About The Positive Pup

<h2>Force-free training, by a trainer who changed her mind</h2>

<p>The Positive Pup offers "positive reinforcement training for dogs and their humans," summed up on the home page as "Positive Methods, Real-World Results," with virtual and in-person lessons both available.</p>

<h3>Method in their own words</h3>

<p>The site teaches its approach directly rather than describing it abstractly. Its core tip is "Catch Your Dog Being Good," built on the premise that "dogs do what works. Every minute of every day, your dog is sorting out how to get what they want." The argument is that most puppies learn nothing happens when they are calm, so they escalate to "barking, whining, stealing 'forbidden' items, nipping, jumping" — and the fix is to reinforce the quiet behavior when it happens: "Don't wait for your pup to start trouble and then try to stop them, catch them being 'good' instead!"</p>

<h3>Background</h3>

<p>The about page names Rachel LaMere as founder of The Positive Pup Chicago, and is unusually candid about a change of method. She writes that she moved to NYC in 2004 with a degree in opera and classical voice, started walking dogs, and "quickly developed a reputation for handling more…challenging dogs" — before concluding that "'handling' challenging dogs wasn't enough. I wanted to learn how to help them." She describes working early on with "traditional, punishment-based trainers," being introduced to positive reinforcement and force-free methods while volunteering at local rescues, working "for several years… as a 'balanced' trainer," and finally transitioning to force-free methods. The site states that in 2012 she completed the dog trainer certification program through Animal Behavior College and founded The Positive Pup, "dedicated to offering compassionate, effective and fun training for dogs and their humans." Her training tips are published under the byline Rachel LaMere, CPDT-KA.</p>