Leader of the Pack: Jaclyn Sicilia: A Dog’s Best Friend

Sure, the discovery of fire was kind of a big deal for humanity. But little did we know that that was also the moment we discovered a way to light up our life every single day. As early man and woman sat around their newly-invented flame, the enticing aroma of (let’s just assume) woolly mammoth meat on the grill drifting out from the camp, we were also ushering in a relationship that would last millennia… the greatest companions humanity has ever known… our best friend – dogs. 

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What likely began as a primordial wolf slinking strategically into the scene during mealtime slowly evolved into the unconditionally loving companion that today comes in all shapes, sizes, and degrees of fluffiness. Stroll along Coast Village, or flutter through Butterfly Beach and you’ll see no shortage of canine companions – Montecito loves its pups. Walk these areas frequently enough and you may even spot one lady who really, really loves dogs. A pack of ten or so following her every move – and word – as she grins and guides them. 

This is Jaclyn Sicilia. Some have called her a “dog whisperer” – but if you watch her interact with the pack, this title feels like a misnomer. There’s not much whispering being done. Nor barking. She is more like a dog director lovingly giving orders and instructions to each member of the cast – and these pups really want to put on their best performance. 

I first was introduced to Jaclyn after the MJ and CVA, hosted the Dog Days of Summer photo competition, when a photo was submitted with seven dogs sitting perfectly on a playground bench (this is where Jaclyn tips her director’s cap). More recently, I met with Jaclyn to walk along Butterfly Beach and chat pooches, her past, and passion for all things canine. I brought Peluche, my own fluffy, ever-loving, little munchkin (who’s also sitting on my lap as I type this) along for the stroll. 

Note: The quotes included in this article have been edited to remove any “Good job, Lou!” “Thank yous,” and pats on the head, for clarity.

As many stories about life changes begin, this one started with the pandemic. Jaclyn had been working a “corporate” job at the time of COVID where she was furloughed and eventually laid off. While initially depressed and stressed, the free time allowed her to explore more intentionally, and eventually find her “true calling.” When a dear friend with a dog walking business developed a chronic foot problem, she asked if Jaclyn would like to take over the business. 

“My whole life had been right in front of me. People have always said, ‘You’re so wonderful with dogs,’ and yet I knew that was with my own dog, and I would never have thought to start a dog business. I started off with literally one dog besides my own two, and then that one dog client turned into two, two turned into four. Four turned into –“ I looked at the pack of 10 dogs hanging on Jaclyn’s every word – they collectively nodded in confirmation of her statement.

Jaclyn originally taught high school English before tutoring at the college level and privately in English and writing. Eventually she began teaching younger and younger students, but it wasn’t until coming to Santa Barbara in 2018 to work at Trinity Preschool that she picked up her preferred lesson plans for pups. 

What are the similarities between leading a pack of dogs and a gaggle of preschoolers? Which group bites more? 

“At Trinity, there was a lot of structure. There was guidance, and there were obviously boundaries. But other than that, it was a very holistic, organic way of teaching, where you let the kids just be and figure it out for themselves.” 

And it’s that philosophy she brings to her canine companions. Jaclyn focuses on letting each dog have their own personality and just be themselves. Her role is to guide and direct them based off that, which ultimately is about getting to know your dog first. Her overall lesson plan?

“Number one: Understand your dog. Number two: We have to have clear expectations. Number three: We have to create a pack.”

Throughout our conversation, Jaclyn emphasizes the role of the pack. Dogs are social animals and don’t just thrive, but learn, from those they’re around. A pack doesn’t have to be all of the neighborhood pups ganging up – it can be as simple as one other dog, or even just you and your single furry friend. Really, they just need companionship. (I mean, don’t we all…?) Of course, each dog is its own character and has its own sociability. 

“I really make it a priority to understand each dog and understand what they need and what motivates them, what triggers them. Where are they going to be successful? Where are they not going to be successful? And every dog is different, just like kids. Some of these dogs can go to restaurants, movie theaters, special occasions, weddings, they can do everything, yeah?” This time I nod obediently – having absolutely snuck Peluche into movie theaters, late night shows, and other places he probably shouldn’t go but always seems so happy to join in on. 

“I’m finding now there’s a lot of over training. We think training is like number one. We rescue, adopt, whatever the case may be – we bring a dog into the family. We immediately think we have to find a trainer, or we have to train the dog.”

Throughout our walk Jaclyn emphasizes that she doesn’t “train” dogs. “It’s simple, I spend time with them, and I learn them, and they learn me. They learn what my expectations are, and they learn what the boundaries are that I need for them to have if they’re going to thrive in a human world, because they’re in a human world a lot of the time.”

One of the key techniques to letting a dog know they have not met your expectation is to take away a privilege – this can be getting put back on a leash, removing a toy, or moving them to a separate space. “It can be five minutes, three minutes, just enough for them to realize, ‘Okay, I lost something.’ And when they emerge from that time out – you make sure that they sit, they make eye contact with you. You say, ‘Sit– Stay– And wait.’”

As we walk, a couple stops us so they can photograph the spectacle of Jaclyn with ten dogs. Which leads me to ask about her photography, and how she can possibly get all of the dogs to pose so perfectly. “It happens organically.” It’s hard to believe. Take a look at her Instagram and you will see photo after photo of the pack in line, or taking silly positions, staring directly at the camera. Many of these are snapped during her daily “pooch camps” that take a bakers’ dozen or fewer pups to the beach, or on hikes… it all depends on which group she has that day. But before you start packing a brown bag lunch for your pup and get ready to send ‘em off to camp, know that these sessions are pretty much full. Jaclyn does, however, offer “connecting sessions” where she teaches owners how to better understand their dog. (Remember lesson number one?)

As we wrap up our 90-minute walk – myself getting a little tired but neither Jaclyn, Peluche, nor any of the other pups showing an ounce of wear – we start walking towards her car. 

What kind of vehicle could possibly carry this many dogs? Walking up Butterfly Lane, I half expect to see a furry Ford Econoline adorned with a Mutt Cutts sign á la Dumb and Dumber. Nope, it’s a Dodge Charger – the back seats pulled out to make one long, towel-lined doggy bed. “It wouldn’t matter at this point if I had a bus or if I had a car smaller than this, they all – except for Sunny [patting his head] – want to be next to one another so they’re all touching at all times. Even when I’ve borrowed a friend’s SUV in the past.” Once again, we’re all just looking to be part of Jaclyn’s pack.  

Visit Jaclyn’s Instagram (@palmtrees_n_pooches) for plenty of “awwws” and puppy pics or email her at jcsicilia923@gmail.com for more information on a connecting session

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