Resources

Classes & Services

Paws-A-Tive Choice is a force-free, positive reinforcement learning center for family canine companions. Our goal is to help you bond with your dog through fun education, in a relaxed and comfortable environment.

As a force free trainer, my interest is in behavior, advocating for the physical, emotional and environmental well being of companion animals.

I am dedicated to training methods and techniques that focus on teaching animals by rewarding desired behaviors and exclude the intentional use of physical or psychological intimidation.

To schedule an appointment or to find out about classes email Kathy at [email protected]

Paws-A-Tive Choice is located in Union Grove, WI. All classes are taught in our 7,000 square foot learning center on Tenderfoot rubber matting for the comfort and safety of you and your dog.

Through reward-based training, you and your canine companion will learn the necessary skills for maintaining a harmonious relationship. The dog training classes at Paws-A-Tive Choice are for family pets and are not taught for competition. Class sizes are small for optimum learning and personal attention.

K9 NOSE WORK

K9 Nose work is mentally and physically stimulating for the dog. Dogs that can benefit from and enjoy this class are: dogs that have difficulty focusing on their handler during training exercises or group classes; shy dogs; reactive dogs; dogs recovering from medical issues; anxious dogs; hearing or sight impaired dogs; retired service and therapy dogs. Dogs of any age can participate and be successful at this game.

K9 Nose Work Fun 101:

Intro to K9 Nose Work is an exciting 6-week sport that allows your dog to use his innate ability to detect scent and determine its source. Smelling is a natural behavior for dogs and they are masters of it! This sport gives dogs the opportunity to do what comes naturally AND they get rewarded for it. Through the use of food and toys, the dogs learn how to search and locate the food or toy that is hidden and then get rewarded for finding it.

K9 Nose Work-Fun is the introduction to K9 Nose Work. This is the beginning of teaching dogs to scent for a specific odor, which will be taught in advanced classes. This class is taught quite differently than the other classes. There is no doggy socialization because this is a task-centered program. All dogs stay in their vehicle, weather permitting until it’s their time to work or they can be crated inside of the training center. Students bring their own crates. Each class is 45-90 minutes long, depending on number of dogs in class.

Class limit is 6 dogs. No experience necessary.

K9 Nose Work 201:

This is the second level of K9 Nose Work training. Your dog will be introduced to the target odor, Birch that they will learn how to search for. Dogs must have gone through the Intro to K9 Nose Work class before enrolling in this course. K9 Nose Work-Fun 201 is a 6-week program: 60-90 minutes. (Minimum number of dogs is 3 per class.)

K9 Nose Work 301:

(Continuing K9 Nose Work) This 6 week/45-90 minute class is a continuation of the skills learned in the 201 class. Dogs are now scenting for a specific odor in a variety of objects in both interior and exterior locations. Vehicle searches are also taught at this level.

Class limit is 6 dogs. Prerequisite: K9 Nose Work-Fun 201

K9 Nose Work Fun 401:

K9 Nose Work-Fun 401 (Advanced K9 Nose Work – Birch and Anise) This 6 week class is for dogs that are on Birch and Anise odors and are now training at competition level. We will go to locations away from Paws-A-Tive Choice to expose the dogs to new environments and real world searches.

Prerequisite: K9 Nose Work-Fun 301

K9 Nose Work 501:

K9 Nose Work-Fun 501 (Advanced K9 Nose Work – Birch, Anise and Clove) This 6 week class is for dogs that are on all three odors and are training at competition level. We will go to locations away from Paws-A-Tive Choice to expose the dogs to new environments and real world searches.

Prerequisite: K9 Nose Work-Fun 401

Rally obedience (also known as Rally or Rally-O) is a dog sport based on obedience. Unlike regular obedience, instead of waiting for the judge’s orders, the competitors proceed around a course of designated stations with the dog in heel position. The course consists of 10 to 20 signs that instruct the team what to do. Unlike traditional obedience, handlers are allowed to encourage their dogs during the course. There are three levels in AKC Rally:

Novice:

The beginner’s class has the dog on a leash and there are 10 to 15 stations and the title is RN.

Advanced:

For dogs who have completed their novice title. Dogs are judged off leash and the title is RA.

Excellent:

The highest class, for dogs who have earned their advanced title. 15 to 20 stations, including 2 jumps, are used in this class and the title is RE.

Additionally, there is the Rally Advanced Excellent (RAE) title, in which the team has to qualify in both Advanced and Excellent in 10 trials.

Thank you for your interest in our services. We are devoted to helping pets and their people with emotional and behavioral issues.

PLEASE NOTE: I am not accepting any new Flower Essence clients at this time. Below is some information on the benefits of Flower Essence Remedies.

Flower essences can be used in conjunction with conventional methods of therapy and positive training techniques. Flower essences are NOT meant as a substitute for veterinary care or proper behavior modification training. When in doubt, always consult with a veterinarian.

Flower Essences are considered “cooperative care”, meaning they work with the advice and treatment of your veterinarian. Only a veterinarian can diagnose and treat physical illnesses, but a person trained and certified in a specialized field of health care can be a wonderful addition to the on-going veterinary care and training your animal companion is receiving.

I, (Kathy Edstrom) believe the only way one can begin to understand the emotional state their animal companion is in, is by reviewing and discussing all aspects of that animal’s life. This is why I will not dispense advice over the phone, or by e-mail without doing a thorough consultation first. The problem mentioned may not be the problem at all, but could be stemming from a deeper issue. I do not work on “surface issues”. My goal is to get to the root of the problem so the issue may get resolved, not just covered up.

The most frequently asked question about flower essences is, “How soon will I see results in my pet?” The answer is, “Every animal experiences varying results.” Some pets have shown dramatic improvements within one week of them receiving the flower essences, and others need to be receiving flower essences for several months. It truly depends on how deeply rooted that behavioral issue is. For a complete explanation, go to Flower Essences.

Take some time to explore all of the wonderful holistic modalities that are available for you and your pet. You will be amazed at what you will find, and the powerful results you and your pet can obtain when you work together as a team. If you think positive, you will achieve great things! I wish you and your pet great health on all levels; emotional, mental, physical and spiritual.

Kathy at Paws-A-Tive Choice, LLC

All sessions are by appointment only.

For an appointment, contact Kathy by email: [email protected]

Positive Dog Training

Resources

Classes & Services

K9 NOSE WORK