Every dog owner should be working with Carla and Positive Paws. It’s this simple: if you practice what Carla teaches you, you will solve whatever problems you are having with your dog and both of you will have a better quality of life. The positive techniques she uses work and the changes last. Carla knows how best to address every situation, including obedience, house manners, anxiety, reactivity, and interactions with other dogs, pets, and people. She uses 100% positive reinforcement techniques to train. These techniques not only work, they are essential, especially for an anxious dog like mine.

Many times, poor behavior is rooted in fear, as is the case with my dog. Carla can always see when his behavior is caused by fear and knows how to condition him and manage his environment to alleviate his fear and improve his behavior. She knows how to address every situation I encounter in a no-nonsense, straightforward way. She can read his body language (and that of the dogs around him) with skill that amazes me every time. Furthermore, when I have needed other specialists to work with my dog outside the realm of training, she was able to connect me with her vast network of vetted resources.

Now that Carla is doing virtual training, you have no excuse not to give her a call. Everything she does will be customized to the particulars of your dog, not “one size fits all”. There is no doubt in my mind that Carla Whitaker is the best trainer in the Cincinnati region.

Positive Paws is the only place to go for puppy training! Carla is laser focused and uses her extensive education to plan classes that are developmentally appropriate for the pup and allows for participation from the entire family. She gives tailored feedback to questions during class, but also takes calls between classes to help problem solve. If there are issues that are just not able to be resolved through classes she eagerly schedules home visits to do some on the job training for pouches and their people. We quickly grew to trust Carla and also used her for Puppy Boarding and were quite pleased when he came home with better manners than when he left! That Carla Whitaker knows her stuff!

I was looking forward to working with Carla for training for my dog and his reactivity. I did the work, went to the appointments, purchased all items she recommended. Believed in her method. Then it took 2 weeks for her to respond to my text to schedule visits. When finally she called me back she stated she forgot. Explaining again I set up training appointments and that I wanted to walk my dog without reactivity, she could not really remember me or my dog or the goals.. I paid $600 and got nothing and, my dog actually regressed. He will no longer eat his favorite foods. I did the work, but she is not realistic only idealistic. She stated that I go to my vet for medication after never really exposing my dog to her own dog or any other dogs. Only having him eat treats while listening to dogs barking on a phone for a whole session.. never really put my dog with any other dogs especially her own. Very very disappointed, I do not recommend. 600$ lost.

I have had such a positive experience with Positive Paws. Carla has been amazing throughout the entire process. Being a first time dog owner, I have learned so much, and so has my dog. Carla even encourages phone calls during the week if you have a question that comes up or not able to ask during class. I highly recommend this place to anyone, especially those who have never owned a dog before.

I was dealing with an anxious, reactive, and dangerous dog and was looking for help. I've taken her to other trainers, and she has been thru behavior classes, but we got 100% more out of the 5 sessions with Carla Whitaker. I learned more than I thought possible about my dogs personality, abilities, and anxiety. My adorable dog is happier and calmer and so am I. I'm more confident because I was given the skills and knowledge needed to help my dog. Carla was able to explain everything in an easy to understand manner and was patient with both my dog and myself. If there was anything I didn't understand I felt comfortable asking more questions. My neighbors even commented on how much better my dog is behaving! Can't wait to go back to Positive Paws & Carla Whitaker to continue training with my other dogs!