Whether you’ve been part of our puppy programs or have an adult dog, Pooch Pawsitive will take your training to the next level. We offer a range of classes on an ongoing and singular basis to suit your schedule and training goals.
For pups under 6 months.
We love getting puppies off to a Pawsitive start! Join us to teach your puppy to pay attention, walk nicely on a leash, lay down, stay and wait, come when called, and be polite when meeting new people.
Puppies should be between 8 and 12 weeks to start and have 1 DHPP/DA2P shot and a negative fecal test. Puppy Kindergarten includes an Orientation session (for humans only) and 6 lessons with your pup.
When: Classes are open enrollment so you can start right away. Lessons are standalone modules, and you can take them in any order. If you miss a class, you can make it up whenever it’s available on the schedule.
Cost: $295 (orientation + 6 lessons)
Register for the Puppy Kindergarten Training Package and then use your “credits” to sign up for orientation and the 6 lessons. Advance registration is required.
For dogs over 6 months.
Learn key foundations to make living with your dog a pleasure. Basic Manners classes are for dogs over 6 months of age and cover skills such as sit, down, stay, come, loose leash walking, and not jumping up. Orientation and 6 lessons are included in your Basic Manners course ($295 total).
Start anytime with open enrollment! Lessons are standalone modules, and you can take them in any order. If you miss a class, you can make it up whenever it’s available on the schedule.
Advanced registration is required. Register for your training package and use your “credits” to sign up for orientation and each of the 6 lessons.
When: Classes are open enrollment so you can start right away. Lessons are standalone modules, and you can take them in any order. If you miss a class, you can make it up whenever it’s available on the schedule.
Cost: $295 (orientation + 6 lessons)
Register for the Basic Manners Training Package and then use your “credits” to sign up for orientation and the 6 lessons. Advance registration is required.
We use what you learned in Puppy Kindergarten or Basic Manners and take it up a level by adding more distractions, duration, and distance. Prerequisite: Puppy Kindergarten or Basic Manners.
If you are looking for something fun to do with your dog without any competitive pressure, Wag It Games are for you! We play Sniff It, Dog Ball and Smart Dog for fun and enrichment.
Prepare for the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test with our CGC prep class. We’ll cover all the test items and focus on enhancing the specific elements you need to succeed. Prior completion of a basic obedience class is recommended.
Are you looking for something fun to do with your dog? Join the AKC Trick Dog program with us! We’ll master tricks from the AKC Novice and Intermediate levels and offer the test for you to earn the Title (if desired) on the last day of class. Whether you’re aiming for a Title or simply seeking a good time with your pup, this class promises a good time with your dog. For more details, please visit the AKC Trick Dog page
Prerequisite: Clicker training experience required!
We sometimes offer short four-week clinics on Loose Leash Walking and Rocket Recall. Check our registration portal or email us if you’re interested.
Each Lesson is an independent module/topic and does not have to be taken sequentially. Once you’ve attended Orientation, you can then jump into the lessons. The goal is for you to take the 6 lessons in any order, on any day that it is offered. If you need to skip a lesson (think vacation, soccer game, illness) then you can take that lesson at any other time it shows up in the lesson schedule. We just ask that you register for each lesson so that we know you are coming! We’ll go over all this at Orientation!
Advancements in psychology, animal learning, and training have shown that we can get our dog’s full cooperation by rewarding behavior we like and ignoring, or redirecting, behavior we don’t like. Reward-based training techniques strengthen our bond with our dogs and also help them to be happy and willing participants. We use positive reinforcement methods and clicker training for efficient and effective training results!
Reward-based training uses ‘rewards’ for doing the correct behavior. A ‘reward’ is anything that the dog wants at that moment. Food is just one of many rewards that a dog could want. It’s easier for us to use food in training because it motivates most dogs and is transportable. At home, you can use all kinds of things as rewards, such as the dinner bowl, throwing the ball, or going for a walk.
You CAN teach an old dog new tricks…it just takes a bit longer! If you know what motivates your dog, and you’re willing to put some time in, then you have a good chance of changing your dog’s behavior. It’s harder to undo bad behavior that’s been going on for years. If you notice a new unwanted behavior starting, get on top of it right away before it becomes your dog’s new bad habit!
Daycare:
Training and general questions:
Please note: The best way to reach us is by email. We’ll do our best to respond to your email within 24-48 hours.
Pooch Pawsitive is located at 10 Fairmount Ave., East Providence, RI and founded by Heidi Palmer McNeil. We support clients in the following areas and beyond:
Rhode Island:
Barrington, Bristol, Warren, East Providence, Providence, Cranston.
Massachusetts:
Seekonk, Rehoboth, Swansea, Attleboro.