Pawsitive Pup Training

08/01/2025

The signs of pain in your dog can be subtle. With signs like lethargy, aversion to being touched, and pacing often passing unnoticed.

08/01/2025

08/01/2025

🐶 Puppy Biting and Mouthing Checklist ☑️

Puppies are going to bite and mouth; it's part of how they explore the world! Even then, we realize that it's not an enjoyable experience. Those teeth are sharp!

How do we address it?

☑️ Have all of their needs been met? Food, water, potty, and exercise
☑️ Have they been getting enough sleep, or have they been awake for too long? Puppies need up to 18-20 hours of sleep per day.
☑️ What appropriate chewing items are readily available to them? They should have access to chews, enrichment items, and toys of different textures and types
☑️ Are they being handled too much? Sometimes we unintentionally frustrate puppies by constantly touching them, restraining them, picking them up, and interrupting them without redirecting them, which can lead to an increase in mouthiness.

Redirecting puppies to appropriate chews, toys, or other activities is the best way to combat mouthiness. If the biting continues after attempts to redirect, return to the checklist!

While most puppy biting and mouthing is to be expected, there are times when it escalates past the point of what is "normal". Do not hesitate to reach out to us if it feels extreme or atypical. We can help, whether you're local to us or not! 💙

08/01/2025

🎉RESCUED‼

🔥❌CODE RED🔥❌

💥CODE RED💥
Per Duplin County Animal Services, THEY MUST be adopted or rescued on or before Saturday, August 2.

ABANDONED IN BOX AT VET PARKING LOT😢
SPAY/NEUTER FEE SPONSORED‼️
$40 ADOPTION FEES‼️

🩵KASPER
ID: 58778681
S*x: MALE
Weight: 6.25 POUNDS

🩵KANE
ID: 58778680
S*x:MALE
Weight: 6.25 POUNDS

🩷KIONA
ID: 58778678
S*x: FEMALE
Weight: 7.56 POUNDS

🩷KIRBY
ID: 58778677
S*x: FEMALE
Weight: 5.75 POUNDS

🩷KIPPER
ID: 58778676
S*x: FEMALE
Weight: 5.62 POUNDS

Age: 2 MONTHS
Breed: RETRIEVER MIX
Stray (LEFT IN A BOX IN VET OFFICE PARKING LOT)
Available: 7/15/2025
Last Day Available: 7/25/2025

The adoption fee is $140, which covers: age appropriate medications and vaccinations, microchip (if available and if puppy is old enough) and a voucher for the dog to be altered at Warsaw Animal Hospital.

If you want to meet me, please call the shelter at (910)-296-2159 EXT 2. If you're a rescue interested in pulling me, email [email protected]. If you cannot adopt, please share and help find my forever family.

Adoption application link below:
https://www.duplinnc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/147/Animal-Adoption-Application-PDF

08/01/2025

🐶 What is Positive Reinforcement Training?

It’s a kind, science-backed way to teach your dog by focusing on what they get right — not punishing mistakes. 💛

Whether you’re bringing home a new dog, navigating puppyhood, brushing up on training, or managing common challenges — we’ve got you covered!

✨ DogNostics Pet Dog Solutions is your practical, easy-to-follow toolkit for real-life dog parenting.
Ideal for pet dog guardians and pet care professionals.

🧠 Force-free. Reward-based. Evidence-led.
Ready to build a better relationship with your dog?

👉 Check out the full program series here: https://dognosticseducation.com/dn-courses/pet-dog-solutions/
🐾 Bringing Your New Dog Home
🐾 Guide to Positive Socialization
🐾 The Key Training Concepts
🐾 Essential Training Skills
🐾 Addressing Common Behavior Problems

🦴 More than a course - it’s your roadmap to success with your dog.

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07/31/2025

The latest study was done in a grooming environment:

"Grooming procedures are often stressful for dogs due to exposure to loud noises, unfamiliar individuals, and the absence of their owners. This study aimed to assess whether classical music could reduce stress-related behaviours in dogs during grooming. Fifteen companion dogs of various breeds, aged 2 to 8 years, were observed during three grooming sessions: a control session without music, and two experimental sessions featuring classical piano compositions–Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and Chopin’s Nocturne. Music was played at 75 dB to mask ambient salon noise. Stress-related behaviours were rated on a 5-point scale during bathing, drying, clipping, and nail trimming. Results showed that all dogs, but especially males, exhibited significantly calmer behaviour in the music conditions. Female dogs showed similar trends, though differences were not statistically significant between stages. These findings suggest that classical music is a simple, effective, non-invasive enrichment method that can enhance dog welfare in grooming environments."

07/22/2025

It may look odd to us, but this quick sniff reveals a lot!
How stressed is the other dog?
Are they full of reproductive hormones or are they more mellow due to age?
Is this they same dog I met last month?

For many dogs it's a "polite" and informative greeting
For others though,it is unwanted attention.

That tail may tuck tight.
Access to the information another dog wants can be limited.
This is where some dogs persist and that can be unwanted by the "tail tucker".
The pestering is the issue and it may require you to step in and advocate.

Should dogs immediately go to the rear when they meet a dog?
Some do. Some don't.

Normal?
Absolutely!

07/09/2025

Learn which ones are dog-safe

06/30/2025

A Kyoto University study reveals that dogs can assess human competence, with female dogs showing the strongest ability. Researchers observed dogs watching two people attempt to open treat containers—one successful and one unsuccessful. The dogs paid more attention to the competent individual, particularly when food was involved, suggesting they can judge skill levels.

Lynette A. Hart, an anthrozoology professor, noted that this aligns with dogs’ natural attentiveness to humans. Female dogs’ heightened trainability and focus may contribute to their stronger judgment, while breed differences also matter, with German Shepherds excelling in problem-solving tasks.

06/23/2025

Growling is communication. Always just communication. How else are our dogs going to ask for the space they need if we punish them for growling? Take away the growl and they have no choice but to go straight to a bite.