Pawsitive Results Professional Dog Training & Behavior Services (724) 847-0577 |
Have a question that isn't answered here? Feel free to contact us.
Click here for Frequently asked Questions about our group classes.
What type of training do you do?
We offer pet dog training meaning we that train dogs to be good family companions. Our classes and
private lessons are geared toward teaching dogs how to behave appropriately at home and in real life
situations. We do not offer specialized training such as competition obedience training, confirmation,
assistance or therapy dog training, protection dog training, or gun dog training.
How old should my puppy be to start training?
The sooner the better! If you are interested in private training, we can begin training your puppy as soon
as you bring him/her home. If you want to bring your puppy to a group class, ask your veterinarian what
vaccinations s/he recommends before signing up for class.
What kind of methods do you use?
We use positive reinforcement training and behavior modification techniques that are based on the
scientific principles of animal learning theory. Training your dog with positive methods does not mean
you are being mindlessly permissive or too "soft" with your dog or throwing cookies around hoping to get
the right behavior. These methods are both dog and owner friendly, fun and enjoyable to use, and easy to
learn but do set rules and boundaries for the dog.
We do not use or condone the use of aversive training methods that use pain, force, intimidation, or fear
as doing so carries the very real risk of increasing fearful or aggressive behavior and eroding the trust
between dog and human. Our goal is to strengthen the canine-human bond through humane
dog-friendly training.
Do you use food rewards in your training?
Yes we do! And anything else that motivates your dog - toys, petting, real-life rewards, cheering, and
praise. Used properly, food treats can be the best motivator for your dog. Which would you rather receive:
$100 or a pat on the back and a "atta boy?" We can help you choose healthy treats for your dog and show
you how to use them correctly to get the best behavior. Plus, we'll show you how to fade them out so your
dog continues to respond without them.
I don't want my dog to work only for food. Can't I just use praise?
Think of it in human terms: imagine if you went to work your and your boss said you're doing a great job
but you will not be paid anymore. How long would you continue working without a paycheck? We always
praise our dogs but when teaching new behaviors we want the dog to be really motivated to play along
and food is highly motivating for most dogs. When food rewards are used correctly, you can get amazing
behavior from your dog.
Can you take my dog and train him for me?
We do not offer "board and train" services at this time.
What breeds do you work with?
We train ALL breeds and mixes!
I'd like you work with my dog and me, but I want to use traditional methods.
Can you help me?
Pawsitive Results is built around using dog-friendly training methods. So while we are flexible in terms of
finding what works for a particular dog, we are NOT flexible in our commitment to using humane,
dog-friendly methods.
I started training my dog using traditional methods. Is it too late to try
positive methods?
It's never too late! If you are ready to "cross over", open your mind and heart, and give positive
reinforcement methods a try, we are willing to help.
Do you train like the trainers on TV?
Dog training reality shows may be entertaining but don't contain a whole lot of reality. What you see is
plenty of creative editing, retakes, and scripts and all problems are "fixed" in 1 hour (including
commercials!). Real successful canine behavior modification takes time for the dog to learn a new way of
behaving. The methods we use at Pawsitive Results are based on proven scientific learning theory, not
the entertaining wow-factor. We strongly recommend you follow these shows' advice of 'do not try this at
home'.
Do you offer a guarantee on your training?
We do not offer guarantees on our training and you should be very wary of anyone who does. A dog is a
living, breathing being - not a toaster or a vacuum cleaner. Numerous variables contribute to a dog's
behavior: genetics, breed traits, the environment he's raised in, early socialization, and the length of time
the problem has been occurring just to name a few. The human on the other end of the leash is super
important too - the owner's willingness to comply with training suggestions, commitment to the training,
and training ability all play a significant role in the successful outcome (or not) of the training program.
These are things that we as the trainer cannot control, therefore offering a guarantee or guaranteeing
specific results would be both impossible and unethical. As a member of the Association of Pet Dog
Trainers, we are not permitted to offer guarantees on training per their Code of Ethics.
We can guarantee to provide you with professional, humane dog training services at all times and do our
best to help you achieve your training goals. We are always available to answer any and all questions you
have between training sessions, via phone or email. Visit our Happy Tails page to read testimonials from
satisfied clients.
Should I take private lessons or a group class?
