Pawsitive Change Dog Training

18/11/2025

Tuesday Tip: Thanksgiving Goodies You CAN Share (and those to avoid)

15/11/2025

Safety always comes first! A good training plan is half management. Management to prevent the unwanted behavior from being rehearsed AND to keep everyone safe. Here are some great easy to apply safety tips from Aggressive Dog.

If you are overwhelmed by your dog’s behavior, you don’t have to face it alone! Reach out now to get on the schedule for the new year. www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

13/11/2025

An important reminder from ABC Dogs NZ.

Socialization is so much more than meeting other pets and people. Proper socialization sets your puppy up to better handle all the things they will encounter in their life. It helps to build resiliency and to teach how to interact with others and in different situations. Inadequate or improper socialization can lead to life long fears or inappropriate interactions with others.

A personalized socialization plan is part of any puppy program that I teach. www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

"Wow! Is that what it means?"😮
Oh that word!

Socialisation is a word that conjures up visions of cute puppies playing with other dogs and pups. Socialisation "means" interacting with others doesn't it?
Yes and no.

It's not a great word to describe what should be a priority.
Acclimation is a far better term we should all start to use.
Acclimation to wet surfaces, stairs, wind, even standing in the rain.
Yes, it absolutely includes other animals too.

The trap is when people make other dogs or pups the main focus during that very important developmental time in a young puppies life.
We may forget that they haven't seen or heard a bus before.
Crowds of people aren't thought of.
A wheelchair or a scooter can be very unsettling for a young dog if they haven't come across one earlier in life.

Of course we do want our young puppies to interact and play with others.
There's a fine balance here too.
They shouldn't play with all others they come across, they shouldn't meet all others either.
Those experiences with others need well thought out and supervised.
Why?
Acclimation is still the goal. We want them to feel part of the world, but not develop such a strong emotional pull that they must greet and insist on playing with every dog.
Or they can start to physically pull you towards them.
Every dog they see.
Every walk.

If we allow puppies to meet and play with all others, that can be a very short path to a young dog that "insists" they must interact with all others.
That is what they learned when they were younger.

Choose your play partners wisely.

Think of everything this world has to offer and what you encounter everyday.

How can we expose them positively and carefully?
That's the goal.

Not "socialisation".

09/11/2025

Whether your longline is biothane or not these are great recommendations. I especially like the thumb grip and “keep a smile in your leash” tips. Most clients who resort to retractable leashes do so because they are easier. But they carry many risks including injuries and encouraging pulling on leash. Practice using a long line and you’ll increase your confidence in the necessary leash handling skills. Then you have a great tool for letting your dog get to explore more on hikes or at the park.

www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

https://hightailhikes.com/blogs/news/top-5-tips-for-getting-started-using-a-biothane-long-line?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQKNjYyODU2ODM3OQABHoHLO-1VK2XkWqTUtXYHz_0875nK0w74jrfeQnbPBt0te2EdzzxSleZXS5oU_aem_atGA0VB6FwKT8vNTmYxtkw

Five Tips for Getting Started Using a BioThane Long Line A BioThane long line is one of the most versatile pieces of gear you can have for your dog. Whether you're using it for enrichment walks, training, hiking, or recall practice, a long line allows your pup more freedom while keeping them saf...

06/11/2025

Great reminder from ABC Dogs NZ.

Noise is a huge under recognized trigger. Not gunshots or fireworks which are obvious to the per parent, but wind in the trees or background traffic noise. Things we ignore but that can cause a dog to become hyper vigilant, start pacing on leash, and ignore cues and decline treats. If your dog seems anxious “out of the blue”, pause and listen. What changed in the environment? Then help them out by moving to a safe space if available, providing treats (eating is calming) and comfort.

If you have a sound sensitive dog there is more you can do. Reach out for a consultation for a personalized plan: [email protected]" rel="ugc" target="_blank">[email protected]

They're just "off".
Something has unsettled them and we just cant see it.
There's no dog around.
No people either, but they are struggling.
Time to look a bit deeper.

Candles, diffusers and even a change of your perfume can be deeply unsettling for a dog.
If you have two dogs and need to take one to the vet or the groomers, sometimes the welcome home is confusing.
Colder or even aggressive.
Their friend looks the same but they smell totally different (and scent is everything to a dog).

Of course dogs can be stressed by storms but before that thunder and lightning they may be acutely aware of a change in the atmosphere, long before we even notice.
It doesn't need to be an actual storm either, a change of weather is sometimes enough to unsettle dogs.

Those ultrasonic devices we have in our homes, the pest control devices can cause dogs anxiety but so can our modern TVs and devices on standby. Some can emit high frequency sounds that we can barely hear. Even a heat pump turning itself on and off and adjusting output can trigger dogs and even the compressor unit outside cause stress.

We often think of triggers they can see and miss all the other ways our dogs can be affected.

Back to the candles, oil burners and plug in air freshener units for a second.
They may be pleasant for us, but deeply disturbing for a dog.
For some dogs, they can really take a toll.

Maybe rethink if you really need them.

You may be surprised just how relaxed your dog is when you don't use them.

05/11/2025

Tuesday Tips: Naps

A very important core need that is often under recognized as lacking. This is especially true for young dogs (puppies and adolescents) and individuals that lack the ability to 'turn it off' and take a break on their own.

www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

01/11/2025

I see these come up a LOT when training dogs in challenging situations. When a client's dog 'calmly' get closer then we expect to a hard distraction, I advice them to pause and reevaluate. If the dog 'doesn't care' about the distraction because they are not looking at it, but they ARE scratching, sniffing, showing subtle stress signs (lip lick, yawn, furrowed brows) they are more likely just barely coping than actually comfortable. A dog with a strong training history may even walk in a beautiful heel position while focused on their handler. These can actually all be signs that you are too close, it's too hard and you should actually back away and take a break! As these behaviors usually accompany the dog in training actively avoiding looking at the distraction, many people make the mistake of trying to go closer in that moment to get their dog to pay attention to it. Then an explosive reaction happens 'out of the blue' when really, the dog was telling you they needed a break all along.

www.pawsitivechangemt.com

Great summary with visuals from ABC Behavior and Training!

31/10/2025

Happy Howl-o-ween!

30/10/2025

Important safety reminders from Animal Blessings Pet Hospital. Have a fun and safe Halloween!

Halloween Safety Tips from Pet Poison Helpline.

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.