At Pawsitive Thinking, we’re all about helping dogs and their humans learn and grow together. Our unique approach focuses on understanding a dog’s body language, emotions and individual needs to help them confidently understand and thrive in our human-centered world. It goes beyond training, it digs deeper into the WHYs of canine behavior. Through engaging, dog-friendly and people-friendly activities, mental stimulation, breed and individual-specific enrichment, and more, we’ll help you see the world through your dog’s eyes—and help your dog better understand yours. Let’s begin this journey together and build something truly special.
What We Do
Puppy Basic Education (0-6 months)
Puppy education starts even before your pup arrives—by choosing the right match and preparing your home for safety. We can guide you through this process and help you start out on the right track.
Once they're home, gentle guidance, a consistent routine and a puppy-friendly environment help them feel safe and settled. We’ll support you through common puppy challenges and proper socialization, while you build the foundation for a confident, happy, and well-rounded adolescent dog.
6 months go by fast! Don't wait...
Adolescent Dogs (6-18 months)
Adolescence can be a tricky stage - hormonal changes, bodies and brains under construction (literally!) make young dogs more easily distracted and eager for independence. SQUIRREL!
That’s why it is so important to give them a strong foundation of life skills as puppies, but also appropriate continued education as their world widens. Give them the freedom they crave while creating safe boundaries for a happy life.
Special Needs & Senior Dog Support
As dogs age, their bodies and minds naturally change—even though their core personality often remains the same, their behavior can shift in noticeable ways, such as age-related physical or cognitive decline, and a different perception of the environment.
Supporting a senior dog means recognizing these shifts with empathy and adjusting our approach to meet them where they are—ensuring they continue to feel safe, understood, and connected.
Behavior Modification
When your dog is having a hard time coping with the world around him, it is important to address both emotional and behavioral reasons behind his difficulties. This will include management strategies, changes to the environment, helping you to identify and meet unmet needs, recognize your dog’s communication signals, and teaching your dog new ways to handle strong emotions. Behavior modification focuses on understanding WHY your dog behaves a certain way and helping them respond more calmly and confidently.
NEW! Educational Fieldtrips
Struggling to find time for your dog amid work and family demands? Not sure you can manage behavior issues on your own, or unable to commit to regular sessions? Is your dog bored, restless, or destructive?
Educational Fieldtrips are one-on-one, 2-hours sessions at your home or another location suited to your dog’s needs. I will work directly with your dog on basic skills, leash walking, basic socialization and some advanced skills.
Minimum of 4 sessions required. Owner participation is required for the fourth session, which serves as the Transfer-of-Skills session.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I select a professional for me and my dog?
Great question! The ideal professional combines a solid educational foundation, vast experience, and commitment to learning and evolving. If you’re selecting a professional, ask about all three. Responsible professionals keep learning while applying their knowledge with skill and compassion.
Formal Education (Foundational Knowledge) ensures the trainer understands dog behavior, learning processes and dog-friendly approaches. just like you'd expect from any skilled professional, formal knowledge lays the groundwork for educated progress.
Experience (Hands-On Skills) helps build the ability to read subtle body language, adapt to each dog’s unique personality, and navigate challenges effectively. It reinforces the understanding that every dog is an individual—and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.
Continued Education (Staying Current). Dog behavior and methods are always evolving. Ongoing learning keeps professionals up to date with the latest, most efficient techniques. It also shows a commitment to growth, professionalism, and doing better for both dogs and their humans. What worked 10-20 years ago may no longer be best or even proven harmful today.
Why Canine Education? Why not call it Dog Training? What's the difference?
While often used interchangeably, dog training and canine education represent different approaches. Dog training focuses on teaching commands to prevent or address unwanted behaviors. It tends to be results-driven, prioritizing outcomes over the dogs mental and emotional state. It often demands a steep learning curve for handlers, especially if they struggle with being physically assertive or consistently enforcing rules.
Canine education takes a more natural and comprehensive approach. It’s not about just teaching behaviors—it’s about understanding your dog’s body language and emotional responses, meeting individual needs, and respect personality and temperament. It's about you helping your dog navigate the human world with confidence and emotional balance. This approach is rooted in all-around welfare, clear communication and mutual trust. Teaching life skills (not obedience) is only part of what Canine Education can do.
