A Pawsitive Step

A Pawsitive Step I’m Catriona, Award-winning trainer | Science-led, sniff-powered learning +R trainer covering Wiltshire + Glos. I provide classes, workshops & 1-2-1’s for all.

Link in bio to book or get in contact for more advice on which approach is right for you 👍🏼

💀 Friday Funny – Halloween Edition 💀Still waiting for those free dog training tips to turn your dog into a well-behaved ...
31/10/2025

💀 Friday Funny – Halloween Edition 💀

Still waiting for those free dog training tips to turn your dog into a well-behaved genius?
Don’t worry, any century now, the internet will cough up that one magic post that fixes everything.

Until then… might as well get comfortable. 🕯️💻

(The technical reason you’re struggling? It’s called passive learning versus actual application. Your brain doesn’t initially translate what it sees or hears correctly and your dog immediately gets the confusing message that adds to frustration, not lessens it…

Want to get it right quickly? You need an experienced and compassionate person with you to align what your brain is missing. All the videos in the world won’t do that. It’s not a trick!)

Powerful words from a VET 🙏 The message is clear and worth every moment of your time 👍🏼
30/10/2025

Powerful words from a VET 🙏 The message is clear and worth every moment of your time 👍🏼

🐾 Wednesday Woofer Wisdom – They Feel It Too 🌈Grief. Our dogs do understand it.Last week I took my two dogs to see my mu...
29/10/2025

🐾 Wednesday Woofer Wisdom – They Feel It Too 🌈

Grief. Our dogs do understand it.

Last week I took my two dogs to see my mum, who died last week. Honestly? I needed help from one of the ambulance crew, I wasn’t coherent or feeling strong enough to handle them alone.

But why did I take them? A part of me was selfish. I strongly believed it would help them understand my emotional journey through pain, suffering, and loss. They were both very fond of my Mum, especially my older dog. And so we did it together.

Here’s what I noticed:

• My dogs acted independently of one another, one in shock, the other in disbelief and dismay.
• They had questions, in their way.
• And they witnessed a shared story of love and change.

It reminded me how often we underestimate our dogs’ emotional intelligence. Science shows that dogs can recognise human emotions through our scent, posture, and tone of voice and even experience behavioural changes themselves after losing someone they love. (2022 Coren, Mills et al)

This is all through connection with them and not control. As a family group, they are being ‘well behaved’ because they know I am in pain and want to show compassion. It’s not being well behaved, it’s empathy, pure and simple.

🐾 Wednesday Woofer Wisdom – Strange Sights. Calm Minds.Halloween is creeping closer, and while we might love the pumpkin...
22/10/2025

🐾 Wednesday Woofer Wisdom – Strange Sights. Calm Minds.

Halloween is creeping closer, and while we might love the pumpkins and spooky decor, our dogs can find it all a bit… well, weird. 🎃

So this week, practise calm curiosity on your walks:
👀 Spot something strange.
✨ Reward your dog for not reacting.
🚶 Then calmly move on before it gets too much.

You’re helping them build optimism around novelty, learning that new or odd things aren’t scary… just part of the adventure (with snacks, of course). 💛

🌿 Mindful Mutt Monday – It Takes a VillageThey say “It takes a village to raise a child.”Well… it also takes a village t...
20/10/2025

🌿 Mindful Mutt Monday – It Takes a Village

They say “It takes a village to raise a child.”
Well… it also takes a village to create an event where dogs can learn, play, and find calm amid the chaos. 💛

This weekend at The Big Bark, I was reminded how teamwork makes everything possible. From shelters to snacks, and spaces to sniff, every piece mattered.

Huge thanks to:

🏕️ Surf & Turf Instant Shelters – for keeping the scentwork arena colourful, composed and weatherproof.
🐾 The Doggy Playschool Company – for being the home of my upcoming classes and for endless support.
🍖 Murphy’s Doggy Deli – for fuelling our sniffers (and their humans!) with tasty treats.
🎪 The Big Bark – for hosting such a brilliant celebration of all things canine. From a Behavioural point of view, the space was enough and so what if we had to walk further for Coffee? It’s about the Dogs and their needs, not the fact we have to walk further to get a drink!
☕️ Ph7even – for the coffee that kept this trainer running when my legs wanted a nap leading up to the event.
✂️ Cotswold Sharpening Services - for advice and sourcing ideas for even the simplest of things like fencing pins
🍻The Rose and Crown, Malmesbury - for the Straw

It really does take a village - and I’m so thankful for mine. 💛

The Big Bark 🎃🐾 What. A. Weekend! Despite the downpour today, our spooky sniffer superstars showed up in style for a wee...
19/10/2025

The Big Bark 🎃🐾 What. A. Weekend!

