Meet Our Instructors
Our instructors are an integral part of our organization, keeping our classes fun and friendly, staying true to the values that make Kruisin’ Kanines so special. The majority of our highly skilled instructors have been Kruisin’ members for many years. We are also fortunate to have a number of guest instructors join our team. With incredible skill, technical precision, and a light-hearted atmosphere, our team of Kruisin' instructors bring national and international competitive experience and world-class training to our club in the heart of New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
JEFF ABEL -- Over the course of 20+ years as an agility instructor, Jeff has worked with a wide range of dog and handler teams from beginners though accomplished international competitors. He recognizes that each team learns at their own unique pace regardless of the class level. Jeff's cornerstone for teaching is detail and consistency, resulting in teams with better confidence and understanding. He often pushes students beyond their comfort zone to help expand their limits and redefine their own personal goals. Jeff is able to improve team communication while reinforcing speed - all while centering their experience on fun and laughter. From teams just entering their first agility competition, to teams in the Excellent or Masters classes, or those focusing on improving their international handling abilities, Jeff skillfully uses a myriad of tools learned from top national and international instructors to help his students achieve their personal best.
Jeff has owned dogs that include the historic 5-time AKC Invitational MACH 2 and USDAA Master Agility Dog Tipo (Spanish Water Dog); MACH and USDAA ADCH Snafu (Border Collie), a semi-finalist at the 2015 USDAA Cynosport World Games. Both dogs have had many impressive rankings and wins and are multiple AKC Nationals qualifiers. His competitive partner AKC MX, MXJ and USDAA MAD Fray has competed at the AWC International Tryouts and the AKC European Open Tryouts with impressive showings. In 2019, Fray was a UKI National Championship Finalist. Jeff is also competing with his young Border Collie Hookah. |
JEANIE BURTON -- Jeanie began her agility journey at Kruisin' Kanines over 20 years ago with a Rhodesian Ridgeback and a rescued Pit Bull mix. Since then Jeanie has gone on to be an instructor for a variety of agility classes and is the Kruisin' Kanines Training Director. She shares a wealth of knowledge learned over the years from national and international instructors. One of her interests is the early shaping of subtle behaviors so they mature into fast dependable habits. She is also interested in fast and reliable obstacle performances and international handling. And while her calm demeanor might belie her competitive spirit, she is a master at creating drive while maintaining focus. A self-described "student of the game," her own students welcome her creativity and dedication to excellence that helps them succeed in the sport.
Jeanie has a soft spot for rescues. She has worked with and through a variety of rescue behaviors. She works to modify and reshape them in an effort to achieve confidence, enthusiasm, and ultimately build successful teams. Jeanie's MACH4 ADCH River, a rescued Border Collie, qualified for AKC Nationals annually since the age of two. River and Jeanie made the finals at AKC Nationals in 2014 and placed an impressive 5th in the 24" class. River and Jeanie were the AKC National preferred winners in 2022. Her young Border Collie WiFi had a tremendous agility career earning his MACH, among other impressive achievements. Jeanie currently competes with her Border Collies Switch and Edison. In 2023, Switch and Jeanie were AKC National finalists and represented Team USA at the World Agility Open Championships. In 2024, Jeanie and Edison were named to the first Senior Open Agility World Championship team, representing Team USA. |