Meet Our Trainers
Kimberly Gracner, Owner and Professional Dog Trainer
Kimberly’s interest with dogs began at an early age. As well as training her own dogs, she reached out to assist friends and family members’ dogs. Kim began volunteering and participating with different organizations to help dogs in need.
At this point in her life, Kim was working in the counseling field helping individuals. After her experiences with educating and improving dogs’ behaviors, she realized that she wanted to be an integral part in saving dogs’ lives. She believed that many dogs’ behaviors could be enriched through training and behavior modification. Kim made a commitment to be a part of this change.
In 2006, Kim created Positive Paws Pet Training to benefit and enhance the lives of dogs and their owners. By offering training and behavioral programs, the needs and goals for all dogs would be achieved. Kim believes that it is important to educate owners on scientifically studied positive techniques. These methods have been shown to produce the most effective results for learning. Therefore, Positive Paws Pet Training only uses these positive techniques. Not only do these methods produce the most effective learning, they also create an environment where both dogs and owners enjoy the training process.
Kim continues to practice these techniques daily in her classes. She continues to expand her knowledge by participating in seminars and workshops with renowned professionals and behaviorists. Presently, Kim shares her life with her husband Kenny and her 14 year old golden retriever, Baxter.
“My goal is to help individuals and their pets to better understand each other through more compassionate training methods. Better communication can teach dogs more positive behaviors and reduce the number of pets unnecessarily relinquished to shelters.”
Kimberly Gracner
Qualifications:
Specializes in teaching Behavioral programs for anxiety and aggression
Completed the Companion Animal Behavioral Counseling Program, 2004, and the Companion Animal Behavioral Counseling Canine Behavior Practicum, 2005, with the American Institute for Animal Science.
Certified Canine Behavioral Counselor through the Association of Companion Animal Behavior Counselors
Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers
Member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers
Certified Canine Good Citizen evaluator
Kindle ebook on Amazon: Positive Paws Puppy Training; Positive Methods: Motivate Your Puppy to Learn
Masters degree in Professional Counseling
Sue Canada, Professional Dog Trainer
Sue’s interest in animals began at a very early age. She has taken family dogs to training classes, and then trained new pets on her own. She found she had a skill for it and has helped many friends with training solutions for their pets. Sue owned horses for many years and assisted a breeder/trainer with training young horses. She began volunteering at animal rescues in 2009 gaining experience training and handling dogs, cats, and horses. Sue attended many seminars on handling, training and understanding animal body language.
Sue’s desire to become a professional dog trainer began while volunteering at animal shelters. Realizing that shelter populations could be reduced by helping pets and owners stay together, Sue began learning methods that improve communication and deepen the bond with our pets. Presently, she is attending Dr. Ian Dunbar’s Top Dog Academy.
Sue is committed to providing the most effective, humane and science based training solutions to her clients and their dogs. She eagerly pursues ongoing education and professional development by staying current on industry literature and attending seminars.
Sue joined Positive Paws Pet Training in January 2019. “I am thrilled to be making a difference in the lives of dogs and their families!”
Qualifications:
Specializes in teaching Puppy, Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Programs
Member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers