Pawsitive Change Dog Training

28/10/2025

Tuesday Tip: Your dog does NOT need to meet the plumber (or every trick or treater for that matter)

26/10/2025

Hopefully you won't have any need for this during this holiday season (or ever). But just in case, here is information for a pet poison control number. I also recommend reaching out to your emergency veterinarian if your pet consumes something. I've been talked down by the staff of our local ER vet more than once before making the 40 minute drive to them...

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control #:~:text=ASPCA%20Poison%20Control%20is%20your,A%20consultation%20fee%20may%20apply.

Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Did your pet eat chocolate, xylitol, or another potentially poisonous substance?

25/10/2025

Important safety reminder from Doggone Safe!

I recommend teaching 'be a tree' as kids often turn into flailing, shrieking, "toys" around dogs. I also teach playing 'red light, green light' as a way for parents to ask their kids to stop running around the dog that has been conditioned as a fun and silly game.

23/10/2025

Protecting your dogs neck is one of the reasons I recommend harnesses. Thanks Dogs Disclosed for the great information!

KNOW ABOUT MY NECK!

A dog’s neck is really not that much different to ours.

In fact, it may be even a little more sensitive, as the outermost layers of the skin are thinner than ours.

In additional to the damage that using choke collars, prong collars, slip leads or shock collars cause in a psychological and emotional way, the physical risks are also often not acknowledged or understood.

Here are just some of the physical risks these aversive tools can cause –

The Vagus nerve runs down both sides of the neck and controls so many vital functions - heart rate, breathing, digestion, emotional regulation and communication between the brain and other major organs.

Pressure on the neck can compress the trachea, making it hard to breathe properly -decreases oxygen to the brain and other organs, potentially causing long-term damage.

Pressure can also damage the thyroid gland, injure nerves and muscles and bruise soft tissue.

Compression of the neck can cause intraocular pressure which affects vision.

The neck and cervical spine contain the spinal cord, where the nerves of the front legs originate. Excessive paw licking is often misdiagnosed as allergies, when it’s actually caused by pain.

Compression of the Esophagus – the tube that carries food to the stomach, can cause digestive and gut issues.

I find it really hard to understand why these tools are still so widely used and promoted.

What could possibly be admirable or intelligent in using force, inflicting pain, causing physical and emotional harm to control another sentient being, when there are far more effective, humane, ethical ways?

"The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves" – Jayne Goodall

21/10/2025

Tuesday Tips: Door Darting Prevention

You've purchased the candy. You've decorated the yard. You've pulled out the witches had you keep just for the occasion. But have you developed a plan for your dog? Even the most easy going dog may be overwhelmed by repeat door bell/knock sounds, weird costumes and all the extra evening activities.

At our house I usually stand on the porch and greet trick-or-treaters. I love watching the kids run around the neighborhood and it helps us avoid the repeat door bell noises. In the past I've also added a baby gate to keep my dogs from the front door at all, just in case. I'll prep a few stuffed kongs/toppls and have some bully sticks on hand as well.

What is your plan?

20/10/2025

Are you starting to think about holiday guests and plans? I know it feels a long ways off... but the holidays will be here sooner than you think. If you are dreading how your pup will behave with guests NOW is the time to start working on better skills. Reach out today so we can get a plan started BEFORE the busy holiday season is upon us.

At Pawsitive Change Dog Training we believe training should be effective AND fun for both you and your dog.

18/10/2025

Say it louder for the people in the back....

Thanks Tail Talk for the great reminder.

16/10/2025

It’s no surprise that people often first seek training or even rehome their dog between 6-18 months old. The teenage phase can bring new and often unexpected challenges (though they are actually no surprise when you understand canine development). You can get through this phase with an increase in training basics and management changes.

I can help! [email protected]" rel="ugc" target="_blank">[email protected]

As always, Dogs Disclosed puts it so well (and with the best picture!).

BRAIN UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The challenges of the teenage dog.

There’s a saying that most parents of teenagers can relate to - "Parents of teenagers understand why some animals eat their young!"

The changes that happen in the brain of a teenage dog are not that different to a human teenager.

The brain undergoes a period of "pruning" and "re-wiring". This process can cause some parts not to work, work sporadically or work too much.

To describe it in the simplest of terms -the prefrontal cortex of a teenage brain is at the “back of the queue” in this process. It’s still “under construction” and still developing. This area of the brain is responsible for making “logical” decisions, controlling impulses, learning, remembering, problem solving and social interaction.

