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. 

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

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Jane McCormick

Jane McCormick has been training and rescuing Shetland Sheepdogs since the 1980’s. She has trained her dogs in Rally, Agility, and Obedience. The last three years she has worked with service dog training and testing, and is currently active in nursing home visits with her TDI certified therapy dog Bleu. She found a passion for rally and has achieved her AKC Rally Excellent title last fall.

Jane is a certified evaluator for the AKC Canine Good Citizen program and is a member of Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She has trained under Pat Miller at Peaceable Paws in Maryland where she completed Pat’s “Dog Behavior and Training” internship course and is an affiliate member in good standing. She has been recently apprenticing under Jeanne Thomas in pursuit of her ambition to start teaching using positive based training methods. “Seeing and helping people build a wonderful, positive relationship with their canine partners in this non-coercive way is one of the most fulfilling things I could ever do with my life. I hope to be able to share this wonderful concept with as many dogs and owners as I can.”

Bleu's ribbons

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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

Gina's Rottweilers Bailey and Tess

Rottidox-Mishon Bailey K "Bailey" CD, RAE, OA, AXP, OAJ, AJP ARC Top 10 Agility 2003-2006	Windrock's A Poetic Justess "Tess" RE, NAP, AJP ARC Top 10 Agility 2006

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Kim Langley

Kim Langley has been involved with agility since 1998. She started with a mixed-breed and now shows Doberman Pinschers. She has shown in AKC, CPE, NADAC and USDAA agility venues. Her accomplishments include CPE Nationals High-in-Trial, AKC Agility Nationals three years in a row, and Doberman Pinscher Club of America Top Twenty for three years. She has earned both the CATCH and the MACH, the highest agility titles in CPE and AKC.

Kim’s goal is to teach advanced handling skills and problem-solving for those who would like to compete in agility. Her focus will be on teaching motivation, drive and jumping skills. She believes that teaching dogs agility skills gives them confidence to compete in any dog sport venue.

Kim has been an active member of the Grand Rapids Agility Club since 1998, and has also taught 4-H agility. 

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Jennifer Crawford

Jennifer has been a dog lover since she was very young and recently is actively involved in raising and training assistance dogs with Nationally recognized Pet Assistance Organizations since 1999. In 2001, when one of her Labradors (Astro) didn’t 'make' the assistance dog program, he still needed a job so they started learning FLYBALL. Astro holds a Flyball Grand Champion 40,000 title with the North American Flyball Association (NAFA). Astro is also ranked in the top 15 nationally out of over 1,000 Labrador Retrievers within NAFA! Besides playing flyball with her dogs, Jennifer dedicates her time to working with assistance dogs along with volunteering with her own dogs in therapy work. Her youngest lab, Farley also loves to do dock jumping in his spare time.

Flyball is a high action dog sport that dogs of all breeds and/or mixed breeds can enjoy.  

Click here for a flyball demo!

Please feel free to contact Liz: liz@pawsitivecaninetraining.com or Jennifer: jjlabpaws@yahoo.com if you have any questions or are interested in trying flyball. 

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Laura Partridge-Riccobono

Laura has been training dogs since 1986. She has earned titles in both Obedience (Utility Dog Title) and Agility as well as earning CGC's, a Therapy Dog Certification and Temperment Test Certification. Laura trained Assistance Dogs professionally for eight years and is a Certified Assistance Dog Trainer. She has handled dogs in confirmation and has taught various dog training classes since the early 1990's. Laura loves clicker training, "I love to see the light bulb go on in a dog, it's a great feeling for both the trainer and the dog."

 
Laura with Savvy (Brittany) and Gracie (Lab)

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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.

Kirstin and Alia (St. Alia of the Knife CD RE CGC TT)

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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:  

Jake, Macy, and Justin