There is no one right answer to this question. If your dog is friendly with other dogs and people and you
want her learn some basic manners and socialize, a group class is an excellent option. In group classes
we don't focus on detailed behavior issues and classes are not appropriate for some dogs. If you are
experiencing a specific behavior issue with your dog (i.e. aggression, fear/shyness, housetraining, etc)
you are encouraged to take private lessons where we can focus on addressing your dog's individual
issues. We've had many private clients move on to take group classes with their dogs after first doing
some basic training at home. If you are unsure if your dog is appropriate for group classes, please
contact us before signing up.
My dog has bitten a person OR is aggressive toward people or other dogs.
Can you help me?
We do work with some aggressive dogs, but not all aggressive dogs. We have to consider many factors
when deciding to accept an aggression case including severity of the aggression, how long the behavior
has gone on, if children are involved, and the owner's level of commitment. We do not take aggression
lightly and expect owners to work hard and follow strict management and training plans in order to keep
everyone safe. During a behavior consultation for an aggressive dog, we will discuss your risks, your
dog's prognosis, and available options. Most of all, we want you to understand that although in some
cases aggressive behavior may be modified, it can never be "cured" and you will have to be 100%
committed to managing and training your dog.
Why is socializing my puppy so important?
See the above question! Between 3 and 16 weeks of age is considered to be a "window of opportunity" in
your puppy's life. Exposing your puppy to new people, other dogs, new places, and novel situations will
help her to grow into a friendly, social adult dog. The more you expose your puppy to, the less likely she is
to develop aggressive or fearful behaviors as an adult.
What is a Temperament Test?
A Temperament Test, or Behavior Evaluation, is a valuable tool to determine if a dog is a safe candidate
for adoption or to learn more about a dog's temperament. Whether you are considering adopting a dog
from a shelter, rescue group, animal control facility, or even buying a puppy from a breeder, having a
professional trainer evaluate and temperament test the dog or puppy can save you a lot of potential
headaches and even heartbreak down the road. While no one can ever guarantee how any dog might
react in any situation 100% of the time, temperament testing a dog will help you to make a rational,
informed decision about adoption.
What towns/areas do you serve?
Click here to see information about our travel area.
Are you insured?
Pawsitive Results is fully insured through Mourer-Foster, Inc.
Click here for Frequently asked Questions about our group classes.
What type of training do you do?
We offer pet dog training meaning we that train dogs to be good family companions. Our classes and
private lessons are geared toward teaching dogs how to behave appropriately at home and in real life
situations. We do not offer specialized training such as competition obedience training, confirmation,
assistance or therapy dog training, protection dog training, or gun dog training.
How old should my puppy be to start training?
The sooner the better! If you are interested in private training, we can begin training your puppy as soon
as you bring him/her home. If you want to bring your puppy to a group class, ask your veterinarian what
vaccinations s/he recommends before signing up for class.
What kind of methods do you use?
We use positive reinforcement training and behavior modification techniques that are based on the
scientific principles of animal learning theory. Training your dog with positive methods does not mean
you are being mindlessly permissive or too "soft" with your dog or throwing cookies around hoping to get
the right behavior. These methods are both dog and owner friendly, fun and enjoyable to use, and easy to
learn but do set rules and boundaries for the dog.
We do not use or condone the use of aversive training methods that use pain, force, intimidation, or fear
as doing so carries the very real risk of increasing fearful or aggressive behavior and eroding the trust
between dog and human. Our goal is to strengthen the canine-human bond through humane
dog-friendly training.
Do you use food rewards in your training?
Yes we do! And anything else that motivates your dog - toys, petting, real-life rewards, cheering, and
praise. Used properly, food treats can be the best motivator for your dog. Which would you rather receive:
$100 or a pat on the back and a "atta boy?" We can help you choose healthy treats for your dog and show
you how to use them correctly to get the best behavior. Plus, we'll show you how to fade them out so your
dog continues to respond without them.
I don't want my dog to work only for food. Can't I just use praise?
Think of it in human terms: imagine if you went to work your and your boss said you're doing a great job
but you will not be paid anymore. How long would you continue working without a paycheck? We always
praise our dogs but when teaching new behaviors we want the dog to be really motivated to play along
and food is highly motivating for most dogs. When food rewards are used correctly, you can get amazing
behavior from your dog.
Can you take my dog and train him for me?
