Paw-Z-Tive Pawz & Just for Starters

Robin has been wonderful and patient in helping with not only training my dog but more importantly giving me the right tools and directions for creating a more effective training environment and session. I’ve taken the basic manners class and individual session for my dog’s separation anxiety and the difference is drastic from the beginning to the end of the sessions. As a first time dog owner, it was daunting trying to figure out how to effectively train my dog based on all the conflicting information on the internet. Meeting and getting help from Robin has helped me navigate being a dog owner and how to interact with my dog in a positive and clear way.

I was introduced to Robin through her puppy course at the Humane Society of Huron Valley. Before I started that course when my dog (Fitz) was 16 weeks old and fully immunized, I took him to her for 1:1 training. I have since taken 5 classes or workshops with her. Courses / Workshops I've taken: 1. 6 weeks of individual puppy training (Fitz aged 10.5 weeks) 2. A group 6-week puppy course at HSHV 3. A group 6-week tricks course 4. A group 6-week beyond basics course 5. A 4-week group course focused on resolving unwanted barking behaviors 6. A 2-hour workshop focused on retrieve skills (most importantly, giving up what was retrieved or putting it away) 7. A 2-hour workshop focused on teaching a dog to use a head halter/gentle leader (these tools can easily be applied to a harness, thunder vest, or any other wearable item). I've also brought Fitz to many of her puppy socials. Overall I've found Robin to be a great trainer, whose focus is not just on your dog and working with them, but on training YOU - giving you the tools to understand your dog's emotions, mind, and behavior, setting you up for success short and long term. She is very focused on positive training approaches - no alpha/domination/punishment or "no" training methods. Her training space in Fowlerville is large both indoors and outdoors and can accommodate cold weather, and she has so many training tools and gadgets, like mini agility courses, tunnels, targets, toys, etc. My main takeaways have been: 1) The training sessions are more for me than for Fitz 2) Your dog doesn't understand how to not do a "bad" / unwanted behavior, so teaching your dog things like "Off" or "No" or "Stop that" or "Quiet!" isn't going to work -- you have to give your dog something ELSE to do instead 3) Consistency is key; do many short training sessions working on the skills learned in classes if you want success 4) Environmental variety is important - do training sessions in medium and high distraction environments when you can 5) Reward behaviors you want to see, like sitting quietly chewing on a chew toy, sitting or laying down when you're chopping up food at the kitchen counter (vs jumping up to try to steal something), or being quiet in a crate. Overall Fitz and I have learned many "tricks" and "commands" that are helping him grow up super well adjusted, and I don't feel at all like I'm doing anything that takes his autonomy, wants/needs, or natural instincts away. Fitz is 8 months old now, and I cannot tell you the number of times over the past few months people have told me how well behaved, smart, and calm Fitz is (yes, I love showing off his cool tricks, like weaving between my legs or scootching backwards while laying down). Highly recommend Robin and Paw-Z-Tive Paws!

My dog Remi and I completed Robin's Reactive Rover course at the Humane Society, and I cannot recommend it enough! It was a safe and constructive environment for my reactive dog to practice neutrality around other dogs and learn new skills using positive reinforcement. Robin did a great job of making sure we understood each training activity and would make helpful corrections to ensure we were doing it correctly. I was nervous to bring my reactive dog to a class with other dogs, but Robin's classroom management prevented any issues. I would attend another course of hers in the future!