We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Faubion and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My journey to starting Stay Positive Animal Training began with a personal challenge. My dog, Jake, a brilliant border collie, struggled with severe dog aggression. I tried various traditional training methods suggested to me by local trainers, but they didn’t align with my vision of how I wanted to help him. That experience sparked a desire to dive into positive reinforcement techniques. As a seeker of knowledge, I consumed information from a wide variety of sources and learned as much as I possibly could.

Jake’s transformation was remarkable; he went from being aggressive to becoming a therapy dog. His journey inspired me to want to help other pet owners who were struggling like I had, and show them that there is a kinder, more effective way to train their dogs. I wanted to make training a fun, enjoyable experience, both for the pets and their owners.

Starting my own business gave me the opportunity to pursue my dream of helping people and their dogs using my own unique approach. Positive reinforcement isn’t just about fixing behavior; it’s about building trust and creating a lifelong partnership. Through Stay Positive Animal Training, I aim to support people in achieving that with their pets.

What should our readers know about your business?
What sets me apart from others is my commitment to working with individuals and their dogs one-on-one, focusing not just on obedience, but on teaching humans how to truly understand their dog’s emotions, motivations, and desires. My approach is emotions-led, meaning I don’t just “fix” behaviors—I ensure that the dog is in a mentally healthy state throughout the process. I believe that sustainable change happens when both the human and the dog build a cooperative, trusting relationship. That’s what makes my training different. I’m not simply teaching skills; I’m helping people develop a deeper understanding and connection with their pets.

It wasn’t an easy journey to get here. In the beginning, I modeled my services after what other trainers were doing, but quickly realized that their methods didn’t align with my unique approach. I tried running group classes and offering board-and-train services, but these didn’t allow for the individualized attention I knew was critical for success. Group classes didn’t let me customize lessons for each dog, and boarding dogs without their owners meant missing out on building that essential human-dog relationship. Through trial and error, I found my true niche—offering one-on-one programs where I could focus on creating meaningful progress for each individual dog and their owner.

I’ve also learned that I’m not the trainer for everyone, and that’s perfectly fine. I’m the trainer for people who want to build a trusting, understanding relationship with their pets through positive reinforcement techniques. My clients are the ones who are ready to put in the work, learn, and achieve long-term success with their dogs.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way is that success comes from staying true to yourself and your values. In the early stages, it’s easy to follow the paths others have taken, but I realized that my passion lay in individualized, relationship-based training. That’s when everything started to fall into place—when I embraced my unique approach and stayed committed to it.

What I want the world to know about me and my business is that Stay Positive Animal Training is about more than just obedience—it’s about creating a deep, lasting bond between humans and animals. I’m here to help people understand their pets on a deeper level, so they can thrive together in a relationship built on trust, understanding, and joy.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is an easy one- Denton Square is my absolute favorite spot! From the restaurants and shops to the bars and nightlife. My favorite thing to do on the Square is bring a blanket and sit out on the lawn. This is where I get most of my computer work done. I also love hanging out and meeting new people at the Kava Bar, which is an alcohol-free bar that allows pets inside. The pet-friendly community on Denton Square is another reason why it’s my favorite spot.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a heartfelt shout out to my mom and dad, who have been my biggest supporters from day one. Without their unwavering encouragement, I wouldn’t have had the courage or perseverance to start Stay Positive Animal Training. Starting a business from scratch training people’s dogs is not a usual career choice, and without their support and belief in me, I may have given up long ago.

Website: https://www.staypositiveanimaltraining.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staypositivetraining

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StayPositiveTraining

Image Credits
Allyssa Graafsma

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