A Little Bit About Who We Are
Animal lovers at heart, we have been serving the Denver, Metro area since 2007. The trainers and animal behaviorists at Polite Paws have had years of experience beyond that. We hold certifications through the American Kennel Club, the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and Pet Sitters International. Nothing though, compares to the years of experience we have.
Each individual family is a learning experience. We have worked with your average families and cute puppies to dogs on death row. We have experience working with Therapy, Service and Alert dogs and are now venturing into the world of Prescription Dogs. Dogs who are available to people who have extreme anxieties and phobias. The learning and growth at Polite Paws never stops and we strive to use the best methods available for our clients.
We use a variety of techniques to determine what will suit you and your dogs needs the best. This could mean clicker training for some, correction collars for others. Or just plain hand signals and commands. Our methods are however, positive reinforcement based. Positive reinforcement makes the training fun for both human and dog.
Since we are certified evaluators for the American Kennel Club to do Canine Good Citizen testing, we provide that service to our clients who are interested. We also offer pet sitting at great rates.
Polite Paws also has two sister companies! A rescue organization, Polite Paws Rescues, and a Pet Waste Removal company, Polite Paws Pet Waste Removal. Please visit the contact page for information.
*Polite Paws also has a certified vet tech available for routine care and pet sitting for special needs pets. Please contact us for more details.*
Trainers
Alisha Smith
The face of Polite Paws, Alisha got her start working as a nurse at a veterinary hospital, and soon realized that her true calling was in animal behavior and training. She then worked as a trainer teaching group classes for over 6 years before starting up Polite Paws. She is very involved with animal rescues, and has volunteered at local shelters for several years. Alisha does most of her volunteering through fostering shelter dogs and cats and helping to rehome them. She is constantly connected with dogs that need their forever homes, so if you happen to be looking to add a member to your family, contact her! Her ultimate goal is to open her own an animal rehabilitation center to work with a variety of dogs, especially aggressive and “unadoptable” dogs, so she can rehabilitate them into adoptable family pets.
Alisha has extensive experience and knowledge about canine behavior, and has worked with alert dogs, therapy dogs, and prescription dogs as well. She is comfortable with both dog and cat behavioral issues, and has added cat training to her resume! Alisha is certified through the AKC, the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and Pet Sitters International. As a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, Alisha has had many Canine Good Citizen graduates, one of which was published in the Denver Post.
Alisha teaches group training classes at Clement Park in Littleton, and also offers in-home private training, the board and train program, and pet-sitting. She also runs the Polite Paws Pet Waste Removal Company.
Stefanie Rolston
Stefanie has been working with animals, and specializing in dogs, for the past 6 years. Her experience has taken her from veterinary clinics to grooming, but she has found her passion in animal behavior and training. For the past 3 years, she has been thoroughly involved in animal adoptions, and her ultimate goal is a community where dogs live happily and stay in their forever homes. The key to a long and happy co-existence between canine and owner is communication between the species and a well-balanced, positively-trained dog. Stefanie’s passions lie in helping owners and canines reach this balance! Her dream is to help rehabilitate dogs deemed "unadoptable" in shelters so they too can find their forever homes, so someday euthanasia doesn't have to be an option.
Stefanie is certified through the AKC, and has several Canine Good Citizen graduates under her belt! In addition to her interests as a trainer, she has extensive knowledge of canine nutrition and handling skills. Because of her involvement with local shelters and rescue groups, adoptions continue to be a big part of her life. She is currently hosting seminars on topics relating to nutrition and handling, and she offers services for families looking to adopt a dog. Feel free to contact her with any questions!
Stefanie teaches group training classes at Sloans Lake in Denver, and offers in-home private training as well. She lives with her Chinese Sharpei mix, Bud, and her neurologically-challenged rescued hamster, Tilt.
Pet Sitters
Amanda Johnson
Amanda is a Certified Veterinary Technician. She provides pet sitting services for pets with special needs and medical needs.
If you have questions regarding these services, please contact us.
Genevieve Klermund
Jenny has experience in pet sitting not only dogs and cats, but small animals and exotics as well. She has helped overcrowded rescues in the Denver area by fostering and caring for pregnant cats and their litters. Jenny lives in Littleton with 3 dogs, 3 cats, 1 parrot, and fish! Her services include the entire Metro Denver area. If you have any questions regarding her services, you can reach her directly at 303-241-7663.
