Pawsitive Marks
Dog Training & Home Boarding
THE PERSON BEHIND PAWSITIVE MARKS
This is my favorite way to introduce myself.
Before the certifications, the experience, and the résumé, this is who I am—a trainer who believes learning should be fun for dogs and the people who love them.
Why I do this
There’s something magical about sharing your life with a dog.
Maybe it’s thousands of years of living alongside each other. Maybe it’s the way they celebrate when you walk through the door, make you laugh on your hardest days, or quietly sit beside you when you need them most. Whatever it is, dogs have an incredible way of becoming part of our lives and our families.
When that relationship feels effortless, it’s one of life’s greatest joys.
When it doesn’t—when walks become stressful, guests are overwhelming, or you’re wondering if you’re doing something wrong—it can be exhausting. I’ve been there with my own dogs, and I’ve helped hundreds of families through it.
That’s why I do what I do.
Not because I love teaching dogs to sit, but because I love watching people rediscover the joy of living with them.
To me, training isn’t about creating a perfectly obedient dog. It’s about helping you understand each other, solve problems together, and build a relationship that makes everyday life easier, calmer, and a whole lot more fun.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what matters most.
Hi, I’m Sam HaeussneR
I’m a certified professional dog trainer, lifelong learner, and the owner of Pawsitive Marks. I’ve been helping people build better lives with their dogs since 2006.
A continuing education event I organized at the Oregon Zoo with a handful of my fellow Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partners. I’m the one standing on the far left in the gray shirt.
My Journey
Dogs have always been a part of my story
I grew up in a family that loved dogs. We didn’t have a lot, but we always had them, and they were woven into everyday life. My dad and I spent countless hours outside with our English Springer Spaniels, inventing games, practicing tricks, exploring together, and simply enjoying each other’s company.
Looking back, those dogs taught me something long before I knew there was a career called dog training: the best relationships aren’t built through control—they’re built through understanding.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
In 2006, at just 18 years old, I became a dog trainer at PetSmart in Colorado Springs.
It was an incredible place to begin. I was fortunate to work alongside an experienced head trainer who pushed me to keep learning while giving me opportunities to teach everything from puppy classes to advanced manners. During those first two years I worked with more than 300 dogs, discovering that every family—and every dog—needed something a little different.
That experience sparked a lifelong passion for learning.
I realized Learning is never over
The more dogs I worked with, the more I realized how much I didn’t know.
That curiosity led me to pursue some of the most respected education in the profession, including becoming a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP), a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA), and later graduating from the Academy for Dog Trainers. Along the way I completed additional education in behavior, learning science, and aggression while remaining active in professional organizations that hold members to science-based, ethical standards.
I still attend conferences, workshops, and continuing education whenever I can because our understanding of animal behavior continues to evolve—and I believe my clients deserve advice that evolves with it.
I’ve been fortunate to see dog training from many angles
Over the years I’ve worked in pet retail, private training, animal behavior education, and pet technology.
One of the highlights of my career was working for Karen Pryor Academy, where I helped organize continuing education events for trainers around the world—including the Oregon Zoo event pictured here. Later, at Companion Labs, I worked on training protocols and behavior-based technology that gave me a unique perspective on how dogs learn.
Each experience taught me something different, but they all reinforced the same belief:
Great dog training isn’t about controlling dogs.
It’s about helping people understand them.
Today
Today, I’m proud to bring everything I’ve learned back home to Southwest Colorado.
Whether we’re working with a brand-new puppy, loose leash walking, or complex behavior challenges, my goal is the same as it was when I started:
Every family is different. Every dog is different. But my goal is always the same:
Help people enjoy life with their dogs.
Life Outside Training
When I’m not working with clients, you’ll usually find me hiking with my dogs, baking sourdough, tending to my goats and chickens, or teaching my own animals silly tricks just because it’s fun. My home is full of animals, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Training dogs professionally since 2006.
Professional Certifications
Animal behavior is an evolving science, and I believe my clients deserve advice grounded in the latest evidence and best practices. That’s why I continue investing in advanced education throughout my career.
Karen Pryor Academy
Karen Pryor Academy - Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP)
Graduated with honors from one of the world’s most respected positive reinforcement trainer academies.
Certification Counsel for Professional Dog Trainers
Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
The only national independent certification requiring documented experience and a comprehensive examination.
Academy for Dog Trainers
Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC)
Graduated with honors in this advanced two-year program focused on behavior, learning science, aggression, and practical behavior consulting.
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