Pooch Pawsitive Dog Training

Pooch Pawsitive offers open enrollment for their Puppy Kindergarten and Basic Manners classes, allowing clients to start immediately after attending a human-only orientation. The 6 lessons in these programs are standalone modules and can be taken in any order, providing flexibility for busy schedules. Puppy Socials are one-hour playgroups for puppies, supervised by trainers. The Puppy Academy is a half or full-day training and socialization program for pups up to 24 weeks, requiring a minimum attendance of 3 half-days per week for 4 weeks. The Dog Daycare Program is for dogs 24 weeks and older, grouping them by age, play style, energy, and size, with staff reinforcing good manners. A Play and Train program offers personalized 15-minute one-on-one training sessions for dogs enrolled in daycare.

Pricing Summary

Puppy Jumpstart Workshop costs $25 per family for a 1.5-hour session. Puppy Socials are $10 per visit. Puppy Kindergarten and Basic Manners classes each cost $295, which includes an orientation session and 6 lessons. They offer three puppy packages: Puppy Quick Start Package for $420.00, Social Butterfly Package for $1,164.00, and Super Star Puppy Package for $1,657.75. All prices are subject to an additional 7% Rhode Island sales tax.

Policies

The best way to reach Pooch Pawsitive is by email, with responses typically within 24-48 hours. For open enrollment classes like Puppy Kindergarten and Basic Manners, missed lessons can be made up at any other time they are offered. All puppies under 16 weeks must provide written proof of at least one DHPP/DA2P vaccination and a negative fecal test (for Giardia and Coccidia) within the last 60 days. Dogs over 16 weeks additionally require proof of Rabies vaccination.

Pooch Pawsitive Dog Training, founded in 2002 by Heidi Palmer McNeil, is a dog training and daycare center located in East Providence, RI. They are dedicated to transforming puppies into happy, social family members and helping dog owners live peacefully with their companions. The business emphasizes a “Pawsitive approach” using positive reinforcement based methods and clicker training, backed by science.

They offer a comprehensive range of services including various puppy programs like Puppy Jumpstart workshops, Puppy Socials, Puppy Kindergarten, and Puppy Academy. For older dogs, they provide Basic Manners, Intermediate Manners, Wag It Games, Canine Good Citizen prep, and Trick Dog classes, along with specialized clinics for loose leash walking and recall. Pooch Pawsitive also operates a dog daycare for puppy program attendees and graduates, and offers a Play and Train program for personalized one-on-one training sessions.

The facility features a 6000 square foot indoor space and a 1200 square foot outdoor artificial turf area. They maintain a high staff-to-dog ratio (8-10 dogs per staff member) and prioritize safety and cleanliness with veterinarian-grade cleaners and PetAirapy UV air disinfection equipment. The team is committed to ongoing learning and provides curated resources for dog owners. They also recommend various dog products.

Accomplishments

Pooch Pawsitive was founded in 2002 by Heidi Palmer McNeil, who earned her Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC) from Jean Donaldson’s Academy for Dog Trainers and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA). Heidi also taught classes for Sirius Puppy Training under Dr. Ian Dunbar. Her insights have been featured in publications like RI Monthly, the Providence Journal, and RI Local Magazine, and Pooch Pawsitive has appeared on The Rhode Show television program. The team includes graduates from Animal Behavior College and Karen Pryor Academy, with Kella being certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Training since 2019.

How to Get Started!

To get started with classes, clients should download instructions, then visit the client portal to create an account or log in and purchase training packages or lessons. For Puppy Academy, Dog Daycare, or Play and Train programs, interested clients should email daycare@poochpawsitive.com with their name, dog’s name, age, breed, and phone number, and Pooch Pawsitive will contact them with the next steps. A Puppy Social visit is required as an evaluation process before joining the Puppy Academy.