Pawsitive Steps Canine Sports Centre

05/24/2023

For those people with puppies this is a great rule!!! But also for all dogs!

If you can't call your dog back from a distraction then they're not ready to be off lead around that distraction. It's that simple.

It doesn't matter if they are friendly. Or just want to play. It doesn't matter if the other person has food, or a ball. If you can't recall your dog from a distraction then they can't be off lead around it.

That doesn't mean they can't have any freedom. If there are no distractions around go for it and work on your recall when you do. If there are distractions nearby then manage your dog and keep them polite & safe by using a long line and working with them around those distractions.

Having our dogs off lead is a privilege, not a right, and it's a privilege that needs to be earned.

02/11/2023

I think this is something we need to remember when we want to get cranky with a vet….I really don’t know how they do it sometimes.

The story of Lacey, and why I had to kill her.

12/08/2022

We are not currently taking new students in our classes. If you are interested in online training please email [email protected]

08/30/2022

As important as understanding how to train a young dog to realize his full potential, equally necessary is having the wisdom to accept less, when it’s the right thing to do for the dog—

‘Perfect is the enemy of good’
It doesn't allow room for dogs to make mistakes and work things out on their own.
Pursuing perfection sets an impossibly high standard.

Dogs, and trainers alike, learn from being allowed to make mistakes, and, in turn, learning from those mistakes will pave the way for excellence.
We can reach for excellence with effort, practice, hard work, consistency and taking the time that it takes…
Patience is the cornerstone of teaching, and one of the best gifts you can give to your young dog.

08/17/2022

All absolutely correct!

06/23/2022

Another great podcast from Susan!

I have owned nine puppies and had many rescue dogs new to my home, and all have become amazing adult dogs. It might seem I was lucky, but the truth is that I...

06/02/2022

So important to crate train and USE your crate!!!

06/02/2022

This is a great read. And with the massive vet shortage, and increasing number of pets people picked up during COVID and now not sure they want to keep them, it’s more important than ever to really take in all the factors of pet ownership.

Sharing your life with a pet can provide you with immeasurable companionship and love, but it's important to choose an animal that fits with your lifestyle.

03/16/2022

Please please please, if you don't have the time or dollars to feed, train, exercise, care for and love them, don't get them!

02/27/2022

Yes to all....

12/27/2021

Sometimes trainers get caught up in doing the same thing yet, expecting more results.
To keep improving, you have to put yourself in a position to be uncomfortable or possibly embarrassed, before pushing through to the next level.

Every expert was once a beginner, failing more times than a novice has even tried.
If you don't set high enough expectations for yourself or your dog, you run the risk of becoming complacent and not moving forward.

Those inspired by learning and developing a partnership with their dog, rather than what others think, will have more success.
If you are trying, you are already more of a champion than anyone sitting on the fence criticizing.
Don’t be afraid to shoot for your dreams.
macraeway.com

12/24/2021

Merry Christmas Everyone!

12/16/2021

Love this!

If you want your dog to change, sometimes the change begins with you.

It's important to remember that struggling is not failing and it can mean that you’re trying, growing, learning and getting closer to a breakthrough.
When you're teaching the complex aspects of training with your dog, you'll find having a solid foundation makes it much easier.
It sounds completely backwards to many people at first, but once you get your head around it, it changes the game completely.

The fundamentals are paramount and there is no embarrassment in going back to improve them. The problem is if you continue to push forward when there is a hole in your training—that’s not fair to your dog.

It may be you discovered what you believe to be a short cut. But a perceived faster way to train can force your dog beyond his understanding or capabilities and ultimately, create a bigger problem than if you’d been patient in your training.
Some handlers think meaningful training doesn't begin until their dog is further forward yet, it’s the foundation that can make all the difference in his success.

There is a connection between how we start our young dogs and how we teach the most complex aspects. Our early training makes learning the more difficult facets easier, because the method is recognizable, intuitive and enjoyable.

You empower confidence and trust in your dog by setting him up to succeed.
If your dog has plateaued or is struggling, it may help to revisit the fundamentals.
This doesn't mean your dog should never encounter adversity;
it means that you’ve taught the foundation well enough that he can call upon it, and be resilient in the face of difficulty.
macraeway.com

12/16/2021

AMEN!!!

