Pawsitive Behavior

The day I truly became a dog trainer wasn’t the day I taught a perfect heel or a flashy trick. It was the day I realized dogs aren’t here to be circus acts for the zoo. Obedience is impressive. Tricks are fun. But an obedient dog is not necessarily a happy, fulfilled, or secure dog. A dog that flawlessly performs for treats might still be living in a state of anxiety, uncertainty, or even fear. Many people see a viral video of a precision-trained dog and think, I want that! But what they don’t see is the endless commitment behind it—the consistency, the leadership, the relationship built on trust. A working dog with a job thrives because its training is a lifestyle, not a party trick. The average family dog, however, doesn’t need rehearsed routines. They need clarity, structure, and a leader they can trust in all situations. Dogs are more than performances. They’re partners. And true training isn’t about getting them to put on a show—it’s about making them feel safe, stable, and understood. Are you building trust with your dog? Or just training for the spotlight? #DogTraining #BeyondObedience #TrustOverTreats #RealLeadership #FulfilledDogs --- We specialize in family dog training #TheCompanionConcept© #MakeDogWalkingGreatAgain www.pawsitive-behavior.ca

From Chaos to Control – In Just One Lesson Meet Skinny and Cali! We will be treating issues with reactivity, biting, anxiety and more. Today was their first structured walk—and their first step toward a calmer, more reliable life. We didn’t start with obedience drills. No sit, no down, no fancy commands. Today was all about teaching tension on the leash—the foundation of communication and leadership. 👉 Because before we ask for control, we have to create understanding. And this is just the beginning. This is what I do. Helping dogs and owners bridge the gap between struggle and success—one walk at a time. 📍 Now booking private sessions for obedience & structured walking. DM to get started! #DogTraining #ReactiveDogs #StructuredWalks #ObedienceTraining #PackLeadership We specialize in family dog training #TheCompanionConcept© #MakeDogWalkingGreatAgain www.pawsitive-behavior.ca

We are incredibly grateful for the transformative experience we've had with Josh from Pawsitive Behavior. The impact he has made on our family is truly remarkable. After completing the "Foundations" obedience package, our dogs, while still a work in progress, have shown significant improvement. Initially, our dogs were disrupting our family dynamic rather than enhancing it. One of our dogs was particularly reactive, making walks nearly impossible. With Josh’s guidance, we learned that building our confidence was key to addressing her anxiety. From our very first session, we were uncertain if we would be able to make progress, but Josh quickly put our fears to rest. He assured us that our “problem” dog, Lexi, and he would become great friends, and he was right—Lexi adores him and eagerly anticipates his visits. Josh's genuine care for his clients and his passion for dog training are truly exceptional. His patience and encouragement helped us believe in our ability to succeed. He continually motivated us to practice and reinforced the importance of training as a collaborative effort between humans and dogs. We wholeheartedly recommend Josh and Pawsitive Behavior to anyone looking to improve their relationship with their dogs. His approach emphasizes that effective training involves us, the owners, learning to lead confidently. After our seven weeks with Josh, we can now enjoy walks, welcome guests into our home, and engage in everyday activities that we previously thought were unattainable. Thank you, Josh, for your invaluable support. You have helped us recognize our role in our dogs' behavior, and with your guidance, we now have the tools to create a positive and enjoyable environment for our beloved pets. -Gayle, Bill & Jesse 🙌🙌🙌 We specialize in family dog training #TheCompanionConcept© #MakeDogWalkingGreatAgain www.pawsitive-behavior.ca

Understanding dogs with zero confidence and high levels of fear is crucial for effective training. These dogs often struggle with anxiety, leading to behaviors like cowering, barking, or even aggression. Building their confidence is key to making meaningful behavior changes. An obedience routine grounded in positive reinforcement is essential for these dogs. As they learn commands and skills, they're constantly receiving praise, which helps them associate good behavior with positive outcomes. This consistent reinforcement not only boosts their confidence but also teaches them to work for that praise, creating a strong motivation to engage and learn. Start by creating a safe and supportive environment where your dog feels secure. Use positive reinforcement techniques to reward small successes, whether it's exploring a new area or approaching a person. Gradually expose them to new experiences at their own pace, allowing them to build trust and resilience. Incorporating fun and engaging activities, like obedience training or interactive play, can further enhance their confidence. By fostering a positive relationship and encouraging your dog to face their fears, you can help them grow into a more confident and well-adjusted companion. If you’re looking for guidance tailored to your dog’s specific needs, consider joining our 'Companion Concept' foundations obedience program for personalized support. Together, we can help your dog thrive! #DogConfidence #FearfulDogs #PawsitiveBehavior We specialize in family dog training #TheCompanionConcept© #MakeDogWalkingGreatAgain www.pawsitive-behavior.ca

