Pawsitive Solutions Dog Training

13/05/2026

TRAINING TIPS...

IF I IS STILL NOT WORKING...
If you have being saying “No or trying to train your pet by doing something repeatedly and it is not changing your pets behavior then maybe you need to stop and try something else because it appears that doing the same thing another 100 times is not going to change the outcome.

DON'T OVER THINK IT...
Too much of animal training is overly complicated. Dogs don’t pull because they are being dominant! If they get rewarded for doing something they will probably do it again. If a dog pulls and gets to the park quicker then surprise, he will do it again! Most of the time there is often a simple reason for your pets behavior.

UNDERSTAND THE REWARD SYSTEM...
As mentioned above, an animal will do something again if they get paid for it. Knowing what your pet will work for and that different food items, toys or games will hold different values of reward for your pet in different situations will help excel your training.

06/05/2026

USE YOUR MANNERS!

The Sniff test - Stop doing that!
The sniff test - a badly engrained habit that society has been taught, without a clear understanding of what they're actually doing.

🚩When you reach out towards a dog, you are using body pressure AT them, giving them no time to assess whether you are safe & whether they require further investigation to pick up your information. You are forcing an interaction of a relationship that hasn't had time to develop. To some dogs, this is quite rude & the reason a lot of dogs snap at or bite people. This can cause alot of behavioral issues because of layered stress due to forced interactions.

🚩If they are on lead, they have no where to go if they are sensitive to spacial pressure, so can end up shutting down, shying away or snapping at your hand so you back off. This is an example of how a dog is now using pressure to turn off pressure & make you back off so they aren't so stressed.

🚩People think by offering your hand it can give the dog time to sniff to know you're friendly... they can sniff without being forced to sniff your hand.Their noses are far more superior than ours & they don't need close contact forced upon them to smell you.

🚩Some dogs might not want to know you. You have no relationship with them and that's perfectly fine. They aren't your dog so you don't need to touch them or steal pats for your own satisfaction.

🤔 If you are meeting a dog, what should you do?
⚠Ask the owner if you can interact with their dog. Not all people want strangers touching their dogs. Especially strangers who you are unlikely to see again.
⚠Stand up straight & relaxed, with your hands at your side.
⚠Ignore the dog & talk to the owner.
⚠Don't stare at the dog & don't try to force an interaction by going in for a pat. If the dog wants to know you, it will come up to you & sniff around. Usually they will move away & then come back for a second sniffathon. Some dogs will bunt your hands & wag their tails, which are good signs that you're likely an accepted new friend. Give them a few slow pats down their back (NOT THEIR HEAD) & then stop. Is the dog happy? Has it accepted your interaction? This will determine whether you can give it more pats.

🐶This is a more stress free option for dogs and a reason why in consultations we can develop a good level of trust, especially with fearful dogs & aggressive dogs, without a bunch of negative side effects from forced interactions.

03/05/2026

Why It’s Important To Train Your Dogs
Adapted from Dr. Ian Dunbar

Sadly, most puppies fail to live long enough to celebrate their second birthday. They suffer the illness of being unwanted. They are no longer wanted because the same behavior that was so cute when they were puppies is no longer cute or welcome as they become adult dogs. It now hurts when he jumps on you or bites your hands. You get frustrated and yell “why won’t he come when I call him?” So, Fido is relinquished to the back yard where he now has little to no human contact. His manners become worse, (who is there to teach him?), and now he is digging, barking and possibly, due to lack of attention, becoming aggressive. Fido is now being taken to the City Shelter because “he just won’t mind” and there he will be euthanized.

NO....DOGS DON’T COME TRAINED. They need to be taught, through positive reinforcement training, how to greet you and your guests without jumping up. They need to be taught how to sit and lie down. They need to be taught which is their “special place” to settle down and taught how to not bark and dig and yes, they actually have to be taught to “come” on command.

If you are taking on the responsibility of getting a puppy or even an adult dog, along with good food and veterinary care, don’t forget that training is just as important.

Training should be fun for you as well as your dog if done correctly.

30/04/2026

I hear this a lot when I suggest using cut up hot dogs, cheese or steamed chicken as a reinforcer in training…

MYTH:
Using people food in training will make my dog beg at the table.

REALITY:
Feeding your dog from the dining table will cause your dog to beg at the table.

If you don’t want your dog to beg while you’re eating, teach him a “go to your place” command to show him that he needs to go hang out somewhere else in the house while you’re enjoying a meal.

23/04/2026

See the difference?

SUBMISSIVENESS IS AN OFFERED BEHAVIOR AND CAN NOT BE FORCED.

While I was at the park with my dog, I observed a scuffle between two dogs at a nearby dog park. I don't know how it started, but I am assuming it was a German Shepherd because the owner of this dog immediately grabbed his dog shoved it down and held it. The dog got up and started a fight again, the owner again grabbed the dog, put it down and held it. This happened two more times. The dog finally turned and bit his owner.

Sadly, this scenario is all too common. It comes from watching TV trainers who don't know what they're doing despite their claims of understanding dog psychology. A human putting a dog down is an act of aggression and aggression begets aggression. Did this work for the owner? No, obviously not. It only stopped the behavior for the moment. There was no training and no redirection.

You cannot force a dog to be submissive by forcefully putting them in a submissive posture. It does not work!

21/04/2026

Be confident.

Classic example of how to create Separation Anxiety in a dog. If you are anxious, your dog will be, also.

21/04/2026

Classic example of how to create Separation Anxiety in a dog. If you are anxious, your dog will be, also.

20/04/2026

PROVIDE MENTAL STIMULATION...

Dr. Roger Abrante's suggestions regarding using...

*1/3 of your dog's diet for treats to be earned during training.

*1/3 to be given as usual in a food bowl.

*1/3 to be "hunted"

(try a Buster Cube, an ingenious toy which the dog must persistently work with to receive a few kibble at a time). Even a border collie will be amused by this for hours! Buster Cubes, or something like it, are available from your local pet store or sleuth on-line. Kongs are great also. This "home alone" 1/3-1/3-1/3 program helps your dog expend some energy and provides much needed stimulation. Also great for dogs who suffer from SEPARATION ANXIETY.

16/04/2026

Instead of always saying “no“, give direction. Use vocabulary like “sit“, “down”, “off” etc. Tell your dog what you WOULD like him to do.

12/04/2026

DOG PARK CONCERNS...

Common behavior patterns are displayed by groups of UNFAMILIAR dogs. These include: Mobbing, Bullying, Targeting, Hunting and Group Chase. Not unlike unsupervised schoolyard kids, dogs can engage in mentally, emotionally and sometimes physically abusive behaviors. The healthiest play seems to occur between only two dogs and familiar dogs.

If you use the dog park, supervise your dog. Don't just stand and talk to other dog park patrons. WATCH your dog's behavior. Monitor and always let your dog know that you are.

07/04/2026

"MY DOG DOESN'T LISTEN WHEN I USE HIS NAME"

Over use is the cause. If you say "Fido" hundreds of times a day, why should he pay attention when you REALLY want him to respond?

Too much chatter. Use your dog's name for a purpose, not just to chat.

Clickers work great for dogs that have learned to tune you out!