Call of the Wild Dog Training with Jennifer Boznos

Jennifer Boznos has been teaching behavior modification to owners and their dogs since she founded Call of The Wild School for Dogs in 1992.

She created Call of The Wild’s unique INTENSIVE TRAINING EXPERIENCE, a training program where dogs were trained during the day by the professional team at COTW, and then went home at night to be trained by their owners. This program was very successful because it required a collaboration between trainer and owner, and between the structured environment at school and the environment in the dog’s home. Boznos believes in training the owner as much as training the dog. In addition to training dogs and owners in the ITE program, Boznos taught a variety of group classes, from SUPERPUPPY to advanced obedience, and private lessons to dogs of all behavioral walks. She and COTW are known for a skill-based training approach to solve behavioral problems as well as skills needed for everyday life.

Boznos has been certified as a Master Trainer in Chris Bach’s “The Third Way” method of training, and held the title of CPDT-ka for more than 20 years.

In addition to her training at Call of The Wild, Boznos competes on a national level with her border collies in USBCHA (United States Border Collie Handlers Association) sheepdog trials, and regularly competes as an Open handler at some of the biggest trials in the country including The Bluegrass Classic and the USBCHA National Finals.

Her primary obedience influence comes from her mentor Chris Bach, founder of “The Third Way.” Other notable influences are Dr. Raymond Coppinger, with whom she studied the feral dog population at the garbage dump in Mexico City, Sue Sternberg and Suzanne Clothier.

Boznos has studied sheep herding with National champions Scott Glen and Alasdair MacRae, and currently studies with South African national champion and US national finalist Faansie Basson. Boznos has travelled to Scotland with her border collies to work sheep “on the hill” with International Supreme champion Julie Hill.

Jennifer now teaches at her farm in Hampshire, IL, home to numerous border collies, 60 sheep and Angie, the livestock guardian dog.

“Training your dog means making certain lifestyle changes.  Come change your life with me.”
— Jennifer Boznos

The   Farm

The Farm is home to a flock of cheviot sheep, border collies, and Jennifer’s dream to create a peaceful, harmonious, enriched and safe environment for the animals in her care.

Meet the Team

  • Dot - Farmhand, Trial Dog, Head of Protocol

    In addition to her duties as Miss Manners, Dot is the most experienced sheepdog on the property.  She regularly competes in the open class in USBCHA sheepdog trials, and has worked sheep from Virginia to Colorado and also on the hill in Scotland. She is a professional puppy raiser, putting manners on numerous pups at the farm.

  • Donner - Trial Dog Emeritus

    Donner is now retired. He regularly made Jennifer look like a better than average handler on the trial field as he competed at all of the top trials in the country. Don brings a sense of maturity to playgroups at The Farm, encouraging his guests to express their inner nature with dignity and restraint.

  • Jo - Obedience, Demo Dog

    Jo holds the record for the most consecutive meet-and-greets during a single day testing of the Canine Good Citizen Certification. She has been the longest running and most successful demo dog at Call of the Wild School for Dogs in Chicago. She is currently enjoying retirement at The Farm, and makes the occasional guest appearance as demo dog as required.

  • Cam - Apprentice

    Cam, also known as “Cammer the Hammer,” is the youngest member of the team.  He does not have any accomplishments to date. Management is hoping that he will get through his adolescence without too much destruction to company property.

  • Ida - Farmhand, Trial Dog, Hospitality

    Ida has just finished her nursery year and will continue trialing in the Open Ranch classes. In addition to her life as a working sheepdog, Ida can be found frolicking with any and every guest at The Farm. Ida can make even the most timid and unsure canine guest feel welcome. She has a perfect record for getting even the most reluctant guest to play a good game of “chase me!”

  • Zeke - Farmhand, Trial Dog, Welcoming Committee

    Zeke, son of Donner,  is turning into a handy farm dog and gained real-life experience on the hill in Scotland. He has just begun his trialing career and will run in the Nursery classes this year. Zeke and Ida often work together to welcome canine guests to The Farm.

  • Jade - Farmhand, Apprentice Obedience demo dog

    Daughter of Donner, Jade is a versatile member of the team working both in obedience and sheepherding. She is equally at home demonstrating behaviors in an obedience private lesson as she is working the flock.

  • Nan - Farmhand, Trial Dog

    Nan hails from a cattle and sheep ranch in Montana.  She qualified for the 2024 Nursery National Finals, worked sheep on the hill in Scotland and will continue trialling in open ranch.  Jennifer is fortunate to have this special dog.

  • Angie - Head of Security

    Angie has been Head of Security at The Farm for the past 6 years. She has completely eliminated bobcats and coyotes from the back pasture, and terrorizes the occasional possum.

The Sheep

The reason it all exists! The Farm is home to a flock of about 70 sheep, mostly North Country Cheviots and Katahdin Crosses. They provide a built-in distraction for all dogs that visit and allow herding breeds the ability to meet their genetic destiny.