Shannan Hall-Nutting, BS, ABCDT      Owner/Lead Instructor

 Shannan and her husband, Jason, founded Finish Forward Dogs, Inc. in December of 2009. Shannan is a Certified Dog Trainer, CGC/STAR Puppy Evaluator, APDT Rally-Obedience Representative and graduate of The University of New England where she received her B.S. in psychobiology and education in the cause, function, development & evolution of animal behavior. Shannan and her husband founded Finish Forward Dogs, Inc in 2009.

Growing up in midcoast Maine, Shannan lived with Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Goldens, Labs and an Alaskan Malamute. It was Shannan's undergraduate research that led her to the field of animal welfare. Several years later she worked as Co-Manager for an emergency animal shelter temporarily constructed to house over 300 dogs seized from Maine puppy mills. Shannan remains an advocate for humane education, working as a consultant for the ASPCA and teaching obedience classes at The Coastal Humane Society in Brunswick.

Shannan made her way to dog training after acquiring her American Staffordshire Terror (sorry, Terrier), Brina, who she credits with teaching her the most valuable life lessons.

"It's amazing what you learn about yourself as a human when all you really set out to do is learn a bit about a poorly behaving little dog...Brina and I began training in obedience and agility and any other dog sport we could find. Now more than seven years later, I owe great thanks to my own dog, Brina, for teaching me the value in quiet patience, clear communication, consistent leadership and a very healthy sense of humor. I would not trade the challenges Brina and I faced at the beginning of our relationship for anything in the world because it's always the struggle that makes us stronger. She's just a dog, but she's my 'heart' dog."

Shannan apprenticed under Kimberly VanSickle and Amy Allenwood, both CPDT's at The Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk, Maine before moving on to teaching obedience at a large dog training facility in Portland. It was there that Shannan worked alongside Teri Robinson, CPDT before assuming the position of Director of Training where she taught up to 15 classes a week and directed a team of three additional trainers.  

Now living in Southern Maine, Shannan and her husband share their home with their three active dogs. Shannan and her dogs enjoy competition dog sports and spend their free time training and trialing in Competitive Obedience, Rally-O, Agility, Weight Pull, DockDogs, Tracking and various other activities. 

Professional credentials: B.S. Psychobiology, University of New England, Cum Laude; Honors Graduate and Mentor Trainer, Animal Behavior College; AKC CGC/STAR Puppy Evaluator; APDT Rally-O Representative, American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) Provisional Tester.



photos by Meredith Perdue of &Unlimiteddogs

FFD, Inc was founded by Jason Nutting and Shannan Hall-Nutting in December of 2009.



Get to Know Our Dogs!

ARCHX Once in a Blue Moon's Bonechina 'Brina', CGC, RL1X-2, AOE-RL2X-2, RN, TT, RL3, UWP, AOE-RLV, RO1

Brina is a tough little competitor with a heart of gold. She remains true to her breed with an unwavering affection for human companionship!

Maverick TT, RL1

Deucey-B TT, RL1 

Tucker TT

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