Pawsitive Pup Training
Ranked #5 in Wilmington and #40 in North Carolina
Service area: Pawsitive Pup Training primarily serves Wilmington, NC. An additional travel fee may apply for locations beyond 20 minutes from their office at 2517 Park Avenue, Wilmington NC 28403.
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Family Dog
- Behavior Modification
Specialty Focus Areas
- Basic Obedience
- Puppy Training
- Leash Pulling
- Reactivity / Aggression
- Jumping on People
- Barking Excessively
- Separation Anxiety
- Biting / Nipping
- Potty Training
- Fearfulness
- Recall
Training Formats Offered
- Private Lessons
- Group Classes
- In-Home
- Private Facility
- Board and Train
- Day Training
Program Formats
- One-Time Consultation
- Sessions Package
- Ongoing Weekly
- Intensive Program
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Positive Reinforcement Only
All training and coaching programs at Pawsitive Pup Training begin with an initial one-hour consultation to assess unique needs and develop a customized management/training plan. This consultation includes a pre-visit survey analysis, review of current behaviors and skills, post-visit instructions, and ongoing email/phone support for general questions for the life of the dog. Clients have the option to convert to a 5 or 10 session package within two weeks of the initial consultation.
Services offered include Adult Dog Training, covering basic obedience to advanced commands, and Puppy Training, which focuses on instilling good manners and socialization skills from an early age, including house-training, crate training, bite inhibition, and basic commands like sit, down, touch, loose leash walking, recall, drop, leave it, and stay. Human Coaching is also provided to help owners communicate effectively with their pets.
Specialized programs include Behavior Modification for Fear & Aggression, utilizing force-free methods like counter conditioning and desensitization, with individualized plans and one-hour sessions typically scheduled once or twice a week. Dog Temperament Testing services offer comprehensive assessments of obedience, aggression, fear, and socialization, providing personalized recommendations. The “Board and Train” program offers premium boarding accommodations combined with one-on-one training tailored to specific needs. Additionally, specialized Dog Training for Expecting Parents & Babies, under the Family Paws Parent Education programs (Dogs and Storks, Dogs and Toddlers), provides in-home consultations and packages, as well as group presentations, to help families integrate dogs safely with new babies and toddlers.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
All training and coaching programs begin with an initial one-hour consultation priced at $125. A $25 discount is available for puppy consultations for puppies 12 weeks or younger. Following the initial consultation, single follow-up sessions are $100. Packages are available: a 5-session package costs $450, and a 10-session package costs $900. Specialized programs like Behavior Modification, Dogs and Storks, and Dogs and Toddlers follow similar pricing for consultations and packages. Group presentations, such as Dogs & Storks® or Dogs & Toddlers™, are offered at $25 per couple, with a minimum group size of six couples.
Testimonials
“If you have a young puppy or dog you NEED positive, fun, practical, family friendly training and consulting. You have arrived at the perfect place! Sign them up as young as you can, because it’s never too early to start building good behaviors…”
– John Stawicki
“Amazing! Lainie is fantastic with my wild dog! She is getting so much better it is unbelievable! So thankful for all her help!”
– Julie Gallagher Hamm
About the Trainer
Pawsitive Pup Training is a dog training business in Wilmington, NC, led by Lainie Johnston, a CATCH Certified Dog Trainer. The business specializes in modern, science-based, reward-based, and force-free dog training methods, primarily offering in-home, one-on-one attention tailored to individual dog and owner needs.
A unique advantage of Pawsitive Pup Training is Lainie Johnston’s licensing with the internationally recognized Family Paws Parent Education Program. This qualification allows her to provide specialized support and guidance for expecting families and those with young children, focusing on dog and baby/toddler dynamics to create safe and harmonious home environments.
Beyond general obedience and manners, Pawsitive Pup Training offers specialized services including puppy training and socialization, behavior modification for fear and aggression, dog temperament testing, and dog boarding and training. The goal is to foster clear communication, mutual respect, and a strong, positive bond between dogs and their owners, helping dogs become well-behaved and confident companions.
The business emphasizes proactive training from an early age to prevent common behavior problems and ensure safety for both dogs and humans. They aim to make the training process fun and effective, leading to a “Pawsitive” overall experience for families and their furry friends.
Accomplishments
Lainie Johnston is a CATCH Certified Dog Trainer (CCDT) and a graduate of Catch Canine Trainers Academy. This academy provides a state-licensed, 10-phase course in dog behavior and training, encompassing hands-on training, behavior fieldwork, mentor evaluations, and written exams. Lainie is also a licensed educator with the internationally recognized Family Paws Parent Education Program, specializing in dog and baby/toddler dynamics. She is a proud member of the Pet Professional Guild and adheres to the Humane Hierarchy.
How to Get Started!
To begin training, clients should contact Pawsitive Pup Training to schedule an initial one-hour consultation. This consultation is designed to determine the client’s unique needs and start working on a tailored training plan. Contact can be made by calling Lainie Johnston directly or by using the contact form on the website.

Contact Information
Certifications
- Credentialed
Associations
- PPG
Misc Features
- Women-owned
- wheelchair accessible entrance
- wheelchair accessible parking
Other Services Offered
- Pet boarding service