Pivotal Dog Training

11/01/2024

Ready to start training? Contact us to learn about our in-home training programs!

10/31/2024

Happy Halloween! 🧡

10/30/2024

Keep your pet safe this Halloween! 👻🖤

10/28/2024

We offer customized, one-on-one training programs because we know EVERY dog is different, even if they are the same breed!

Our training approach isn’t a one size fits all, we work to ensure your individual dog has what they need to be successful so you can see lasting behavioral change.

Learn more by visiting us online 🧡

10/25/2024

Dogs are the best ❤️

Who agrees?

10/23/2024

Almost EVERY dog we train is spayed or neutered. Behavior problems don’t go away when you spay or neuter your dog. While we always recommend it, it certainly doesn’t change how your dog will act.

If your dog has a behavior problem – training is the answer!

10/22/2024

New Trainer Alert! Meet Erika 🐾💛

Dogs have always held a special place in Erika’s heart— she can’t imagine life without them.

Growing up in Youngstown, Ohio, she was surrounded by family dogs, but also a variety of pets like hamsters, hermit crabs, and fish. While she spent over a decade working in the retail industry, her passion for animals never faded. In fact, she found a way to combine her love for dogs with her work, organizing adoption events that connected local Pittsburgh rescue animals with their forever homes.

It was during these events she realized her true calling: working with dogs. Now, her mission is to help dogs and their owners build lasting bonds through effective, compassionate training.

Whether it’s teaching basic commands or addressing behavioral issues, Erika dedicated to making sure every dog can live their best life.

Get in touch so you can schedule your consultation to meet Erika!

10/21/2024

We Stand By YOU!

We understand that choosing a dog trainer is not a decision taken lightly. That’s why if you decide to train with us, we stand by YOU! Our goal is for you be successful and reach your training goals.

We will do whatever it takes to get you and your dog there!

10/18/2024

Friday Facts 🐾🧡

10/16/2024

We prepare you for real-life scenario that may put a normal training regimen to the test. Not only do we help you build a solid relationship with your dog, we will teach you how to take your dog out into real world scenarios around distractions, whether that’s the park, the vet, a restaurant, etc.

We train dogs for REAL world situations! 🖤

10/14/2024

Happy Columbus Day!

10/11/2024

Did you know a good diet plays a big role in the overall behavior of your dog?

Make sure you keep up to date with the heathiest and best dog foods for your pup. Ingredients can change without warning from the manufaucter.

Looking for the best dog foods to suit your dog’s needs? Then read our top rated picks of the best dog foods of 2024

10/09/2024

How often do you give your dog a bath?

Dogs should be bathed every one to three months. If you need help with making bath time go smoothly for you dog, contact us!

Our training programs cover everything – from aggression to grooming. Our goal is for you to have a well-mannered, easily managed dog! 💙

10/07/2024

Teaching your dog proper social manners around people and other dogs is important. Never allow your dog to charge another dog. Even if your dog is friendly, the other dog (and owner) doesn’t know that.

After all, if a person came running at you – wouldn’t you be on the defense and ready to react?

If you need help teaching your dog how to act polite in social settings, visit us online to learn more about our training programs!

10/04/2024

Today is world animal day! What is your favorite animal?

Comment below⬇️

10/03/2024

All Breeds Welcome 🖤

09/30/2024

Moving with your dog? Tips & Tricks from a Dog Trainer

1. If possible, try to set things up for your dog as they were in your previous home. For example, if your dog’s crate was in your bedroom at your old place, try to replicate that (at least in the beginning of the move). Many dogs will want to stay close to their owners in the early stages of a new environment. Try not to add to many more changes in your dog’s life for now, even when it comes to their things (unless that means rewarding them with toys and treats for good behavior, and giving them something to focus on!).

2. Keep your dog’s routines the same as much as you can after you move. Don’t suddenly change meal portions or times if you can help it. If you take your dog to the dog park once a week, try to maintain that, along with walks and exercise. Exercise can help your dog ALOT – it calms a dog down and brings better behavior overall. If exercise is difficult for you, consider hiring a dog walker or doggy daycare.

