Pawsitive Canine Academy

09/05/2025

What is Giardia?

Giardia is a microscopic parasite that infects the intestines. Dogs (and other animals, including humans) can become infected by ingesting the parasite’s cysts, which are found in contaminated:
Water (puddles, lakes, shared bowls)
Soil
F***s
Surfaces or objects (like paws, toys, or shared areas)

Symptoms in Dogs:
Some dogs show no symptoms, but those who do may experience:
Soft or watery diarrhea (sometimes with mucus or a strong smell)
Gas or bloating
Weight loss
Dehydration
Lethargy
Puppies and immunocompromised dogs are at higher risk of more severe illness.

How Does It Spread?
Giardia spreads through the fecal-oral route, meaning dogs get infected when they lick or ingest anything contaminated with infected p**p — including their own paws after walking in it.
Cysts can survive in the environment for weeks, especially in moist areas.

How to Prevent the Spread of Giardia:
For Dog Owners:
Clean up p**p immediately — even in your own yard
Avoid letting dogs drink from puddles, ponds, or communal water bowls
Wipe paws and rear after walks, especially if diarrhea is present
Wash bedding, bowls, and toys frequently with hot water and disinfectant
Bathe your dog if they’ve had diarrhea or may have rolled in something questionable

Cleaning
Use disinfectants effective against Giardia (not all cleaners work — bleach is best for hard surfaces)
Sanitize shared areas daily, including floors, crates, leashes, and water bowls
Separate infected dogs during treatment and for a few days after symptoms resolve
Limit dog-to-dog contact in outbreak situations
Require owners to keep dogs home if they have diarrhea or have been recently diagnosed

Treatment:
Giardia is typically treated with prescription meds like metronidazole or fenbendazole
Most dogs recover well, but retesting is often needed to confirm it’s gone
Dogs can still shed cysts after symptoms stop, so hygiene is key

Quick Takeaway:
Giardia spreads fast, but it’s manageable with awareness, cleanliness, and quick action.

At Pawsitive Canine Academy, maintaining a clean, safe environment is a top priority — and we work with owners to stop the spread if any pup gets sick.

09/03/2025

Back to School Schedule Changes: What They Mean for Your Dog

As kids head back to class and routines shift, your dog may feel confused, stressed, or even a little lonely — and it’s completely normal.

Here’s why schedule changes matter:
Your dog’s entire day has changed
Summer often means extra attention, playtime, and noise. Now, the house is quiet… and their humans are suddenly gone for hours.

Common behavior changes we see:
• Barking or whining when left alone
• Destructive chewing
• Accidents inside
• Clinginess or overexcitement when everyone gets home
• Lack of stimulation = boredom and anxiety

How to Help Your Dog Adjust:
Ease into the new routine
Start practicing the school schedule before it fully kicks in — walk them, feed them, and leave the house at the times you will during the school year.

Provide mental stimulation
Puzzle toys, frozen Kongs, sniff walks, or short training sessions help fight boredom while you’re away.

Create a calm “alone zone”
Set up a safe, comfy space where your dog can rest without too many distractions or triggers.

Add enrichment to mornings evenings
A short walk or quick training game before you leave can burn energy and help them settle.
Consider training or day enrichment

At Pawsitive Canine Academy, we offer programs that support your dog’s mental and emotional well-being during times of change.

If your dog is struggling with the transition, we’re here to help. Let’s create a plan that fits your pup’s needs and supports your household’s new routine.

BackToSchoolDogs

09/02/2025

Happy Labor Day from All of Us at PCA - We have some very hard working pups here! They love to help us out!

08/25/2025

Back to School Isn’t Just for Kids — It’s for Dogs Too!
As summer winds down and the kids head back to school, it’s time for your pup to return to their own routine too — Dog Day School!

Just like children, dogs thrive on structure, mental stimulation, and social time with friends. After a summer full of beach days, family trips, and lazy mornings, the change in household routine can feel confusing (and a little lonely) for your four-legged family member.

Here’s how Dog Day School helps make the transition easier:

Structure Routine — Predictable days reduce anxiety and help dogs feel secure.

Exercise Mental Stimulation — Keeps those paws moving and minds engaged while you’re at work or managing the school shuffle.

Socialization — Time with their furry friends helps prevent boredom and unwanted behaviors at home.

Reinforced Training — Keeps good manners sharp and minds focused as schedules shift.

Whether your pup is a seasoned student or just getting started, now is the perfect time to ease them back into their school groove! Think of it as their own version of back-to-school, complete with tail wags, snack breaks, and playtime!

Book their spot today at Pawsitive Canine academy and give them a fresh start to the fall season!

BackToSchool

08/21/2025

Insect Bites on Dogs: What to Watch For and How to Help

Just like us, dogs can get bitten or stung by insects, especially during the warmer months. While many bites are harmless and go away quickly, some can cause discomfort or even serious reactions.

Common Insect Offenders:
Mosquitoes
Fleas and ticks
Ants
Bees and wasps
Spiders
🔍 Signs Your Dog May Have Been Bitten:
Redness or swelling (especially on the face, paws, or belly)
Itching or constant licking
Bumps or hives
Whining or restlessness

What You Can Do:
Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
Prevent licking or scratching with distraction or a cone if needed.
Use vet-approved topical creams
Watch for signs of infection like pus, increased redness, or worsening swelling.