Transforming leash manners can make all the difference in your walks with your dog. In this before/after video, watch as we take a pup from lunging and pulling to mastering loose leash walking—these results all in the very FIRST class! Loose leash training is not just about getting your dog to walk nicely; it's about building a strong bond and mutual respect. Through the 'Companion Concept©,' we focus on teaching essential skills like proper loose leash etiquette while respecting your dog's pace. This assessment based approach ensures that your dog feels comfortable and confident, making training a positive experience. We can help your dog overcome fears, anxiety, overexcitment, reactiveness and learn to walk calmly by your side through fair leadership. Are you ready to see the change in your dog? Remember, every step counts in fostering a respectful and trusting relationship with your furry companion. #LooseLeashWalking #DogTraining #PawsitiveBehavior We specialize in family dog training #TheCompanionConcept© #MakeDogWalkingGreatAgain www.pawsitive-behavior.ca

When it comes to resource guarding behavior in dogs, especially towards their owners, it's crucial to understand the underlying reasons behind such actions. Dogs may exhibit possessive behaviors due to various factors, including insecurity, past experiences, or a lack of clear boundaries. In the scenario, where a dog becomes overstimulated when one owner hugs the other, it could be a sign of the dog perceiving the interaction as a threat to their relationship with the owner or feeling excluded from the attention. To address resource guarding towards owners, it's essential to focus on building a strong bond based on trust and respect. Establishing clear boundaries and consistent rules can help the dog understand their place within the family dynamic. Positive reinforcement training techniques, such as rewarding calm behavior and teaching the dog to associate positive experiences with interactions between owners, can be beneficial in modifying the dog's response to such situations. ⭕Consistent training is key to helping your dog navigate those tense moments. Just like working out regularly builds strength, practicing training scenarios daily helps your dog learn to handle those heightened situations calmly. If you skip training and then expect your dog to behave perfectly out of the blue, it's like expecting to run a marathon without any prior preparation. By investing time and effort daily in training exercises, you're setting your dog up for success and reinforcing positive behaviors that will help them respond appropriately when faced with challenging situations. By creating a positive and respectful relationship with the dog, you can work towards resolving resource guarding behaviors and fostering a harmonious environment for everyone involved. We specialize in family dog training #TheCompanionConcept© #MakeDogWalkingGreatAgain www.pawsitive-behavior.ca

When you have multiple dogs, being able to give individually directed commands is crucial for effective communication and harmony within your furry family. Here are three top reasons why this practice is essential: ⭕Personalized Training: Tailoring commands to each dog's needs and abilities allows for personalized training sessions. Dogs, like humans, have unique personalities and learning styles. By giving individual commands, you can address specific behavioral issues, reinforce desired behaviors, and cater to each dog's pace of learning. This approach ensures that each dog receives the attention and guidance necessary for their development. ⭕Avoiding Confusion: Providing individual commands helps prevent confusion among your dogs. When multiple dogs hear the same command simultaneously, they might get mixed signals or respond in unison, leading to chaos or disobedience. By giving commands tailored to each dog, you reduce the chances of misinterpretation and create clarity in communication. This clarity fosters a more organized and structured training environment. ⭕Building Stronger Bonds: Individualized commands strengthen the bond between you and each of your dogs. When you communicate with them on a personal level, acknowledging their unique identity, you establish a deeper connection based on mutual understanding and respect. This personalized interaction builds trust, enhances obedience, and nurtures a stronger relationship with each dog. It reinforces the idea that you value them as individuals, fostering a sense of security and loyalty. In conclusion, by giving individually directed commands to your dogs, you promote personalized training, avoid confusion, and strengthen the bond with each furry companion. This practice not only enhances training effectiveness but also cultivates a harmonious and fulfilling relationship with each of your beloved pets. 🐾 #DogTraining #IndividualCommands #FurryFamilyHarmony We specialize in family dog training #

"We have been participating in the "Train while you work" program with Josh. Josh has been with our puppy since she was 3 months old. She is now 7 months old and has great leash manners. She is always so excited to see Josh! Josh is so knowledgeable when it comes to training puppies/dogs and his calm demeanour has taught our family so much about how to train Bree" - Becky 🙌🙌🙌 Our "Train while You work" service offers dog walking with loose leash training, addressing any leash reactivity, providing age appropriate exercises to help strengthen commands (such as recall, sit/stay) and leaning impulse control. #StartSmart We also provide other services when you can't be home ⭕Let outs ⭕Feeding ⭕Companion visits ⭕Administer medications ⭕ Rehabilitating injuries We specialize in family dog training #TheCompanionConcept© #MakeDogWalkingGreatAgain www.pawsitive-behavior.ca

