https://www.facebook.com/107543814480409/

Simply Pawsitive Dog: Beyond Training

Home
United States
Winter Park, FL
Simply Pawsitive Dog: Beyond Training

Call Directions

Whole-dog support through training, behavior, education, and relationship-centered guidance for dogs and the humans who love them. 🐾

07/20/2026

“He’s just a little fluffy.”
It’s something I hear often and I completely understand why. When we see our dogs every day, gradual weight gain can be easy to miss. Unfortunately even just a few extra pounds can have a much bigger impact on a dog’s health than many people realize.
Excess body fat isn’t simply extra weight to carry around. Fat is living tissue that contributes to inflammation throughout the body. It can surround internal organs, place added stress on the heart and lungs, and increase the workload on joints, muscles, and the body’s other major systems.
Over time those extra pounds can contribute to arthritis, reduced mobility, diabetes, breathing difficulties, and a shorter lifespan.
One of the simplest ways to assess your dog’s body condition is to look at them from the side and from above. From the side: The abdomen should gently tuck upward behind the rib cage rather than hang straight across or appear rounded. From above: Most dogs should have a visible waist. The body should narrow behind the ribs before widening again at the hips. If your dog’s body looks more like a rectangle or oval than an hourglass, they may be carrying extra weight. You should also be able to feel your dog’s ribs with gentle pressure without having to press deeply.
Every dog is different and ideal body condition can vary depending on breed, age, and individual health. If you’re unsure whether your dog is at a healthy weight, talk with your veterinarian. They can help assess your dog’s body condition and develop a safe plan if weight loss or other health considerations are needed.
Helping your dog reach and maintain a healthy weight isn’t about appearance. It’s about giving them the best opportunity to move comfortably, stay active, and enjoy more healthy years by your side. Sometimes the greatest act of love isn’t giving another treat. It’s helping them live a longer, healthier life. 🐾

07/09/2026

You may notice a few changes happening around here soon. When I started Simply Pawsitive Dog Training in 2019, my goal was simple…I wanted to help dogs.
Over the years, as I worked with more and more dogs, something became very clear. If I truly wanted to help the dogs, I had to help people to understand them too. Because dogs don’t live in training sessions. They live in our homes and they’re part of our families. They experience life alongside us.
I’ve always believed in looking at the whole dog - physically, mentally, emotionally, and even on a spiritual level. Not just the behaviors we see on the surface.
Training is still a valuable piece of the puzzle but my work has continued to grow beyond traditional dog training. It’s about understanding the dog in front of us, meeting them where they are, and giving them agency.
You’ll notice this page evolving from:
Simply Pawsitive Dog Training
to
Simply Pawsitive Dog
The name is getting a little simpler because the vision has grown Beyond Training.
This space will continue to focus on training, behavior, education, and supporting the relationship between dogs and the humans who share their lives. It’s with the same heart and purpose while allowing room to grow. 🐾
— Reather

04/07/2026

Spring Services & Pricing at Simply Pawsitive Dog Training
Spring is the perfect time to invest in your dog’s training and well-being! I’m excited to share my updated services and pricing, which will remain in effect for the rest of Spring:
In-Home Training Visits: $135
Board & Train (10 days): $1,950
Remote Behavior & Training Guidance: $95
Text a Dog Trainer: $25
These services are force-free, relationship-based, and tailored to your dog’s needs. The special Spring pricing allows families to access training support in a way that’s both effective and affordable.
All spots are limited and confirmed once payment is received. If you’ve been thinking about training your dog — now is a great time to get started! 🐾

02/13/2026

Potty Training Rescue Dogs: Let’s Make It Work
Okay, let’s be honest because potty training puppies can be a challenge sometimes but is pretty straightforward. It’s all about management, routines, and predictability. But a rescue dog? That can be a little more complicated.
The first week with a new dog is really just about setting them up for success. You’re helping them learn your routines so that potty breaks start to make sense. There might be a few accidents and that’s totally normal. I usually don’t worry if it happens occasionally but if it’s happening once a day or more then it’s time to start looking a little deeper.
Try to notice patterns. Pay attention to when and where accidents happen. Is it after meals? While you’re in the shower? Morning, evening, nighttime? Sometimes it’s about things the dog hears that you don’t like thunder, garbage trucks, motorcycles, or even construction a street or two over. Even small noises can startle a dog and trigger an accident.
Also notice where the dog goes. If it’s always the same spot like a bed, that might just be the place they felt safe to relieve themselves when they were scared or unsure.
Pay attention to their body language and how they may feel about things in general. Is your new dog anxious or nervous? A little fearful? Some dogs are just still adjusting to their new environment and routine. But other times it’s a signal to dig a bit deeper. And don’t forget that if there are multiple accidents, a quick vet check is always smart just to rule out potential medical stuff like UTIs.
You can start potty training your new dog like a young puppy even if they are an adult. You may not know if your rescue has been potty trained before so treat them like a puppy. That means:
Supervise them indoors at all times
Take them out after meals or any excitement
Take them outside on a schedule
For example: every hour on day one, every two hours on day two, every three hours on day three and so forth while adjusting back an hour if accidents happen.
Make It a Game for Yourself
Here’s a trick I like to share with clients: track potty success like it’s a little game and pretend that you are 100% responsible for all accidents. Give yourself a ✅ for a day with no accidents or an ❌ on a day that there’s one. Each day ask yourself: What does my dog need right now? What can I do differently to prevent accidents?
The first few days or even the first week can be work heavy on the human side. If you stay consistent things will improve and in 3–4 weeks potty training issues will be a thing of the past.
Patience, observation, and consistent routines are everything. Rescue dogs can absolutely learn and they may just need a little guidance, support, and understanding. Stick with it, and soon enough accidents will be behind you. 🐾