Despite the downpour today, our spooky sniffer superstars showed up in style for a weekend of Halloween-themed scent work fun! 🕷👻 From pumpkins to potion pots, the dogs were absolute naturals at sniffing out the spooky scents — and proving that a bit of rain never dampens a determined nose. 💪🐶

A massive thank you to everyone who came along (and braved the mud!) - you and your dogs made it a fantastic day. 💛

📸 Here are a few snaps from the event. Can you spot your clever canine? 👀

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18/10/2025

The Big Bark

🐾 Feel-Good Furday : The Calm Before the Big Bark!It’s nearly time! Tomorrow I’ll be at The Big Bark hosting the Scentwo...
17/10/2025

🐾 Feel-Good Furday : The Calm Before the Big Bark!

It’s nearly time! Tomorrow I’ll be at The Big Bark hosting the Scentwork Arena. Yep, two whole days of sniffs, smiles, and plenty of wagging tails. 🐶💛

Today’s mood? A mix of excitement, coffee, and trying not to forget where I’ve put my lead, my lanyard, or my brain. 😅

I can’t wait to see everyone discovering how brilliant their dogs’ noses really are, from the Witch Hunt to the Pumpkin Patch!

If you’re coming along, pop by the yellow flags, say hello, and let your dog show off their sniffing superpowers. 👃✨

🐾 Wednesday Woofer Wisdom . Calm Is Contagious 💛As we head toward the noisiest weeks of the year; Halloween, fireworks &...
15/10/2025

🐾 Wednesday Woofer Wisdom . Calm Is Contagious 💛

As we head toward the noisiest weeks of the year; Halloween, fireworks & crowds. Just remember this: Your dog doesn’t need perfection. They need you.

When we slow our breathing, speak softly, and move with purpose, our dogs mirror that energy. It’s the same reason they pick up on our stress before we’ve even said a word.

So, while you’re practising calm cues and prepping your dog’s den, don’t forget to check in with yourself too.

Because calm isn’t something we give our dogs, it’s something we share and teach our Dogs 💛


Monday Mutt Mindfulness 🍂🐾 Prepare. Practice. Play.Halloween and Bonfire Night are creeping closer 🎆 .. and if your dog ...
13/10/2025

Monday Mutt Mindfulness 🍂

🐾 Prepare. Practice. Play.

Halloween and Bonfire Night are creeping closer 🎆 .. and if your dog struggles with bangs, slams, or spooky surprises, now is the time to start helping them feel safe.

💛 Create a calm den; somewhere your dog can retreat to if they choose. A covered crate with cushions or rolled up towels to lean against is the best way. Do this now and leave it there so the area is familiar, warm and dark.

Spray their blanket with a gentle, calming scent like Pet Remedy so it feels familiar and not strange and new when the time require it.

🎧 Start with soft background bangs or pops in another room, just 60 seconds at first, then slowly build to 15 minutes over the next few weeks (only if your dog stays relaxed).

🍯 Keep a few pre-stuffed lick mats or stuffed food in the fridge for those “uh oh, that was loud” moments as licking helps release calming endorphins.

🌿 Add gentle, natural support early. I’m a partner with AOK9, whose calming supplement has been a game changer for thousands of owners. it’s worth starting now so it has time to work in your dog’s system.

You can read more tips on my blog by going to my website in my bio 🔗

Because calm doesn’t happen by accident, it starts with mindful prep.

Prepare. Practice. Play. 🐾


🎃 Something scent-sational is brewing at The Big Bark!Next weekend on Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th October, I’ll be hosti...
11/10/2025

🎃 Something scent-sational is brewing at The Big Bark!

Next weekend on Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th October, I’ll be hosting the Scentwork Arena at The Big Bark, and you’re invited to come and have a sniffing good time! 🐾💛

Your dog can try their nose at some spooky fun:

🕷️ Spider’s Trail
🧙‍♀️ Witch Hunt
🎃 Pumpkin Patch
🧪 Potion Line-Up

It’s all about calm connection, confidence, and letting your dog’s superpower shine = their nose!

Whether you’re curious about scentwork, looking for new ways to tire your dog’s brain, or just want to cheer on the sniffers, pop by and say hi.

I’ll also be sharing details about my new scentwork classes starting Saturday 1st November perfect for dogs who love a challenge and humans who love watching them thrive.

👃 Come for the fun, stay for the sniffs and discover just how magical scentwork can be. 💛

Address

Malmesbury
Malmesbury

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Website

https://tidycal.com/apawsitivestep

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