Feel like you train and train and just don't seem to get there?


Often, behaviour challenges in our dogs are a symptom of missing foundation skills rather than the actual problem.

When we try to train the 'problem' whether it is leash reactivity, resource guarding, fighting in the home, or anything else, we might see little or no progress.

If we aren't seeing significant progress with our training program, or we feel like we are playing whack-a-mole with new challenges coming up all the time, we need a new plan.

Positive Training Didn't Work

Unfortunately, for many dogs, this means people turn to aversive (painful or scary) tools because 'positive training didn't work'. There's a great quote that I'll mess up a bit but I believe it was Susan Garrett who said it, or something similar:

"If you are thinking of resorting to punishment, there's always a better way. You might not know what it is, and I might not know what it is, but there is always a better way."

If you don't know how to progress, or your trainer doesn't, I bet there is someone out there who does =) The world's best trainers are available to us now at the click of a button! Reach out if you have questions.

Impulse Control and Manners

Many dogs struggle with impulsivity and reactivity around very scary or exciting things like other dogs and kids on skateboards, but they haven't been taught how to be calm around simpler distractions like treats and toys. No wonder they are struggling! Waiting for things they want, manners around the pizza guy coming to the door, and general household manners are an important piece to addressing bigger behaviour challenges like leash reactivity.

Here are my crew patiently waiting for their turn to lick the yogurt tub.

video preview

Leash Reactivity Deep Dive!

Join me for 8 weeks of having my eyes on your dog and your training plan. I'll get to know you and your dog and we can dig deep into what is happening for your dog and how we can help them.

2738 Holden Corso Rd, Nanaimo, BC v9x 1n5
Unsubscribe · Preferences

Positive Dog

Subscribe if you'd like to receive my somewhat regular emails including training tips and concepts as well as info about my upcoming freebies and programs!

Read more from Positive Dog

Want to prevent reactivity before it starts? Here’s one of the most overlooked skills—learning to watch without staring. Here’s how to tell the difference: 🔹 Watching = relaxed, checking in, less than 3 seconds of direct eye contact, able to disengage 🔹 Staring = stiff, tense, frozen in position, locked-in eye contact, unable to look around, sniff, or connect with you So, why does this become a problem? Because we often miss the early warning signs. 🚩 We confuse "socialization" with letting...

What's the Real Trigger? Have you ever been told that your anxiety is the reason your dog is reactive? Let me be clear: that’s not true. Reactivity stems from a combination of learning history and genetics—not your emotions. That said, our dogs do pick up on patterns and cues in ways we often don’t notice. After losing both Maxi and Enzo last winter, I noticed something surprising. I had always assumed I fed the dogs breakfast simply because it was morning. But in reality, it was Maxi and...

Are you a predator stalking your dog? Or the prey your dog wants to chase? When people practice recall or engage their dogs in play, they often face the dog and move in toward them. Cues are typically reduced to a single word like “come” or the dog’s name, with the tone becoming more forceful if there’s no immediate response. Let’s clear something up right away: a reliable recall doesn’t happen just because you said so. Really. 😊 Your dog doesn't come when called because you’re the boss or...