10/08/2025

Checking in to see how Sabi is doing with recall. Sabi has some learning challenges that are based in fear. She is so cautious and suspicious so our progress has been slow. That’s totally ok because there’s no rush. When I try to engage her into something new she acts like she’s in trouble and cowers away. We are spending more time on confidence and building curiosity around new experiences, new things. She surprised me with the recall just now. I honestly didn’t think she would do it so I am proud of her. Such a sweet girl. 🐾

10/06/2025

Meet Sabi 🐾
She is a 2 yrs old pup that is here to learn to listen better. Her family adopted her recently and she has a great personality but lacked training so let’s show her the ropes 🐾

08/04/2025

Meet Bernie the mini Bernedoodle. This young pup is here for some puppy foundation training. It should be a fun filled week. 🐾

07/19/2025

“How can you offer 7 or 10 day training programs when most trainers require 3–6 weeks?” I get asked this a lot — and it’s a valid question.

Here’s the answer:
My work is dog-centered, not obedience-centered. It’s not about how long a dog can stay in a program. It’s about what the dog actually feels and learns during that time. I don’t teach dogs to “perform.” I help dogs feel safe enough to change — emotionally, cognitively, and relationally.

In many long training programs, the dog learns how to behave in a very controlled environment with tons of obedience and often without choices. The focus is usually on suppressing behaviors like reactivity, barking, leash pulling, or avoidance. But if the root cause (fear, confusion, nervous system dysregulation) isn’t addressed, those behaviors usually return once the dog gets settled back home.

You might notice that even after 4–6 weeks, many dogs who enter those programs with stranger danger still come out with stranger danger. Why? Because fear doesn’t disappear just because the behavior was interrupted repeatedly.

In my shorter, immersive programs:
✔️ I meet the dog where they are
✔️ I move at their pace
✔️ I teach the pet parent how to continue supporting emotional safety, not just obedience

We’re not just trying to “stop” a behavior — we’re helping the dog feel different inside their own body and learn to navigate the world around them. And that kind of progress? Is real — and it lasts. A dog who feels safe can learn. A dog who’s afraid may comply — but that’s not really the same as learning.

If you’re seeking lasting change that respects your dog’s emotions and individuality, I’d love to show you how a shorter, intentional experience can often do far more than a long one that misses on the whole dog approach. And I do this without force, fear, or punishment. Reach out to get help for your dog’s behavior and training needs. 🐾

07/09/2025

Separation Anxiety in Dogs: You’re Not Alone—And You’re Not Helpless.

If your dog panics when you leave—even just to check the mail—
If you feel trapped, emotionally drained, and unsure what to do—
This webinar is for you.

I’m Reather, founder of Simply Pawsitive Dog Training, and I specialize in helping dogs with anxiety, fear, and trauma.
And on Saturday, July 12th at 10:00 AM EST, I’m offering a live, information-packed webinar to walk you through exactly how to support your dog through separation anxiety.

This isn’t surface-level advice.
It’s the same process I’ve used to help rescue dogs, shelter dogs, and family dogs begin to feel safe again—even if they’ve struggled for years.

💻 Live via Zoom
💰 Only $25
🧠 Learn what separation anxiety actually is
🐶 Understand why your dog can’t “just calm down”
🛠️ Get a practical, step-by-step method to begin the healing process

Whether you’re at the beginning of this journey or you’ve tried everything you can think of—this webinar will help you make sense of what’s happening and what to do next. Let’s help your dog find calm, so you can finally find peace too.

📩 Click the link below to register:
https://tidycal.com/reather/separation-anxiety-solutions

Address

Winter Park, FL
32792

Telephone

+14072276841

Website

facebook.com

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Simply Pawsitive Dog: Beyond Training posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your business to be the top-listed pet store/pet service in Winter Park?