3. Allow your dog to explore the new home, inside and out. If your dog is known for dominant behavior or destructive behavior though, monitor your dog and eliminate the opportunity for poor behavior. As for yourself, if you have yard space that your dog is going to explore, make sure it is safe, whether it means having a fence, pest control, etc.

4. Self-care is just as important! Make sure that you are taking care of yourself. Your dog will pick up your energy quick, and try to keep it as positive as you can. After all, if you can’t care for yourself, you won’t be able to care for your dog. Be patient and consistent with your dog, and make sure you’re not stretching yourself too thin with the move, and all the other life responsibilities you have.

09/27/2024

Find the Right Breed for YOU!

Take this quiz to get breed recommendations for your specific needs. Be sure to do your own research on dog breeds before you make a purchase. Ensuring you have a dog breed that will fit your lifestyle and needs is so important.

Which is the best dog breed for you? Answer questions about your lifestyle and dog breed preferences to get suggested dog breed matches from AKC.

09/25/2024

Always be proactive with your dog!

It’s important to understand your dog and their limits. If you know your dog won’t respond or behave well in a situation, don’t put them in that situation! The more you allow bad behaviors, the more they reinforce those behaviors and the more frustrated you both get.

If you need help with basic obedience, behavior problems, or puppy training - give us a call or send us a message!

09/23/2024

The place command is one of the most useful skills you can teach your dog. We use the place command for impulse control, reducing anxiety and train overall calm behavior.

You can use this command both inside your home and outside your home. A great way to socialize your dog outside of the home is to use this command in a public setting.

Make sure your dog is in a space that you feel comfortable with, if the space is too overstimulating take a step back and slowly work your way into that space over time.

Learn more about the place command and other commands we teach by visiting us online. 🖤

09/20/2024

Dog Breed Behavior Study

If you know anyone living in the Boston area with a purebred dog, please share!

This type of research is so helpful, it allows us to further understand dogs and their behavior.

Knowledge is power! 💫

Description: While it is commonly acknowledged that different dog breeds exhibit varying temperaments and behaviors, scientific research in this area remains surprisingly sparse. The Canine Brains Project aims to address this gap in knowledge with our Dog Breed Behavior Study. Through a series of su...

09/18/2024

Learn more about our training philosophy! 🧡

We teach your dog how to make good decisions. Reward based, balanced dog training without the harsh punishments.

09/16/2024

Easy Steps to Accomplish Potty Training

-Consistent scheduling: By this, we mean we need to get a dog on some type of routine when it comes to their meal times and when they are taken out for potty breaks. A consistent schedule of feeding is required – by regulating how much food the dog consumes, you are also regulating how much waste the dog will produce. With water, we don’t want to limit drinking time only with meals. Dogs should have access to water more often, but it should still be tightly monitored. Again, the more taken in, the more comes out!

With the scheduling aspect of training, you also want to give your dog the opportunity to go to the bathroom when it seems necessary. Most people when they first wake up in the morning and before the retire to bed for the evening will let the dog out after a long period of being inside and unable to eliminate outside. A dog should probably be let out shortly after eating and having some time to digest. Exercise and play time can stimulate the body and the urge for eliminating. With common sense applied, a consistent schedule, and monitoring of the dog’s food and water intake, this will help you and your dog take a major step forward to completing house training.

-Don’t allow the opportunity!: Dog owners are doing the best they can to teach their dogs the inappropriate behaviors, but they are still lacking some control over the dog. We recommend heavy supervision of the dog and also positive crate use when you can’t watch your dog.

09/13/2024

There are so many types of aggression a dog might display. Sometimes they display multiple forms of aggression.

All forms of aggression can be corrected with the right training and training program.

Behavior change is possible with us!

09/11/2024

We will never forget. 🇺🇸

Privately owned dogs who were mobilized, with their owners, to search for victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.