Kirstin Allan

Kirstin had her dream realized when she started teaching at Pawsitive Canine in the fall of 2010.
She has vast experience with a variety of dogs, working as a Licensed Veterinary Technician in a local
animal hospital.

Kirstin is excited about sharing her love for Marker Training and her goal is to help owners realize how
simple it is to provide clear communication between themselves and their dog. Reward based marker
training provides a positive atmosphere to train both puppies and adults.

Kirstin also has a passion for competition and is lucky enough to have a dog that feels the same way.
She is currently competing in Rally, Competitive Obedience and Agility with her American Staffordshire
Terrier, Alia (St. Alia of the Knife CD RE NA CGC TT).

Alia and Lije

^ Back to top

Falon Gray & Jason Lin

Falon and Jason are excited to join the teaching staff at Pawsitive. They are both dog lovers as well as being avid trainers and competitors in various dog sports. Falon has extensive experience training dogs in search and rescue, agility, dock jumping, rally and flyball. Jason is currently competing in obedience, tracking, and protection with his 2 year old dog Ike. They
believe all good dog training, whether it be for house manners or top competition, begin with the establishment of a strong bond and clear communication between the owners and their dogs. When the relationship between dogs and their humans is strong and the training is clear and without conflict, anything is possible!

Together they share their home with two German Shepherds, one Cardigan Corgi, and a Jack Russell/Corgi Mix. All four dogs are actively training and competing in multiple sports. There's never a boring day with that busy pack.

Falon Gray

Jason Lin

^ Back to top

Jeanne Thomas

Jeanne Thomas has been teaching pet dog training in the Grand Rapids area since 1994. A lifelong animal lover, her work with dogs began in 1990 when she needed training for her own out-of-control puppy and enrolled in community education classes in Grand Rapids. Many classes, books and seminars (and several years of assisting in classrooms) later, she has become well grounded in learning theory and pet dog behavior and is still fascinated with the challenge of teaching humans and dogs how to communicate and cooperate.

Jeanne’s goal is to help people improve their dog training and handling skills using reward based, dog friendly training techniques. Her primary expertise is teaching family pet manners and household behavior management from the puppy stage through the intermediate levels of training. Her approach to dog handling is strongly influenced by internationally known trainers and behaviorists such as Pat Miller, Patricia McConnell, Ian Dunbar, Sue Ailsby and Jean Donaldson.

Jeanne is a certified evaluator for the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen program and has recently become one of west Michigan’s first Certified Pet Dog Trainers (CPDT), successfully completing testing through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers. She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, the Grand Rapids Dog Training Club, and West Michigan Therapy Dogs. Jeanne also offers private lessons or in-home consultations for specific training or behavioral problems. 

E-mail Jeanne -

Click to load Jeanne's bio

Click to load Jeanne's press release 

Jeanne's dogs Juniper (Lab), Raleigh (Loewchen), Lucy (Basset), and Ladybug (Mix)

^ Back to top

Gina Truxton

Gina has been involved in dog obedience for 17 years and agility for 10 years. She competes with her dogs in AKC agility, obedience, and rally obedience, and Canine Performance Events (CPE) agility. Gina believes that agility improves the confidence of shy or timid dogs, and strengthens the bond between dogs and their owners. Agility is a sport that is fun for both people and dogs, and Gina’s philosophy for her classes is to be safe and have fun!

Professional affiliations

GRAC – Grand Rapids Agility Club
WRDTG – White River Dog Training Group

Accomplishments

Multiple agility and obedience titles on her two Rottweilers
American Rottweiler Club Top Ten Agility for 4 years
Therapy Dog International title on her German Shepherd

^ Back to top

Liz Fahnenstiel

Liz is an avid student of canine training, although she is not a trainer herself, she spends much time in the canine class arena. Liz is an active member of West Michigan Therapy Dogs, Inc. and pursues titles in Rally Obedience with her dogs.

"Dogs, puppies, AND their owners love the positive methods, behavior modification and specialty classes offered at Pawsitive Canine Training Center. The entire family is invited to join in the dog's training classes helping to ensure a consistent message is relayed to your family pet." --Liz  

E-mail Liz:  

Macy and Justin