Pawsitive Pup Training

05/19/2026

🐾 Not every dog wants to be touched — and that's okay.

Dogs are not public property, and we should never assume that an unfamiliar (or even familiar) dog is inviting interaction just by being present.

The golden rule: don't approach unknown dogs. Give them space, stay relaxed, look slightly away, and let them come to you.

And even when a dog does approach you, sniffing, standing nearby, or coming close is NOT necessarily an invitation to pat them. Wait for clearer signals — loose, relaxed body language, leaning into your leg, gentle eye contact, a nudge, a paw, or a play bow. Those are consent.

Once you have those signals, you can ask their guardian if it's okay to interact. Keep it brief, and pause to check if they want to continue.

🚫 Avoid: patting on the head, pushing your hand in their face, hugging, or overwhelming them with too many people or too much intensity.

⚠️ Signs a dog is uncomfortable: lip licking, yawning, looking away, moving away, ears pinned back, tail tucked, whale eye (whites of the eyes showing) — and of course snapping or growling, which is an immediate request for more space.

This applies to children too — teaching kids that unknown dogs are not to be approached is one of the most important lessons we can pass on.

I've put together an infographic breaking all of this down — save it and share it! 👆

And if you want to go deeper, I've also made a video exploring whether people should even have the expectation to pat an unknown dog — and why "asking first" doesn't always make it okay 👇
📺 https://youtu.be/K2D8cOGUhs4

05/17/2026

What’s your dog’s “thing”?
Because it might not be the $70 enrichment toy sitting untouched in the corner.

Enrichment has become a massive buzz word lately.
Every second product promises mental stimulation, calmness and fulfilment.

But real enrichment?
It’s much simpler .

Some dogs would choose shredding cardboard over a puzzle toy every single time.
Some want to sniff every blade of grass.
Some thrive on running, jumping and movement.
Some love chewing and licking.
Some enjoy solving problems.
Some just want to quietly watch the world go by.

That’s the bit we can miss.

We start choosing enrichment based on trends, marketing or what other dogs enjoy instead of observing our own dogs and what brings them joy.

A dog walking away from a puzzle toy is not “failing enrichment”.
They may simply be telling you
“This isn’t my thing.”

So what is?💭

05/15/2026

🐾 What if the thing your dog is obsessed with is actually your biggest training asset?

That's the Premack Principle in a nutshell — and once it clicks, it changes how you see the whole environment around you.

Here's the concept: behaviour that your dog finds highly rewarding can be used to reinforce behaviour they find less rewarding. You're not fighting against what they want. You're using it.

Grandma's Rule puts it best:
🥦 Do the less fun thing first → earn the more fun thing.

In practice it looks like this:

📣 Dog rockets back to you on recall → gets released straight back into the game
🚪 Dog waits calmly at the door → the door opens
👁️ Dog checks in with eye contact on a walk → gets to go investigate that smell

No food needed. The real world becomes your treat pouch.

This is one of those concepts that sounds simple but has a huge ripple effect on your dog's impulse control and their relationship with you — so I made a full video breaking it all down:
📺 https://youtu.be/RNkT_oOhLYA

05/07/2026

Ever wonder if you’re “really” watching the dog and the kids? 👀

Supervision isn’t just being in the same room; it’s a sliding scale of awareness. Understanding these 5️⃣ levels helps prevent bites and builds a bond based on trust, not just luck!

Awareness is the first step toward a safer, happier home for your two-legged and four-legged family members! 🐶

Which rung of the ladder are you on most often?

Like, comment save and share to help others to become more Dog Aware!

05/05/2026

05/05/2026

Red flag behaviours in dogs are often dismissed as “quirks” or training issues, but many of them can point to underlying medical discomfort. One of the most overlooked is sudden behaviour change but behaviour does not change without reason.

Some of the more unusual behaviours can be especially telling. Repetitive floor licking, wall licking, or eating non-food items (pica) is commonly linked to gastrointestinal discomfort such as acid reflux, nausea, or food sensitivities.

Dental pain is another major but often missed factor. Dogs with oral discomfort may drop food, chew on one side, show reluctance to eat hard food, or display sudden irritability, particularly when touched around the face. Some will paw at their mouth, rub their face on furniture, foot biting or reactive when approached.

Dogs with musculoskeletal pain may become reluctant to jump, hesitate on stairs, or show “stubborn” behaviour on walks. More subtle signs include sitting crookedly, shifting weight, bunny hopping, or suddenly becoming reactive on lead.

Noise sensitivity is another significant red flag. Dogs that become increasingly reactive to everyday sounds such as doors, traffic, or household noise may be experiencing underlying pain. Research and clinical experience consistently show a strong association between chronic pain and sound sensitivity.

Some behaviours seem almost “quirky” but are worth paying attention to. Excessive tail chasing, sudden spinning, flank sucking, or episodes of agitation without an obvious trigger can be linked to neurological discomfort, pain syndromes, or conditions like canine compulsive disorders, often with a medical component. Similarly, dogs who suddenly become clingy, unable to settle, or follow their owners constantly may be experiencing underlying discomfort or anxiety driven by internal changes.

Dogs who struggle to settle, frequently reposition, or seem restless at night may be uncomfortable. Conversely, dogs who are sleeping significantly more than usual may be conserving energy due to pain or illness.

Behaviour is communication.

04/14/2026

Hi all! This is our house at prison, although nice, we’re really looking forward to a forever home! You can meet the 4 of us, this Sunday the 12th between 2-4 at the Thrift Shop at 401 Hwy117S Burgaw