A Pawsitive Step

06/05/2025

Whiff of Wisdom Workshop

Saturday 24th May 10.15am Malmesbury

90 minutes of Discovery = £20.00

Because ‘Leave it’’ and shouting are not strategies!

Join a relaxed scent detection workshop that swaps guesswork for genuine connection.
• Unlock your dog’s natural confidence
• Channel energy into something smarter than chasing flies and views out the window.
• Learn the power of the nose (and why your voice has been optional all along)

DM with a 🔍 and I’ll send the booking link

05/05/2025

Mindful Mutt Monday

“Because shouting ‘Leave it!’ isn’t a long-term strategy.”

When the sun turns up, it’s tempting to keep routines the same—but walks in the heat can do more harm than good. While the tarmac sizzles, your dog’s brain can still work wonders… in the shade.

That’s where scentwork shines.

Let your dog sniff safely at home or in cooler areas. It’s not just a “lazy day” activity—it’s focused, enriching training that builds calmness, self-control, and a deeper connection (without the risk of heatstroke or burnt paws).

And if you want to learn how to use scentwork for more than just mental stimulation…

Join me at the Whiff of Wisdom Taster workshop!
Saturday 24th May – 10:15AM 90 minutes
Unleashed Dog Field, Charlton Park, Malmesbury
£20 per dog – limited spots available

DM with a 👃🏼 … and I’ll send you the booking li k

Because your dog’s nose already knows what to do—you just need the manual.

30/04/2025

Wednesday Woofer Wisdom: Myth or Fact?

“Dogs should just walk nicely by your side the whole time.”

Myth. Massive myth. Big enough to trip over.

Here’s the truth: dogs aren’t built to walk in straight lines, staring at your kneecap.
Their walk is an olfactory adventure — every sniff is a headline in their version of the local news.

In fact, letting your dog sniff on walks (or doing structured scentwork) doesn’t “spoil” them —
it improves focus, drains mental energy, and builds better lead manners over time.
(Yes, really. That nose can lead to better behaviour.)

So the next time someone says, “They’re sniffing too much,” just smile politely and think:

My dog’s brain is working harder than your gym membership.

30/04/2025

Wednesday Woofer Wisdom

Myth or Fact? “Dogs need their daily walk, even in warm weather.”

MYTH!

When temperatures rise above 20°C, especially on sun-soaked pavements, it’s safer to skip the walk. UK temperatures are measured in the shade, meaning surfaces can be several degrees hotter, posing risks to your dog’s paws and overall health.

Instead, consider indoor scentwork activities:
• Hide treats around the house for a fun treasure hunt.
• Use puzzle toys to engage their minds.
• Create a DIY scent trail using safe household items.

These activities not only keep your dog mentally stimulated but also ensure they remain cool and safe during hot days.

Let’s not risk it. Choose sniffing over strolling this week. DOGS do not DIE from lack of Exercise!

28/04/2025

Monday Mutt Mindfullness

When it’s hot, sniffing beats strolling.

As the temperatures climb, walking your dog during the day isn’t just uncomfortable — it can be dangerous.
And remember: UK weather temperatures are measured in the shade — not on heat-holding tarmac or pavements.

That means the real ground temperature could be 2–3°C hotter (or more).
For sensitive paws and panting lungs, that’s a big deal.

Between 11am and 6pm, it’s safer (and smarter) to skip the walk and give your dog what they really crave:
Mental enrichment. Nosework games. Calm adventures indoors or in the garden shade.

Scentwork doesn’t just pass the time — it tires them out in a far safer, brain-boosting way than a hot pavement ever could.

Today’s mindful move:
Swap the midday walks for shady sniff sessions and cool enrichment indoors.

Psst…
Want more tips on keeping your dog safe and happy in the heat?

https://apawsitivestep.co.uk/heat-and-dogs/

Your dog’s body and brain will thank you.

The song 'Walking on Sunshine' is how we should all feel when the longer days are here. The effects of heat and dogs do not mix.

25/04/2025

(Because let’s face it — the dog wasn’t listening to Episode 34: Calm Is a Choice.)

Scentwork, my friends. It will give you need clear guidance, fun, friendship and fulfilment from face to face learning with Peers.

Put it another way, When we spot enrichment lovers trying to meet every need with another LickiMat? Guess what? Scentwork is the answer.

The Nose knows!

23/04/2025

Wednesday Woofer Wisdom: Myth or Fact?

“If my dog hasn’t got it by now, they never will.”

Busted!
Progress isn’t linear—and your dog’s past doesn’t define their future.
One off-day, a tricky moment, or a barking fit on Tuesday doesn’t mean all is lost by Wednesday.

Because behaviour isn’t about perfection.
It’s about patterns, choices, and the space to try again. It’s emotion-led, not command-led.

As vet behaviourist Tom Mitchell puts it:

“What you’ve done already is not a predictor of what you’re going to do.”

So here’s your midweek reminder:
A wobbly recall isn’t the end of the story. It’s just another step in the right direction.

21/04/2025

Monday Mutt Mindfulness

Training FOR the moment—not IN the moment.

Just because your dog doesn’t struggle with something now doesn’t mean there’s no value in working on it.

Scentwork is more than just a fun activity—it’s a way to help your dog rehearse calm focus, emotional regulation, and the art of thinking before reacting.

We’re not waiting for chaos to start before we train.

We’re teaching the skills before they’re needed—so when life throws a curveball, your dog’s already got the toolkit to handle it. Train FOR the situation, not whilst you’re IN it!

18/04/2025

Turns out Easter weekend isn’t the only time high-stakes hunts happen…

Scentwork: the only hunt this weekend that ends in a higher purpose for your Dog, not chocolate.

(Alt-text:
A surprised priest listens in a confessional booth as if reacting to a humorous admission. Speech bubbles read: “Do you have something to confess?” and “Yeah, I still have no idea how sniffing one blade of grass turns into a hunt for state secrets.” This meme-style image promotes scentwork for dogs as an enriching activity, created by A Pawsitive Step, a positive dog training business in Wiltshire and the Cotswolds.)

16/04/2025

Wednesday Woofer Wisdom

Myth or Fact?
“Dogs should just know how to sniff properly.”

Busted!

Yes, your dog has a brilliant nose—but nosework is a skill, just like any other.
It takes practice to search with purpose, ignore distractions, and tell you what they’ve found.

We teach dogs how to harness their superpower in a way that’s calm, focused, and fun—for both of you.

So if your dog’s sniffing everywhere but finding nothing, don’t worry. It’s not chaos—it’s a dog who needs a little guidance.

14/04/2025

Mindfull Mutt Monday

Theme: Trust the Process – Why Slow is Powerful

In scentwork, it’s not the fastest dog who wins—it’s the dog who stays focused, steady, and thoughtful.
The same goes for progress in training.

Your dog doesn’t need to “get it” in one session. They need the space to try, sniff, process, and learn.

So take a breath. Be still. Wait them
out and Let them work it out.

Sometimes the best thing you can do… is wait quietly with a high value reward in your pocket.

09/04/2025

Wednesday Woofer Wisdom. The series continues…

Myth or Fact?

“To train a dog’s nose, you should teach one scent at a time.”

Busted – and now science agrees.

New research from suggests dogs may actually learn scentwork better when trained using multiple odours at once—rather than one at a time.

This approach, called the intermixed method, might just boost their sniffing superpowers. Think of it like a scent buffet: variety keeps the brain engaged, and the nose on point.

So if your dog’s keen to search for everything all at once… maybe they’re just ahead of the curve.

Thanks to and writer Hannah McGowan for highlighting this research, published in the Journal of Comparative Psychology.