Pawz-itive Dog Training

04/20/2025

📳 Pager vs. Stem ⚡️for Activation

“While the paging cue could be used as a conditioned reinforcer or punisher, I think it is best used as an attention getter (or a cue that tells the dog to look at you). Once the dog looks at me, I can train it or guide it toward the good things and help it to avoid the bad things with additional cues such as words and/or hand/body signals.

Another very effective attention getter is touch, but we are not always close enough to the dog for that option.

The paging cue removes distance from the dog as a limitation from touching it. So now I can communicate with the dog using the ecollar in two ways. The rheostat controlled stimulation serves as a variable intensity aversive stimulus (although one can argue that low levels are not aversive) and now with the paging feature, I can tap the dog on the shoulder from a distance in a totally pleasant way (vibration) as well.

Training the dog to look at you when paged and view the vibration as pleasant is a lot like training a puppy to respond to a name. Initially, the vibration should predict a treat. At first, vibrate the dog (be close to it and just give the button a quick press), then say the dog’s name, and then give it a treat. The order of events is important here.

After repeating this about a dozen times a day for a week or so, the dog will begin to look at and orient toward you before the name is said. It is starting to anticipate the treat.

Note that the treat can be food, play, or anything else the dog desires. At this point, you can begin to gradually fade using the name as well as begin to vary distance and level of distraction. I am compelled to emphasize the word “gradually”.

Eventually, the cue tells the dog to give you its attention if you are present and to find you if you’re not.

Thus, ecollar technology is continuing to evolve and improve. The pager feature makes the ecollar more versatile. Like the rheostat feature Dogtra introduced a few years ago, the addition of the pager feature to the collar is another major innovation.”

- Mark Plonsky, Ph.D.

03/19/2025

🎾 SUNDAY RUNDAY Registration:

https://pawzitivedogtraining.hbportal.co/public/67bdf79f1a315600293838a6

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2025 💨

11:00AM - START TIME 1:00PM - LAST CALL

⌚️ 3 MINUTE RUNS + RAFFLE 🎟️

Raffle: 2 Tickets for ( $10.00 )

$50.00 🐕 Gift Basket for Dogs under 30lbs
$50.00 Gift Basket 🎁 for Dogs over 30lbs

📍230 SW 12TH AVE #230 - 11 POMPANO BEACH, FLORIDA 33069

Kim and I are thrilled to introduce our new dog toy! Starting next month, we’ll be hosting monthly fun runs in collaboration with .

📅 How it Works:

- Gift Bag Included for all participants!

- 7 more spots available for pre-registration ( deposit will automatically secure your spot )

- Drop-ins welcome on the day of the event for an additional fee ( $55.00 )

- Your deposit includes a 3 minute run, each run after is ( $15.00 )

Call or DM for additional details

Come let your pup chase, run, and have a blast with SwiftPaws! 🐾🎉

02/21/2025

Group Classes: Building Loyalty 💯 Through Teamwork + An Open Minded Approach

Classes are included in my monthly and bi-weekly programs or 6 classes for $75.00

Indoor and outdoor classes in Pompano Beach offer a unique and effective way for me, as your trainer, to work with each owner and their dog 🦮 as a team while benefiting from the presence of other dogs.

These sessions provide an ideal balance between individual instruction and 🌎real-world scenarios, helping your dogs learn to focus on you.

Even in a group setting, I pay attention to the small details 👀and help you achieve loyalty.

By training in a group setting, I can give personalized guidance tailored to each team’s needs while ensuring that dogs practice essential obedience, social skills, and relaxation protocols.

📣 Coaching you by your side so that you can gain confidence in handling your dog because they can only learn as fast as you can. 😉

02/12/2025

Group class on Saturday the 22nd is being moved to ➡️ Saturday at 2:00 PM.

During class, you and your dog will be instructed individually in a group class setting and have the opportunity to participate and conpete in fun games together.

Each team will be given instructions based on your goals and where you and your dog are at 🧠 mentally.

All dogs must stay on leash to obstain from breaking loyalty from you.

Dogs who can benefit from meeting other dogs will be allowed to socialize with consent from both parties.

For participating clients, who book regularly, you are automatically enrolled. Class dates and times are subject to change.

To be involved in the WhatsApp 📨 Pawz Class Chat for pupdates, send a message to Kate to be added.

📍Interested in joining us? Please reach out on how to find out more info and pricing options.

