My name is Elizabeth Faubion, and I’ve been professionally training animals since 2010. My lifelong passion for animal behavior began long before Stay Positive Animal Training was founded, on a small hobby farm where I was raised caring for everything from farm dogs and barn cats to goats, cows, pigs, and rabbits. Growing up in 4-H and FFA, I learned the value of consistency, patience, and observation. By my teens, I had built and managed a successful show goat breeding program, unknowingly laying the foundation for a career dedicated to animal care and communication.

At age 11, a stray Border Collie mix named Lucky changed my life. In our first obedience class that my parents enrolled us in, I quickly realized that the traditional, compulsive methods of the time didn’t sit right with me. With a pocket full of treats I discovered the joy and effectiveness of reward-based training.

 

At 15, bought my first horse: an untrained and pregnant Arabian mare, guided her through foaling, and raised her filly using gentle, relationship-based methods. When my first horse later went blind, I learned to communicate through touch and positive reinforcement; an experience that led me to clicker training and forever shaped my journey.

My professional journey began in college when my working-line Border Collie with explosive reactivity inspired me to study learning theory and behavior modification. Through patience and clear communication, he became a certified therapy dog. Soon after, referrals began pouring in from other pet professionals, launching what would become Stay Positive Animal Training, now celebrating nearly 16 years of helping animals and their people thrive.

Professional Experience & Qualifications

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• CPDT-KA Certified Professional Dog Trainer (2013–2020)

• Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI)

• AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator

• Registered Therapy Animal Handler with Pet Partners – handled three certified therapy dogs, including one earning a Complex (perfect score) evaluation, and one certified therapy fancy rat

• Trainer & Behavior Consultant for Municipal Animal Control – specializing in behavior modification, enrichment, and rehabilitation for fearful and reactive dogs

• Pet Adoption Counselor at Animal Control – assisting with temperament evaluations, matchmaking, and adoption success

• Veterinary Technician Experience across multiple settings:

  • Large and small animal general practice

  • Emergency and critical care clinic

  • High-volume spay/neuter facility

  • Vaccine and wellness pop-up clinics

• Attended the Art and Science of Animal Training Conference (2018)

• Student of Next Level K9 Texas, handling both an explosives detection dog and a narcotics detection dog

• Trainer of Multiple Species Since 2010 – including dogs, cats, horses, birds, reptiles, and mini pigs

• Experienced Horse Trainer – successfully trained and trail-rode a blind horse using trust-based communication

• Owner, Trainer, and Wrangler of Two Cats featured in Cartoon Network’s “Cat-Toon” Production (2021)

• Owner and Trainer of Chewy.com Canine and Feline Models, with several client dogs also selected as Chewy.com models

• Sport Competitor in:

  • PSA (Protection Sports Association)

  • AKC Obedience

  • AKC Rally

  • Canine Freestyle Dance

  • Agility

  • Disc

  • Nosework and AKC Scent Work

• Service Dog Training Experience – task training and public access preparation

• STSK9 MVP Program Student

• Consultant for Dog Breeders – guiding programs in implementing Puppy Culture protocols

• Active Breeder of Belgian Malinois – focused on balanced temperament, structure, and sport ability

My Mission

At Stay Positive Animal Training, my goal is simple: to help owners understand their dogs, build strong communication, and achieve lasting results through respect, structure, and motivation. My approach blends science, empathy, and experience across species, grounded in positive reinforcement and strengthened by a balanced, real-world understanding of behavior.

Whether you’re raising a puppy, tackling reactivity, or preparing for sport or working goals, I’m here to help you unlock your dog’s potential and enjoy the incredible teamwork that comes from mutual trust and understanding.