When it comes to behavior issues, while traditional training might focus on stopping a behavior - like jumping on guests - canine education looks at why that behavior is happening in the first place and helps guide the dog toward more appropriate, emotionally healthy responses. It’s less about controlling behavior and more about supporting overall well-being. Dogs often express unmet needs through their behavior. When those needs are recognized and addressed, many challenges ease, become simpler to resolve, or disappear altogether - supporting a calmer, more secure, and more confident dog.
As dogs grow and change, so do their needs. Canine education is a long-term journey built on connection.
If your goal is to raise a confident, well-adjusted companion, canine education offers a deeper, meaningful foundation for your relationship.
Are all of the sessions in-home?
The initial consultation will take place in your home, allowing us to learn more about you and your dog, your lifestyle, and your goals while observing your dog’s behavior in a familiar environment. Future sessions may be held either in your home or at thoughtfully chosen locations, always prioritizing your dog’s needs and comfort while keeping your goals in focus.
Do you offer group classes?
We offer private one-on-one sessions tailored to you and your dog’s individual learning style and needs. When appropriate, and if it benefits your dog and the other dog, we also arrange parallel walks with other guardians.
How do I get started with Pawsitive Thinking's services?
You can get started by emailing or calling us to discuss your expectations, your dog’s needs, and your goals. From there, we’ll schedule a Discovery Consultation where we’ll gather more detailed information and create a customized plan tailored specifically to you and your dog.
Do you provide support or resources after training sessions?
Absolutely! We offer ongoing support, including follow-up consultations, resources, and guidance to help maintain and build on your path. The true goal of a Canine Educator is to equip you with the tools and knowledge to confidently create your own journey with your dog—one that you can shape and strengthen over time.
Rates
Complimentary Phone Consultation
FREE
60 minutes phone conversation addressing your individual needs, goals and expectations.
In-Person Discovery Consultation
$ 100
1.5-2 hours in-person in-depth conversation about your and your dog's history, behavior and previous learning experiences and future goals.
Private In-home Session
$ 100
90-minute session.
Sessions can be planned weekly, bi-weekly at longer intervals based on your and your dog's progress.
NEW! Educational Fieldtrips
$ 200 per session (min 4 session)
2 hours private, one-on-one sessions at your home, or a location suited to your dog’s needs. The 2hrs include pick-up and drop-off.
3-session Package
$ 250 (save $50)
Three, 90-minute hands-on sessions.
Sessions can be planned weekly or bi-weekly based on your and your dog's progress.
6-session Package
$ 450 (save $150)
Six, 90-minute hands-on sessions.
Sessions can be planned weekly or bi-weekly based on your and your dog's progress.
This package is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR ANY BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION PROGRAM.
Puppy Package
$ 250
Puppies under 6 months only. In-home sessions only.
One, 90-120 minutes presentation on puppies unique challenges and needs, and troubleshooting strategies. Basic education and safe socialization.
Two, 60 min in-home sessions specific to the age and breed of your puppy
Package includes a copy of Shay Kelly's ( MCs, Animal Behavior, BCs Hons, Canine Behavior) book "Puppy Nurture"
About Me
Hi, I’m Barbara. After a decade in hospitality, I discovered my true calling working with shelter dogs and deeply studying canine behavior. With over 20 years of experience in shelter environments, I’m passionate about ethical, natural canine education that honors each dog’s unique needs. I am a Caring Human Code™ Calming Signals Approach® Professional Ethical Dog Trainer, Certified by Nordic Education Centre for Ethical Dog Training.
My approach moves away from traditional methods toward understanding dogs’ natural behaviors and the challenges they face in a busy, human-centered world. I believe lasting positive change comes from nurturing balance in a dog’s life by considering their genetics, health, learning history, age, personality and temperament, and environment.
Through compassionate teaching and gentle guidance, I strive to build trusting, respectful relationships between dogs and their humans — with the goal of improving dogs’ lives and keeping shelters empty!