Pawsitive Training

Pawsitive Training ๐Ÿถ Canine Behaviour Consultant
๐Ÿพ
๐ŸŽ‰ BA (HONS), IMDT, SAPT, PPG, PACT, ABTC
โญ๏ธ 10+ years experience
๐Ÿ“Surrey/ West Sussex

30/05/2026

๐Ÿ“ฆ๐Ÿพ Destruction Box Fun ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿ“ฆ

Who says enrichment has to be complicated? ๐Ÿ’–

A destruction box is simply a box filled with safe treasures like smaller boxes, newspaper, toys and treats for your dog to rummage, sniff, shred and discover! ๐Ÿ“ฐ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ‘ƒ

This type of enrichment taps into natural dog behaviours like foraging, scavenging, sniffing and problem solving. Itโ€™s especially loved by terriers, hounds, gundogs and any dog who enjoys using their nose and brain ๐Ÿถโœจ

Enrichment activities like this can help provide mental stimulation, build confidence, encourage species appropriate behaviours and give energetic minds a positive outlet ๐Ÿ’–

If your dog is likely to eat cardboard, try hiding treats in layers of cabbage or lettuce leaves instead ๐Ÿฅฌ Itโ€™s a great shredding alternative and just as much fun!

As you can see, my two 14 year old Border Terriers are still proving that enrichment has no age limit! ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿ’–

29/05/2026

Recall training for high prey dogs ๐Ÿถ

Eddie has been working hard with predation substitute training, learning how to use his predatory motor pattern safely after having a history of chasing deer and killing rats ๐Ÿ€

Alongside this, we have conditioned the sound of the whistle with his toy to help reinforce recall, but also give him that outlet for chasing which he loves ๐Ÿ’–

At the moment, we donโ€™t want recall to become an aversive and use it around prey, we want to practice it alongside teaching Eddie to disengage from deer or tracking ๐ŸฆŒ

Prey doesnโ€™t mean leave and avoid, it means working with the predatory motor pattern๐Ÿพ
Donโ€™t suppress prey drive, work with it!

All done with force and fear free methods โœจ

27/05/2026

Training recall and predation behaviours with puppies isnโ€™t about โ€œstoppingโ€ instincts, itโ€™s about teaching them how to work through them safely and successfully ๐Ÿ’›

This session with Frankie (5 month old terrier cross) shows exactly why we train UNDER threshold first.

Learning can only happen when a dog feels safe enough to think, process and make choices.

Frankie already knows her marker word โ€œYESโ€, has started recall training, and has learnt the engage/disengage game so now weโ€™re building on those foundations gradually and fairly.

What makes this harder for Frankie is her breed traits and learning history. Terriers were bred to complete the predatory motor pattern:
Orient โ†’ Eye โ†’ Stalk โ†’ Chase โ†’ Grab Bite โ†’ Kill Bite โ†’ Dissect โ†’ Consume

And with terriers we often also see the โ€œshakeโ€ behaviour during grab bite.

The important thing to remember is this:
Predatory behaviour is natural, normal and self-reinforcing. Frankie has already practised completing this sequence by catching a rat and even recently finding a rabbit carcass before filming this session.

That means these behaviours are highly rewarding to her, so changing emotional responses and creating new habits takes TIME.

Rather than constantly recalling her away from prey and creating frustration/conflict, weโ€™re focusing on reinforcing the EARLY parts of the sequence:
๐Ÿ‘€ Watching
๐Ÿ‘ƒ Sniffing
๐Ÿพ Tracking
๐Ÿ’ก Choosing to disengage and check back in

Youโ€™ll see us marking and rewarding those moments of calm observation and natural check ins. We want Frankie to learn that engaging with her human is part of the process, not the end of the fun.

Weโ€™re also giving appropriate outlets for those natural instincts through:
โœ”๏ธ Tug games
โœ”๏ธ Destruction boxes
โœ”๏ธ KONGs
โœ”๏ธ Scatter feeding
โœ”๏ธ Treat balls
โœ”๏ธ Enrichment activities

Force and fear free training is not about suppressing behaviour through punishment or intimidation. Itโ€™s about understanding the dog in front of you, meeting their needs, and teaching skills in a way that builds trust and emotional regulation.

