Pawsitive Directions Behavior & Training, LLC

Pawsitive Directions offers customized private appointments for specific needs, which can be conducted in the client’s home, at the office/training space in Oshkosh, or via video (Zoom/Facebook). These consultations involve a thorough history, discussion of humane and positive behavior modification options, handouts, and specific exercises. Follow-up appointments are recommended to evaluate progress.

While group classes are not currently being offered, the program descriptions include:
Polite Puppy (8-20 weeks): Focuses on socialization, basic manners (sit, down, wait, off, take it, drop it, leave it, come, easy), handling, housetraining, mouthing, and confidence building. Includes a 75-minute orientation without dogs.
Basic Manners (20 weeks or older): Provides a foundation for a well-mannered dog, covering hand signals, verbal cues, handling, polite greeting, basic cues (sit, down, off, take it, drop it, leave it, wait, come, easy, heel, stand, watch), jumping, tug rules, loose leash walking, and agility obstacles. Includes a 75-minute orientation without dogs.
Tricks and Games (any age): Teaches fun tricks like shake, crawl, hoop games, give me a kiss, touch, the shell game, roll over, and high 5.
Sniffing Games (any age): Covers games that allow dogs to engage their natural sniffing instincts.
Basics and Beyond (for Basic Manners graduates): Focuses on generalizing and proofing skills, refining positions, attention with distractions, stay with increased time/distance/distractions, door control, heeling, meet and greet, targeting, and advanced recall/leave it challenges.
Ultimate Recall: Aims to improve a dog’s consistent response to coming when called.
Jumping and Pulling Solutions: Addresses common problems like jumping on people/counters and pulling on the leash.
Advanced Manners (for Basic Manners and Basics and Beyond graduates): Aims for a high level of response and training, covering advanced attention, stay, AKC Novice Rally exercises, automatic check-ins, advanced recall/leave it/door control, tricks, and agility.

Seminars are available for any group size and topic, with previous subjects including Communicating With Our Human Clients, Separation Anxiety, Dog-Dog Behavior & Interactions, Training for Humane Societies & Rescue Groups, Aggression, and The Benefits Of Pets For Older Adults.

Pricing Summary

Private appointments are billed at $115 per hour for appointments starting before 4 p.m. and $135 per hour for appointments after 4 p.m. and on weekends. In-home appointments incur an additional charge of $1.85 per mile round trip. A $25 fee is charged for all returned checks.

Discounts are available for follow-up appointment packages: 5% off for 1-2 one-hour appointments (to be completed within 10 weeks), 10% off for 3-4 one-hour appointments (within 18 weeks), and 15% off for 5-6 one-hour appointments (within 6 months). Additional training time beyond the first hour in a package is billed at the same discounted rate, and mileage for travel is also discounted for packages. Packages must be pre-paid at the first appointment and are non-refundable.

Seminar speaking fees are $160 per hour plus travel time. Payment for services is required in full at the conclusion of the appointment, with cash, checks, and credit cards accepted.

Policies

Appointments require at least 24 hours notice for cancellation. If an appointment is canceled with less than 24 hours notice or missed without prior notification, the client will be charged for one hour of time ($115 or $135), plus mileage if it was an in-home appointment.

For in-home appointments, if the trainer arrives and the client is not home, they will attempt to call and wait for 15 minutes. If the client does not arrive, the cancellation policy will apply. Clients running late for office appointments are asked to call.

For safety, clients are requested to have their dog confined in a crate or another room with the door closed upon the trainer’s arrival for in-home appointments. Training packages must be pre-paid at the first appointment and are non-refundable. If a package is not completed within its specified timeframe (10 weeks, 18 weeks, or 6 months), it will expire and be considered void. There are no refunds or credits for missed group classes.

Pawsitive Directions Behavior & Training, LLC, founded by Jody Hergert-Andresen in 2000, is dedicated to building harmonious relationships between dogs and their families through positive, ongoing, and cooperative training. Jody’s goal is to teach dog owners how to train their dogs in a way that is clearly understood and responded to.

The business offers a variety of services including behavior consultations, private training, small group classes (currently not offered), video and phone consultations, puppy and pet selection guidance, and lectures or seminars. Jody brings 32 years of experience to her training, having taught classes and performed pet therapy work since 1992.

Jody holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Marquette University and is certified as a Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She is also a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. Her background includes managing the Oshkosh Area Humane Society for six years and regularly working with shelters and rescue groups.

Jody has competed in AKC Obedience, Rally, Agility, NADAC Agility, and K9 Nosework, earning 91 performance titles. She has also conducted pet therapy work with three certified therapy dogs. Pawsitive Directions emphasizes customized training plans for all ages and breeds, treating every client and dog as an individual.

Accomplishments

Jody Hergert-Andresen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Marquette University. She is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.

Jody founded Pawsitive Directions, LLC in 2000 and has 32 years of experience teaching classes and performing pet therapy work since 1992. She managed the Oshkosh Area Humane Society for six years, gaining invaluable hands-on experience, and continues to work regularly with shelters and rescue groups.

She has competed in AKC Obedience, Rally, Agility, NADAC Agility, and K9 Nosework, earning 91 performance titles. Jody has also performed pet therapy work with three certified therapy dogs.

How to Get Started!

To inquire about services or schedule an appointment, clients can call (920) 235-9880 or email info@pawsitivedirections.com. For private appointments, clients can choose to meet in their home, at the office/training space in Oshkosh, or via video on Zoom or Facebook. The initial private appointment involves taking a thorough history of the dog and discussing humane, positive behavior modification options. Handouts and specific exercises are provided.

For group classes (when offered), enrollment requires printing and mailing a registration form with payment. Payment can also be arranged in cash by calling the office or via PayPal on the website’s home page. Dogs should not be enrolled in a class if they have been in the home for less than 14 days.