Meet our team of trainers Stacey Kroner, CPDT Certified Pet Dog Trainer Owner     Stacey Kroner founded Positive Paws Dog Training, Inc. in January of 2001. Stacey is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) and an active member in the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Organization. With her bachelors degree in Business Administration, Stacey is able to use her problem solving skills to effectively open communication between the owner and their dog. Stacey recently graduated from Purdue University’s 2003 DOGS Program titled Principle and Techniques of Behavior Modification. She also received her Obedience and Behavior Modification Instructor title from Animal Behavior University (ABU). Tina Murack, CPDT Certified Pet Dog Trainer Manager Tina came to us from Brookfield Zoo where she was a zookeeper and trainer for 3.5 years. While at the zoo, she worked with over 75 species of animals including primates, domestics and reptiles. With her Bachelors in Psychology she brings a strong understanding of the principles of learning and the human-animal bond to the team. As PPDT manager, Tina understands that you have the choice between many training companies and wants you to feel comfortable with choosing ours. "I guarantee you will receive reward based training with experienced family pet dog trainers, methods that set your dog up for success and service that is customized to your needs". "Training is a very natural profession for me. It gives me the ability to demonstrate the potential that every animal has when given proper instruction. It also combines my love of animals with my belief in creating a lasting relationship between people and their pets. It is such a unique and rewarding experience to become a part of someone's family each week and share in their journey of owning a dog." Sheryl Edelman     Sheryl has been working with Camp Dogwood since 2001 allowing her to be involved with a wide variety of dogs in an intimate and relaxed atmosphere, to learn and observe a range of dog training techniques and to have fun camping outside with her own two dogs, Kiya – a Siberian Husky and Cheyenne – a rescued Shepard Mix. Sheryl joins our dog training team with a great respect and love for animals. Sheryl has many years of diverse work experience since graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Human Development and Family Life. Currently attending Harper College, Sheryl is also pursuing a Sign Language Interpreting Certificate, with hopes to merge her skills in ASL and dog training to allow more accessibility to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Population. Sheryl incorporates her experience and knowledge of human behavior, development, and language into the principles she applies to dog training. Sheryl’s open mindedness, positive attitude, and passion for dogs enables her to guide others in achieving personal goals related to creating a strong human – dog relationship and a well-trained dog. "All of my life I have been drawn to animals, especially dogs. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to work one-on-one with dogs and their human companions. My goal is to help people persevere through training challenges and come to recognize that the human – dog relationship is unique and unlike any other." Sheryl's training market: Evanston, Norridge, Mount Prospect, Edison Park, Lincolnwood, Skokie, Niles, Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Harwood Heights, Edgebrook, Sauganash, Morton Grove, Golf and Glenview. Lynn "Tracy"     My passion for all creatures, great and small, began when I was very young. To me, there is no greater bond than that between you and your pet. The time we devote to training our pets is a small price to pay for the unconditional love and respect that they reward us with during the course of their lifetime. Just as we teach children manners, training helps build trust and affection between our dogs and us. A well-mannered dog can accompany us on walks, in the car, to the park, on workouts, and sometimes even to our jobs. It is my goal to see that your canine companion is given every opportunity to become a trusted member of your family. Over the past 33 years, I've been lucky enough to share my life with 12 canine companions, all of who were special in their own delightful way. I trained each dog slightly differently; depending on my lifestyle at the time. In the 70's, after taking my first Boxer through training at the local kennel club, I was encouraged to compete in obedience trials, where I did very well. I was instantly hooked, and earned obedience titles with three of my Boxers. My breeder started referring customers to me for training of their pups or dogs that were boarded with him. That was my start at private, in-home training, and I loved every minute of it! Tracy's training market: Wilmette, Kenilworth, Northfield, Northbrook, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Highland Park, Lake Forest and Racine WI. Abe Mashal     Abe achieved certification and years of hands on experience with dog training while serving as a Marine on active duty. Using those skills as well as his Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Abe incorporates reward based training techniques that enable the dog owner and family to have a successful, respectful relationship with their dog. Abe currently has 2 German Shepherd dogs named Max and Achilles. Max is a certified K-9 that Abe worked with while in the Marines and decided to bring back with him to be a member of his family. "Dog training is a personal passion of mine. A well trained and properly socialized dog can be a great fortune in someone's life or family. When a dog is trained and socialized correctly it can positively change the whole atmosphere of a family or home. My goal is to create that fortune." Abe's training market: Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Addison, Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Carol Stream, Wheaton, St. Charles, Geneva, Downers Grove, Woodridge, Bolingbrook, Naperville, Aurora, Lisle, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Darien. Jennie Kang     Jennie comes to Positive Paws with a long history of dog-related experience. She has worked in a kennel, humane society, and veterinary clinic. She graduated with honors from the University of Illinois with a degree in Animal Sciences. She intended to continue to veterinary school, but a certain chain of events abruptly changed her mind. During Jennie's senior year, she observed firsthand many frustrated owners threatening to relinquish their "misbehaving pets." She wondered why there wasn't more veterinary emphasis on behavior, and decided to help owners through training. Without knowing where to start, Jennie talked to her favorite Animal Science department professor, Linda Case. Luckily, Linda Case was the owner and head trainer of AutumnGold Dog Training Center and she invited Jennie to intern there. Jennie was amazed at the transformation that positive training did, and decided right then to become a trainer instead. After a year at AutumnGold, Jennie interned at Narnia Pet Behavior Center. She also worked with Pam Waason, a behavioral consultant in the Urbana-Champaign area. Here she worked with problem-behavior dogs. Jennie also completed a weeklong intensive course abroad in Denmark under Roger Abrantes. Roger Abrantes founded and teaches at the Ethology Institute in Denmark. Currently Jennie lives with and loves to train her own rescue dogs, Nicki and Kit. Jennie's training market: Cary, Lake Zurich, Algonquin, Barrington, Carpentersville, Inverness, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Hoffman Estates, Elgin, Steamwood, Hanover Park, Schaumburg, Bartlett, Roselle, Vernon Hills, Mundelein, Libertyville, Long Grove, Kildeer, and Hawthorn Woods.