Welcome!

Thank you for signing up. Whether you’ve booked a single session or a package, I’m excited to work with you. Below, you’ll find important information on what to expect and how to prepare.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. The best ways to contact me are via email at christina@positive.dog or by text at 250-616-0306.  If you’d like to send videos, please send them using What’s App or Marco Polo. 

Intake Form

An Intake Form gives me insight into your dog’s daily routine. Once I receive it, I’ll reach out to schedule your session. I may also follow up with questions and share some initial homework so you can get started right away. If you haven’t completed it yet, please click here.

Scheduling

For those committing to a package, I recommend meeting weekly or every other week. This keeps us on track and allows us to build on your progress as you and your dog learn.

That said, life happens! Sometimes other priorities come up, or you may feel confident enough to space out sessions. I’m happy to be flexible and adjust to what works best for you and your dog.

If you decide to take a break or leave it open-ended, please know that I’ll respect your time and space—I won’t check in unless you reach out. The ball is in your court, and when you’re ready to continue, I’ll be happy to hear from you.

Lessons don’t expire for this reason. While more frequent sessions tend to be more effective, we can pace them according to your individual needs.

SEARCH & RESCUE

As a proud member of Nanaimo Search and Rescue, there are times when I may need to respond to an urgent call on short notice. While I do my best to avoid disrupting scheduled sessions, occasional last-minute changes can happen.

As a general rule, please check your email before heading out, just in case I’ve been called away. I appreciate your understanding!

Equipment

What Do You Need?

The Right Equipment Makes Training More Effective & Fun!

Essentials to Bring:

✅ Treat pouch – Worn on a belt around your waist for easy access.
✅ Leashes of various lengths – We may use anything from a 6′ to a 30′ leash if we are learning recall. A 10′ or 12′ leash is especially useful for teaching leash manners and polite greetings. Shorter leashes work best for busy locations like pet-friendly stores or downtown areas. If you’re unsure which leash to bring, just ask!
✅ Toys (if your dog loves them) – Tug toys are ideal, but any toy your dog adores is great. If your dog isn’t interested in toys, that’s totally fine too.

What Should Your Dog Wear?

Whatever you normally walk your dog in is fine, as long as it’s safe and comfortable. If I think a harness, head halter (for some strong dogs), or a different collar style might work better, we can discuss it together.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do: Organize Your Treats

Before you arrive—or before bringing your dog out of the car—make sure you’re fully prepared.

✅ Have your treats (and toys) ready to go.
✅ Wear your treat pouch around your waist, not over your shoulder.
✅ Break treats into the right size for training.

Being prepared before your dog gets out means we can jump right into training and avoid leaving them uncertain or unprepared if an unexpected dog, skateboard, or child appears.

Don’t: Arrive Early

Some people like to arrive early to walk their dog before a lesson. If you and your dog can do so comfortably and without stress, that’s perfectly fine. However, since we often choose training locations that may be a bit challenging for your dog, arriving early isn’t always the best idea.

Two reasons not to show up early:
  1. If you and your dog struggle with the environment, you’ll both be stressed before the session even begins, making learning more difficult.
  2. Your dog may become too tired, reducing their ability to focus and learn effectively.

If your dog needs to burn off some energy beforehand, consider playing ball or taking a short walk in a quiet, familiar area where they can relax and succeed without added stress.

Do: Ask Questions Before We Start

Before bringing your dog out—or before I come into your home—we can take a moment to chat and answer any questions you have.

You’re always welcome to ask questions at any time, but it can be tough to juggle training your dog, listening to instructions, and asking questions all at once. Taking a minute beforehand, or briefly putting your dog away, allows you to focus and get the answers you’ve been thinking about without distractions.

Don’t: Show Me Your Dog at Their Worst

Trust me, I can see what’s going on with your dog.

As professional trainers, we don’t need to witness your dog at their worst to understand the problem. We’re trained to recognize the small signs and all the management strategies that help prevent escalation. If you happen to have a video of your dog reacting, that’s great—but please don’t intentionally put your dog in a stressful situation just to show me or capture a video.

I’ve been training dogs for a long time, and I can see the challenges you and your pup are facing. You don’t have to prove anything—I’m here to help.

Free Resources

New puppy or new-to-you dog?

You are welcome to join the online Puppy Foundations Facebook group where you will find 50+ lessons and videos. Click on the link below and request to join our group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/811761322646383

 

Reactivity or Aggression issues?

I have created a support group complete with detailed explanations of many of the games we play. Are you on Facebook?  If not, consider creating a profile for dog resources. Click on the link below and request to join our group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/reactivedogcourse

 

Free Training Tips

Consider joining the mailing list to receive updates in your inbox, or keep an eye on this page.

Relaxation Protocols

These exercises help your dog learn to relax around distractions and self-soothe when excited. Wouldn’t it be great if your dog naturally chose to stay calm when unsure of what you wanted? Give it a try!