For dogs like Frankie, progress isnโ€™t linear but every calm check in

26/05/2026
Not sure where to start with dog training, overwhelmed by all the conflicting advice online, or wanting to find out more...
26/05/2026

Not sure where to start with dog training, overwhelmed by all the conflicting advice online, or wanting to find out more about how force and fear free training works? ๐Ÿถโœจ

Maybe your dog pulls on the lead, ignores recall, reacts to other dogs, chases everything that moves, struggles being left alone, or has suddenly hit the adolescent stage where they seem to have completely forgotten how to listen ๐Ÿ™ˆ

Book a FREE 20 minute discovery call with Pawsitive Training ๐Ÿ’›

This is a relaxed, no pressure phone call where we can chat about your dog, the behaviours youโ€™re struggling with, your goals, and which support option would best suit both you and your dog ๐Ÿ•

My services include personalised force and fear free dog training and behaviour support across West Sussex, including 1-2-1 sessions, behaviour assessments, and supportive packages with WhatsApp support โœจ

Support available for:
๐Ÿพ Puppy training & socialisation
๐Ÿพ Adolescent dog support
๐Ÿพ Recall & lead walking
๐Ÿพ Reactivity & barking
๐Ÿพ Resource guarding
๐Ÿพ Predation & chasing behaviours
๐Ÿพ Separation anxiety
๐Ÿพ Rescue dog support
๐Ÿพ Confidence building
๐Ÿพ Impulse control & over arousal
๐Ÿพ Vet visits & grooming handling
๐Ÿพ Nervous or anxious dogs

My approach focuses on both learning and emotional wellbeing using kind, science based methods ๐Ÿง ๐Ÿพ

This includes:
๐Ÿพ Operant conditioning, rewarding behaviours we want to see more of
๐Ÿพ Classical conditioning, helping dogs create positive emotional associations with situations they currently find stressful or overwhelming
๐Ÿพ Looking at your dogโ€™s emotional state, stress levels, breed traits, environment, and individual needs rather than simply suppressing behaviours

Because training isnโ€™t just about obedience. Itโ€™s about helping dogs feel safer, calmer, and more confident while improving everyday life for both of you ๐Ÿ’›

With 10 years of experience working in rescue, veterinary practice, daycare, boarding, and training, I understand how important personalised support and realistic training plans are โœจ

Book your FREE discovery call here ๐Ÿถ๐Ÿ‘‡

https://calendly.com/kathypawsitivetraining/discovery-call

๐Ÿ“ West Sussex
๐Ÿ“ง [email protected]
๐Ÿ“ž 07888262417

This is a 20 minute ONLY discovery call. This does not include any training plans.If you wish to find out more on how Pawsitive Training works check out on social media and YouTube.

25/05/2026

โ˜€๏ธ๐Ÿถ Hot weather is here and while we all enjoy a bit of sunshine, the heat can be extremely dangerous for our dogs.

Dogs can overheat very quickly, even on walks that seem โ€œnot too hotโ€ to us.

๐Ÿšจ Signs of heat stroke in dogs
๐Ÿพ Excessive panting
๐Ÿพ Drooling more than usual
๐Ÿพ Bright red gums or tongue
๐Ÿพ Vomiting or diarrhoea
๐Ÿพ Weakness or wobbling
๐Ÿพ Confusion or disorientation
๐Ÿพ Collapse
๐Ÿพ Glazed eyes or appearing distressed

โš ๏ธ If you suspect heat stroke
โœ… Move your dog somewhere cool immediately
โœ… Offer small amounts of cool water
โœ… Pour cool water over paws, tummy, and body
โœ… Use damp towels, not ice cold water
โœ… Contact your vet immediately
โŒ Do not force your dog to walk
โŒ Do not cover them in thick wet towels as this can trap heat
โŒ Do not use ice baths

๐ŸŒฟ Ways to keep your dog cool this week
๐Ÿถ Walk early morning or late evening
๐Ÿถ Skip walks if itโ€™s too hot and replace them with enrichment games at home
๐Ÿถ Use snuffle mats, lick mats, scent games, and training sessions indoors
๐Ÿถ Provide constant access to fresh water
๐Ÿถ Use cooling mats or frozen treats
๐Ÿถ Avoid hot pavements as they can burn paws
๐Ÿถ Let your dog rest and choose shady spots
๐Ÿถ Never leave dogs in cars, even for a few minutes

Enjoy the weather and stay safe with the heat ๐Ÿพ

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Billingshurst
RH149QS

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Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
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Friday 9am - 6pm

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