Pawsitive Chance Dog Training

05/27/2025

🚨 New Series Alert for Service Dog Handlers 🚨

You can teach a nice heel.
Your dog’s got a rock-solid “tuck under.”
But what do you do when real life throws a wrench in the plan?

Things like…

💥 “He suddenly refuses to walk into a store we’ve been in plenty of times before.”

💥 “She’s focused until we step inside—then it’s like I don’t even exist.”

💥 “She panicked at a loud sound even though she’s usually confident. I had no idea what to do next—and now I’m afraid it’ll happen again.”

Sound familiar?

That’s exactly why I created Training Trouble Triage— a brand new weekly series for Patreon members where I break down real-life service dog training challenges and show you exactly how I’d fix them.

You’ll get:
✔️ A breakdown of what might be going on
✔️ Key things to consider
✔️ Tools to help you formulate a plan to move forward with confidence
✔️ PLUS: the chance to submit your dog’s challenge for a future feature!

✨ The first few posts are available to all members (free + paid!) so you can get a feel for the series and some free training help.
🔒 After that, it’ll be exclusive to paid Patreon members—so join now to stay in the loop and start submitting your own challenges!

👉 Tap the link in bio → then click “LOW COST Training Programs” to join as a free member and get access to the first few posts or join as a paid member to guarantee access to all future Training Trouble Triage posts!

First post drops soon.
Get ready to feel seen, supported, and confident again—because just because you’re training on your own… doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. ❤️🐾

05/22/2025

Dynamic Heeling: It’s Not Just a Fancy Heel for Sport Dogs 🐾

If you've ever seen a competition obedience dog (like a video of a Malinois) glued to their handler’s side as they pivot, turn, and walk with laser focus — you’ve seen dynamic heeling. It CAN be pretty fancy.

But here’s the thing:
Dynamic heeling isn’t just for sport and it's not just for sport dogs either. It’s incredibly practical for service dogs too. 👀

✅ Does your dog know how to tuck in close to your side when navigating crowded restaurants, narrow store aisles, or weaving through a packed hallway?

✅ Can they pivot closer as you change direction to minimize the space they take up? Tuck into you in tight spaces? Cross to your other side on cue?

👉 These aren’t just cool tricks. This kind of precise, responsive movement keeps your service dog out of the way, improves safety, and makes real-world outings smoother and less stressful — for both of you.

That’s why I created the Dynamic Heeling module inside my membership — to show you exactly how to build this skill from the ground up using positive reinforcement and accessible step-by-step progressions.

📽️ Includes multiple demo videos, plus tips for:

✅Using pivot bowls to teach hip control and heel position

✅Removing the target and transitioning to real-life movement

✅Training in tight spaces, corners, and even switching sides

✅Reinforcing strategically to prevent forging or drifting

💡 Whether you're just getting started or looking to refine your dog’s heeling skills in public, this module will help you build the kind of heel that works — not just looks good.

🧠 Already in the membership? Go check it out - it's out now!
💥 Not a member yet? You can join here and get instant access to this and all other training modules: www.patreon.com/pawsitivechancedogtraining

Low cost service dog and therapy dog training content

05/17/2025

If your dog struggled with nail trims, consider joining this workshop to learn more about making nail care more positive for your dog!

🐶 Just 3 days away!! 🐩

Our positive grooming workshop is coming up on Sunday, May 18th at 1pm at the Downtown Bend Library.

This workshop is designed for both pet professionals and pet guardians. We will discuss positive reinforcement (+R) training techniques applied to the process of nail trims.

If your dog struggles with nail trims, this class is for you!

Here is an outline of what we’ll cover at the workshop:

🐾 Paw Sensitivity
🐾 Purpose of the Paws
🐾 Nail Anatomy & Types of Nails
🐾 Positive Reinforcement Techniques
🐾 Tools (clippers, Dremel, scratchboard)
🐾 How to Do a Positive Nail Trim

A lot of dogs have a negative association with nail trims - this workshop is about shifting the experience to either positive or neutral.

Each participant will receive a small dog treat bag and a tasty treat for humans.

To book your seat, visit https://wholistichounds.setmore.com/classes/ab877d71-2330-4393-addb-6af5f6d4b220 or email us at [email protected]

🐩🐾

05/15/2025

NEW LEARNING MODULE!

As a service dog, believe it or not, your dog will spend more of his time out and about with you not actively tasking. This doesn't mean he isn't on the clock or needing to act professional, it just means he is waiting for when he is needed to task. This means that the vast majority of his time is spent doing something other than working.

This can look like:
✅ Laying under the table at a restaurant, ignoring food on the ground
✅ Laying next to your side while you sit sipping your drink at a coffee shop
✅ Laying quietly in the corner and out of the way at a doctor appointment.

When your dog isn't actively tasking, he should be calm and out of the way, quietly waiting his cue to perform a task.

If your dog struggles with this, the newest module of the Service Dog Training Membership will take you through step-by-step how to train this skill so your dog can reliably settle anywhere.

If you're ready to help your dog learn to be calm and relaxed in public, join now with the link below for this and so many other training goodies!

www.patreon.com/pawsitivechancedogtraining



Photo: a light-colored dog with a beard and wavy fur wearing a blue service dog in training vest with a red "Stop" patch on the back lays under an outdoor table. The text says "Settling in Public Video Pawsitive Chance Dog Training"

05/14/2025

Your very friendly (and probably annual 🤣) reminder that THIS is what socialization looks like.

