Follow us!
Meet the
Trainer
Hi, I’m Jess
The heart behind Bella & the Misfits
.jpg)
Balanced dog trainer, dog behaviour expert, and lifelong student of the dog mind.
​
For over 12 years, I’ve devoted my life to understanding dogs who are labelled as reactive, aggressive, difficult, or simply too much. To me, they’re none of those things; they’re misunderstood. And helping those misunderstood dogs feel seen, safe, and capable is my life’s work.
My beginnings in the dog world
My journey started when I was 17, working as a co-op student at a local small-breed daycare. I fell in love with the rhythm of a dog pack, the silent communication, the tiny signals, and the way dogs solve problems with their bodies long before they ever make a sound. I knew then that this wasn't just a job…it was my calling.
​
At 19, I opened my own small in-home daycare with nothing but three personal dogs, a few dogs from friends, and a dream. Word spread, and before long I had more than 20 clients and a business name. I didn’t have a degree. I didn’t have fancy letters behind my name. But I had something experience gives you that paper never can: real, lived understanding.
My hands-on education
I worked in the veterinary field for a year as a veterinary assistant, supporting doctors in surgery, exams, and patient care. That time taught me medical awareness, safety, and the emotional needs of stressed or fearful dogs.
​
Before that, I worked in daycares and boarding facilities- small, large, structured, and chaotic. Some places had incredible communication between dogs and humans. Some… didn’t. I’ve worked in facilities with 60 dogs perfectly regulated, calm, and content… and I’ve worked in ones where 20 dogs turned into fights and stitches.
​
Those years taught me one thing:
The dog isn’t the problem. Miscommunication is.
I learned from police K9s with loyalty so intense they trusted only their handler.
I learned from high-drive working dogs bred for one job.
I learned from shutdown dogs, anxious dogs, “bite history” dogs, and seniors who feared their shadows.
No certificate teaches you that. But experience does.
The dog who changed everything
Bella, my heart dog, my misfit, my mirror.
She was labelled reactive and aggressive, but I knew better. She was sensitive. She was thoughtful. She was overwhelmed.
We walked through years of trial and error together, me frustrated, her trying so hard.
Every night I cried, thinking I wasn’t enough for her… she stayed by my side anyway.
Bella is why this business exists.
No dog should be misunderstood like she was.
No owner should feel ashamed or afraid to ask for help like I once did.
My training philosophy
I practice balanced training, but not in the way people assume. My work is rooted in communication, clarity, and want.
With the correct tool and pressure, anyone can get a dog to obey, but true training is when a dog wants to choose you.
​
It’s not instant. It’s not flashy.
It requires trust, relationships, and respect.
​
My goal is always the same:
A dog who heels beside you, not because they have to… but because they’re connected to you.
Training based on want instead of fear lasts a lifetime.
Reactive dog owner?
Read on...
For the shy or worried owner, this is your safe place. If you have a reactive dog, please hear this:
Your dog is not too much.
You are not a bad owner.
You do not have to be embarrassed.
​
I remember the fear.
The anxiety.
The worry that someone would judge me or think my dog needed to be taken away.
I know the courage it takes to reach out.
​
Whether you’re ready for a full session or just want to ask a small question, you’ll always be met with compassion here. I don’t judge. I don’t shame. We figure things out together.
​
Because your “misfit” isn’t a problem.
They’re a story waiting to be understood.
