Training Philosophy
With Empathy and Competence
How we work
At Pawsitively, the focus is on building a secure bond and happy cooperation between you and your dog. Every human-dog team is unique and we respond to your individual needs.
The basis of our work is needs-oriented, reward-based training, supported by the latest scientific findings in behavioral biology, psychology and learning theory. This competence, coupled with a lot of heart and empathy, is what sets us apart.
For us it's about more than just training. Our goal is to make you an expert on your own dog!
We train and strengthen you, impart knowledge about dog behavior and learning behavior, and help with emotional challenges. We place great importance on body language in order to understand your dog's subtle signals and establish effective, respectful communication.
We focus on desired behaviors in your dog, teach them step by step and reinforce them specifically with marker signals and appropriate rewards.
Undesirable behavior is prevented in advance or corrected neutrally, without causing fear or pain. Nobody's perfect and mistakes are always learning opportunities.
Our training is not only effective, but should also be fun - for you and your dog. So that learning becomes a positive experience for both of you.
Let us build a solid foundation for a lifelong friendship between you
and your dog, according to our motto:
Grow Trust. Unleash Happiness.
We are constantly continuing our education on all important topics in cynology, behavioral biology, psychology and learning theory.
Science-based
We always take your needs into consideration - your own and those of your dog.
Need-oriented
So much more than just throwing treats! We train desired behavior through a positive learning environment.
Reward-based
We teach desired behavior in a friendly way instead of correcting or punishing undesirable behavior - because bonding and trust are the main focus.
Non-violent & fair
How we DO NOT work
We strictly reject any form of physical and psychological violence:
Startle stimuli (clapping, making noise, hissing, throwing things), body language blocking/threatening, nudging/pinching, leash impulse/leash jerk, spray collars, water bottles, alpha throw.
Neither emotions nor behaviors of your dog are inhibited,
oppressed or punished.
We do not promote dominance, pack or hierarchy theories.
We do not intentionally put you and your dog in situations that you cannot yet handle and then correct you for it.
We do not use any animal welfare-relevant, aversive aids
(e.g. choke collars without a stop, spiked collars).
We don't judge anyone!
If you have worked like this so far, I am even more pleased
that you have found your way to me and want to change something.
It is never too late to use empathic and
start fair training!
Anyone who says that reliable behavior in this or that dog cannot be achieved without punishment is not saying anything about the dog, but is simply describing his own abilities.
- Dr. rer. nat. Ute Blaschke-Berthold
