Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
By Millennial standards I worked for the Federal government for a small eternity. Inspirations waxed and waned over the years but it was my colleagues and their dedication to a mission larger than themselves, to a greater good, that stuck with me the most. Their dedication showed me that I could never feel satisfied unless I found my own idea of a greater good.
I was extraordinarily lucky to travel in my youth. Later, in search of the aforementioned good, I was able to travel some more. I found an awful lot out there, and along the way, I heard a few things I had heard before… and I heard them a bit louder this time.
I love dogs, no two ways around it. They always bring out the best in me
I love to run, play, push hard, and to be outside… even more so with my dogs
I belong out on the trail with a companion… I know a dog’s heart feels the same
I started Dogs Colorado because when I wander outside my mind becomes calm. It is as if sunlight and the promise of the unknown work together to clear away old worries, sharpen my instincts, and fuel new ideas. I like to think that I see an analogous effect in my dogs. That we somehow share this bit of clarity in our adventures. Certainly, I rarely see them happier. It is as if they spend their days at home loyal to my life story, but when we go outside, they get to be a part of their own.
Dogs Colorado is my own way to participate in the lives of as many fantastic dogs as possible, and the best way I have found to participate in my own.
When I’m not expanding my knowledge about dogs or the great outdoors… I home-roast coffee, homebrew beer, travel, train for my next bikepacking adventure, play guitar, try new recipes, and work on my book.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh, absolutely not. If anyone tells you that building a community-focused pet care collective and shifting mindsets around dog behavior is a straight highway with no potholes, they’re selling something that doesn’t work.
When we started Dogs Colorado, our path was bumpy. We had to navigate deeply ingrained cultural myths about canine “dominance,” pushback against modern behavioral science, and the sheer stubbornness of old-school, correction-based training methods that still echo through the pet industry. People are often tempted by quick fixes—jerking a leash, shouting, or applying a-versive tools—because suppression can look like obedience on the surface. Fighting through that noise to advocate for a better way wasn’t easy.
Our biggest struggle has always been undoing the damage caused by fear and force, and educating folks on why we strictly stick to positive reinforcement (R+) and force-free handling.
Aversive methods (like prong, choke, or shock collars) rely on pain, discomfort, or startling a dog into compliance. Behaviorally, this triggers a flood of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. When a dog is operating out of fear or survival-driven anxiety, their higher-level learning centers literally shut down. You aren’t teaching them how to make good choices; you’re teaching them to suppress their reactions out of terror.
Further… suppressing a behavior (like lunging or growling) by punishing it doesn’t address the underlying emotional root… usually fear, frustration, or over-arousal. In fact, studies show that punishment-based training often increases generalized anxiety and can heighten aggressive responses over time because the dog associates the pain with the environment or the people around them.
Positive reinforcement does something entirely different: it builds neural pathways associated with confidence, safety, and problem-solving. By rewarding desired behaviors, we trigger dopamine pathways in the brain, turning learning into a cooperative game. Science consistently demonstrates that R+ training fosters faster acquisition of cues, improves long-term retention, and… most importantly! protects the emotional well-being and welfare of the animal.
When you ditch the coercion, the entire dynamic shifts. Dogs stop looking at their humans as unpredictable sources of fallout and start seeing them as safe guides. That trust is the foundational bedrock of a lifelong bond.
Watching a nervous, reactive, or misunderstood dog transform into a confident, relaxed trail companion through pure patience and science-based R+ methods makes every single bump entirely worth it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are known for providing outdoor-focused pet care services all along Colorado’s Front Range communities. Primarily specializing in adventure dog walking, trail hiking, and trail running, alongside customizable in-home pet sitting and certified positive reinforcement (R+) training.
We find ourselves, where appropriate, moving away from neighborhood block walks. Our services (like “Energize” hikes and “Go Slow” outings) focus on getting dogs out into open spaces, parks, and single-track mountain trails.
We insist on a steadfast commitment to 100% positive reinforcement (R+) and force-free handling.
We tailor group and solo outings to accommodate dogs with unique needs, including high-energy puppies, seniors, and socially anxious or reactive dogs.
We provide clients with detailed report cards featuring GPS tracking, photos, and direct communication lines for every hike and sitting session.
None of this works without a transparent, two-way street of communication. Great communication is the absolute glue that holds human-dog teams and community care together. Whether it’s a Puptender relaying precise, real-time updates and GPS tracking from the trail, an owner clearly communicating their dog’s subtle body language, or a trainer helping a family decode what their dog is trying to say through their behavior, crystal-clear communication bridges the gap between species.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
As a small business owner and operator, father, and team leader, I find myself humbled by the often irreverent advice of Jimmy Carr and the clearheaded and time tested perspectives shared by Kara Swisher.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://DogsColorado.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogscolorado
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dogscolorado
