Pawsitive Squad CIC is committed to provide ethical dog training with a strong focus on welfare friendly, evidence based practices. 

Training methods and techniques

We use game centred activities, some of which we have learnt through the Absolute Dogs Pro Dog Trainer program & training academy and many of which we have developed ourselves or learnt from other force free dog trainers to ensure our dogs learn their role as therapy or assistance dogs without fear, discomfort or pain. More than the aversive techniques and equipment we proactively work to ensure our training is fun and engaging for the dogs so they actively want to work. 

Assistive tasks not used for welfare reasons

While we appreciate these tasks can be beneficial to their handlers, we feel the following tasks can compromise the health, safety and wellbeing of assistance dogs and therefore we do not train any of the following:

• Tethering - where the dog is tied/clipped or in other ways attached without means of release to a disabled person to prevent running off or eloping. 
•  Mobility bracing tasks - it's contrary to our welfare standards for people to be bracing against or in other ways putting their weight onto a dog. 
• Guiding work in ridged harness

Prohibited equipment and techniques