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: $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 learns 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. Mixing up methods at the same time will confuse your dog and potentially make behavior issues worse.
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, environment, early socialization, and the length of time the problem has been occurring to name a few. The human on the other end of the leash is 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 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 responses to new or novel experiences as an adult. Many behavior problems in adult dogs could have been made less severe or all together avoided by properly socializing the dog as a puppy. Once this window of opportunity has closed, attempts at socializing your dog are much more difficult. Anything your dog hasn't been socialized to (such as being approached and petted by strangers, meeting other dogs, going to vet, etc) will automatically fall into the "unsafe" or "dangerous" category. It is well worth the effort to get your puppy out and socialize her now. This goes triple if you have a breed known for being aloof, reactive, shy, or aggressive.
What is a Temperament Test? A Temperament Test, or Behavior Evaluation, is a valuable tool used by some animal shelters and rescues to determine if a dog is a safe candidate for adoption. 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. A temperament test is an objective way to look a dog's behavior and determine if a particular dog would make a safe, friendly companion in your home and with your family. The temperament test we use is very detailed and looks at how social the dog is, if he can be handled safely, and determines if the dog is likely to guard food, chewies, toys, and other valuable items, among other important things. 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.
