My name is Roben Kennedy, and years ago, with full support from my family, I decided to follow my passion and made caring for pets my full-time career. Since I'd been pet sitting and animal training informally for family, friends & neighbors since my preteen years, it was an easy transition. As a rewards-based trainer I focus on teaching engagement techniques and use games that are FUN for both humans and dogs to teach new behaviors. My philosophy is teach the dog what you WANT them to do, rather than to depend on continually correcting them when they make a "mistake." Dogs are NOT stubborn-- they just do not yet understand what the human is asking them to do. Let's break it down for them and have fun while learning together!
I have lived in the same Northeast Fresno, CA (almost Clovis) neighborhood for over 30+ years and have owned pets my entire life. Over the years our family has shared our lives with numerous dogs, birds, cats, rabbits, tropical fish, frogs, lizards and even a pet toad!
My philosophy as a a trainer, pet sitter & dog walker is that I am an extension of my human clients, which is the reason I call myself a Pet Concierge! Medications, special diets and reasonable care, exercise or training requests are never an issue. I truly love my pet clients like they are my own; I rejoice when pets get positive test results and I grieve when a pet leaves this world. I've taken pets to their veterinarian appointments for routine check-ups, consoled clients as their beloved pet crosses The Rainbow Bridge and have also had to run pets to the vet with emergencies when the pet's owners were out of town!!! (Thank goodness I make sure every client completes & signs my client paperwork!)
I also welcome regular contact with folks while they are away; I'll text a cute photo or send a quick story to clients so they know their pet is doing well. With permission, I often post photos on our Instagram and Facebook pages as well. Whenever my clients return, they have written notes about their pet(s) activities and I include anything else important that may have happened while they were away. Of course anything I feel may be emergent is reported immediately! From something as simple as sprinklers flooding the yard, a swimming pool overflowing, or a pet is limping after we're done playing ball, I will contact the client ASAP. The health, safety and security of my clients homes and their pets is always my primary focus.
In my spare time, I enjoy working with our dogs in Conformation showing, Barn Hunt, Obedience, Agility & Trick Training & Tracking. We are currently owned by: Cooper & Fynn (Rottweilers), Penny (Chocolate Labrador) and Jax (Standard Dachshund). Additional entertainment is provided by the "The Chickens" (aka our 12--yes 12-- parakeets), several freshwater aquariums with various types of animals & live plants, and an outdoor pond with fancy goldfish.
My other hobbies include most anything to do with computers, crochet, crafts, sewing, photography, and DIY home improvement projects. But my favorite "hobby" is spending time with my family: Curt, my husband of 30+ years, being "Nanny" to my granddaughters and Mom to our adult children.
I look forward to having you and your pets becoming a part of my Pet Concierge family!
- Fully insured through State Farm Insurance
- Membership Associations:
- Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
- The Pet Professional Guild (PPG)
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS)
- Only Licensed Family Paws Educator (FPE) in the region. Founded in 2002 by Jennifer Shryock, BA, CDBC, LFDM to provides specialized programs and support for new and expecting parents with dogs. The program's goal is to increase safety and reduce stress in homes with young children and family dogs. “How can we prepare with our dog for life with baby/children?” Additional instruction and support provided by Bethany Cunningham, CPDT-KA.
- Graduate of Master Course in Aggression in Dogs. Taught by world renowned aggression expert Michael Shikashio, CDBC and additional modules presented by Dr. Chris Pachel DVM, DAVCB, CABC, Jessica Dolce, CCFE and Kim Brophey, CDBC. The program discusses and demonstrates how to effectively use differential reinforcement strategies, desensitization, and classical counterconditioning with aggression cases.
- Family Dog Mediation Center. Currently enrolled in the L.E.G.S. Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation certification course by Kim Brophey,CDBC. Currently working through the two year course. The L.E.G.S. model helps us clearly identify the elements of Learning, Environment, Genetics, and Self so we can fully understand our dogs, their welfare needs, and their behavior as their keepers.
- Currently enrolled in Cooperative Care Trainer (CARE-TC) professional credentialing program by Deborah Jones, PhD. How to make husbandry, veterinary care & grooming a stress-free experience for pets.
- Student at the Victoria Stilwell Academy and The Dunbar Academy by Dr. Ian Dunbar.
