Sydney's Pawsitive Pups

10/27/2023

One of my clients reached out this morning to share that she saw a dog being “trained” with two prong collars around his neck. 😢
She was distraught to see this in her public park and asked what we can do.
Her heart broke for the dog as she shared the scared body language she witnessed. 💔

We can talk about it.
We can share that shock, prong collars and choke chains are illegal in most of Europe.

We can share that you can consider walking your beloved dog on a harness out of concern for their delicate neck, thyroid gland, trachea etc.

You can share this post to help others see and learn that we humans should be a place of safety, reassurance and trust for our 4 legged family members.

We should never knowingly cause pain for those whom we love and who count on us in life.

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior clearly states that no aversive methods should ever be used with our dear dogs.
This strong statement came out in 2018. I celebrated this.
This should be the law of the land!

Sadly many “trainers” are still back in the dominance, intimidation and be large and in charge days.
You wouldn’t go to see a doctor who doesn’t take his boards every 2 years. You want the doc who’s up to date on the latest practices and who takes ongoing education so that they know what is right, today, now!

PLEASE don’t hire a “trainer” who doesn’t know that kindness and relationship is todays way to go.
Our dogs are smart. They get things. They may be smarter then us but they don’t have thumbs. 🥰

You truly can’t learn new things when you are in a state of fear and or pain.
You might shut down. You may appear to be “obedient “. (Boy do I dislike that word. )

Learning happens best when we enjoy the moment, with happiness in our heart ❤️ and a smile on our face. Same for humans as well as our dogs.

Be your dog’s hero in this, their short life.
Say NO to anything that does not feel kind.
Call a behavior consultant or a trainer who knows that kindness wins.
I myself will never stop learning and never stop sharing with you, what I have learned.

These devices of horror seem so mid evil.
Let’s not allow our dogs to suffer. 😞
Let’s educate ourselves and be their hero.
I wish I could save them all from such fates.
Together we can make a difference.
Join the PPG with me if you are a dog lover.
Advocate for them. 🐾
They need us.

09/10/2023

and if you squint🌼
FACT: Pitbulls are the world’s most abused dogs🥲 And with 25% of the US having a negative opinion it’s no wonder pitbulls (and dogs mislabeled as pitbulls) spend 3x longer than any other dog in shelters.

What’s even sadder is this lil buttercup has had no interest since we’ve placed her up for adoption! If you’re looking for a sweet shy girl, who was also afraid of the bumblebees in these photos, Miss Kirra is the girl for you! More info on and applications on our website!

05/30/2023

I haven’t shared on here in so long!

Look at just a few of the wonderful pups I’ve worked with in the past year. Ranging from 3 lbs to over 100lbs, I have such a blast teaching families how to communicate with their pets.

I’m a full time social worker, part time dog trainer and love seeing the similarities between the two. Understanding human behavior helps me to understand animal behavior and vice versa.

Treat your dogs how you would treat your children!
If the training doesn’t feel right, it most definitely is not!
Train with kindness!
Quality communication is everything!

01/18/2023

The most incredible dog cake, for Winston’s 3rd birthday! Charlie’s Traveling Treat Truck killed it!!

Here’s one of my favorite “favorite things” cakes. Winston loves hiking, swimming and chasing squirrels 🐿️🌲

Currently working on: cleaning up the website, updating photos, adding menus, and eventually online shopping and shipping!

Little by little it’s coming together 🙌🏼

12/18/2022

12/17/2022

So excited to share that 2 years after getting foster #28, my failed foster Winston who I adore, I have officially returned to the game. Welcome foster #29 to the family!!

This is Stewie! A 10 week old pup who just got here from Arkansas. He is from and available for adoption. So far he is loving, playful, and incredible with Winston! He loves sleeping on our laps, and following us everywhere we go.

Winston is warming up to being a foster brother and is already gaining confidence teaching stewie how to dog!

Message me if you are interested in this sweet boy and I can send you the adoption application.

09/15/2022

🐾❤️
Life gets a whole lot easier when we reward all the good we see in our pups!

08/22/2022

One of the most important things to understand!

Never scold your dog for growling!!!

A growl is a dogs only way to say “I feel uncomfortable”, without resorting to a bite. When we don’t listen to our dogs anxiety/discomfort, that’s when we have a dog that snaps because that’s the only way their humans listen.

Excellent infographic from Dogs Disclosed.

Thank your dog for a growl by providing comfort and reassurance.

05/28/2022

I have been loving my new clients lately! Each of the dogs I work with have vastly different personalities and goals in training.
Some focuses have been leash walking, prepping for a new baby human, not bolting out the front door, recall, feeling safe around strangers, jumping, separation anxiety, and more!

Seeing progress and improving the relationship between owners and their pets is why I do it!
Reach out to book a session!

05/25/2022

I heard that someone in town was saying something nice about my dog behavior coaching skills and someone else retorted that I have a crazy dog so how good can I be?

