We Are The Newman's
Newman’s Dog Training was created in 2011 to share with the community how to train dogs effectively while building the relationship between the owner and their dog. For dog owners to understand why dogs do what they do not just how we can make them listen. Newman's Dog Training likes to see the world through the dog’s perspective and train based on how the dog feels and perceives their environment. Through management, rewards, and consistency you can have your dream dog. We know every dog and situation is different and specialize in one-on-one training with our clients to come up with a training plan that is specific to their needs within their household. We started in Kansas City but have expanded and can now help clients all over the world with our virtual training sessions and Online Puppy Academy. We are proud to have Kristin as our trainer in Kansas City. She has years of experience and is also a former zookeeper. In 2022, Jena and Derek Newman moved back to their roots, Fayetteville, AR and are excited to share their knowledge with the community that raised them.
Jena Newman, Founder and Head Trainer
B.S, CPDT-KA, FDM, APDT Member, CGC Evaluator
Jena grew up in Fayetteville, AR and graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2008. She immediately started training animals as a Zookeeper at the Kansas City Zoo after graduation. She trained many exotic animals during that time including her favorites: Gorillas, Elephants and Sea Lions. In 2011, she decided to start Newman’s Dog Training while still working full time. After 2 years of building the business, she left the zoo and put all her energy into Newman's Dog Training. She is forever grateful to the Kansas City Community for continuing to invite Newman's into their homes to help strengthen their relationships with their dogs.
Since then, she has been an active member of the Heartland Positive Dog Training Alliance while spending 4 years as a board member. Jena has attended multiple seminars to continue her education. Some of her favorite seminars covering multiple topics have been with Susan Clothier, Nicole Wilde, Victoria Stillwell, Pat Miller, Sarah Kalnajs and more. Jena is currently an active member of APDT (The Association of Professional Dog Trainers) and is a certified Canine Good Citizen evaluator. In 2025, Jena became a certified Family Dog Mediator. Jena was also an evaluator for Pets for Life for 2 years where she evaluated owners and their dogs to become therapy pets. This was such an amazing opportunity and has prepared her to help your dog become a therapy pet. Jena is a certified dog trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT-KA.)
In 2022, Jena and Derek moved home to Fayetteville and are excited about sharing their training experience with the community that raised them. All the while still running the business in Kansas City and doing virtual training with clients around the country. When not training dogs, you can find Jena reading a book in the sun, mountain biking, canoeing, or exploring nature in her VanDoIt campervan. If the sun is out, she is outside enjoying it. Jena and her husband Derek have worked hard training their chocolate lab, Barry, so he can go on all their trips with them. They joke that they work hard to give Barry all the adventures he deserves!
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Jena taught Delilah how to do a hand stand.
Jena working with the African Elephant, Zoe.
Jena's happy place. Surrounded by cuddly dogs.
Barry doing what he loves best. Chasing balls on the beach.
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Vince loved learning how to clap!
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Sunny learning how to lie down.
Derek Newman, General Manager of everything not directly tied to training dogs!
Derek graduated from the University Of Arkansas in 2008 and moved to Kansas City to pursue a career in Exercise Science. He worked as a personal trainer in Kansas City for 12 years before leaving to help Jena with Newman's Dog Training. His role since leaving the fitness industry has been walking dogs and pet sitting when needed, but mainly background website and marketing work. Main jobs include coffee maker/server, ledge talker off'er, and anything not customer service or training of dogs. When not serving Jena delicious coffee, or cooking up decadent meals, Derek can be found guiding Jena and Barry into all of the activities she mentioned above, except reading a book in the sun. You can probably find Derek exercising Barry the dog while playing disc golf or Mt biking all over NW Arkansas.
Kansas City Dog and Puppy Trainers
Kristin, Kansas City Manager and Certified Dog Trainer
B.S., CPDT-KA, FDM, CGC Evaluator
Kristin is a former elephant zookeeper with an extensive training background. While in the zookeeping field, she worked with many species including giraffes, bongos, and sea lions. This background of working with exotic animals has allowed Kristin to develop an understanding of animal body language and behavior across many species and she can bring that experience to your home! Aside from exotic animals, she grew up working alongside her hometown veterinarian as a veterinary assistant. She attended Purdue University where she received a Bachelors in Animal Science with an emphasis on Animal Behavior along with minors in Psychology and Biology. Her passion for animals shines through her outgoing and rather witty personality! When she's not out training dogs, you can find Kristin exploring KC with her golden retriever, Hummel, attending a concert, or cheering on her Boilermaker basketball team.
Kristin is a certified dog trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT-KA.)In 2025, Kristin became a certified Family Dog Mediator. She is actively looking for opportunities to learn more and advance her knowledge in dog behavior to better help clients in the Kansas City Metro.