Socializing your dog means confidence and neutrality around people, dogs, places, sounds, etc. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t mean meeting every dog or person you pass as this can create big feelings (overexcitement, frustration, even reactivity). Sitting and watching new experiences from a comfortable distance where your dog notices but is completely relaxed is my favorite way to socialize.

Video: a golden retriever puppy in a red vest lays between handler’s legs looking out at the world. The puppy has very relaxed body language and looks up when there are loud sounds but quickly returns to putting its head back down.

If you want:
✅ A confident dog
✅ A neutral dog
✅ A dog that can settle anywhere

And:
✔️ A comprehensive socialization checklist for service dogs
✔️ Tips on how to go about socializing to produce a neutral and confident dog
✔️ Videos and step-by-step instructions for dozens of service dog skills (some you didn’t know you needed!)

Then the Service Dog Training Membership is right for you.

Go to:

Patreon.com/PawsitiveChanceDogTraining to learn more and join a community of like-minded owner trainers seeking affordable, truly HELPFUL service dog training resources!

05/05/2025

NEW! The newest module of my Service Dog Training Membership is now up. It is the step-by-step process for how to teach your dog to switch sides behind you WITHOUT using leash pressure! This can be useful for young or adolescent dogs to give them extra space to avoid distracting people, dogs, or things on the ground while they are still young and learning, it can help give other dogs space who might need it, and it can get your dog to your other side while in motion to set them up for any tasks you might be about to cue.

If this skill might benefit you or your dog, join the Service Dog Training Membership for access to this and many other useful modules!



Link photo description: Female presenting trainer in a gray shirt with green logo on the back faces away from the camera. She looks down at a dog approaching her left side and hold her palm facing the dog. There is a large blue and green sign above them advertising local businesses.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/switch-sides-128236644?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

05/04/2025

A lot of service dog handlers keep their dog from sniffing novel areas because it can be a distraction to their work. And while yes, sniffing indiscriminately can be problematic, keeping sniffing off limits altogether can also be equally problematic. There are so many benefits to allowing your dog to sniff - and it can be done in a way that actually makes it LESS problematic than it being off limits altogether!

Putting sniffing on cue makes it super clear when it is time to sniff, gives your dog explicit permission to do so, allows your dog to take in their environment, gives them mental stimulation, lets them be a dog, and believe it or not, give you a high value reinforcer that can be used during training that doesn't even involve treats!

Learn how to use sniffing as a reinforcer and how to put it on cue to create stimulus control around it. My Service Dog Training Membership is only $12/month and teaches you this and so much more.

Click the link below to explore the membership and see if it's right for you!

www.patreon.com/pawsitivechancedogtraining

Photo 1: Black background with green text "This might be controversial but..."
Photo 2: Black background with green text "LET YOUR SERVICE DOG SNIFF" with a photo of a dog's nose in the air
Photo 3: Black background with green text "Letting your dog smell things 1. Is calming 2. Is good for their brain and quality of life 3. Makes this "off limits" behavior less novel and therefore less of a distraction during work" (worried about your dog getting distracted by smells? Here's a tip" with an arrow pointing to the next slide
Photo 4: Black background with green text "Put it on cue! Let your dog know when it is sniffing time so it's super clear. Want to know how? My new Service Dog Training Membership teaches you how, step-by-step. Click the link in bio to learn more!" With a graphic of a dog nose sniffing in the top right corner and light green circles in the bottom left corner.

04/28/2025

Puppies require honor and respect, including being given a voice. Set them up for success.

04/25/2025

IT'S HERE!!!

The NEW Service Dog Training Membership has FINALLY LAUNCHED!

If you want:
- Step-by-Step Training Help
- Video Tutorials
- And Troubleshooting

On topics such as:
- Auto Wait at Doors
- Resolving and Preventing Jumping
- Auto Leave-It
- Focus Games
- Public Access Topics (such as Tucking Under)
- Task Training Topics (such as Blocking)
- And More

Then you're in the right place. Join the Low Cost Service Dog Training Membership today to get all this and more for just $12. With new modules added regularly, there's always support for your service dog training journey!

Click the link below to get started today!

www.patreon.com/PawsitiveChanceDogTraining

04/23/2025

Healthy high value treats? Yes please! 🐕‍🦺

📢 VERY EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT!! 🎉

Along with Wholistic Grooming for the Soul, HEALTHY HIGH VALUE TREATS FOR DOGS (the eBook) will be published and released this October!! 🤓📚

This book is filled with nutritious recipes for high value treats for dogs. Since so many of the dog treats on the market are unhealthy, this recipe book will help you create healthy homemade, high value treats for your dogs (or client's dogs) at home.

To pre-order your copy, visit https://books2read.com/u/3nxjA6

04/22/2025

If you are looking for low cost service dog training resources, the launch of the Service Dog Training Membership is just 3 days away!!

What can you expect from the Service Dog Training Membership?
- Step-by-step tutorials
- Video demonstrations
- Troubleshooting for when you get stuck
- Dozens of skills, including task training (auto-leave it, blocking, leash manners including putting sniffing on cue, polite greetings, backup, focus games, door threshold games, tucking under, and MORE!)
- New content added regularly so you'll never run out of new fun, supportive content!
- All for just $12/month!

Get a head start by joining now for FREE and completing the Would My Dog Make a Good Service Dog module (don't forget your downloadable handout when you finish the module!).

To join: www.patreon.com/pawsitivechancedogtraining

Photo: A light green background with black and white text that reads "Service Dog Training Membership" 7 Days Coming Soon"