Pawsitively - Trading Tech for Treats: My Path to my own Dog School in Zurich
- Melinda
- May 8
- 5 min read
In this first blog post, I’m sharing how I, Melinda, turned my passion for dogs into a (part-time) profession, and why I founded a dog training school in Zurich where people and their dogs can grow together. You’ll learn more about my story, my philosophy, and how I can help you and your four-legged friend build a strong bond and enjoy a relaxed everyday life.
From Zoom Calls to Zoomies: My Path to Finding My “Ikigai”
What is Ikigai, you ask?
It’s a beautiful Japanese concept that translates roughly to “a reason for being” – the thing that makes life feel meaningful and worthwhile.
Since childhood, I’ve always felt a deep connection to dogs. But I didn’t want that passion to remain just a hobby. I wanted to turn it into something meaningful – to help people build a strong, trusting, and joyful bond with their dogs. That’s why I founded Pawsitively.
Our motto, “Grow Trust. Unleash Happiness.”, reflects exactly what I aim to do: strengthen the relationship between people and their dogs through positive, effective training.
But let me start at the beginning.
My career path began in a very classic way – with a degree in International Business Administration (which sounds way more fancy than it was 😅) and over 15 years in tech recruiting and account management. It was a demanding field, but I learned so much. Coaching people, translating complex topics, recognizing strengths – all skills that now serve me well as a dog trainer.
A great career path… until everything changed.
Long COVID hit me quite hard, and I was suddenly forced to slow down, a lot. My energy and capacity were reduced for months – even years. But in the midst of this challenge, something became crystal clear: what truly fulfills me, and what I can do in a way that aligns with both my health and my heart.
Working with dogs. And with people who want to understand their dogs and approach challenges in a kind, sustainable way.
It all started with our family dog, Bessi – a true dachshund personality 😄. Over the years, I took care of many dogs: doing dog sitting, volunteering in animal welfare, and working with everything from a street dog who was too afraid to eat to a young Rottweiler that had been confiscated, to a reactive Appenzeller Sennenhund. And finally, my own dog, Leyla – but more about her later.
What I’ve learned from all these dogs is this: every dog is unique and has their own story and character. And that’s what makes working with them so endlessly rewarding.
Why Modern Dog Training Matters to Me
You might be thinking, “Dog training? Isn’t that everywhere these days?”
True. But not all training is created equal.
And just because someone can hold a clicker doesn’t mean they should be giving training advice.
Here in Zurich and beyond, there are still far too many trainers who follow outdated methods rooted in dominance-based thinking: body blocking, alpha rolls, leash jerks, spray bottles, hissing sounds, physical pressure… Techniques that have long been disproven – and often do more harm than good, both to the dog and the relationship with their person.
Some of these old-school approaches are simply rebranded in nicer-sounding terms like balanced training, communication through body language, or space management. But the philosophy behind them hasn’t changed.
That’s why, from day one, it was clear to me:
If I’m going to support people and their dogs, it has to be with a foundation that is scientific, ethical, and fair.
I completed a comprehensive and accredited dog training program through the ATN Academy for Applied Animal Psychology and Behavior Training, and I continue to learn and grow through ongoing education. I work exclusively with methods based on modern behavioral science, psychology, and learning theory – not because it’s trendy, but because it works.
Because it builds lasting trust.
Because emotions matter.
And because, to me, a dog’s wellbeing is more important than just performance or obedience.
A good trainer doesn’t just teach commands.
A good trainer empowers people to truly understand and support their dogs – and to face everyday challenges as a team.
That’s exactly what I aim to do with Pawsitively. 🐾
Leyla – My Four-Legged Teacher
And then she came along: Leyla.
My sweet little Kooikerhondje pup, who joined me in 2022 – the fulfillment of a childhood dream.
And suddenly, theory turned into real-life practice.
Like many dogs of her breed, she brought plenty of sensitivity and insecurity with her.
Her go-to conflict strategy? Fight!
When we encountered other dogs, she could be… let’s say… expressive. Or, more kindly put: behaviorally creative 😅.
She growled, barked, lunged, and even snapped when she felt overwhelmed. And honestly, I was often just as overwhelmed as she was.
But we made it through – or rather, we felt our way through it. Step by step.
Not with pressure or punishment, but with empathy, observation, and thoughtful, positive training. I learned to read her more clearly, to understand her needs, and to support her in making better choices.
Today, she can handle most situations with confidence: She stays calm, chooses to give space, walks in arcs, checks in with me instead of reacting. And every time, my heart swells with pride – because I know we built that together. No force, no fear – just structure, understanding, and trust.
That journey didn’t just strengthen our bond – it shaped who I am as a trainer.
Because I know what it feels like to stand there, unsure and worried. I know how frustrating it is when your dog reacts differently than expected, and strangers look at you with judgment.
And I know how incredible it feels when, one day, it just clicks – for both of you.
Empathy Meets Expertise: The Heart of Pawsitively
“Empathy and expertise” – sounds great, right?
But what does it actually mean in practice?
For me, scientific knowledge is essential to understanding why different training methods work. Learning happens in every moment, whether we notice it or not, whether we intend it or not.
At my modern dog training school in Zurich, training is not only effective, but also fair and kind and fun.
Emotions matter. And we take them seriously, because they’re key to building a strong and lasting bond between you and your dog.
Sure, aversive training methods can “work” from a technical learning theory perspective. But for me, they are ethically unacceptable. A dog should learn because they want to, not because they’re afraid of what might happen if they don’t.
And here’s the thing: unwanted behavior always has a cause.
Instead of just treating the symptoms, we dig deeper.
Whether it’s fear, pain, frustration, over- or under-stimulation. Ee work together to understand what’s really going on and create a tailored training plan that makes sense for your dog.
We create a learning environment where your dog can truly succeed.
My goal is to empower you to become the expert on your own dog.
We dive into the world of canine body language, learning theory, and behavior science.
And don’t worry – I promise it won’t be boring. 😉
Personal, empathetic, science-based – That’s how I work at my dog training school in Zurich
Whether you’re raising a puppy, rethinking your daily routine, or simply looking to bring more clarity and joy into your training – you’re in the right place with Pawsitively.
I’d love to meet you and your dog. Let’s grow, learn, and have fun together!
Because your dog deserves the best. And so do you. 🐾