We do not offer "board and train" services at this time.
What breeds do you work with?
We train ALL breeds and mixes!
I'd like you work with my dog and me, but I want to use traditional methods.
Can you help me?
Pawsitive Results is built around using dog-friendly training methods. So while we are flexible in terms of
finding what works for a particular dog, we are NOT flexible in our commitment to using humane,
dog-friendly methods.
I started training my dog using traditional methods. Is it too late to try
positive methods?
It's never too late! If you are ready to "cross over", open your mind and heart, and give positive
reinforcement methods a try, we are willing to help.
Do you train like the trainers on TV?
Dog training reality shows may be entertaining but don't contain a whole lot of reality. What you see is
plenty of creative editing, retakes, and scripts and all problems are "fixed" in 1 hour (including
commercials!). Real successful canine behavior modification takes time for the dog to learn a new way of
behaving. The methods we use at Pawsitive Results are based on proven scientific learning theory, not
the entertaining wow-factor. We strongly recommend you follow these shows' advice of 'do not try this at
home'.
Do you offer a guarantee on your training?
We do not offer guarantees on our training and you should be very wary of anyone who does. A dog is a
living, breathing being - not a toaster or a vacuum cleaner. Numerous variables contribute to a dog's
behavior: genetics, breed traits, the environment he's raised in, early socialization, and the length of time
the problem has been occurring just to name a few. The human on the other end of the leash is super
important too - the owner's willingness to comply with training suggestions, commitment to the training,
and training ability all play a significant role in the successful outcome (or not) of the training program.
These are things that we as the trainer cannot control, therefore offering a guarantee or guaranteeing
specific results would be both impossible and unethical. As a member of the Association of Pet Dog
Trainers, we are not permitted to offer guarantees on training per their Code of Ethics.
We can guarantee to provide you with professional, humane dog training services at all times and do our
best to help you achieve your training goals. We are always available to answer any and all questions you
have between training sessions, via phone or email. Visit our Happy Tails page to read testimonials from
satisfied clients.
Should I take private lessons or a group class?
There is no one right answer to this question. If your dog is friendly with other dogs and people and you
want her learn some basic manners and socialize, a group class is an excellent option. In group classes
we don't focus on detailed behavior issues and classes are not appropriate for some dogs. If you are
experiencing a specific behavior issue with your dog (i.e. aggression, fear/shyness, housetraining, etc)
you are encouraged to take private lessons where we can focus on addressing your dog's individual
issues. We've had many private clients move on to take group classes with their dogs after first doing
some basic training at home. If you are unsure if your dog is appropriate for group classes, please
contact us before signing up.
My dog has bitten a person OR is aggressive toward people or other dogs.
Can you help me?
We do work with some aggressive dogs, but not all aggressive dogs. We have to consider many factors
when deciding to accept an aggression case including severity of the aggression, how long the behavior
has gone on, if children are involved, and the owner's level of commitment. We do not take aggression
lightly and expect owners to work hard and follow strict management and training plans in order to keep
everyone safe. During a behavior consultation for an aggressive dog, we will discuss your risks, your
dog's prognosis, and available options. Most of all, we want you to understand that although in some
cases aggressive behavior may be modified, it can never be "cured" and you will have to be 100%
committed to managing and training your dog.
Why is socializing my puppy so important?
See the above question! Between 3 and 16 weeks of age is considered to be a "window of opportunity" in
your puppy's life. Exposing your puppy to new people, other dogs, new places, and novel situations will
help her to grow into a friendly, social adult dog. The more you expose your puppy to, the less likely she is
to develop aggressive or fearful behaviors as an adult.
What is a Temperament Test?
A Temperament Test, or Behavior Evaluation, is a valuable tool to determine if a dog is a safe candidate
for adoption or to learn more about a dog's temperament. Whether you are considering adopting a dog
from a shelter, rescue group, animal control facility, or even buying a puppy from a breeder, having a
professional trainer evaluate and temperament test the dog or puppy can save you a lot of potential
headaches and even heartbreak down the road. While no one can ever guarantee how any dog might
react in any situation 100% of the time, temperament testing a dog will help you to make a rational,
informed decision about adoption.
What towns/areas do you serve?
Click here to see information about our travel area.
Are you insured?
Pawsitive Results is fully insured through Mourer-Foster, Inc.
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