At first I felt defensive, you know how we can get. Then I thought that this can be a great teaching moment. So here you go.

My dog Fitzy, he is anxious and uncomfortable away from home. His leash states that he needs space.
He is a very smart 7 year old. He learns all things quickly and is a great communicator to those whom he is comfortable with.

I tell clients who need help with their reactive dog that I too have a guy who is reactive. They appreciate that I understand what life can be like when you were hoping for a hiking buddy but instead ended up with an alert system.

Here’s the deal though. I love him for who he is. I would never try to change him to fit into the plans that I had.

As I do with my clients 4 legged loved ones, I help him to feel more comfortable in his world and when he doesn’t and chooses to opt out, I have his back. I always always think about him and what he is saying, feeling, conveying through his actions. We are not all social butterfly’s after all and that is ok!

When I see dogs wearing shock and prong collars it breaks my heart for them. I lose sleep over it. For the life of me I can’t figure out HOW it can be ok in anyones mind to inflict pain, fear and intimidation onto any creature, especially one in your care, someone who you committed to love.

Listen. Learn. Hear what your dog is saying. Don’t blindly follow anyone who tells you to do something that you know in your soul just doesn’t feel right.

I could put a shock collar on Fitzy and walk him through the center. I could ignore his feelings and do it because I can. What choice would he have? Listen to me, even if your heart is beating and it terrifies you to do it, you must or I will hurt you. Your choices are anxiety and fear or fear and pain which increases anxiety and shows him how correct he was to be afraid of this world.

Be your dogs advocate.
Care enough to say no to pain and intimidation. Love them for who they are. Use kindness always.

Fitzy made me learn and grow and learn some more. All I can. I learn it and I share it with you. I help you to understand your dog’s perception of the situation. Sometimes we help them to see that it can be ok to take that hike or meet a new friend. Sometimes I help you to see that this is simply not who your guy is, and though it’s not the way you pictured it would be, it’s ok because he has you. ♥️

Get a dog because you want to give a beautiful creature a chance to live their best life possible, whatever that may mean for who they are.

04/05/2022

I brought Winston to the vet today for a check up, and most people would think he was totally calm. But I was able to see that he was completely uneasy and anxious (licking lips, yawning, tense eyes, etc), all before even getting out of the car!

Recognizing and understanding dog body language is so important in supporting your pup.

The book “Doggie Language” by Lili Chin is one I would recommend to anyone! It is simple, easy to understand, and will help you to better understand your four legged friend.

If you are noticing your dog having anxious behavior, feel free to reach out to schedule a session, so we can start working to help your pup feel more at ease!

03/10/2022

🐾💕

02/23/2022

Training should be fun!!

My newest client, did amazing in our session today! That one ear kills me 🥺

01/27/2022

My sweet client Peyton! I love what I do 🐾💕

01/06/2022

Here are a few happy clients I’ve had recently! So many smiles and so much engagement!

12/24/2021

This is your reminder that the holiday season can be really stressful for our dogs.

Their routines are disrupted, there are strange and interesting decorations around the home, new people are coming and going, and there are oh-so-many delicious foods to try to eat 🍗🥧

On their own, these experiences might not be too stressful because your dog’s body has time to return back to their relaxed baseline.

But during the holidays there are so many changes squeezed into a few days that the stressful experiences build up and can quickly push a dog past their threshold.

What happens past a dog’s threshold? Your dog is more likely to be reactive and possibly growl, snap, bark, or even bite.

This sucks for everyone involved!

Over the next few days and weeks, try to add in some additional play + decompression sessions to help your pup recover from our strange, human festivities.

And check out my previous post for some short, sweet tips for helping your dog have a low-stress (or hopefully no-stress) holiday 🥰🎄🎅

[Image ID: Teal and pink bar graph. Graph title reads “Stress Stacking Holiday Edition.” Y axis reads “Stress Levels.” X axis reads “Events in Your Dog’s Day.” Each bar stacks onto the previous bar as the total bar length gradually surpasses a dotted line reading “Threshold.” The first bar says “Routine Change.” The second bar says “Force Into Sweater.” The third bar reads “Guests Arrive.” The fourth bar reads “Hugged by New People.” There is an alarmed, barking dog silhouette at the top of the fourth bar that is past the threshold line.”]

11/19/2021

Thankful for this sweet, beefy boy 🐾💕

10/27/2021

I scooped Pluto from a client of mine who was not in a place to have a dog. He is so goofy, so fun, and needs to find his people! Please share!

09/26/2021

Success story!
I was on my way to see a client when this boy came running across the street to me. He was almost hit by a car, so I walked him back with treats to his mom. I started talking to his owner and offered to help. She explained that she just couldn’t handle him on top of four children because no one else helps her. She then explained she was trying to give him away.
Similar to Pluto’s story, I could not let Legend be rehomed for free knowing that this could lead to a bad life for him. So, I teamed up with an amazing rescue and got him into a Foster.

