Pawsitively Canine Dog Training Services

08/12/2026

Our Growly Hounds Club is back starting September 20th! Exclusively designed for our past Growly Hounds and private training clients, this 5-week program offers a safe, structured environment to keep working on your dog's skills with hands-on trainer support. Each 1-hour Thursday session features fun weekly activities and new experiences designed to build real-world confidence for both you and your reactive dog.
Sundays@ 10:30 AM (starts Sept 20th)
5 weeks
$399 +gst

sign up today at https://www.pawsitivelycanine.ca/group-classes

08/10/2026

Thinking of everyone throughout these challenging times. Everyones routines are a bit different right now, and it's tough when our pups are pacing around, wondering why we can't go outside like usual. Since long walks are out of the question for a bit, simple nosework games can really help ease their restlessness and bring down their anxiety (and ours too!).

If you have a few minutes today, try one of these super quick setups:

Towel Knot: Roll up treats inside an old towel and tie it loosely.

Shred Box: Pack an empty box with crumpled paper and hide kibble inside for them to forage through.

Toy Search: Tuck treats into the crevices of their soft toys for them to dig out.

Sniffing and chewing release natural calming endorphins for dogs, which helps keep the vibe in the house a little more relaxed while we wait out the smoke.

Hang in there, stay safe, and extra belly rubs for all the pups today. I will continue to share some enrichment activities for the pups over the next little bit, so keep an eye on the page.
-lisa

08/10/2026

Got that nose glued to the ground on every single walk? Put that natural instinct to work with Pawsitively Tracking! Tracking is such a fun, low-stress sport that gives your dog a great mental workout, builds their confidence, and channels all that sniffing energy into a clear job.

Starts Tuesday, Sept 16 at 5:00 PM
Duration: 5 weeks
Price: $225 + GST

Spots fill up fast. Send me a message or head over to www.pawsitivelycanine.ca to grab yours!

08/09/2026

HELP NEEDED FOR PETS AFFECTED BY THE FIRE

ALERT has reached out and is in desperate need of supplies for animals affected by the fire. Paws It Forward is taking what we can from our own storage, but it isn’t enough. We’re asking our community to help.

We are collecting:

• Medium and large dog crates, including 36" crates
• Hard and soft dog food
• Bowls
• P**p bag
• Calming treats
• Cat litter boxes and litter
• Cat Food

📍 DROP-OFF:
290 Adventure Road, Kelowna
OR
2251 Shannon Hills Place, West Kelowna

Please leave donations in the carport.

Our volunteers will make another trip to deliver the supplies, once collected, to help animals and the people caring for them during this difficult time.

If you have an unused crate, extra food, or supplies you can spare, please consider donating.

If you want to support monetarily please donate directly to Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team Society at alertcanada.org - they are an incredible organization of volunteers on the front lines.

Every donation helps. ❤️

08/08/2026

Our hearts are breaking for those forced to flee their homes and properties last night.

For animal owners who headed north, if you need pet food, supplies or emergency boarding, please contact our Animal Helpline at 1-855-622-7722 and let them know Kelowna is your closest Animal Centre.

If you're in Kelowna now, you can also reach out to us directly:

[email protected]
1-250-861-7722

08/07/2026

Growly Hounds class is coming back this September!
If leash walks feel stressful because your dog barks,gets excited or reacts to other dogs, you're not alone.

Over 5 weeks, we focus on management, building your dog's confidence, and giving you practical tools to help handle triggers and make walks manageable again.

Sept 20th @ 9am – 10am (5 weeks)

Cost: $499 + GST

Send me a message or head to www.pawsitivelycanine.ca to save a spot.

08/06/2026

🎯. This is one of the most upsetting things I see. We need to understand the “why’s”. Why does this work? Because it hurts!!!! Excellent post!

This one has got to go.

Every time I think this has finally disappeared, another video pops up.
Another trainer demonstrating it.
Another person telling dog owners this is a “clever way” to stop pulling.

Some dog training classes are teaching it too.

That should concern each and every person who cares about dogs.

We've become so obsessed with finding shortcuts that we're forgetting to ask a much more important question.

What is this actually doing to the dog?

A lead wrapped and knotted tightly around a dog's abdomen isn't just "another training method".

It twists the skin and abdomen in one of the least protected parts of their body. That is how it “works”.

No ribs on that belly either.
No bony protection.

That’s a lot of twisting of soft tissues and vital organs.

“That’s not how it’s meant to be used”

So how else is it meant to be used when it’s designed to stop pulling by physically hurting them because it twists around their belly and catches their skin?

What makes this even harder to accept is that companies are now manufacturing products specifically designed to make this “easier” to do.
You don’t even have to make that knot yourself now.

When products are sold and videos attract hundreds of thousands of views, people naturally assume it must be safe.

Popularity of a video is not evidence.

Views and likes can be easy when those videos are slick.
And "it worked for my dog" is certainly not evidence that it is safe.

If your training method carries that level of risk when there are safer, kinder and equally effective alternatives available, then it isn't a technique worth defending.

It isn't innovative.
It isn't clever.

Can I say it’s lazy “training”?
Oops, just did, because where is the method to actually show them?

Just because it can be tried, never means it should be tried.

Dogs deserves better.

08/05/2026

08/04/2026

Sending so much love to all my Vernon and area doggy friends and their famlies right now. ❤️

If you or anyone you know had to pack up and leave home because of the fires, please know you don’t have to figure out the pet situation all on your own. Between the sudden move, routine chaos, and high stress, our pets can get pretty anxious, and that’s totally normal. But there is a ton of local support ready for you.

Here is a quick breakdown of who to reach out to if you need help:

1. Getting Set Up & Registered

----> BC ESS (Emergency Support Services): If you’ve been evacuated, head over to ess.gov.bc.ca to pre-register or drop by the active reception center in town. They help cover temporary shelter, food, and pet needs.

--->ALERT Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team Society - help and when Emergency Management & Climate Readiness BC and Emergency Support Services is activated. 250-490-6531

2. Pet Supplies & Temporary Housing

--->Animal Auxiliary Emergency Services: Right here in Vernon ( #109 - 2411 Hwy 6)! They are amazing; they have pet food, crates, leashes, and supplies ready for anyone displaced. They have been set up at Kal tire place, helping those in need.

----> BC SPCA Vernon : Need short-term emergency boarding or food support? Give their helpline a call at 1-800-387-4258.

3. A Few Quick Reminders for Displaced Pups

---> Keep leashes attached early: Anxious dogs bolt fast in unfamiliar places. Keep leashes or drag-lines on even in host yards or temporary homes.

----> Double-check ID tags: Make sure your cell number is on their collar and your microchip contact info is up to date.

----> Help them decompress: If your dog is feeling overwhelmed or stuck inside, try rolling kibble up in a towel or offering a stuffed frozen chew. Licking and sniffing naturally calms their nervous system.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with your dog’s behaviour right now or just need advice on managing the stress, please drop a comment below or send me a quick DM. We’re in this together. ---Lisa