When a dog experiences aversive methods such as shock, spray, prong, choke collars or slip leads or any physical punishment. They know they cannot control, change or escape the situation, so give up and shut down. Even if/when an opportunity for change becomes available they will not take it, they have lost all hope.

Using corrections on a dog increases fear, anxiety and aggression but unfortunately there are some trainers that do not understand this (or care) and use aversive methods because its makes them look as though they can "fix" an unwanted behaviour.
Using aversives may well produce the outcome the "human" desires ......but at what cost to the dog?

The dog might look calm or well behaved, but a trainer that can actually read body language will just see an emotionally shut down dog.

The reason WHY the dog was displaying the behaviour hasnt been addressed. How the dog was feeling hasn't been addressed, and no care or help has been given to the dog.

There us NEVER a reason to use fear, pain, intimidation or force to train a dog!

12/15/2021

We are currently registering for our in person classes for January.
Registration for January classes is up on the web site now at http://www.pawsitivesteps.ca/registration.html

Classes are limited to 6 working dogs. No auditors (ie sorry no extra family attending until we get a change in the COVID rules).

11/23/2021

Omg I love this!

09/17/2021

Finally got a Camp video together! Two three day camps again this year. We were missing some due to fires and COVID but those who made it here, we thoroughly enjoyed having you all! Agility Training for ALL types of dog/handler teams!
https://vimeo.com/607827631

This is "Pawsitive Steps Camp 2021.mp4" by Kim Collins on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

09/17/2021

Yes! Can people PLEASE start doing this!!! It would make life so much easier for ALL dogs!

Should dogs be walked off leash or on leash? What happens when you run into someone with opposing views?

06/19/2021

Online Family Manners class registering NOW until June 20. Email me at [email protected] for more info.
NOTE
We will not be holding in person classes until September.

05/06/2021

Yup!!!

Such a great tip! Be the fun your dog is looking for.

04/18/2021

This is our preferred tool for excitable, large, unruly dogs vs a choke or prong collar. This is a great demo of how to start your dog on a gentle leader!

https://youtu.be/ixoAhvP5ShI

04/05/2021

This is sooo important. Keep your dogs lean! It’s easy to let older less active dogs get fat!

Intermittent fasting helps you keep your canine companion lean; it can also help heavy dogs lose weight and improve the health, wellness and longevity of dogs.

03/18/2021

Good article!

A few weeks ago, I started seeing posts on social media from dog trainers I know and admire, warning people about a new show on Netflix called “Canine Intervention.” The show features a dog trainer named Jas Leverette, who says, “I help the dogs that no one else will.” I watched the first th...

03/15/2021

The difference between educating our dogs they can make good choices, compared to using the traditional "leave it".

03/06/2021

"Dogs don't understand don't, because don't is a concept. Dogs understand DO. They understand behaviours. Create a behaviour that you DO want, so that your dog can be right and you're setting him up for reinforcement. This makes for a much better relationship for you and your dog, and for anybody else who comes in contact with your dog."

02/11/2021

Online classes starting Feb 19 2021

https://vimeo.com/509068294

This is "Jumping for Agility 2021" by Kim Collins on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

02/05/2021

Yes!! We LOVE to train our dogs! Thats why we do it 3-4 days a week! And the dogs also LOVE it! They hang with a toy and wait their turn!

01/29/2021

11/04/2020

Waiting patiently for the next set of classes at Pawsitive Steps?

Registration is Nov 7 from 11am - 12pm at the training centre! 1839 1st Ave Unit 12E.

10/15/2020

Many people fight us on our crate promotion/ training and use of crates in class. THIS! This is why!!!!

08/05/2020

Another great Jump Clinic! Thanks everyone in the Kootenay's! And to Jeanne Shaw for hosting!

https://vimeo.com/user34788880/review/444914934/2c6857f8db

Join the web’s most supportive community of creators and get high-quality tools for hosting, sharing, and streaming videos in gorgeous HD and 4K with no ads.

06/29/2020

We have just started back to "in person" classes. The classes are FULL. The next set will be registering mid August. please email [email protected] to be put on the list for the next registration.

04/19/2020

The form for the Online Family Manners Class and the Dog Training 101 Online class should be posted on the web site tonight. I forgot PAGES won't let me post documents!

