My mission is to help animals and their families build trust, confidence, and lasting harmony without intimidation or outdated methods.

Welcome to DoggSense

Hi there. I'm Jamie, the founder and sole operator of DoggSense, and I personally handle every aspect of your experience—from consultation to training—ensuring a truly customized, one-on-one connection for both you and your dog. My goal is simple: to help you build a stronger, more trusting bond with your pet using science-based and positive reinforcement dog training methods that respect both their needs and yours.

A lifelong passion for animals has guided my journey—from rescuing local strays as a child to professionally training exotic species. This path has been both rewarding and transformative. I’ve worked in shelters, zoos, marine parks, and private homes, and no matter the setting, my mission has remained the same—teach with compassion, not “correction”.

With over two decades of experience and advanced study in animal behavior and ethology, I focus on the emotional drivers behind behavior—not just the surface symptoms. I don’t use fear, force, or outdated training tactics. Instead, I rely on humane, evidence-based strategies that foster trust and long-term success.

If you're feeling stuck or frustrated with your dog’s behavior, I’m here to help. Together, we can create meaningful, lasting change, and bring more ease, joy, and connection into your daily life.

Let’s get started.

Education and Experience:

My journey in animal behavior began at The Wildlife Waystation, a big cat sanctuary in Los Angeles County. That formative experience inspired me to pursue formal education at Moorpark College’s prestigious Exotic Animal Training and Management (EATM) program, where I graduated in 2003 with degrees in Exotic Animal Training & Management, Animal Husbandry, and Wildlife Education. Over the past 22+ years, I’ve worked hands-on with more than 250 species, including dolphins, whales, sea lions, primates, parrots, big cats, camels, birds of prey, and domestic animals, in settings such as SeaWorld, Dolphin Quest Tahiti, and the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Zoos.

To further my academic foundation, I attended Brandman University and graduated with a degree in Applied Animal Studies and I am currently completing a Ph.D. in Ethology, the scientific study of animal behavior. I believe that true behavior change begins with understanding the emotional and biological roots of behavior—not just the surface-level symptoms.

In 2012, I became a licensed private investigator specializing in canine tracking and missing pet recovery, combining my training in scent work and tracking with real-world applications. I’ve since consulted on countless reunification efforts and continue to integrate scent-based enrichment and detection work into my behavior programs.

My specialization lies in canine behavior, particularly fear, reactivity, and aggression. I’ve worked with court-mandated training cases, shelters such as The Pet Connection, The Rescue Project, Kansas City Pet Project, Pawsitive Tails and many others to help develop long-term rehabilitation programs for dogs with complex behavior histories. I collaborate closely with veterinarians, especially those with a focus on behavior, to ensure dogs receive holistic, medically-informed behavior support when needed.

Today, I own and operate DoggSense LLC, where I emphasize evidence-based, humane methods grounded in trust, science, and compassion. I am a certified trainer through the American Kennel Club (AKC), a proud member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG), and a member of the Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA), reflecting my commitment to professional standards, continuing education, and animal welfare across species.

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