Pawsitive Focus Dog Training

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Pawsitive Focus Dog Training

I am a PDX based dog trainer using science based positive reinforcement training methods that strengt

10/26/2022

3 years and two babies later, I finally can put CPDT- KA after my name!! 🙌

04/04/2022

So, how do we get that well behaved dog without actively training everything? The answer is to capture behavior we want and reinforcing it!
My favorite way to do this is SMART X50. All you do is count out 50 pieces of their daily kibble, small treats, or a mixture of both. Pay attention throughout the day and reward everything good that your dog does. Literally anything from laying down while you work or eat to seeing something outside without barking! It can be helpful to have multiple containers throughout the house to stash the daily allotment of food so it's always convenient.
Another benefit? You start to notice all the wonderful things your dog does all day instead of focusing on what you want to change! These good behaviors will increase because they are being reinforced regularly.
Laying on the kitchen mat is Lana's default behavior when we are eating or Luke is in the high chair. We've rewarded it so much that she typically just does it on her own which is exactly what we want!

04/01/2022

Well behaved isn't the same as well trained!
Sure, a well trained dog will listen when you tell them to do something you've trained them to do. That doesn't mean that they'll offer that desirable behavior without being told what to do or micromanaging. That can be frustrating for everyone and isn't really how we want to live our lives!
But how do we get a well behaved dog without actively training everything we want from them? Look for my next post to find out!

03/27/2022

Planning on taking your dog somewhere crowded? That's great for a lot of our dogs! Lana loves dogs, people, new places, and just going wherever I go.
She is well behaved and enjoys herself, but I still do a few things to set her up for success and minimize any potential stress.
I park away from the people. This gives her some time to get the excitement out of her system. We get the chance to warm up and build engagement before I actually need her to be responsive to me. She also gets to acclimate to her surroundings and enter the crowd at her own pace. If she is determined to sniff, that means she probably doesn't want to go into the crowded space yet and needs a minute. She isn't a bite risk, but I don't want to overwhelm her!
I let her sniff, a lot. This keeps her chill and enjoying herself. It increases her responsiveness and self control because she knows I'm not going to deprive her of enjoyment.
I periodically pull over to quiet areas for her to decompress. I don't always notice if she is getting overstimulated so I've made it a habit to just pull aside whenever I see an opportunity!

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01/25/2022

A good training session should be fun but not seem very exciting! This is especially true when the session involves a reactive or excitable dog.
Sometimes, this can give the impression that the training wasn't productive. But, if your dog didn't react, jump, or do whatever undesirable behavior you are working on, then it is an absolute win!! It's also okay if they only did it a little bit because none of us are perfect, and we have to start somewhere.

01/20/2022

I refer to the time between when you mark the good behavior and deliver the reinforcement as the reinforcement gap. It's an incredibly important moment of time because everything that happens between the reward marker and the reinforcement is also being reinforced and will increase!
So, what goes on during that reinforcement gap? Does your dog jump for the food? Do they cross in front of you while walking? Do they move closer to the behavior you're shaping or farther away?

01/09/2022

Management! Management is when you set up the environment in a way that prevents your dog from performing the undesired behavior. This could be baby gates to keep them out of the kitchen or away from the front door. It could also be standing on the leash so they can't jump on people.
Management is essential for training because it stops the undesired behavior from being reinforced so we can teach them an alternate behavior that is reinforced. Dogs don't know right or wrong in the same sense that we do, they just know what gets reinforced and what doesn't!
Management is always part of a solid behavior change plan, but sometimes it's really all you need to do! We don't need to micromanage our dogs, and we don't always have the ability to carry out a behavior change plan. Maybe you don't have the time, need to prioritize a different training goal, or don't have the resources. That's fine, and I do it with my own dog! Let's say you give your dog a Toppl when someone comes over, and they are calm enough to be polite afterward they finish. In this case, you don't really need to do anything else. When management works well for everyone, it is good enough.

12/26/2021

Happy Holidays from Lana and me! I hope everyone is enjoying themselves and staying warm while playing outside ☺️
It's been a fast paced year for us with baby Luke, health problems, and starting up Pawsitive Focus. It's also been a wonderful, beautiful year full of adventures! The whole family is doing fantastic now, and Lana is living it up ❤️

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12/17/2021

I am very against retractable leashes for several reasons!

