HELPING YOU AND YOUR DOG THRIVE

About

EXPERT TRAINER AND DOG LOVER

Hi, I’m Janice Zazinski

I didn’t grow up with dogs. Occasionally, a puppy would come into our lives, but just as quickly, it would go live somewhere else — my parents simply didn’t know what to do with a dog.

That changed when my housemate asked if we could take in her grandmother’s dog. I said yes, and that sweet dog was the first to remind me of the joys of canine companionship. From there, my life with dogs truly began.

Over the years, I’ve shared my home — and my sofa — with my own adopted dogs: Ginger, Patsy, Winnie, and now Daisy and Petey. With each dog, I learned more about training methods and became fascinated by how they learn and how that process builds a stronger canine-human bond.

I’m constantly awed by the fact that these incredible animals, once wild wolves, choose to share their lives with us.

I continued reading more training books, taking my dogs to classes, and learning as much as I could on my own.

When I asked Daisy’s trainer about becoming a trainer myself, she took me on as an apprentice. With her encouragement, I enrolled in the Academy for Dog Trainers, a program that gave me a thorough grounding in applied animal behavior and modern training methods.

Today, I’m honored to help people build happier, more harmonious lives with their dogs. It’s a privilege to be part of your journey, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

Force-Free, Science-Based Training

Training Philosophy

My philosophy is simple: I believe in using humane, effective training methods grounded in the science of how animals learn. These techniques build trust, improve behavior, and create harmony between you and your dog.

Dog training is an unregulated profession, meaning anyone can call themselves a trainer. That’s why I’m committed to earning and maintaining top-level credentials. With certifications like my CTC and CSAT, you can trust that I use proven methods recommended by veterinary behaviorists.

Why Janice Z Dog Training Is Different

OTHERS

Group classes that don’t address individual challenges.
Punishment-based methods that harm trust and worsen behavior.
Trainers with no formal education or credentials.
A “one-size-fits-all” approach to training.

WHAT I OFFER

Personalized, 1-on-1 coaching tailored to your dog’s unique needs.
Positive reinforcement techniques that are effective and kind.
Advanced certifications from leading training programs.
A clear, step-by-step training plan with support at every stage.

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR DOGS AND PEOPLE

Community Impact

I’m proud to contribute to the dog training community and beyond. I’ve been recommended by veterinarians in several states and work closely with humane societies like Springfield and Windham County Humane Societies (VT) and Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton (MA).

I also write a regular column on dog behavior for the Brattleboro Reformer and volunteer my time to support community organizations. Giving back is at the heart of what I do — every dog deserves a chance to thrive, and every owner deserves the tools and support to make that happen.

REAL CLIENTS, REAL RESULTS

Success Stories From Happy Clients

We and our golden retriever puppy worked with Janice over six sessions in her in-person behavior essentials program. We appreciated her experience and calm demeanor with our pup. Janice is organized and provides detailed homework plans after each session which made it easy to practice with our pup between sessions.

We learned a great deal from Janice and feel confident that we will be able to continue working with our pup to maintain and refresh the behaviors she learned from Janice using the road map she provided.
- GOLDEN RETRIEVER GUARDIAN
I cannot recommend Janice enough! I have a wonderful rescue dog, Roscoe, who started experiencing increased anxiety around my 17 month old son. I wanted to ensure my son continued to have a great first experience with a family pet, and help Roscoe feel less anxious around his tiny human who was newly mobile and very noisy.
I did six sessions with Janice and Roscoe, and Roscoe aced his training and homework and we are well on our way to a less stressed, happier household. Janice broke down the concepts so they were easy to achieve successful outcomes. If you need help with your pup, don’t hesitate to get in touch with her!
- LARGE HOUND MIX GUARDIAN
We feel very lucky to have worked with Janice. She helped us understand what was going on for our adopted pup who was experiencing extreme separation anxiety from my husband. Janice showed us, step-by-step, how we could help settle our pup to move away from that anxiety. All three of us learned a lot from Janice!
Her patience, wisdom, confidence, and experience helped us come up with a plan based on a combination of experience and love. If you need kind, compassionate, insightful help with a four-legged family member, I'd strongly recommend contacting Janice Z.
- MINI TERRIER MIX GUARDIAN

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YOU MAY BE WONDERING...

Frequently Asked Questions

Teaching new manners and addressing behavior problems depends on your dog's learning ability (every dog is different!) and your consistency with the homework I provide. Most homework should take no more than 10 minutes a day. After our initial session, I'll have a better sense of how many sessions we'll need to start with.
I’m sorry to hear that was your experience. Dog training is an unregulated profession, so unfortunately, anyone can grab a bag of treats and call themselves a trainer. The problem is, they may not fully understand canine behavior, motivation, or have the necessary training skills to effectively work with clients.
When done by a credentialed professional, positive reinforcement—rewards-based training—is the method recommended by veterinary behaviorists and backed by research as the most effective approach for teaching manners and addressing behavior problems.
I understand that it can seem that way, but here’s the thing: if your dog is breathing, she’s eating, and therefore, she’s motivated by food. Trust me—we'll find ways to ensure your dog stays engaged with the rewards during training.
You’ll need a leash, a body harness, treats, and a hungry dog! If your dog needs extra help with loose-leash walking, I can assist with fitting your dog for a front-clip harness.
You’ll never need harsh tools like shake cans, squirt bottles, yelling, shock collars, prong collars, or physical force. Research shows that these methods often make behavior problems worse.
Full disclosure: I used choke and anti-bark spray collars on my dogs in the past, not knowing any better. If you're currently using these methods, let's talk about transitioning to more effective, humane, and enjoyable options for both you and your dog.
The science of animal learning has been around for over a century and has successfully trained animals with positive reinforcement for decades. Animals learn new behaviors in a similar way to how we learn skills like playing an instrument, performing magic tricks, driving a car, or dancing—by mastering easier steps or components and building up to the more complex skills.

A BETTER LIFE BEGINS NOW

Ready To Start?

Don’t let frustration or fear hold you back—get expert guidance to transform your dog’s behavior and bring harmony back to your home.

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FIND A TRAINER YOU CAN TRUST

How To Choose A Dog Trainer

Before trusting someone with your dog and your hard-earned money, it’s essential to know what to look for. This guide covers the key credentials, training philosophies, and critical questions to help you confidently choose a qualified, compassionate trainer who prioritizes your dog’s well-being.