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.
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!
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.
Vince loved learning how to clap!
Sunny learning how to lie down.
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.
B.S, CPDT-KA, FDM, APDT Member, CGC Evaluator
Drew is a Fayetteville, Arkansas native with a B.A. in History and African/African-American Studies from the University of Arkansas. With a background in sustainable agriculture, Drew has worked with nearly every type of livestock, including chickens, turkeys, ducks, cattle, goats, pigs, and horses. His interest in animal welfare and behavior blossomed from a desire to ensure that the farm animals in his care were living their best possible lives, freely expressing their natural behaviors in appropriate habitat. His focus shifted to dog training when his own dog Gilbert, began to exhibit troubling behavior after a rescue puppy was added to the household. Learning to meet the needs of his steadfast old companion, while also providing the new family puppy the best start possible, was a richly rewarding and catalyzing experience. Now that Drew has brought peace back to his household, he has felt a call to help others find the same healing and growth, by helping them developing a symbiotic relationship with their family animals. He began working at Fort Smith Animal Haven in 2023 to be around as many dogs as possible and to gain exposure to all the breeds, behaviors and personalities he could. There, he found a passion for animal rescue and shelter medicine that dovetails nicely with his training and behavior practice.
Drew is pursuing a professional dog trainer certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and is excited to absorb and learn everything he possibly can about animal welfare, behavior and training. When Drew isn't training dogs or working as a Vet Tech at the shelter, you can probably find him at home: parenting, doing yoga, playing the bass, birdwatching, trying new recipes, or working on the homestead dream he shares with his partner, Kaity. You might also catch him out floating an Ozark stream, enjoying some live music, visiting a museum or historical site, or walking one his three dogs: Gilbert, Elko or Pumpkin.
© Newman's Dog Training LLC 2011-2025