Sensible Canine

Sensible Canine Pet Training using relationship-centered training in Denver, Arvada, Golden, and surrounding areas. Mehak has been training dogs since 2016.

Sensible Canine (Previously Pawsitive Outlook Dog Training/Pawsitive Obedience) was started by Marni Center in 2012 and has grown exponentially since then. We have added new training packages and options focusing on positive reinforcement techniques and creating lasting relationships with dogs and their families. Sensible Canine has added another owner/trainer, Mehak Greenberg, who will be working

hard to collaborate on training cases and add even more features for our clients. Marni has been training dogs since 2012 when she finished her Animal Behavior College Dog Training Certification. She makes it a priority to keep up with the most recent developments in the science of dog training and behavior and is driven by compassion and dedication. Marni has a deep connection to both dogs and their people and loves to see the positive results that working with clients can achieve. She has worked with hundreds of families and their pets in developing strong lifelong relationships built on mutual respect and trust. She holds a Certification in Professional Dog Training - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA). Mehak stays up to date on her education and keeps up with the most recent developments in the field. Call any time for a free phone consultation and for more information. I look forward to hearing from you! Marni Center and Mehak Greenberg
Sensible Canine
(720) 515 7290

Happy New Year's to all of our friends and family!Here's a friendly reminder that while you may be cheering at midnight,...
12/29/2025

Happy New Year's to all of our friends and family!

Here's a friendly reminder that while you may be cheering at midnight, many dogs are convinced the world is ending and they missed the evacuation memo.

Fireworks are loud, unpredictable, and deeply offensive to the canine nervous system. Even confident dogs can struggle, and anxious dogs can really panic.

To help your pup survive the night:

• Set up a safe space — think cozy bunker rather than 'face the noise'
• Use sound buffering — white noise, TV, fans, calming music, or all of the above
• Close windows & curtains — fewer booms, fewer spooky flashes
• Provide calming enrichment if your dog finds that helpful
• Talk to your vet about meds or supplements before New Year’s Eve if fireworks are a known issue

This isn’t about spoiling your dog — it’s about supporting their nervous system and avoiding a stressful (or traumatic) holiday experience.

Let’s ring in the New Year with fewer panic pants, less escape attempts, and more dogs who feel safe.

Thanks for being the kind of humans your dogs would happily keep on their care team.

Some more photos of our most recent graduates of Sensible Skills because we thought you needed to see these happy faces ...
12/24/2025

Some more photos of our most recent graduates of Sensible Skills because we thought you needed to see these happy faces up close! These dogs (and their humans) showed up week after week to work on the not-so-glamorous but very important life skills—focus, calmness, communication, and making good choices in the real world.

No capes, no tricks—just dogs learning how to navigate life with a little more confidence and a lot more self-control. We’re so proud of the progress you’ve all made and honored to be part of your journey.

Way to put in the work, team. Graduation looks good on you.

Big shoutout to our latest Sensible Skills grads—we loved working with you and watching your progress every week! Ready ...
12/14/2025

Big shoutout to our latest Sensible Skills grads—we loved working with you and watching your progress every week!

Ready to join the next round?
Next class starts January 8th at Mantayo Kennels and Dog School with 4 spots left!

Small group, real-life skills, and supportive coaching for both dogs and humans. Contact us to learn more or save your spot: https://sensiblecanine.com/group-training

As dog trainers and dog lovers, we spend a lot of time talking about behavior… but here’s a secret: undesirable behavior...
12/11/2025

As dog trainers and dog lovers, we spend a lot of time talking about behavior… but here’s a secret: undesirable behavior is often pain wearing a disguise. 🕵️‍♂️🐾

Dogs don’t always limp or cry when they’re hurting. Sometimes the “I forgot how to sit,” the sudden grumpiness, the reluctance to jump into the car, or the new obsession with avoiding stairs is actually your dog saying, “Listen, something hurts and I’m not loving it.”

We can’t tell you how many times a dog’s supposed “stubbornness” or “attitude” turned out to be a sore back, a tight hip, or a tooth that definitely wasn’t supposed to wiggle like that.

Pain changes behavior. Full stop. And the kindest (and smartest!) thing we can do is listen when our dogs are trying to tell us something—even if their method of telling us is a little… dramatic. 😅

If you’re noticing new behaviors, crankiness, hesitation, or your dog suddenly acting like commands come with optional subscription fees, please check in with your veterinarian. Training works best when a dog feels their best. 💛

Healthy body → healthy behavior → happier pup → easier training for all of us.

Productive session with two motivated (/hungry) learners. Moments like this remind us why relationship-based training is...
12/05/2025

Productive session with two motivated (/hungry) learners. Moments like this remind us why relationship-based training is so effective and why we have so many friends (most of which are four legged...)!