🐶 352 - 474 - 3888



[email protected]

01/26/2025

I'm sorry for any inconvenience 🫶

01/13/2025

All my active clients get to enjoy indoor classes and receive individual instruction and training exercises.

I do try to get a good game of hot potato going or have two owners battle it out in a race of who can heel their dog with an egg on a spoon the longest.

We have a good time and I'm beyond grateful for all my teams who come out to participate. You show up for your dog everyday and it shows.

01/13/2025

Happy New Year! Tiktok may be getting banned this week. There's orbs in the sky and natural disasters left and right, but the show must go on. With all the events happening, the only escape is our dogs, our families and friends.

To see your dog's transformation is what keeps me going. Cheers to another year and thank you for trusting me to help.

10/15/2024

10/15/2024

Some cuties. We are absolutely devastated about the disasters that Helene and Milton did to so many communities across FL, GA, TN, and NC.

So many displaced people and animals who have lost their homes, businesses, and facilities. If you can foster a dog from Tampa, please message me.

09/03/2024

08/16/2024

It’s tough to be a trainer these days. So many of our dogs here in the states are not genetically blessed.

I’ve seen clients give up after two sessions and then go straight to force and punishment, usually too early. Their dogs may not be that reactive anymore, but they can’t be managed or walked without food present.

Instead of working on relationship and play mechanics, owners and trainers will focus on popping the dog and then giving them a cookie. Pop and treat trainers.

I admit, I used to use these methods but then I found more qualified mentors who showed me a better way.

states it is easier for me to teach you, the owner, to play with your dog that punish them.

You are not a balanced trainer. You are a compulsive trainer. If your dog wants to go left on the walk and you want to take a right and you’re forcing the dog by manhandling them through leash tension, then that’s compulsion!

Your dog does not understand the mystery level of low stem on the e-collar which was originally developed without a pager function. If you don’t know the history of e-collars then let me tell you, the innovators realized their mistake: the e-collar had to have a vibration in addition to the shock. Why?

Because the pager function IS the main button on the e-collar. Not low stem! So anytime I see shut down dogs…no light in their eyes. Tails down. E-collar with low stem conditioning in the first month of “training” I shake my head and think back to when I thought this was the easiest and only way.

My board and train programs are 6-8 weeks, so I don’t have to allow on constant discomfort of an e-collar to funnel as many dogs through my programs as possible 💰💰💰

I spent thousands upon thousands last year and the year before last on my education and have upcoming seminars with the best of the best trainers later this year so I can continue to learn more and not rely on outdated methods.

Hats off the to people who develop the techniques that require a little extra footwork and drills but instead can manage their dogs by carrying a toy or using a pager to recall their dog into a heel or put their paws up on an elevated surface.

06/05/2024

Recently, made an inspirational and educational post about this topic that I’d like to share a few words on . . .

Working with dogs as a handler and trainer requires not just physical stamina, but also mental fortitude.

I would be naive to say, it does not come with it’s ever ending challenges 🧩

The industry leaders in education will tell you the same- it is such a demanding job that can take a toll on your well-being if not approached with care. Mental health support and taking regular breaks are essential practices to maintain balance and effectiveness in this field. ⏳

As handlers and trainers we often face challenging situations that can test our resilience with owners and their pets and finding access to resources for mental health support helps us navigate these waters together. You don’t have be alone in this!

When it comes specifically to working with dogs in the US and UK, burnout can occur due to the amount of intense dogs we often see in these nations.

Their behavior is easily influenced by various factors, making training and handling them both rewarding and demanding. And I’m not just talking about the dog’s behavior- I am speaking about the owner’s too.

With all the misleading information on social media, no wonder our owner’s are easily confused. I can’t tell you how many times I have reshaped a leave it command or told an owner that the Watch Me exercise is causing conflict with their dogs and counter conditioning with an engage disengage game will work out a lot better. Or wait for it…a consequence given to their dog. Gasp. And cue crickets followed by questions, which I am happy to answer. We, the people, the teachers have to coach the owner effectively and timely because their dogs can only learn as fast as they do.

Burnout may arise from the emotional strain of dealing with difficult behaviors or the slow progress in training and pressure from the owner to achieve magical results.

Taking breaks allows me to recharge and approach my work with renewed energy and focus, ultimately benefiting both myself and the dogs I interact with.

05/26/2024