PAWsitivity Rocks - Dog Training and Behaviour Transformation

07/03/2025

Sadie had her first hydrotherapy session with Aqua Canine Hydrotherapy today.
She did so well, and Kirsty was ever so patient with her.

Looking forward to the progress over the next weeks to keep my girl mobile 💕

02/03/2025

Sleepy pups after scent class with Laura Carter Canines

01/03/2025

Happy gotcha day!

7 years ago, I picked up Sadie from the Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary and it still remains the best day of my life.

01/03/2025

Last week of our Reactivity workshop and we focused on happy handling techniques, to make grooming, vet visits and other procedures less scary.

It's been such a pleasure training with this group of fantastic owners and watch their progress over the weeks.

Keep an eye on my socials for updates on upcoming online training opportunities.

28/02/2025

No, it's not ok to let your off lead dog run wild in public spaces 🙄

And it’s part of responsible dog ownership to be in control of your dog and be respectful of other dog owners and people on a walk.

Why should you not let your dog run wild?
❎ For one, the dog is out of control, especially when they don’t respond to their owner calling

❎ Two, it is disrespectful to other dog owners, particularly those who may have anxious or reactive dogs

❎ And three, it’s not safe for your dog, other dogs, and people

I see this all the time when I'm out walking the dogs in my area, and had several incidents where dogs have been running wild with no recall, upsetting my dogs in training, or other people’s dogs.

For a reactive dog owner, this may just ruin their walk or make them feel defeated and deflated over the whole experience.

And it shouldn’t be like this.

Your dog is your responsibility - and we all deserve to enjoy the outdoors and need to be respectful of each other.

Hands up if you agree. ✋

24/02/2025

Highly recommend!

Rare Opportunity – Join a Block 2 Scent Work Course!

I have an unusual opportunity for someone to join my Block 2 Scent Work Course, starting next Sunday (1st March)! To join this course, your dog must have already done some basic scent work and be working on gun oil or Kong. The other dogs in the class have completed a 6-week beginners’ course, so this is ideal if you’ve started scent work and want to take it further!

📅 This is a 6-week course, running for 1 hour per week
🕖 Sunday evenings at 7:15pm
📍 Held at my venue in DD10 0HY near Johnshaven, Montrose, Scotland.

During the course, you will learn the skills required to undertake an Odour Recognition Test (ORT), as well as core skills needed for National Nosework Association scent work. We will be working on a variety of interior, exterior, and section box searches, helping to develop your dog’s confidence and accuracy.

Each week, you will receive a printed handout and videos of key skills to practice at home, ensuring you and your dog continue to progress between sessions.

This space is suitable whether you are looking to compete in scent work or simply enjoy it as a fun and rewarding activity with your dog.

If you are interested, please drop me a message as soon as possible to secure your spot!

22/02/2025

Great progress by everyone at Week 3 of the Reactivity workshop.

Today we focused on self control, identifying our own triggers and decreasing the importance of predictors for our dogs.

18/02/2025

'It's not where you are in life, it's who you have by your side that matters'

Give me a ❤ if you agree.

17/02/2025

I got to work with the beauty over the weekend.

She has a tendency to do her own thing, so we've been working on owner focus and building a stronger relationship.

16/02/2025

How are you feeling today?

It’s so important to be aware of what we’re feeling, especially when owning a reactive dog.

Our feelings directly transfer onto our dogs, so if we are struggling emotionally, our dogs will, too.

That is why it important that we also become aware of how we are feeling — something we might not always do if we’re not reminded to check in with ourselves!

Let me know in the comments how you are using the emojis!

15/02/2025

Some pictures of Week 2 of our Reactivity workshop.

This week, we worked on how we can help our dogs to regulate their arousal and come back down after a high arousal event.

Well done everyone!

14/02/2025

Happy birthday, Bonnie!

11 years today, 8 of those spent in horrible conditions in Romania but now you're living your best life 🎉❤️

Never had time for a birthday cake, so it was quick breakfast art 😂

14/02/2025

🤚 Hands up if you struggle with your dog pulling on lead? 🤚

If that's you, here are my 5 top tips to help you achieve loose lead walking

1️⃣Place more value around you: You're not sexy Enough, Sorry! By adding more value around You and hanging out with you, Your dog will start choosing You over the environment

2️⃣Teach giving into lead pressure: Rather than pulling against tension in the lead, teach your dog to look back at you when there is tension in the lead

3️⃣Start in a low distraction environment: Set your dog up for success and start in low distraction environments, maybe even indoors, to help your dog learn

4️⃣Gradually increase the difficulty: Once your dog understands the behaviour in easy environment l, gradually stretch yourselves in more difficult scenarios. Don't make it too hard too soon

5️⃣Avoid rehearsal: Management is Foundational to change behaviour; avoid your dog rehearsing excessive pulling and get rid of flexi Leads!

These tips are always my go-to when I my students want to solve their lead pulling struggles. 💖

In fact, the students joining my lead walking workshop implemented these 5 simple tips, and saw improvements over the 4 weeks of the programme.

If you’re ready to improve your walks, then learn more and get access to my online programme here: https://pawsitivityrocks.newzenler.com/courses/loose-lead-walking

Let's get you and your dog on the right track! 🙌

12/02/2025

Are you dreading taking your dog for a walk?

Does your pooch?
🐶 Pull you in all directions on your walk
🐶 Completely ignore you when you are outside
🐶 Want to say hi to every person and dog they see

It's tough, isn't it?

Especially when you've tried a million and one things to try and fix your walks

But the thing is, our dogs can only act within the limit of the skills they currently have - They're expressing themselves in the best way they know how.

It is just not compatible with our expectations.

And this is why we want to teach our dogs the skills to act appropriately on walks.

And that's exactly what I help my customers achieve. We are teaching our dogs new skills to improve walks and make them enjoyable again 💖

I have an upcoming workshop focusing on improving your walks, and regaining a connection with your dog.

If you'd like to learn more, follow the link or message me with your questions.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1079300931139?aff=oddtdtcreator

11/02/2025

💛A reactive dog is not trying to be difficult, they are simply trying to cope with a world that feels overwhelming 💛

Let's let this sink in for a minute...

And once we change our perspective of what our reactive dog is actually doing and feeling, then we can support them and make change happen.

10/02/2025

If you could teach your dog one thing, what would it be?

For mine, it would probably be:

Sadie - The vet is not that scary 👩‍⚕️

Loki - Calmness is king 😴

Nico - A little less FOMO 🤪

Bonnie - Optimism is a way of life 💪

Clyde - Not everything is his business 👀

Let me know yours in the comments!

10/02/2025

🌟In person or online 1-2-1 sessions available🌟

I have now made it easier to schedule 1-2-1 sessions - both online or in person using the link below.

https://calendly.com/pawsitivityrockspdt

Spaces for in person 1-2-1 sessions are limited, so make sure to book your spot! These will be held at Clatter of Paws in Arbroath unless otherwise agreed.

If you are further afield but would like my support, simply book an online session instead!

Please contact me for any other requests or block booking sessions.

09/02/2025

Had the pleasure of working with this beautiful girl at Life Skills Class yesterday 💕

She is deaf and as a result is nervous of novelty and very aware of her environment.

We discussed how to further grow her confidence and relationship with her owner, so she can relax, knowing that someone has her back 💪