The form is a fillable PDF.

04/18/2020

Registration form coming today for online Family Manners Class. Sorry for the delay!

04/17/2020

With the Self Isolation and social distancing we all have to adhere to for the foreseeable future, it is hard for us to choose a start date for our next set of Family Manners classes. Currently our building is closed. We are not sure when it will re open. We are waiting for more direction on that!

We do understand that life goes on with our dogs! And many people want to get started working on their new family members manners!
So we have created an online version of our Family Manners class for people that would like to move forward sooner than later with our classes.

As always we prefer to meet the people and dogs in person but this is a next best alternative! We do hope to see everyone in person when this craziness is over!

The classes will be run via a Private FB Group. So you must be on FB to enrol.

There will be one group for people that want to do a “self directed” class. This means the notes and videos will be posted and you will have 8 weeks to work through the lessons on your own. There will be NO questions and no input from our instructors and you will not have to post any videos. This might be a better option for people that are not “tech” savvy at posting video! Cost will be $100.00 for the 8 lessons. Regular class price is $200.00

The second Group will be a WORKING group. This means we want to see videos of you and your dogs working! You must have a way to post short 1 min MAX videos of you and your dog working the lessons.You can ask any questions you would like answered as well. We will have 4 of our instructors monitoring the group and they can answer your questions as we work through the lessons. Cost $140.00

We will post a registration form on April 17th here on the web site. You will fill it out and pay via e-transfer. All the info for that will be on the registration form.
You will need a clicker for this class so if you do not have one, you can order off the internet or we have clickers for sale for $5.00 each and we can arrange to get you one.

For those of you that want to give online lessons a try, this is for you! We have been teaching online agility classes for the last 7 years! So we do this type of teaching all the time. We have just never offered our Family Manners classes as an online option before now! We have been asked to do this in the past, now we have a REALLY good reason to do it!

Looking forward to all this social distancing to be over and we can go back to working with people and their dogs in person!

Stay Safe everyone!
From The Staff of Pawsitive Steps

04/04/2020

We are currently closed for classes at the building. When it is safe to resume classes we will be finishing up our last set of Saturday classes. We are hoping to be able to do this early May.

For those interested in getting into our family manners classes that were supposed to start this week, obviously those are not going to start again for awhile. However, we are going to be offering an Online version of or Family Manners class for those that want to get going and work from home.

Check back here in a week or on our web site for more information. You must have a Facebook account to participate in the online classes.

Stay safe everyone!

03/19/2020

Hi all

In light of the most recent requests for people to stay at home we have decided to suspend ALL CLASSES for 2 weeks. This is to try to limit GROUP contact at the building.

Your instructor will be in contact with you about your next class dates and we will have a new tentative calendar posted on the web site ASAP. Things are changing all the time so please be patient as we try to reschedule everyone!

We are going to cancel the Rally O trial as there will be too many people in attendance.

The next set of Family Manners/Advanced Pet and Building Blocks classes will be postponed until later in April. Please watch the Web site for new registration dates and class start dates.

We are trying to do our part in slowing this virus down! Not sure if its going to make a difference but we sure can try!

If you have any questions please email us at [email protected]
or [email protected]

Pawsitive Steps Staff and Management.

03/17/2020

Hi all
I have just canvassed all our instructors and asked their feelings about continuing classes.
We all have agreed that due to the small size of our classes, we will continue as scheduled. With that in mind here are some basic rules to follow so that we can help “flatten the curve”.

Try to keep the 6 foot distance between people whenever you can.
Don't hug or shake hands.
Cover coughs and sneezes.
Wash your hands before you come to the centre and again when you leave.
Wear gloves to touch any common surfaces, door k***s, taps, etc.
We have placed handiwipes around the building so please use them( don’t take the container home! Lol)
If you’re making tea or coffee please bring your own cup.
If you have been out of the country recently please stay home for the 14 days as has been suggested.
And lastly, if you are immune compromised or if you feel any flu like symptoms, please stay at home and don’t take the risk of public transmission.
We are confident that our facility is being cleaned regularly and that the small group classes should be sufficient to keep us all safe.
Thank you, stay safe and don't hoard toilet paper! Lol
Pawsitive Steps Staff and Management

01/08/2020