First of all, there are several real safety concerns that come along with them. They are more difficult to hold on to, especially this time of year, and make a terrifying sound when they drag on concrete. That can cause a dog to bolt or freeze and get hit by the handle causing a lasting fear response. Rope burn is a common injury - I've seen scars on people and dogs!
Once your dog isn't nearby, you have little control over them. They can get pretty far away before our human reflexes kick to press the stop button. There is no good way to get close to them again aside from a solid recall because you can't shorten the leash.
If there is a dangerous situation or object, all you can do is press the button, call your dog, and walk/run the opposite direction. You can't control whether they come in a straight line or wrap around a person/object. If you need to go to the side to avoid a bike, car, or attacking dog, it's worse because the slack on the leash will increase before it gets tight again.
In a less dramatic example, you have a more difficult time preventing your dog from greeting people and other dogs when they are not close to you. They are getting information (people, animal, bike, food...) significantly earlier than you are, and you can't respond in a timely manner.

As for training, retractable leashes are always tight. Pulling is the only sensation they experience. You lose the communication that comes with a fixed leash.

If you are taking your dog on a decompression walk/hike, use a long line! I highly encourage this and recommend biothane material which is comfortable, waterproof, and vegan.

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12/11/2021

The good enough dog.
There is a lot of social pressure to have a perfectly trained, mega obedient dog. Unfortunately, that ideal actually requires stamping out pretty much everything that makes a dog a dog.
We forget that they are captive animals who aren't living like we selectively bred them to live. We didn't breed dogs to walk in a heel except to pee/poop, never bark, always instantly do as they are told, and spend the majority of their time quietly home alone.
We have a cultural obsession with micromanaging what they do and imagining that everything is a power struggle. What kind of life is that for either of us?
The good enough dog is a dog that has the tools to deal with the modern world but isn't "perfect". They have the freedom to be themselves while also not causing problems and being able to handle their environment. For example, they walk with a loose leash but are free to sniff and set the pace most of the time.
It requires us to let go of cultural norms and be strong enough to not cave into the judgement we feel from others. That's definitely something that I've struggled with in the past but now have the education and confidence to know that this is a much better life for us both!

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11/23/2021

This might not be a popular post, but I feel strongly it needs to be said! As a dog trainer and someone who works in the rescue world, I want to reassure you that it's okay to rehome your dog!!
I've come across several stories the past few months of people deciding to rehome their dogs. The reasons span from dogs being aggressive towards a child to serious allergies in a human family member. Every reason is a good reason.
Rehoming is a HARD decision, and no one takes it lightly. They all tried every option available to them before coming to the conclusion that they absolutely had no choice. The only wrong thing is that every single one of them got shamed.
The thing we tend to forget is that those dogs aren't happy either and don't have a good quality of life.
Yes, dogs are a commitment. Yes, we need to learn to modify our lives to better meet our dog's needs.
However, life happens, and we can't always make it work. It's hard, and I promise people don't do it lightly. Please don't judge people who are in this heartbreaking situation.

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11/12/2021

I love it! She still checks in occasionally to see if I'll help her, but that happens less and less as she gets more confident and independent. I used to give her clues because that comes naturally to my human self. It's actually much better and rewarding for us both to let her find it on her own!
I think we are both addicted to scent games now...there isn't much I love seeing more than her catching the scent.
Scent games are just about the best thing you can do for your whole dog - emotionally, physically, and mentally.

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11/03/2021

Did you know that licking uses almost every muscle in a dog's body? It's also enriching and relaxing!
This gentle, fun activity can be a help for senior dogs and dogs that are injured or have chronic illness. Just make sure that the lick toy is at a comfortable height! They may need it placed on a raised surface or stuck to the wall.

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10/27/2021

I'm currently scheduling new private clients for November!
You can follow my website link on my profile to learn more and contact me there. Or, head straight to my DMs or email [email protected]

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10/24/2021

Recall in distracting environments without force? I've got you!
Everything from sit to loose leash walking to behavior modification is possible without using force.
Not only is it possible, it is enjoyable for you both and reduces everyone's stress. You can create a dog that is happy to do what you ask regardless of whether or not you have tools or food! The bond created by positive reinforcement training is beautiful, and I'm so glad I got the education to create that relationship with Lana ❤️

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10/22/2021

Lana is officially Two Face! She's lost sight in her right eye now. We bought about 9 months with radiation, but now it appears her tumor is progressing again.
She is still her happy, loving self and definitely living her best life! She gets to be off leash in the forest a few days a week, we are learning nose work together, and she gets all the spoiling ❤️

10/20/2021

Is your dog a dog park dog? Here are my 3 favorite dog park hacks plus and extra tip!
#1 Don't stand still for long! Misbehavior and conflict between dogs is more likely to crop up when they are staying in one place. Encourage your human dog park pals to do some laps with you!