11/21/2025

Today, in the middle of working on this pup’s real-life skills — the patience, calm, and confidence-building stuff — we took a little detour.

And by “detour,” I mean finding an empty dog park and encouraging Rae to try jumping through the agility equipment… and wow, did she light up after.

Most of our sessions are about helping dogs navigate the tougher parts of life, but this was one of those easy, joyful moments where we got to hit pause, breathe, and just have fun together.

She nailed it, of course.
Tiny break. Big confidence boost. Happy trainer. 🐕✨

11/10/2025

“Patience is a virtue. Luckily, I’m virtuous and starving.” says good boy Mowgli as he rolls his eyes at us. He's learned some great self control, it pays to have a trainer as a mom, luckily our training style hasn't hindered his personality and ability to express himself along the way!!

Human: Leaves door open to allow fresh air and puppy choices.Maddie: Why choose when you can have both? Life is about ba...
10/28/2025

Human: Leaves door open to allow fresh air and puppy choices.

Maddie: Why choose when you can have both?

Life is about balance!

Everyone’s out there chasing balls, and Frodo’s just over here… chasing inner peace. 🧘‍♂️🐶This good boy has turned “rela...
10/24/2025

Everyone’s out there chasing balls, and Frodo’s just over here… chasing inner peace. 🧘‍♂️🐶
This good boy has turned “relax on your mat” into an Olympic sport. Gold medal in serenity. 🥇💤

Dogs often use their mouths in ways that humans don't understand or appreciate. Without opposable thumbs, however, the m...
10/08/2025

Dogs often use their mouths in ways that humans don't understand or appreciate. Without opposable thumbs, however, the mouth is a dog's primary tool for exploring the world.

Bite Inhibition: If given the opportunity, puppies first learn this inhibition during play with their litter. A puppy that bites a sibling too hard receives an immediate, loud yelp and the play stops. If a dog does not get that feedback (due to being taken from their litter early, not having littermates, ect.) they likely haven't learned good inhibition or the ability to use their mouth softly.

Emotional Arousal: Mouthing often escalates when a dog is over-aroused (excited, frustrated, or stressed). The act of putting their mouth on you can be a way to express this high emotional state and is a nervous system response.

Attention-Seeking: In many cases, a dog learns that mouthing is an effective way to get what they want—whether it's attention, a reaction, or to initiate play. Any form of response from you, even negative (like pushing them away or scolding), can inadvertently reinforce the behavior.

For puppies, teaching bite inhibition can make all the difference in the world. We can do this by ending play when our puppy mouths harder than we'd like. For an older dog, we shift our focus to impulse control and managing their emotional state. Using opportunities and reinforcement, we teach them that a calm body and a closed mouth lead to positive outcomes.

We’re so grateful to for welcoming Summit in for a positive experience during her happy visit! 🐾💛A happy visit is a str...
10/01/2025

We’re so grateful to for welcoming Summit in for a positive experience during her happy visit! 🐾💛

A happy visit is a stress-free trip to the vet when no treatment is needed — just time to explore, sniff, eat treats, and relax. These positive experiences help dogs like Summit feel safe and confident at the clinic, making future visits much less overwhelming.

Pulling on leash is one of the most common and frustrating behaviors for dog owners. It's often misunderstood as a dog b...
10/01/2025

Pulling on leash is one of the most common and frustrating behaviors for dog owners. It's often misunderstood as a dog being defiant, but it’s rooted in a few key principles of canine behavior and learning.

Oppositional Reflex: Dogs, like many animals, have a natural instinct to pull against pressure. When they feel tension on their harness or collar, their innate reflex is to resist it by pulling forward. The harder you pull back, the harder they pull forward in reflex, not defiance.

Reinforced Behavior: Pulling usually works for the dog to get to whatever destination they're headed towards be it a tree to sniff, another dog to greet, or just to keep moving. They are learning that pulling on the leash is an effective way to get where they want.

Scent and Drive: Our dogs noses are a powerful engine of motivation, and they are constantly driven to investigate new smells. Pulling is often just a result of a powerful instinct to follow a scent trail.

Humans are Slow: Another important consideration is that humans tend to walk at an average speed of just over 3 miles per hr while dogs are more comfortable trotting at over 15 miles per hour. This explains why our dogs are trying to move faster and pull you along the way.

Instead of pulling back harder, its important to focus on teaching the dog that a loose leash is what gets them to their destination so you can shift your walks from a battle of wills to a cooperative experience with your pup.

Address

Denver, CO
80203

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17205157290

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sensible Canine posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Sensible Canine:

Shortcuts

Share

Category