Call Your Vet If:
Swelling is near the eyes, mouth, or throat
Your dog is struggling to breathe
The bite becomes infected or doesn’t improve in 24–48 hours
Your dog has multiple bites or a history of allergic reactions

At Pawsitive Canine Academy, we keep your dog’s comfort and safety in mind—whether it’s training outside or managing distractions like bugs and bites. If your dog has a reaction that affects their behavior, we’re here to help you support them with care and confidence.

08/19/2025

Backyard Behavior Fixes for Your Dog

Is your dog treating the backyard like their personal wild kingdom?
You’re not alone — backyard behavior issues are super common, especially during summer when dogs spend more time outside.

Here are a few things we hear from dog owners all the time:

“My dog barks at every little noise.”
“They dig up the garden like it’s a treasure hunt.”
“They fence-fight with the neighbor’s dog.”
“They won’t come when I call them back inside!”

Sound familiar?

Here’s how we fix backyard chaos:
Set Boundaries – Use training to teach your dog where they can go and what’s off-limits (goodbye, flower beds!).

Teach a Solid Recall – So you’re not stuck outside begging them to come in.

Manage Barking Triggers – With redirection, desensitization, and enrichment, we reduce reactive barking.

Provide Mental Stimulation – Digging often means your dog is bored. Training, scent games, or a digging box can redirect that energy.

Supervised Freedom – Training helps you move from constant supervision to safe, independent backyard time.

Pro Tip: The backyard should be a place to unwind — not a place to unlearn training! If your dog’s behavior regresses outside, we can help reinforce good manners even in the yard.

Book a session with us at Pawsitive Canine Academy to bring peace back to your backyard.

DogTrainingTips

08/15/2025

ASK ME ANYTHING: DOG TRAINING EDITION

Got a dog behavior you’re struggling with?

Not sure if you’re rewarding the right thing?

Or just wondering why your pup does that one weird thing?

Now’s your chance to ask!

Drop your dog training or behavior questions below (or in my DMs) and I’ll answer them in stories this week!

No question is too small or too silly — if you’re wondering, someone else probably is too.

What’s your dog question?

DogTrainingTips

08/13/2025

Dogs need plenty of sleep to stay healthy and happy. Puppies can sleep 18–20 hours a day, adults about 12–14 hours, and seniors often sleep more.

Sleep helps your dog process what they’ve learned and stay calm. A well-rested dog is easier to train and less likely to act out.

Give your dog a quiet, cozy spot to rest and keep a consistent routine to support healthy sleep habits. Sleeping in a crate is the best place for your puppy and your dog to get the best rest they need. Similar to us sleeping in our bed vs. the couch. Where they sleep is just as important as how much they sleep.

At Pawsitive Canine Academy, we know that good training starts with understanding your dog’s needs—including plenty of quality sleep!

08/11/2025

The Benefits of Professional Dog Training


Improved Behavior and Obedience
Professional trainers utilize tested techniques to teach dogs basic commands, such as sit, stay, come, and heel, as well as to discourage problem behaviors like jumping, barking, and chewing. This helps dogs become more well-behaved members of the household.


Enhanced Communication
Training builds a clear communication channel between dog and owner. You’ll learn how to interpret your dog’s signals and how to give consistent, understandable cues, reducing confusion and frustration.


Socialization Skills
Group classes or controlled training environments help dogs learn to interact appropriately with other dogs, people, and different environments. This reduces fear, anxiety, and aggression in unfamiliar settings.


Safety for Dog and Owner
A well-trained dog is less likely to bolt into dangerous situations or react unpredictably. Commands like “leave it” or “come” can be life-saving in emergencies.


Customized Guidance
Professional trainers assess your dog’s unique temperament, breed traits, and challenges. They develop tailored plans to address specific behavioral issues.


Strengthened Bond
Training sessions build trust and deepen the emotional connection between owner and dog. Your dog learns to look to you for direction and reassurance.


Reduced Stress for Everyone
Untrained dogs can be stressful to manage. Whether it’s constant barking, leash pulling, or destructive behavior, professional training reduces these stressors and helps create a calm, predictable home environment.


Foundation for Advanced Training
Once your dog masters basic obedience, professional trainers can help with more advanced skills like agility, therapy dog certification, or specialized service tasks.


Faster Results
While self-training can work, it often takes longer and is less consistent. Professional trainers help accelerate progress with proven techniques and experience, avoiding common mistakes.


Patience
Professional trainers have more patience with small mistakes your dogs will make than owners do. We also understand the small mistakes and can anticipate them much faster.

08/08/2025

When beginning to train your puppy, choose a quiet, familiar area with minimal distractions, like your living room or backyard.

This helps your puppy focus on you and the task at hand without being overwhelmed by sights, sounds, or smells. Once your pup masters basic commands in this calm environment, you can gradually introduce more distractions to build real-world reliability.

Start simple, build strong!

08/07/2025

Socialization is the process of gently and positively exposing your dog to the world around them. It helps them feel safe, confident, and comfortable with new experiences, people, animals, places, sounds, and more.

It’s Not Just About “Playing with Other Dogs”

Socialization includes:

Meeting different types of people (kids, adults, people in hats, etc.)

Walking on various surfaces (grass, gravel, stairs, hardwood floors)

Hearing different sounds (vacuums, traffic, doorbells)

Visiting new places (parks, stores, vet offices)

Seeing and calmly observing other animals

It’s About Positive Experiences!! The goal isn’t to overwhelm your dog—it’s to help them build positive associations. Let them go at their own pace, and always pair new experiences with treats, praise, or play.

At Pawsitive Canine Academy, we guide dogs through safe, age-appropriate socialization experiences. We help you recognize your dog’s comfort level and build confidence step-by-step.

08/07/2025