#2 Make recall fun - let's face it, running free and playing with their friends is more fun than we are! Be enthusiastic, add in play (chase is almost always a blast), the absolute best treats in the world, and the freedom to go back to playing to strengthen your dog's recall in exciting situations.

#3 Make leaving extra rewarding - unless you are able to stay until they are done, leaving the park can be a real bummer! Keep leaving upbeat with happy talk and continuously giving them those amazing top tier treats. You can even do some practice rounds of leash up and release so they don't assume the fun is over.

My extra advice? Be patient and kind to your dog. Remember they aren't robots and don't get enough time to be free and off leash in our modern world! The social pressure to have a perfectly responsive dog is real, and I've totally felt it and become grumpy with Lana in the past! Keep your expectations low and a fun attitude, and your dog will thank you and be more responsive ❤️

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10/15/2021

Empty playground and empty bladder? Enrichment time!
The different textures, smells, and obstacles presented by playground equipment provides your dog with sensory enrichment and a physical challenge that also builds confidence.
Let them take the lead and don't pressure them to interact with anything! Allow them to explore at their own pace and comfort level. When they are done with their self-led exploring, you can do some tricks that involve interaction with the equipment like targeting and getting on and off.

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10/11/2021

Leash reactive dog?
Try adding movement before your pup is over threshold instead of stopping, even if that stop is to make eye contact! A reactive dog is tense and stressed and being still doesn't help them release that tension. Movement does! It's also a more engaging distraction than sitting and staring at you.

What do I mean by movement? There are so many options! Try using "touch" creatively, treat scatters, or dog parkour. If doing a u-turn or crossing the street, make it fun! Add some happy noises, treats, pep in your step, and a treat scatter once it's a safe distance.

If you miss the opportunity to do this before they get triggered, that's okay too! It happens to the best of us. Still do a treat scatter and/or some tricks to help both of you calm down before heading on your way.

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10/02/2021

There is always a way to integrate enrichment into your daily life without making major changes!
We don't have a fenced in grassy area so I had to come up with other ways to give Lana foraging opportunities outside the house. I came up with two methods: dinner walks and food scattering at the park.
Dinner walks are simply tossing a small handful of her dinner periodically for her to sniff out while on walks. We already go on walks so there is no change to our routine! When we go to the greenway for a run, I always stop partway through so I can exercise and Luke can play/eat. It's actually even easier to just hitch her to the stroller and scatter half her breakfast so she is entertained! She comes home so much more tired and content!

How can you incorporate some extra enrichment to your current routine?

09/24/2021

Have a dog that frequently looks up at you while walking?
While certainly a desirable behavior around distractions, it turns out that it's not good for your dog! They have to curve their body in an awkward way in order to continue moving forward which creates an uncomfortable gait. This releases stress hormones in the moment as well as short term and long term discomfort. Over time, it leads to muscle imbalance and misalignment!
What can we do instead? Try rewarding your dog with tossed treats for loose leash walking while they aren't looking at you.

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09/07/2021

Dogs need to be dogs! Most of us get a dog because we really want a cute, cuddly companion that is chill and doesn't bark. I've been there!
Unfortunately, we didn't breed most dogs for our modern lifestyle.
They need to bark and chase small animals or dig or herd... That's how humans made them, and it's often the cause of behavioral issues now that they live in suburbia and cities.
We can socialize them and train them, but they also need an outlet for their genetic needs! It's not fair to expect anything else.

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08/27/2021

Happy National Dog Day to my beautiful, joyful Lana!
We got so lucky! All we knew when we adopted her was that she loves people, but she turned out to be a super confident, tolerant, well socialized momma! Baby girl is worth her weight in the many many many pennies we have spent keeping her alive and well ❤️❤️
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08/26/2021

When discussing teaching a dog to ring a bell to go outside, I often hear some version of this response - "my friends say their dog just rings it because they are bored".
While that can certainly happen, the problem isn't the bell. The motivation for that behavior is the dog being bored. Providing your dog with plenty of enrichment and fulfilling their needs eliminates their motivation to ring the bell unnecessarily!

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08/12/2021

These three sweethearts need rescue ASAP from Modesto, CA! All three tested well with other dogs and love people ❤️ if anyone is interested in fostering or adopting please reach out to or email them at [email protected]
Dogs in order:
Teddy Bear
Stella
Little Man

07/31/2021

Enrichment is more than just stuffed toys and lick mats! While those are potentially the best thing since sliced bread, enrichment for your dog includes interactions, experiences, and smells beyond the well known four walls and typical scents of home. I think that's something we can all understand nowadays!
Enrichment can mean different things for different dogs due to breed or personality. Going on walks is enriching for a lot of dogs but not all dogs enjoy walks.

