Photos provided by QK Dogs
well-trained dog that is healthy and physically fit is a walking billboard for success,” says Jennifer Broome, founder, owner and lead trainer of QK Dogs.
Jennifer is a true outdoorswomen who grew up with sporting dogs. As a child she began her own pet sitting and dog walking business. In college she got her degree in Wildlife Biology and Management and subsequently worked for both state and federal agencies as a Biologist.
During her career as a Biologist, Jennifer developed her own dog training program. Today Jennifer Broome is the owner of the largest dog training, boarding and wellness facility in the Northeast, specializing in raising and training field dogs for hunting as well as field companions.
So, how did this little girl with a dog walking business incorporate her love of dogs and of the outdoors into an amazing dog wellness facility that is known throughout the country? Jennifer followed her passion, which began with finding the ideal location to open her training facility—100 lush, wooded acres in the Quinebaug valley of Connecticut.
“We’re in the area called the ‘quiet corner’ of Connecticut,” says Jennifer. “It was the perfect setting for what I had in mind.”
In 2000 she left the world of being a wildlife biologist to concentrate totally on her business, which offered basic, advanced and problem obedience training for all breeds with a focus on training the sporting breeds. She moved into the 100-year-old farmhouse on the property, erected a 3,500 sq. ft. building for training and boarding, and in 2001, Quinebaug Kennels opened its doors.
People saw the beautifully trained dogs that Jennifer was producing and wanted her to train their dogs. Word of mouth from satisfied clients had the facility bursting at its seams. Once again, Quinebaug Kennels needed to expand.
“Jason is ‘the man’ behind QK,” Jennifer says, and adds with a quick smile, “We always say, If it breaks, bleeds, or blows up—Jason can fix it! He’s a visionary like I am. I tend to be the dreamer and say, ‘Let’s do this!’ and he helps to make it possible. Jason is a huge, huge part of our success!”
“Since 2012 we had been planning out in our minds what we wanted our new facility to look like,” Jason shares. “We didn’t want to just house boarding and training dogs, we wanted to design a complete comprehensive canine wellness center.
“We brought in architect Richard Bacon from Florida to give us ideas to improve upon what we already designed and to help make our dream a reality,” continues Jason. “He offered us suggestions on things like the efficient use of space and the strategic placement of our different departments.”
– Jennifer Broome, founder, owner and lead trainer of QK Dogs.
“Our goal was to do everything right the first time. I gleaned a lot from articles and the ads in Pet Boarding & Daycare Magazine,” Jennifer continues. “I was able to look at who uses what, and it helped us get into good products. PB&D was a really great resource and helped us select our kennels and guillotine doors, cleaning equipment and products, equipment for our grooming salon, computer software programs, and more.”
“We finalized the plans and began construction,” Jason shares. “Soon, our 6,500 sq. ft. Lodge with heated floors, security and fire systems, indoor/outdoor kennel runs, and so much more began to take shape.”
In 2015, Jennifer and Jason’s dream facility was completed. The Lodge opened and Quinebaug Kennels was renamed QK Dogs. In addition to their beautiful facilities, QK has huge play yards and miles of wooded trails and exercise paths. It’s the perfect setting for conditioning and training dogs.
Their website, www.qkdogs.com, is packed with information and provides an in-depth view of the entire QK campus, their services, staff and their policies. Visitors to the website can learn all about QK Dogs and their specialized training and conditioning programs.
“In Playcare Plus, we work on a dog’s patience, manners, and structure, and on their socializing with other dogs,” says Jennifer. “We balance exercise, training, socialization, and relaxation. The owners are thrilled that their pups are having fun while learning these needed behaviors.”
Their “Puppy Head Start Program” accepts pups as young as four months. It is a two-week board and train program of leash work, crate training, age-appropriate socializing, patience work and training.
“It’s a win-win for all,” says Jennifer. “We get to know the puppy. And the program gives the owners an introduction to QK Dogs. The puppy has a comfort level with us, and we’ve gotten them off to a real good start.
“I have been training for nearly 30 years, and I continue to mentor and train with the top trainers in the country,” Jennifer continues. “There is such a need for really good instruction, care, and training for family pets of all breeds. Well-behaved dogs live better lives because people want to be around them. They get to go places and do things.”
In addition to their obedience training programs, QK Dogs offers private lessons and “Zoom with Broome,” a one-on-one session that a client can schedule with Jennifer. They can get help with a training issue, finding the right dog to fit their lifestyle, or any other dog-related issue, from the convenience of their home.
QK Dogs holds monthly training camps, April through October, that are hugely popular. They also offer a variety of clinics presented by clinicians and trainers from all over the country.
In addition, QK Dogs has always had a very comprehensive Sporting dog training program. They train all breeds that specialize in upland and waterfowl hunting. Their customized programs can take a dog through its first puppy sessions to a fully-trained gun dog or a seasoned competitor.
Jennifer is an AKC Breeder of Merit for Labrador Retrievers and German Shorthair Pointers. She has competed in AKC Hunt Tests and Field Trials for both breeds. She also shows her GSPs in AKC conformation and participates in NAVHDA with the GSPs, even achieving the coveted VC (Versatility Champion) title with her GSP, CH VC Abbe Lane’s Sweet Little Elsie MH JHR RDX CGC. She has titled numerous dogs with field titles, and has helped her clients train for competitions.
Jennifer spent much of her career traveling the country teaching dog seminars and giving demonstrations for non-profit groups with her sporting dogs for organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, NRA and The Ruffed Grouse Society. And she was on the Cabela’s Pro Staff as a dog trainer for 12 years.
“Because we have such a unique brand and philosophy, it is at least a three-month process for any trainer we bring on our staff to become a QK trainer,” Jennifer shares.
The health and fitness of the dogs go hand in hand with the training. That’s where QK’s wellness center and its services are invaluable. The aquatherapy room in the wellness center is all about helping dogs achieve their fitness goals and/or rehab after surgery or an injury. They have a Hudson Aquatics warm water treadmill and with it they are able to customize the aqua therapy sessions to the exact needs of each dog.
What’s new at QK Dogs?
“We just put up a new outdoor 120’ x 80’ covered arena for our training programs,” Jason says. “And, for 2023, we are planning an indoor atrium to enhance our Playcare Plus Program.”
The progress never stops, and the passion that created this mecca for dogs is evident in everything Jennifer and Jason do. When people enter the world of QK Dogs, they see a place where every dog gets the training, love and encouragement needed to help it reach its highest potential.
No doubt about it…at QK, it’s all about the dogs!
