Positive Pups Dog Training / Sit Stay Swim

11/07/2025

Helen St. Pierre says all the things in this post.

Your dog owes you nothing. Not a thing.

The decision for him to be in your life wasn’t his, it was yours. He doesn’t owe you anything. If you look at your dog as owing you something in return for your attention, food, medical care etc, then that’s the first problem we have to tackle before we can even begin true training together.

Your dog doesn’t owe you “obedience” he doesn’t owe you “respect” he doesn’t owe you “good behavior” simply because he gets to share the same space and life with you. If you want that kind of relationship and behavior; that’s on you to create, not him.

YOU owe your dog. You owe it to him to understand his history, his development and his ancestors. You owe it to him to learn about his needs, his characteristics and his individual personality. You owe it to him to become educated on how he communicates with you, his body language and train him in a way he understands and enjoys and doesn’t cut corners just because it’s easier on YOU. You owe it to him to protect him and keep him safe. You owe it to him to modify YOUR environment to help him be successful.

Dogs are a privilege. WE created THEM. We’ve done them so many injustices and yet they still go to war with us, herd our livestock, protect us, find people for us, assist us devotedly, meet us at the door wagging their tails and comfort us when we are down. The tasks they do for us go above and beyond any other partnership between species imaginable, so you have to be willing to do your part too.

Your dog owes you nothing. You owe your dog. Let’s get to work to make a great team.

- Helen St.Pierre
If you share please give credit.

03/07/2025

This graphic is from our friends at Animal Behavior Consultants of Michigan. Dr. Sackman and her group are great! We love working with them.

Fourth of July brings the promise of summer fun and celebration - but maybe not so much for your pet.
Follow these tips for ensure your dog enjoys the holiday as much a you do!

05/01/2025

Thank you Melissa Miller for reminding us of this super important information.

Brrrrr….
*Real Feel Temperature* of 4 degrees!

Our amazing Animal Care Technicians just helped one of our foster dogs with a hypothermia emergency that could honestly happen to any new dog guardian.

When temps are below 25, the wind chill can easily drop into the single digits. Foster Dog had a couple of “potty walks” throughout the morning, and then I got a call saying Foster Dog was lethargic and difficult to rouse.

Foster Dog’s thirty minute adventures outside throughout the day progressively lowered her temperature to hypothermic levels. Once at the shelter, ACTs got Foster Dog toasty warm (slowly) and have been monitoring her at the shelter, so far recovering well.

This is a gentle reminder that in these temps:

🐶 A “potty walk” is 5 minutes.

❄️ Pay attention to nose, toes, ears

🌬️ Wind chill is a big deal

🌾 Dog houses MUST have ample straw bedding

🥰 Make sure pooch is warmed up between trips outside, use sweaters and coats for smooth coat dogs

——————

“But I have a Great Pyr, Husky, Giant MuppetDoodle of Chaos! They are made for these temperatures!”

Sorry, everyone. In single digits, any dog breed can get frostbite on nose, toes, and ears pretty quickly. The difference with how these breeds are acclimated to cold weather 100 years ago is very different, and we don’t have enough snow right now in our area of Michigan for them to “pack in” and insulate themselves from the wind or share body heat.

They may look ok, but just like the little kid with blue lips shivering and saying they don’t want to get out of the pool, we have to be the grown ups and bring their fluffy butts inside and out of the elements.

Stay Safe and Warm!
Director Melissa A. Miller, CBCC-KA



(Our Animal Care Technicians are not veterinary professionals, but are highly trained in animal first aid!)

28/11/2024

27/11/2024

Dogs underfoot while you prep for tomorrow? Fill a puzzle to give yourself some time and space.
How do you keep your dogs busy while you prep?

26/11/2024

Our little dog, Guacemole, loves to go on sniff walks in the fall. His little nose snuffles through the leaves like it's his job. The Michigan weather has been mild and pleasant. How have you been enjoying the mild weather with your dog(s)?

26/11/2024

Merrier Mondays!

If you are hosting the holiays, find a quiet spot where your pets can relax while the guests are arriving and when they become overwhelmed by the comotion. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
*Open doors are an escape risk.
*Overwhelmed dogs are a bite risk.

Does your dog have a safe space to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the holiday? Show us pics of your pets relaxing in their favorite place.

19/11/2024

For today's Merrier Mondays; Holiday Foods That Can Harm Your Dog.
Remember when your dog gives you the "Sad Eyes," these foods can leave your dog with serious health issues. Some can be fatal.

*Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680 *

13/11/2024

The holidays are here! Our Merrier Mondays series features tips and tricks to help you get your pup through the upcoming festivities! We will share information about how to keep your dog safe at gatherings. Watch for Merrier Mondays posts right through Superbowl Sunday!

11/11/2024

THANK YOU VETERANS!