Zoe, Certified Dog Trainer
B.S., CHAIS, CDTK, CPDT-KA, CGC Evaluator
Zoe has two main goals in life - to help all the people and dogs that she can. Zoe attended Pittsburg State University and earned her Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology.After her undergraduate studies, she decided to further her education into the field of Animal-Assisted Therapy. She attended Oakland University and earned her Specialist Certification in Human-Animal Interventions (CHAIS).Zoe is extremely passionate about improving the relationship and positive bond between humans and their animal companions, and this same passion carries over into her career as a Dog Trainer. Zoe attended CATCH, Canine Trainers Academy, where she earned her Certification in Dog Training Knowledge (CDTK).
Zoe is a Certified Dog Trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT-KA.)
When Zoe isn’t working, you can find her spending time with her English Mastiff, Ruthie Lou, her Great Pyrenees mix, Thelma, and her two black cats, Lola and Sophie. Zoe enjoys playing video games, embroidering, and going to trivia nights with her best friends. Zoe loves spending time with loved ones and she can always find something good on Netflix..
Laurel, Dog Trainer
B.S.
Laurel attended the university of Kansas and graduated with a bachelor of science in business marking. She then started her career as a manager at a dog daycare where she learned the foundations of canine body language and communication. Laurel has also spent several years in her career overseeing adoption centers for Kansas City’s largest animal shelter. During this time she has been able to apply her skills to a wide variety dogs allowing for extensive knowledge of different learning styles.Laurel has had a passion for dog training ever since acquiring her reactive dog Archie. Seeing the success with Archie’s behavior modification training peeked her interest in dog training and the need that falls within our community. Ever since, Laurel has dedicated herself to furthering her education on canine behavior. She keeps up to date with current literature and studies on canine behavior.
In her free time you might catch Laurel and her two dogs exploring the trails in Kansas City. She also enjoys paddle boarding and competing in agility with her dogs. Laurel is also a devoted member to the rescue community and volunteers time aiding in photographing and marketing dogs adoptable dogs.
Deb, Dog Trainer
IAABC-ADT Certified, AKC CGC Evaluator
Deb is a self proclaimed dog nerd who grew up in Olathe, KS and has worked in the pet care sector for over 10 years. Her journey began in the pet care industry, where she worked at a doggie daycare for three years during college and later as a Rover pet sitter and dog walker. Deb went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Feed Science and Management with a minor in Companion Animal Nutrition from Kansas State University, combining her love for animals with her interest in science and technology. She then spent seven years pursuing a career in pet food product development as a project manager where she gained valuable experience working with teams of people.
Although she had always been passionate about dogs and curious about behavior, Deb’s deeper dive into dog behavior began with her own reactive and aggressive dog, Lupin. Determined to help him, she sought guidance from leading professionals and immersed herself in the study of canine behavior—reading extensively, listening to podcasts, and attending countless workshops, webinars, and conferences.
In 2021, Deb began teaching group classes part-time at Let’s Speak Dog in Easton Pennsylvania, while continuing her full-time career in project management. She quickly discovered how much she loved helping humans learn about dogs and it wasn’t long before she realized dog training was her true calling. By 2023, Deb transitioned to dog training full time and has been pursuing her passion ever since. In her tenure as a dog trainer Deb has worked with all kinds of different dogs of various age, breed, size, background and temperament. In 2025 Deb relocated back to the Olathe, KS area to be with family, and brought with her all the skills and knowledge she gained from working with some of the country's top experts in the northeast.
Deb is an Accredited Dog Trainer through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC-ADT) and an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. She specializes in working with dogs who have big feelings about the world—those who are reactive, fearful, or simply struggling to navigate their environment. Having shared her life with a dog who has big feelings,she knows first hand how challenging it can be, and finds great joy supporting owners through the process.
Destin, Dog Trainer
CPDT-KA, AKC Evaluator and Fear Free Certified
Destin is a CPDT-KA, AKC Evaluator and a Fear Free certified trainer with more than 5 years of dog training experience. He has worked and volunteered in shelters, clinics, and doggie daycares since he was 12 years old. His passion for learning about dog behavior led him to taking on a dog training apprenticeship in 2019. After becoming certified with the CCPDT in 2021 he began learning more about behavior modification and now helps dogs of a wide variety of temperaments, fears, and stressors. From puppies to seniors, Destin enjoys training dogs from all walks of life. From confidence building to obedience, he is ready to help everyone learn to work with their dog. Destin's goal is to bring dogs and pet parents closer together through mutual understanding of desired behavior and teach both parties how to work together to achieve training goals.
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Loved by People & Dogs all over Kansas City, Northwest Arkansas, and all other locations via online training!
NEWMAN'S
Kansas City
© Newman's Dog Training LLC 2011-2025