About Pawsitive Impact
Pawsitive Impact was established in 2022. Our goal is to provide humans with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and communicate with their canines. Our training methods are rooted in the latest scientific research and are designed to help our clients better understand their canine companions in order to reach their training goals. We believe that a strong bond is the foundation to having a healthy and happy relationship with your dog, and our training techniques are designed to foster that bond.
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We work with dogs of all ages and breeds, and we specialize in helping dogs overcome a variety of behavior issues derived from anxiety, aggression, and fear.
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At Pawsitive Impact our main goal is to help our clients understand their dogs and their behavior, that means changing their perspective of the behavior from just being a bad behavior to why the behavior is occurring. When behavior is perceived as bad, dominant, and unwanted people turn to punishment in an attempt to change or stop the behavior. When we address the "why" we look at the behavior in a different light, is the dog fearful, is it a learned emotional response, do they lack confidence, are they excited and just don't know how to handle that excitement, or is it a breed specific behavior showing in unhealthy ways. There is a lot more to changing a behavior than the behavior itself. Which is why we build a training plan for all of our clients which addresses the "why", management of the behavior, training exercises to help with basic cues and impulse control, healthy outlets for breed specific behaviors and then later reintroducing the situation that the dog was having trouble in slowly at their pace so we can change the "why" which in turn will change the behavior.
We will make learning fun and enjoyable for you and your dog. Are you ready to be your dog's best friend?
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Pawsitive Impact works with local rescues Muddy Paws Second Chance Rescue and Bullies and Beyond Rescue. If your looking for a companion check them out at the links below.
muddy paws second chance rescue
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About the owner
Zach McLaughlin, CPDT - KA
I am the owner and founder of Pawsitive Impact. I am a positive reinforcement dog trainer/canine life coach with over 15 years experience fostering and rehabilitating dogs and puppies for local rescues. I've worked in the pet industry for about 6 years previously as a dog walker, sitter, day care attendant and trainer.
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Dogs have been a big part of my life for most of my life. In 2002, when I was around 12 years old my mom started a rescue organization which exposed me to many different breeds of dogs, all with different temperaments and personalities. When my mom shut down her rescue around 2010 I started volunteering and fostering for local rescue organizations. Now over 10 years later I have helped countless puppies and dogs, from teaching potty/kennel training, teaching basic manners, to helping them build confidence, trust, and work though their fearfulness and anxiousness.
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Aside from my life experience, my academic experience includes:
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Professional Dog Trainer Certification through Animal Behavior College
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L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation® Professional Course
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Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers CPDT - KA certification
(See certificates below)
I have extensive experience with many different breeds and temperaments of dogs. I have experience in basic obedience, life skills and manners, kennel and potty training, confidence building, socialization, social skills, reactivity due to fearfulness, anxiety, and impulse control. I teach with compassion, understanding and respect. I assess every dog and evaluate their needs, personality, triggers, and their strengths and their weaknesses before putting together a training plan. I believe it's important to build a positive relationship in order to get positive results.
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Click on the link below to check out my Rover Profile
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