Jenn Gavin, CPDT-KA, FPPE, has always known that she wanted to work with dogs. After all, she's been training and rehoming them in various capacities for over 30 years.
But after growing up in Midland and attending Hope College, Gavin worked first as a paralegal before ultimately pursuing her true passion—a decision sparked by wanting more flexibility to care for her children and the desire to help owners and their pets with challenging behaviors.
In 2014, Gavin's dream came to life upon founding A Pleasant Dog in Grand Rapids, where she's owner and head trainer. It's here that Gavin and her team of trained experts welcome the community through virtual and in-person offerings including your puppy's first kindergarten class, camps, advanced agility training, fun canine freestyle dance classes, fear-free grooming, and behavior consulting for dogs, cats and horses. It's an endeavor that has only continued to grow over the years, both in client base and with a move to a larger facility.
"The first dog I had as an adult was reactive to other dogs and humans, and when I went looking for help, I couldn't find anybody to help," Gavin recalled, noting the loneliness that accompanied that experience. "Many people who have reactive dogs feel unsupported, so a big part of our mission at A Pleasant Dog is to ensure that people who have dogs with these kinds of reactive or fearfully aggressive behaviors have the important ability to manage their dogs safely and to feel supported in their training."
Gavin herself has become an expert helping dogs with anxiety and aggression, so much so that she's developed an internationally renowned method for treating separation anxiety and associated disorders which has been the subject of several scholarly studies. She's also presented her research at international conferences including the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists' annual Veterinary Behavior Symposium, authored a book on the subject, and is an animal behavior resource for training and veterinary partners in West Michigan and beyond.
"This is kind of a dream facility, and we're actually visited by trainers, veterinarians and veterinary behaviorists from all over the world," Gavin shared. "We see some of the toughest behaviors in our state, and we are the number one facility West Michigan veterinarians refer to for training and behavior. I'm very proud of that and feel so honored."
Gavin is passionate about sharing how important it is that when working with animals even with aggressive or reactive behaviors, that long outdated approaches and methods (including dominance theory, physical and verbal correction, choke collars and electric fences) aren't accepted as effective, and that science-backed positive reinforcement should be the norm instead.
"Our industry is completely unregulated. You need a license to prepare food for people, to cut hair. You don't need a license to tell people how to manage dogs, who are animals with steak knives in their mouths," Gavin said, adding that it isn't a question of differing opinions when it comes to appropriate training methods. "The science has been decided and proven time and time again that positive reinforcement is the only humane way to train animals. It's why we use it with zoo and marine mammals, and even companion animals and humans. But there's so much confusion in our industry, and pet guardians are really at a loss to know who to turn to and who to believe."
The confusion often extends to veterinary partners, groomers and other industry trainers, as well—something Gavin is chipping away at helping to change.
"I am so fortunate to be surrounded by an incredible team of trainers, behavior consultants, and groomers, and the staff that supports us," Gavin shared. "Since having this [Knapp St] building in particular, we've really been very successful in building a community of dogs who started out as reactive—and may always have some big feelings about other dogs or people—but who have been able, through practice, to work toward being in carefully managed social environments, and that has been huge for the quality of life of so many people and their dogs."
One of the greatest lessons Gavin has garnered in her journey so far? There's still so much to learn.
"I have a good and thorough knowledge of the topics that I know, but there's so much more to be discovered and understood," Gavin said. "That's why we keep our skills sharp, do continuing education, and require certifications of our trainers and staff."
Gavin is especially proud that her facility is among the few in the country which practices in close conjunction with a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Dr. Jill Sackman, DACVB, DACVS), helping assist owners whose dog's behavior stems from a mental health issue and beyond simple disobedience.
"It's funny to think about when I started this little solo business out of my home, and was thinking, 'If I could just see three or four cases a week, that would be great,' and all of a sudden, you have behaviorists and trainers coming from Australia, Italy and all over the U.S. to shadow and learn from you," Gavin shared. "I feel like almost every day is a 'pinch me' moment; it's just incredible to be able to do a job that I love so much that also has such a significant and positive impact on not only people and their pets, but the community around them. It's really a dream come true."
Looking to the future, Gavin is far from slowing down.
"My hope for A Pleasant Dog is that we can continue to provide this high standard of training, behavior consulting, and grooming in our community and beyond for as long as possible," she said. "And, especially in this day and age, I'm hopeful we can continue to foster a spirit of community instead of competition in the animal care industry in West Michigan."
Gavin, who describes herself as extremely shy and is a self-diagnosed autistic person, loves spending time on Lake Michigan's sandy shorelines with her husband and two boys, is an avid historic preservationist, and enjoys reading, gardening, traveling to national parks and training her own two dogs, Primrose and Laddie.
"The number one thing I want people to know: There is help for dogs, cats, and horses who fight, bite or panic. They do not have to suffer in silence." – Jenn Gavin
- A Pleasant Dog | apleasantdog.com
- "Pleasantly Independent: A Handbook for Separation Anxiety in Dogs" by Jenn Gavin | etsy.com/shop/APleasantDog
Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for West Michigan Woman.
This article originally appeared in the Apr/May '25 issue of West Michigan Woman.
Photo courtesy of Kelly Braman Photography.