05/31/2021

Barry Allen has been reincarnated in the form of Winifred the Supermutt!! She will save the world by spreading love and happiness in a flash 😍
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05/24/2021

Maintenance!
It can be easy to forget to continue to reinforce a behavior once your dog performs it consistently. Especially when it isn't a trick! But, if a behavior isn't occasionally rewarded, the dog loses the motivation to do it and instead does something more rewarding.
I've certainly fallen prey to this since the baby was born! Lana "suddenly" stopped doing things staying placed and staying out of the kitchen. That is 100% my fault for not continuing to practice and reward for the past 6 months! She isn't being bad, and she doesn't know better just because she used to do it. She is just being a dog.
There is good news though! They don't have to totally relearn the behavior. It doesn't take long for them to return to "normal" with a little review and positive reinforcement.
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05/08/2021

Instant reaction - oh no, she is covered in sand and mud!
Second reaction - look how much fun she is having!

Life's no fun if you don't get dirty every once in awhile ❤️

They'll never stop reminding me how to live.
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04/29/2021

Are there behavioral benefits to exercise?
Undeniably!
Is exercise a magic cure for problem behaviors?
Nope!

It still takes training to change problem behaviors. Exercise absolutely helps them to calm down and become capable of listening and learning. It can also aid in preventing common problem behaviors like barking out the windows! But, it ultimately doesn't solve the problem.

Another huge benefit to exercise is that it helps you check off those enrichment boxes that fulfill your dog's needs and improve their quality of life! Exercise on its own is one, but you probably check other boxes during the process. Your dog may have gotten to sniff, explore, chew, chase, train, play with other dogs, or enjoy positive interactions with a human! Maybe even all of the above just in one session!
That's part of what I love about my off leash adventures job. I get to help provide much needed enrichment for dog's who have loving, but busy parents 🥰
I know Lana certainly needs it and was experiencing some unintentional neglect after Luke was born!
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I love it! She still checks in occasionally to see if I'll help her, but that happens less and less as she gets more confident and independent. I used to give her clues because that comes naturally to my human self. It's actually much better and rewarding for us both to let her find it on her own! I think we are both addicted to scent games now...there isn't much I love seeing more than her catching the scent. Scent games are just about the best thing you can do for your whole dog - emotionally, physically, and mentally. --- #scentwork#nosegames#pawsitivefocus#pawsitivevibes#portlanddogtrainer#dogtrainerpdx#positivereinforcement#pnwdogs

Did you know that licking uses almost every muscle in a dog's body? It's also enriching and relaxing! This gentle, fun activity can be a help for senior dogs and dogs that are injured or have chronic illness. Just make sure that the lick toy is at a comfortable height! They may need it placed on a raised surface or stuck to the wall. --- #portlanddogtrainer# #pawsitivefocus #pdxdogtrainer #dogtraining #pitbullsofinstagram #positivereinforcement #pawsitivevibes

Recall in distracting environments without force? I've got you! Everything from sit to loose leash walking to behavior modification is possible without using force. Not only is it possible, it is enjoyable for you both and reduces everyone's stress. You can create a dog that is happy to do what you ask regardless of whether or not you have tools or food! The bond created by positive reinforcement training is beautiful, and I'm so glad I got the education to create that relationship with Lana ❤️ --- #positivevibesonly #dogtraining#pawsitivefocus#portlanddogtrainer#pdxdogtrainer#forcefree#pnwdogs

There is always a way to integrate enrichment into your daily life without making major changes! We don't have a fenced in grassy area so I had to come up with other ways to give Lana foraging opportunities outside the house. I came up with two methods: dinner walks and food scattering at the park. Dinner walks are simply tossing a small handful of her dinner periodically for her to sniff out while on walks. We already go on walks so there is no change to our routine! When we go to the greenway for a run, I always stop partway through so I can exercise and Luke can play/eat. It's actually even easier to just hitch her to the stroller and scatter half her breakfast so she is entertained! She comes home so much more tired and content! How can you incorporate some extra enrichment to your current routine?

Barry Allen has been reincarnated in the form of Winifred the Supermutt!! She will save the world by spreading love and happiness in a flash 😍 --- #garmingpscollar

Feeding for position! I often talk to people about providing clarity for their dogs. That's why I love clicker training! Clarity is also the reason behind feeding for position. Feed/reward your dog while they are still in the position you want them to be in. For a stay, this means going to them and rewarding them before they are released! For a sit, this means rewarding while they are still sitting. This is an important piece of the puzzle that helps them figure out what exactly you want them to be doing when you speak human! Side note: the baby is not distressed! He just enjoys being loud 😄