- Additional Courses & Seminars:
- Dog Behavior Conference hosted by Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training and Behavior. 2 Day conference with multiple internationally known speakers. Attended 2023 & 2024
- Out of Control Dog Summit hosted by Dunbar Academy, March 2024
- Working Dogs What Does That Mean? hosted by Raising Canine by Jill Kessler Miller
- It Must Be Genetic! The Heritability of Aggression hosted by AggressiveDog.com, Jessica Heckman, DVM, PhD, Sept 2023
- The Fenzi Method: Cutting Corners to Loose Leash Walking (Part 1)-- Denise Fenzi
- For the Love of Heeling: 5 Simple Changes to Make Heeling Fun for Your Dog, Julie Flanery, 07/06/23
- Developing a Confident Team: Re-Defining Leadership for Dog Sports and Life-- Denise Fenzi 08/01/24
- Radius Training: The Invisible Long Line-- August 8th, 2024: Caden Cristopher
- 5 Games to Teach Your Dog to Stay Connected-- August 8th, 2024: Nicole Wiebusch
- Anxiety: The Whole Story-- October 31st, 2024: Jessica Perry Hekman, DVM, PhD
- Anxiety Disorders in Dogs: Why Do They Happen, and How Can We Help?-- October 31st, 2024: Jennifer Summerfield, DVM
- Control Unleashed Pattern Games for Sports and Life Skills-- Julie Daniels, CCUI, TAGteach & Kim Palermo, CPDT-KA, CCUI, ACE
- On Guard – Working Through Resource Guarding Issues-- Karen Deeds, CDBC
- Get Focused!-- Deborah Jones, PhD & Judy Keller
- Shaping-- Sue Ailsby & Heather Lawson
- Training Levels - Level 1-- Sue Ailsby & Heather Lawson
- All About Nails--Deborah Jones, PhD & Judy Keller
- Shaping a Flashy and Confident Heel - Foundations-- Shade Whitesel
- Foundation Tracking 1-- Lucy Newton
- Get a Handle on Your Handling-- Deborah Jones, PhD
- Reducing Reinforcement-- Petra Ford
- Conformation Skillbuilding 1-- Sue Ailsby
- Building Puppy Confidence: Give Your Puppy the Gift of Optimism-- Julie Daniels
- Reactive Integration-- Karen Deeds
- Focus & Engage - One Day Online Conference
I have lived in the same Northeast Fresno, CA (almost Clovis) neighborhood for over 30+ years and have owned pets my entire life. Over the years our family has shared our lives with numerous dogs, birds, cats, rabbits, tropical fish, frogs, lizards and even a pet toad!
My philosophy as a a trainer, pet sitter & dog walker is that I am an extension of my human clients, which is the reason I call myself a Pet Concierge! Medications, special diets and reasonable care, exercise or training requests are never an issue. I truly love my pet clients like they are my own; I rejoice when pets get positive test results and I grieve when a pet leaves this world. I've taken pets to their veterinarian appointments for routine check-ups, consoled clients as their beloved pet crosses The Rainbow Bridge and have also had to run pets to the vet with emergencies when the pet's owners were out of town!!! (Thank goodness I make sure every client completes & signs my client paperwork!)
I also welcome regular contact with folks while they are away; I'll text a cute photo or send a quick story to clients so they know their pet is doing well. With permission, I often post photos on our Instagram and Facebook pages as well. Whenever my clients return, they have written notes about their pet(s) activities and I include anything else important that may have happened while they were away. Of course anything I feel may be emergent is reported immediately! From something as simple as sprinklers flooding the yard, a swimming pool overflowing, or a pet is limping after we're done playing ball, I will contact the client ASAP. The health, safety and security of my clients homes and their pets is always my primary focus.
In my spare time, I enjoy working with our dogs in Conformation showing, Barn Hunt, Obedience, Agility & Trick Training & Tracking. We are currently owned by: Cooper & Fynn (Rottweilers), Penny (Chocolate Labrador) and Jax (Standard Dachshund). Additional entertainment is provided by the "The Chickens" (aka our 12--yes 12-- parakeets), several freshwater aquariums with various types of animals & live plants, and an outdoor pond with fancy goldfish.
My other hobbies include most anything to do with computers, crochet, crafts, sewing, photography, and DIY home improvement projects. But my favorite "hobby" is spending time with my family: Curt, my husband of 30+ years, being "Nanny" to my granddaughters and Mom to our adult children.
I look forward to having you and your pets becoming a part of my Pet Concierge family!
Jax wins Best of Breed at Sun Maid Kennel Club 2022
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Libby in the show ring 02/2023
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Jax (Standard Dachshund) earned his Championship in the show ring at the Sunmaid Kennel Club Show in Fresno, February 2020
^Minnie^ & ^Wendy^ on a field trip
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^Smokey^ (8/19/2009-11/15/2021) and his favorite little girl.
^Smokey^ (Rottweiler) 8/19/09 to 11/15/2021
showing off his ribbons earned at a Barn Hunt Trial. His favorite hobbies were eating and following Roben (he's was a Mama's Boy). He enjoyed Obedience, Barn Hunt, swimming and meeting people.
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Penny, (Chocolate Labrador)
She enjoys following Curt (she loves her Daddy!) eating, playing ball, & swimming.
Roben & ^Phoebe^ after earning the Open Title in Barn Hunt
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