Quinebaug Kennels, LLC was founded by Jennifer Broome in 2001. Her experience extends from years of training and teaching. She is a highly professional, published author, and expert in raising and training dogs. Jennifer began her dog training career as a child. Her love of animals encouraged her to begin a dog walking and pet sitting service in her neighborhood. She quickly became an entrusted pet sitter to many families that sought after her loving care and dedication to their beloved pets.
Jennifer’s love of the outdoors, in general, prompted her to venture to New England to pursue the study of Wildlife Biology and Management at the University of Rhode Island. Graduating in 1995, Jennifer worked for both state and federal agencies as a Biologist. She never strayed far from her passion for dogs. In addition to her biology work, Jennifer began breeding and training her own labs in the field. Her work was recognized by other dog owners who desired their own animals to behave obediently. 
They began to seek Jennifer’s help. Realizing her love and devotion to the canine world, she began training dogs for clients in her spare time. Her name and reputation began to spread, and she soon opened South Shore Kennels in Southern Rhode Island. As the training consumed all her free time, Jennifer realized her potential to work for herself as a full-time dog trainer and caregiver. In 1997, she officially began to board, train, and offer private dog training lessons. She continued to gain exposure as a talented dog trainer and kennel boarding facility.
Not only does Jennifer work all breeds for basic, advanced and problem obedience, she specializes in training hunting dogs. In 2007, Jennifer started to train for and compete in AKC hunt tests and field trial retriever competitions. This has been a valuable addition to Jennifer’s resume and accomplishments. Starting back in 2009 Jennifer had the opportunity to attend Mike Lardy seminars for Basics and Transitions, Advanced and Advanced Handling as well as handle dogs in the clinics. She now spends the entire winter, January thru the end of March, training in Florida and Georgia among a wonderful and talented field trial community of retriever trainers. After many years of hard work to establish her kennel business, Jennifer now has the opportunity to travel more and attend dog competitions. Jennifer had competed in AKC retriever hunt tests over the years with her dog and in 2007 Jennifer was a finalist with her Lab “Valley” at the Master Nationals. Jennifer has competed with her own dogs in AKC field trials at the derby, qualifying and open level. In 2014 she made the National Derby list with her puppy accumulating 16 points in 6 trials. Jennifer is fortunate to work with wonderful training groups all winter that rotates 5 days a week for 12 weeks on some of the finest field trial grounds in the country. Daily training is intense with 2 to 3 field setups typically lasting 5-6 hours a day. During this time she has gained valuable skills as a student, training partner, and competitor. This 2021 Winter will be her 13th year in Florida.
When Jennifer returns to New England in April, she is fresh with new training ideas and improved techniques and tactics that she is eager to share with her clients. Jennifer specializes in coaching clients through one on one lessons to improve their dog training skills, teach advanced handling and competition preparation. She also trains and competes in field trials from Maryland to Maine from Spring through early Fall.
In addition to the retrievers, Jennifer has had wonderful success with her German Shorthair Pointers. Jennifer’s Ambassador GSP Elsie achieved her AKC Show Champion title at just a year and a half with handler Lori Mowery, as well as competing in the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club show at the Garden in NYC! Jennifer went on to title Elsie in AKC Junior, Senior and Master pointing dog tests before she was 2 1/2 years old. The team enjoyed a successful ride going 4/4 Junior, 4/4 Senior and 5/6 Master (only 1 fail out of 14 tests!). Elsie and Jennifer also competed in AKC retriever hunt tests to title in JHR, and lastly, in 2014 they joined The Southern New England NAVHDA and spent 4 months training for UT. The first attempt Elsie earned a Prize 2, and their second attempt the team scored a Prize 1, 204 points. That qualified them for the Versatility Championship in 2015. Elsie did not compete that year as she had a litter of puppies but the team requalified for 2016 and 2017. In 2016 Jennifer and Elsie competed in Iowa at the NAVHDA Invitational. Out of the 100 participants, only 38 earned passing scores, and 10 of those achieved the coveted maximum score of 200 points. Jennifer and Elsie (along with her training partner Todd with his 4-year-old Elsie daughter Mya) BOTH we two of those 10 competitors!
Recently, Jennifer has been focusing more on her pointing dogs and enjoying training Elsie’s puppies Doozy and Timber competing both in the field and show ring. Her next goal will be to achieve their conformation Championships and pursue a new game… pointing dog field trials!
Once Fall arrives, it is time to hang up the white field trial coats and training gear and put on the camouflage or orange! Jennifer is a passionate hunter and she most enjoys solo upland bird hunting and waterfowling in New England. “A good dog, a side by side and an afternoon afield” …. Doesn’t get much better than that! Upon request, Jennifer will take clients hunting to teach them how to more effectively hunt over their gun dogs. Additionally, Jennifer enjoys guiding and working her dogs at Tamarack Lodge in Millbrook New York. She has also been a Pro Staff Dog Trainer for Cabela’s for 12 years traveling the country to do clinics and dog demonstrations.
As an avid outdoorswoman and successful hunter, Jennifer simply loves spending time in the field with dogs. Clients travel from all over New England seeking Jennifer’s advice as a prominent gun dog trainer. Her other passions include her artwork, fishing, shooting, and trail riding her Nokota Horse Tex and her Rocky Mountain Horse Wrangler.
Published Articles
- Following Sassy Week 14:
- Planning a training program for a puppy, starting at 6 weeks of age. Games that incorporate manners and motivational training to begin the proper foundation for future training.
- Following Sassy 5 months:
- Lessons to accomplish a gentle and loving puppy that is fun to be with, bonded to the master, well-mannered in the house and responsive to both voice and whistle commands.
- Smile for the Good Dogs:
- Quick timing, praise and body language command the dog’s undivided attention. Begin to execute your own cues with body language, and you will be amazed with the new level of communication-and your dog will love you for it!
- Compliance vs. Defiance:
- Every dog has a unique personality defined by its individual breed, genetic make-up and level of socialization experienced as a puppy. The factors not only help to categorize each dog, but they can help to determine what level of training will produce the most effective results within a fair and reasonable amount of time.
- The Force Fetch: Part 1:
- Shouldn’t retrieving come naturally to a well-bred retriever? Is it necessary to teach even if your dog loves to retrieve? Through patience, persistence and repetition, dogs will soon gladly lunge for any object you command them to fetch, and firmly but gently hold that object until you take it from them.
- The Force Fetch: Part 11:
- Drills for compliance. Don’t give up and stay determined and consistent and your breakthrough will come. Spend the time it takes to finish the forced fetch and you’ll be overjoyed with the results.
