Pawsitive Canine Academy

Pawsitive Canine Academy offers a comprehensive range of dog training programs. Puppy Training includes a 4-week Puppy Class for basic skills and socialization, private half-hour sessions for problem behaviors, and a 2-week Puppy Jump Start School covering socialization, potty training, and obedience.

Obedience Classes are available in group settings for Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced levels, focusing on commands and manners, with drop-in options for ongoing support. Dog School provides Day School programs for Training and Education, Play, and Socializing, offering daily training sessions, play time, and socialization opportunities, with a Doggy Bus service available.

Boarding School (Board and Train) programs are intensive, ranging from 2 to 9 weeks, covering Puppy Pre-School, Basic Obedience, Remote Collar off-leash obedience, and Behavior Modification for aggression, fear, and anxiety. These programs include private training sessions and require a prior Board and Play period.

Private Training offers tailored one-on-one instruction at their facility or your location, addressing specific needs and behavioral issues, including a specialized “Peaceful Walks” class for leash manners. Fun Classes include Agility Training for confidence and sport, Adventure Treks for group socialization, Nosework and Tracking for scenting skills, Shed Hunting for retrieving, and a Puppy and Doggy Gym for physical conditioning. Specialty Classes focus on Service/Companion Dog and Therapy Dog training, as well as preparation and testing for AKC Canine Good Citizen titles (CGC, Community Canine, Urban CGC).

Pricing Summary

Agility drop-in classes are $15. Dog Boarding is $70/night, with add-ons like play activities ($10/day), basic training ($20/day), advanced training ($50/day), baths ($35-$50), and nail trims ($10). Holidays incur a $20 additional charge. Day rates apply for late pickups.

Board and Train programs range from $2800 for Puppy Pre-School (2 weeks) to $4500-$7500 plus e-collar cost for Remote Collar Boarding School. Behavior Modification Board and Train is priced individually and includes 8 hours of private training. All Board and Trains require 1-14 days of Board and Play beforehand.

Day School programs are priced per 10 days: Training and Education ($725), Play ($625), and Socializing ($525). A Doggy Bus service is available for $75 per pack for Training and Education students, or $25 round trip/$20 one way for others if available. Unlimited Day School pricing is available upon inquiry.

Fun classes include free Adventure Treks, Nosework ($500/6 weeks), Tracking ($500/6 weeks), Shed Hunting ($495), and Puppy and Doggy Gym ($25/drop-in). Obedience Drop-in Classes are sold in packs of 4 for $240.

Private Training initial evaluations are $250 (facility) or $300 (your location). Hourly rates are $125 (facility) or $150 (your location), with 4-pack options at $400 (facility) or $500 (away). Mileage may apply. Peaceful Walks is $300 for two 75-minute sessions.

Puppy Class is $300 for 4 weeks. Private Puppy Training initial evaluations are $180 (facility) or $225 (your location). Hourly rates are $96 (facility) or $120 (your location), with 4-pack options at $320 (facility) or $400 (away). Puppy Jump Start School is $2800 for 2 weeks. Specialty classes like Canine Good Citizen testing are $30 per test. Service/Companion and Therapy Dog training prices are available upon inquiry.

Policies

The academy is closed daily from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM for staff lunch, requiring prior arrangements for pickups or drop-offs during this time. Dogs picked up after 10:00 AM incur a day rate charge. All Board and Train programs mandate a 1-14 day “Board and Play” period beforehand to allow staff to get to know the dog.

For Puppy Class, age-appropriate shots are required, and payment of the invoice confirms registration. Day School Play and Socializing programs do not include bus service. For the Doggy Bus, dogs must be handleable by the driver, arrangements must be reasonable, and dogs must ride safely in a crate; reserved spots are not available for non-Day School Training students.

Pawsitive Canine Academy is a highly effective and respected dog training service operating throughout the Pacific Northwest, including Portland, Seattle, Missoula, Spokane, and Canada. They provide “Real World” training methods from their multifaceted, secure, and 24/7 staffed Canine Academy in Colbert, WA. The academy is situated on a 10-acre facility with a kennel, training room, agility course, tracking field, obstacle course, and a working vineyard.

They train any dog regardless of breed, shape, size, or history, addressing a wide range of behavior issues from aggression and anxiety to basic obedience commands like heeling, sit/stay, down/stay, place, recall, and crate training. Their services include Board and Train Behavioral Modification, 1 on 1 Training, Obedience Classes, Puppy Training programs, and Day School. They are known for handling challenging dog behaviors, often receiving referrals from other trainers. They also offer dog boarding services.

Accomplishments

Monique Smith, the Owner and Head Trainer, holds a Certified Master K9 Trainer certification from Canada West Canine Center and Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Canine Behavioral Science from LHU. She also attended Veterinary Technician School and Washington State University for Animal Sciences. Monique is a Certified Explosive and Narcotics K9 Handler and an Instructor for the American Society of Canine Trainers, training and certifying K9 Handlers.

Makyla, the Head Trainer for Board and Trains and the Working Dog Program, has over 16 years of experience with horses and is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Animal Science. She has passed the ASCT Basic Handler Course and certifies dogs she trains for detection and tracking. David Smith and Latanya are also Certified Explosives and Narcotics K9 Handlers, with Latanya also being the Head Day School Trainer and having completed the Canine Brain class and ASCT Basic Handler Course.

How to Get Started!

To begin private training, clients undergo an initial evaluation with their dog, which includes completing a canine questionnaire to gather information on behavior, past training, and personality. During this evaluation, goals are discussed, and training approaches are outlined.

For Board and Train programs, a 1-14 day “Board and Play” period is required first to build trust and understand the dog’s motivations before training commences. For Puppy Class, registration is confirmed upon invoice payment and agreement to provide age-appropriate shots. For general inquiries about classes or additional training, clients can submit an online form to be contacted for discussion on the best training options.