We don't have a lot of big apartment buildings in Boone, but we do have a handful!
As you can imagine, navigating those long, closed in hallways can be super challenging if your dog love jumping on people, or hates encountering other dogs. It can be a nightmare making it to the stairs or elevator!
That's where my favorite skill comes in, 1-2-3 Walking!
This is the one skill that time and again my clients say was the GAME CHANGER!
Doggy ASMR?
I recently bought Brody a bag of sweet potato chews. They were a hit!
Raven was the only dog to sign up for one of our February Adventure Club classes, and she got a private lesson!
Since it was just her, we focused on her mom's goals: leash manners, heel, and working on reining in her ball drive and using it for good!
One of the nice things about winter is smaller classes due to this wild weather. Spring is coming and classes are getting more popular!
Just because your dog barks and lunges at other dogs, doesn't mean they can't learn to make new friends!
With simple pattern games, tasty treats, and thoughtful training, we can make progress in just a few lessons!
BOTH of the dogs in this video have a history or barking and lunging at other dogs, but they were able to walk side by side within just a few minutes, and help each other feel good about watching all the other dogs at the park, too!
Should you comfort your dog when they’re scared?
YES, absolutely!
The idea that comforting your dog reinforces fear is a myth. Fear is an emotion, not a behavior—it can’t be “rewarded.”
Think about it this way: If a friend gives you a hug when you’re scared, does that make you more afraid next time? Of course not! The same goes for our dogs—offering comfort helps them feel safe, not more fearful. They are seeking comfort from you because it makes them feel better - why would you deny them?
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🐾 Comforting your dog doesn’t reinforce fear—it helps them feel safe. Fear is an emotion, not a behavior, so it can't be "rewarded" like a sit or a shake.
🐾 Ignoring fear can make it worse. If your dog is scared, refusing to comfort them may increase their anxiety and damage your bond.
🐾 Think of it like a scared child. You wouldn't ignore a crying child who’s afraid of thunder—you’d soothe them. Your dog deserves the same kindness.
Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., a certified applied animal behaviorist, explains that fear is inherently aversive, and offering comfort doesn't reinforce it. Instead, soothing a fearful dog can help them feel more secure.
https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/theotherendoftheleash/you-cant-reinforce-fear-dogs-and-thunderstorms
One of the challenging parts of being a professional dog trainer is making sure that you get the chance to train your own dogs... and to just ENJOY them!
I spend so much time helping people achieve their own goals, and I'm often too tired to take Brody out for fun when I get the time. He is a well-behaved boy, all his needs are met, and he doesn't need any training.
It's easy to just stay home and not go out....
This year he turned 10 years old, and now that he's officially in his golden years, I am trying to find as many fun things to explore as we can!
We recently started playing Barn Hunt, and we're both really enjoying it! We got the opportunity to go to an all-day workshop and he was a rockstar. He does already have his novice title (RATN), but I'm not ready to move up to the next level yet.
We still have a few rough spots to smooth out, but we both LOVE this game! Here is a video from the workshop!
Duke, Kate, and Brody invite you to watch their taste test video!
I was gifted these freeze dried fishies. None of these guys have had a whole fish before, but they didn't hesitate to try them!
I didn't think they looked very appetizing, but I'm not a dog 😅
Would your dog eat these?
How do I take my pattern games and training, and use them in real life?
Will my reactive dog be able to go on walks with my friends' dogs?
Brody is here to demo a potential answer to both of those questions! Your mileage may vary
Brody is in the 'maintenance' phase of his training. When he first joined the family in 2019, he was a mixture between being a frustrated greeter and being afraid of other dogs. He would want to say "hi" to some dogs, then get close and get scared. With others, he'd immediately yell at them to 'stay away!'.
At this stage of his training, he's really mostly "Dog Tolerant". He doesn't care to have dog friends, but he's happy to coexist with them as long as everyone is cool and minding their own business. He doesn't mind bumping against his new buddies but generally doesn't initiate play with them. He is also 9 years old, which may be a factor.
Brody has never met Arlo before. But he DOES have a lot of history using Up/Down, 1-2-3, and Look at That to cope with seeing new dogs and helping me work with other reactive dogs. He has even gone on walks with a handful of client dogs, after using this protocol to introduce him.
The whole video of our initial introduction (Up/Down to 1-2-3 to wandering nearby) took under 4 minutes, which is a record for Brody! He was really interested in Arlo, but maintained his composure, and his trust in the system. He knows that when we start these games, mom is in control and she won't let him get in over his head.
Here is the introduction protocol:
1. We start with decompressing from the ride over. He can potty, sniff around, do whatever he wants within reason. I try to give him 5 to 10 minutes.
2. When I think he's ready, we start at a distance where I know he's seen the dog (he has looked at them, perked his ears, but gone back to ignoring them). We do Up/Down several times, ensuring he can eat the treat and immediately look back up at me.
3. After 10 or so Up/Down, we switch to Voluntary 1-2-3
Your reactive dog can make progress in as little as 4 lessons, just like Loui!
Does your dog bark, lunge, or overreact to other dogs, people, or new situations? Reactive behavior can feel frustrating, stressful, and even embarrassing—but you’re not alone, and you don’t have to struggle through it on your own.
With the right approach, reactivity can be managed and improved. Using positive reinforcement and practical, effective strategies, I’ll help you understand your dog’s triggers, build their confidence, and teach them how to stay calm and focused—even in challenging situations.
Training doesn’t have to be a battle. It can be fun, rewarding, and stress-free for both you AND your dog! If you’re ready to enjoy walks, social outings, and a peaceful home life, reach out today—I can help!
The puppies have snow day zoomies. After several days not getting above 15 degrees, 25 degrees feels like beach weather!
Brody just turned 10 yesterday and has been having some intermittent mobility issues, but he's feeling FRESH today!
Share your snow pups in the comments!
Kaia is an 8 month old Rottweiler puppy, and she's your typical teenager!
She's friendly. She's boisterous. She has very little chill 🤣
At our last field trip before Christmas break, we met at Lowe's Hardware to practice self control around her toughest distraction... PEOPLE!
I introduced her and her mom to a wonderful pattern game: Down for the Count. It's best if your dog already has some experience with mat work, but that's not a requirement.
Down for the Count: 2 to 3 times a week, when your dog is already likely to relax.
The goal is to make it to 10. If they stand up, wait for them to settle down and start back at 1, treat.
Ask your dog to lay down. Say "1", then place one treat on the bed for them to eat.
Say "1, 2", and reward. Keep working all the way to 10.
Count low and slow. Make sure you're pausing between numbers and using a soothing tone. If your dog gets up, pause and wait for them to lay back down, then start back at 1 and treat.
Charlie is a 2 year old golden mix who had very little training before arriving at his new home just a few weeks ago.
His family had had just a few lessons with me, but they are all totally rocking their training! His leash manners have come SO FAR!
They also report that Charlie and their kitties are learning to co-exist peacefull. Charlie is learning they don't want to play 🤣
Enjoy life with your dog again. At Positive Partners Dog Training, we offer simple, effective, and f
