical through one’s own handling.

-Macs

I’m applying what I know so far in my training practice and seeing remarkable results.  That being said, I recommend that you consider investing in more than one workshop in order to get a deeper fuller experience. That’s what I intend to do.

- Francesca

The Jentle Method is the most unique style i have ever seen.

- Cagri

Student of the Dog

Learning directly from Jon and Cole was pure gold. Being present at Student of the Dog allowed myself and my husband to really begin to gain deeper knowledge and insight into how we can use the Jentle Method to bring some inner peace to Riff, our extremely challenging dog. I only wish we began our journey with Oregon Tails sooner when we discovered just how troubled Riff is. Everything learned at Student of the Dog is aimed at making our dogs feel an inner peace and tranquility without the use of a myriad of tools that we found only complicated and exacerbated Riff's reactivity. While on the surface there is much simplicity and common sense behind it all, it became clear that learning the subtleties and nuances that make the Jentle Method what it is, can only begin to make sense by attending Student of the Dog. Additionally, Jon and Cole are extremely non-judgmental and incredibly supportive. We will always be grateful for the experience.

- Leslie

This goes way beyond dog obedience. It establishes a method of communication with the dog that results in a partnership that is mutually beneficial to both dog and owner.

- Linda

I feel much more confident with my pack and within my own abilities. I’m more focused now on addressing behavioral issues almost as something positive, like “hey, I have the tools now to help with this problem, let’s do it!”. My own personal dog is already showing signs of lessened anxiety and staying more calm on our hikes, especially getting in and out of the car. And an extra benefit is that I feel more connected to him now than ever.

- Alison

Nothing else has had this much effect on Bodie. I am very hopeful and excited about Bodie’s future. I highly recommend Jonathan, Cole, and the Jentle Method. They will always be my go-to trainers.

- Melissa

Jentle Method

I’ve been seeing noticeable improvements with my dog the more time I put into the method. Taking her places out in public with my slower moving dogs can have its challenges but now I feel better equipped on how I can help support her through those times when she may become more insecure and reactive. To be able to have hope that her and I can have a stronger relationship that continues to grow is life changing to me.

- Angela

I loved how hands on you both were, and how much time you took to explain things. I love how you both live what you teach and how dedicated you are to making dogs' lives more harmonious.

- Madeleine

Jonathan and Cole spend their lives with animals and have developed a method that works. Not only do you get to know your animal better but you are taught amazing tools to handle your animal. My dog went from being a reactive mess to a calm and more trained animal quickly. They teach you how to react to other dogs, walking etiquette and general disposition techniques. My husband and I enjoyed this course and their candor immensely.

- Suzanne

I was wondering how our dog would respond to the Jentle Method and was blown away by how great it was for him.

- Anne

Student of the Dog

I'm inspired! I've learned that working with dogs can be a path of self discovery. And this is an amazing path to get there… At some point during the workshop I got a little flustered with Gigi staying heavy and I looked back to see what was going on back you're and all I could see was me! That's me!! I've had a pattern of avoid and escape and anxiety most of my life. I feel like it's now or never to deal with it. Thank you for creating that experience for me and giving me a path to follow.

- Jason