Our Experienced Dog Training Class Instructors

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Nancy Hibiske Reed left the corporate world in 2014 to focus on training dogs and riding horses.

Her current dogs include Hondo E. Lane (Dutch shepherd), Reiker Lee (white German shepherd dog), and Rin Tin Tins Independence (aka Rocky) (white German shepherd dog).

Nancy’s philosophy is that all training should enhance your relationship with your dog. Her dogs have earned multiple titles in Nosework (UKC, NACSW, C-WAGs), Tracking (AKC, SDA), Agility (UKC, AKC, CPE), Freestyle (WCFO), Weight Pull (UKC, IWPA), and Therapy Dog (TDI). She also enjoys dog sledding, bikejoring, hiking, and camping with her dogs.

Nancy and her dogs are members of the Rockin’ Rovers, a west Michigan canine performance troupe that performs freestyle (dancing with dogs to music) routines for canine events, nursing homes, non-profits, and parades. She is a founding member and committee chair for the annual Frosty Dog Follies, a freestyle competition put on by the Rockin’ Rovers. 

She also enjoys collecting German shepherd dog memorabilia, especially anything Rin Tin Tin, and has a special affinity for Quonset huts. 

I became interested in dog training quite by accident while taking a basic pet obedience class. The year was 1980, and my first dog was a quiet-natured, rough collie. One of our classmates was a rambunctious chocolate Labrador Retriever, and the seed for my next dog was planted.

Several years later, I acquired my first chocolate lab and have never looked back. And, YES, my dog must be chocolate!

My current dog competes in three registries in Obedience and Rally Obedience's canine sports and has earned advanced titles in all. We have begun and enjoyed a fairly new area of competition called Nosework.

Lots of fun! Even though I have taught various classes for KDTC, I continue to learn by being a student myself. Teaching is rewarding because both the owners and their dogs can make positive progress. This is wonderful to see! My 35 years as a public school educator provided me with plenty of instructional experience.

My involvement in dog obedience and rally obedience has extended into judging 4H kids and dogs at local county fairs for many years. It's great to see these young people learning, training and competing. EXCELLENT. 

The husband and wife team, Karen and Steve Stahr have been active members of KDTC and Class Instructors since 1993, when they got their first Golden Retriever puppy, Hobi. Steve was President of KDTC for 4 years, and Karen has served in various Board roles, from Vice President to Board member. Karen has been one of KDTC’s Puppy instructors for 15+ years and also has taught Beginning and Competitive Fundamentals. Steve has been one of KDTC’s regular Beginning instructors for 20 years and also has taught Advanced Beginning. Both Karen and Steve also have been active on several committees and have been supporters of the Kalamazoo Humane Society Annual Dog Walk. In addition to teaching our pet classes, Karen also actively trains and competes in obedience trials with their Gold Retriever, Riggs. Their family includes 10 yr old Breeze, who has retired from obedience competition, and Mertah, a rescue. She has completed both AKC and UKC, earning CD titles on five dogs and one CDX, and has had several first placements and one High in Trial.

Outside of KDTC, Karen is a busy insurance agent for a local independent agency in Kalamazoo. She also enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her dogs. Steve is a local jewelry store owner and specializes in jewelry repair and sales, as well as does commercial and residential painting. He enjoys golfing, traveling, and hanging out on their property with their dogs. 

I became interested in dog training when a friend referred my new Labrador puppy and me to a local trainer. At the time, I wasn't aware of dog sports, and it didn't take long for me to get the bug. I love AKC and UKC Competitive Obedience and Hunt Tests. Dog Sport forms a bond like no other between the dog and its owner.

I have been teaching Competitive Obedience classes for the club for the past several years. I also am the owner/trainer of Michigan Dog Center, where KDTC holds it, classes.

I am currently training and competing with Sammy, my black Labrador. Sammy is an AKC and UKC Obedience Trial Champion (OTCh). I also train my newest girl, Juiced a Golden Retriever for both Competitive Obedience and Field Training.

I've been involved with training dogs for over 50 years.  I've trained and handled dogs to titles in Conformation, Tracking, Agility, Rally, Scentwork and FASTCAT.  I was honored to own, train and handle the first Yorkie in breed history to earn a TDX tracking title.  My Toy Fox Terrier, Alexx, is the first of his breed to earn an AKC Scentwork Title.

I've been an AKC and UKC licensed Rally and Scent/Nose Work judge since the beginning of those programs.  I'm also an AKC CGC and UKC SPOT Evaluator and teach those classes at KDTC.  Over the years, I've given a number of seminars and demonstrations on Tracking, Rally and Scent/Nose Work.

I've worked with numerous breeds and use positive motivation teaching techniques.  My students tell me that my classes are fun and upbeat.

I currently have two Toy Fox Terriers, Elliott and Alexx, who are breed conformation Champions and compete in Companion and Performance events in both AKC and UKC.