About Us | Ormond Beach, FL | Unleashed Training

Our Mission Statement

Unleashed Training is the authority on remediating canine reactivity, fear, anxiety, and aggression by teaching kind, fun, and effective science-based training methods that prepare you to successfully and safely guide your canine companion through everyday triggers we encounter in our modern world. With our expertise and dedication, we aim to empower you as a dog guardian by enhancing your understanding of your dog's behavior and improving communication to create a strong and lasting bond that will provide the foundation for the partnership required for fast and lasting behavioral change.

About us...

Where it started

A History of
Passion and Dedication

I have never been more than a few feet away from a dog, if I had anything to do with it anyway (as I type there are three at my feet). I was born into a family with a dog, I grew up with many more; dogs were my playmates, confidants, protectors, and friends. As a research psychologist specializing in animal behavior and communication I have worked with dolphins, wolves, and songbirds, to mention a few amazing species...

But, all along there were always dogs and my connection to them.

My name is Dr. Jessica Owens, call me Jessica. I am the owner of and lead behaviorist at Unleashed Training. While my parents taught me to train the family dogs, I received formal training in animal behavior from the University of Mount Union, Sea World, The National Aquarium, Mote Marine Laboratory, and the University of Tennessee, where I earned my Ph.D. (see a copy of my Curriculum Vitae at the bottom of this page). Over the past 20 years, while pursuing my research and, later, serving as an Assistant Professor of Psychology, I was always committed to the rescue, rehabilitation, and training of dogs, with a specific love for the block head, the goofy, the demanding, the gassy... the dogs least likely to honor your boundaries, the Bully Breeds. You will see the many pictures of my own dogs on the website and on social media, each one a rescue.

Now I look forward to bringing this passion to work for others.

What we do

We strengthen bonds and transform lives. Our programs teach you how to nourish the canine-guardian bond by improving your ability to communicate with, understand, and enjoy your dog. Our services are personalized and we have a unique perspective when it comes to working with you and your family. Most behaviors that guardians are concerned about are symptoms of more systemic problems associated with dogs living in human-centered worlds. We help you give your dog the best life possible, and make it a manageable and enjoyable experience.

We believe that all dogs can thrive. And we know that what that looks like will be different for each dog. This is not dog training for all, this is dog training for each dog and client, as individuals. We consider both the entire person and dog when working with you to ensure that we find solutions that work for you in your life.

Guiding Principles

1. I believe an authentic presentation of self is the best method to genuinely connect with and teach our clients.

2. I believe that when we use compassion and stewardship as our guiding values we honor our responsibility to our collective community by ensuring our awareness of the states, experiences, and resources of others, and our intention to alleviate their distress.

3. I believe that we must practice a growth-mindset when pursuing knowledge and remember patience and trust in the journey, not just the destination.

4. I believe that to achieve one's goals we must be courageous enough to embrace vulnerability while honestly discussing our wants, needs, and fears and trying new things in an effort to change our thoughts, choices, and behaviors.

5. I believe it is hard to become what you cannot see; I inspire hope by helping clients and their canine companions grow and heal. Each client provides hope for the next.