Because the prefrontal cortex is being reconstructed, the brain relies more on a part called the amygdala to make choices and react.
The amygdala is involved in the “big feelings” we may see - emotional responses like fight or flight, anxiety, excitement, reactivity, impulse control and instinctive behaviour.

Being aware of the physical changes the teenage brain is going through in the process of maturing, helps us to be more understanding and accepting.

Statistics show that many dogs are surrendered or re homed during the teenage stage as their owners no longer “like” the way their dog behaves, can’t handle them or just give up on them.

Please don’t give up on your teenage dog. We need to manage our expectations and frustrations during this phase.

Understand and acknowledge what is happening in their brain. Help them through this stage with patience, consistency, love and acceptance.

14/10/2025

Tuesday Tip: Defensive Walking

Last week I shared Dogs Disclosed's post about how you should avoid being a distracted dog walker. Since not everyone listens to that advice, this week's Tuesday Tip is on Defensive Walking!

www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

13/10/2025

During a recent consultation a client expressed how much their dog LOVES bully sticks! However, they don't give them because their dog eats them so fast they worry about them consuming the small piece at the end (that could be a choking hazard). I have this same problem with Lupine who could eat a 6" extra thick bully stick in 10 minutes. That reminded me of the BEST bully stick holder I've found. This holds onto the end of the stick so I can trade for it and throw that tiny piece of bully stick away.

Please note that the bully stick holder comes in different sizes. Choose accordingly.

https://amzn.to/4h3dOG9
This post contains affiliate links.

The Bow Wow Buddy is a durable, easy to use, veterinarian recommended and dog approved device that tightly secures bully sticks, preventing dogs from choking on the last bit of the treat. Available in different sizes and best used together with Bow Wow Labs premium, hand-selected Safe Fit Bully S...

11/10/2025

Distraction Proofing

Public events are one of my favorite opportunities for training around distractions. I don't usually use parades due to the loud sirens, but our little town has a few events a year that work well for Arry. Over the years how long we've been out and where we practice around the activities (ex. the edge, across the block or in the thick of things) has varied based on her comfort and skill level. I was so proud of her focus and confidence around kids and food distractions this past weekend. She's come a long way around children especially.

Now of course, this type of event is not for every dog. Lupine stayed home as she would be nervous and have a hard time focusing around a crowd. But at almost 9 years old, Arry has gone to this event a few times and did the best by far this year. I like to think that part of it is that she trusts me more than ever to keep her safe and get her out of too hard situations.

One example of how I support her is that when kids (and adults for that matter) ask to pet her I always say "if she wants to say hi" and then Arry chooses to go up to them or not. Of the 5 or so kids who asked throughout the event, she choose to approach all of them and accepted petting from all but one. With the few kids who reached for her without asking, I maneuvered so that she could hide behind me if she wanted to and treated her immediately. I swear Arry was very pleased with all the comments about how cute she was in her costume!

www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

09/10/2025

THIS!

DISTRACTED DOG WALKERS

The distracted dog walker is commonly seen chatting on their cell phone, wearing headphones or socializing with other people while oblivious to what their dog is doing, how their dog is feeling or what is going on in the environment.

This may not sound like a problem, but it is something that many of us have a problem with, even more so if we have a reactive, sensitive dog.

I always compare walking a dog to driving a car. It’s not so much about our driving skills, but having to constantly be aware of the driving skills of others – trying to predict what they will do, which rules of the road they will ignore and how distracted they are. This is especially true in the country I live in, where driving can be a really stressful experience.

I understand that we often need to multi task – there simply doesn’t seem to be enough time in our day to accomplish everything we need to, but walking our dogs should not be one of these times.

Some may say – “but my dog is really friendly, well socialized, gets on well with everyone, is well trained, knows this environment well etc. and I hear that. But another dog might not be – maybe they need space, are reactive, sensitive, selectively social, have health issues, might be terrified of another dog racing straight towards them chasing a ball thrown from a ball launcher etc.

If distracted dog walkers have no regard for other dogs or other people, they should at least have regard for their own dogs.

Walking your dog should be a time of bonding, of connecting, of seeing the environment through the eyes of your dog, of reinforcing and rewarding wanted behaviours, of keeping them safe and protected.

Our dogs need us to be focused, to pay attention, to be aware and attentive. Our dogs depend on us to advocate for them.