Many people tend to "humanize" their dogs, attributing human emotions and thought processes to them. While it's natural to feel a strong connection with our furry friends, it's essential to understand that dogs communicate and learn differently from humans. Dogs primarily rely on body language cues, tone of voice, and energy to understand the world around them. They are incredibly perceptive to our non-verbal signals and can pick up on subtle changes in our body language and emotions. This means that our actions and ENERGY play a significant role in how our dogs interpret and respond to us. When we speak to our dogs, they may not understand the words themselves, but they can pick up on the TONE, PITCH, and EMOTIONS behind our voice. Using a calm, positive tone can reassure them, while a harsh or angry tone can cause stress and anxiety. By learning to communicate effectively with our dogs using their language of body cues and energy, we can strengthen our bond, build trust, and create a harmonious relationship based on understanding and mutual respect. It's all about speaking their language and being mindful of how our actions and energy influence their behavior and responses. 🐾🗣 #DogCommunication #BodyLanguage #PositiveEnergy We specialize in family dog training #TheCompanionConcept© #MakeDogWalkingGreatAgain www.pawsitive-behavior.ca

Imagine a world where people understood dogs have a mental illness... They aren't Human! But in all seriousness, this humorous scenario sheds light on a crucial aspect of pet ownership: EFFECTIVE communication. When we anthropomorphize our furry companions, we risk overlooking their true needs. Dogs don't understand human language like we do; they respond to: ⭕ Tone ⭕ Body language ⭕ Consistent cues The key to successful dog training lies in understanding and respecting their natural instincts and behaviors. By embracing a new perspective on training, we can unlock a world of possibilities. It's about building a bond based on mutual understanding and respect, not just treating them like little humans in fur coats. 🐕🔑 Next time you catch yourself having a full-blown CONVERSATION (word diarrhea) with your pup, remember that actions speak louder than words in their world. Let's embark on this training journey with a fresh mindset and watch our furry friends flourish like never before! 🌟🐾 #NewTrainingApproach #DogCommunication We specialize in family dog training #TheCompanionConcept© #MakeDogWalkingGreatAgain www.pawsitive-behavior.ca

🐾 Mastering Loose Leash Walking & Obedience 🐾 Achieving a harmonious walk with your furry companion begins with loose leash training and clear communication. Teaching a "release" word and integrating sit commands seamlessly can transform your walks. Here's how: ⭕ Loose Leash Walking: Encourage your dog to walk beside you without pulling by rewarding them for staying close. Consistency and positive reinforcement are key to reinforcing this behavior. ⭕ Release Word: Introduce a specific word like "okay" to signify the end of a command. This word signals your dog that they are free to move and helps in clarifying expectations during training sessions. ⭕Sit Command Integration: Teach your dog to hold a sit position until released by using a consistent release word. Practice this by gradually increasing the duration they hold the sit, rewarding calm behavior. By incorporating these techniques into your training routine, you can enhance your dog's obedience and strengthen your communication bond. Remember, patience and consistency are the pillars of successful training sessions. 🐾🌟 #LooseLeashWalking #ObedienceTraining #ClearCommunication 🚨From unmanageable reactivity one a a time to walking all 3! Our professional dog walking options include an obedience routine for your dog's fo learn how NOT to be rude on leash and address any leash reactivity. We specialize in family dog training #TheCompanionConcept© #MakeDogWalkingGreatAgain

🚫 Proper Use of "No" in Discipline 🚫 Using "no" effectively in discipline can help set boundaries and guide your dog's behavior positively. Here's how to use it constructively: ⭕ Be Clear and Consistent: Use a firm, calm voice when saying "no" to address unwanted behavior. Consistency helps your dog understand what is not acceptable. ⭕ Redirect Behavior: After saying "no," redirect your dog's attention to an appropriate behavior and praise them when they comply. ⭕ Avoid Harshness: While setting boundaries is important, avoid using "no" harshly or excessively. Focus on guiding your dog with patience and understanding. When you say "no" to your dog, it's crucial to make sure they understand exactly what behavior you're addressing. By avoiding using your dog's name in discipline, you help them focus on the action that needs correction. This clarity helps your dog associate the word "no" with the specific behavior you want to discourage, without muddling the message by involving their name. It's like giving them a clear signal that what they're doing at that moment is not the right thing, without mixing it up with their identity or attention. This way, your furry friend can learn more effectively and respond better to your guidance. 🐶🚫 #ClearCommunication #PositiveTraining 🚨"Bree" is now approaching 6months old and is ahead of the game with our #StartSmart age appropriate dog walking with loose leash training. Remember, building a strong communication bond with your dog through positive reinforcement and clear guidance will lead to a well-behaved and happy companion. 🐶💙 #DogTraining #PositiveReinforcement #DisciplineDoneRight We specialize in family dog training #TheCompanionConcept© #MakeDogWalkingGreatAgain www.pawsitive-behavior.ca