Long story short, this boy was adopted this week into an amazing family with pitbull experience, a big yard, and lots of love to give him. Cheers to a wonderful life Legend 💕🐾

09/05/2021

ADOPTABLE!
Hi everyone!! Meet Pluto!

I was hired to train this sweet boy a few weeks ago. His family got him for free on Facebook and realized they can’t handle a dog at this point in their life, so they tried to give him away for free again. I immediately stepped in to help, because we all know that it is so easy for a free pet to end up in the wrong hands (especially a friendly pitbull).
Pluto is in a very temporary foster and is in need of a foster until he can be neutered and adopted.
Here is a bit about Pluto!
Pluto is an 8 month old little meatball. He is short, stalky, and so so soft. He loves everyone he meets, and is so dog friendly, he would play all day if he could.
Pluto is crate trained, house broken, and walks well on leash. He knows sit, down, paw, touch, and is working on other cues. He can be a bit jumpy and is still learning his size, so we’d prefer him to go to a home with no young children (although he would love them). Pluto needs an active family, one that will be consistent and loving with training and show him the love he deserves.
I am offering 3 free training sessions for Pluto and his new family.

Pluto has been passed around too many times. Will you be his foster or forever home? Message me if interested.
has been kind enough to take him into their rescue. They are covering vet bills and helping with the adoption process, but we need to find a foster!

08/28/2021

Happy clients 💕🐾

*We tossed the choke chain in the garbage*

08/22/2021

Otis and Leo want to remind everyone to freeze their stuffed kongs, lick mats, and get their snuffle mats ready for hurricane Henri tomorrow! Also make sure your pups are secured on leash, and walk your property to make sure no trees have fallen on your fence. Bad weather can be scary for our four legged friends! Keep them safe and keep their brains busy!

08/21/2021

Hurricane/High Wind Warning for CT: Please make sure you have locks on your gates so they can blow open. Do not let your dogs out unless you know fence/gates are secure. DO NOT let your dogs out unleashed. Something could scare them & they take off.
Please Keep your Furbabies Safe!
Stay Safe 🐾

08/12/2021

Had the best time with my new client today! The initial goal of this session was to work on leash walking and separation anxiety. Plans changed because this poor girl has a torn ACL. How can we get her energy out while not injuring her more with exercise? Enrichment! We stayed inside for most of the session with a quick stop in the yard for a potty break and let her use her nose sniffing out yummy treats and playing games the whole time! By the end she was fast asleep on the couch. Successful session if you ask me 🐾💕

08/05/2021

I feel so lucky to spend my days with these wonderful little creatures 💕🐾 I love ending sessions seeing happy and tired pups and proud owners! Message me to book a session to begin improving the relationship with you and your pup!

07/25/2021

Winston gets overwhelmed easily with new dogs. It takes him an extra bit of time to really trust his friends. This intro started off a bit rocky, but by the end he has officially welcomed Gemma as a new best friend!!
They were sharing the water bowl, mirroring play styles, wrestling & taking space when a break was needed. Look at these hysterical pics! They love each-other!
~80% of dogs are dog tolerant or dog selective (I’d argue it’s the same with people. You probably don’t love everyone you meet!). We have very high standards for our 4 legged friends! Respecting your dogs boundaries and moving at their pace is so important!

07/14/2021

Please read and share. I have had numerous clients deal with this trainer. They all had 3 things in common.

1. Their dogs were pit mixes

2. The trainer told them to euthanize their pup without interacting with either

3. The dogs were friendly and greeted me with love the moment I met them

This is not what training looks like. If someone has told you this, share your story to help save more dogs.

07/13/2021

Look at all these big smiles! Your dog should enjoy training. As Debbie always says, if the training doesn’t feel right (to you and your pup), it’s probably not!

06/30/2021

PSA: More pets run away on the Fourth of July than any other day!

The experience of fireworks is different than other natural loud noises. Fireworks are loud, close to the ground, and include sudden booms, burning smells, and flashes. Dogs experience the world through their senses, so this can be terrifying for them! Help them feel safe and secure this coming weekend.

A few things you can do to make sure they are safe and comfortable!

1. Make sure your pups tags are up to date prior to this weekend

2. Walk your dog before it gets dark and before the fireworks start

3. Play calming music as ambient noise in the home

4. Make sure the house is secure and your pup has a safe space with their favorite blankets and toys

5. Find out what your pup needs from you! Do they need to be held? Do they want to play as a distraction? Do they want to chew on a yummy bone/kong?

6. Do not force your pets outside!

06/20/2021

Look at these sweet faces!! These babies are so eager to learn and grow. We are working on all the basics, some fun games, and a few confidence boosters to help these babies thrive with their families.

Need help with your dog? Message me to book a session!