Sharmon Marie Kinser, a lifelong dog lover, is the owner and lead trainer of Pawsitive Paws Dog Training. She has over 10 years of experience in dog training and holds certifications as a CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed) and an ABCDT (Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer). She has furthered her education through the Karen Pryor Academy and other continuing education courses. Sharmon's passion for positive reinforcement training was ignited when she and her husband adopted their first dog, Murray, who had resource guarding and aggression issues. She was determined to find humane and effective methods to help him and was immediately turned off by punitive training methods. Murray responded well to reward-based training, and with patience and consistency, he overcame his issues. Sharmon's experiences with Murray and her current dogs, Eli and Jackson, who also have aggression issues, have solidified her commitment to positive reinforcement training.

Sharmon Marie Kinser is passionate about dog training and believes in using positive, fun, and rewarding techniques to train canine companions. Her training philosophy is rooted in scientific principles and emphasizes gentle, effective communication between dog owners and their dogs. She is a strong advocate for positive reinforcement training, believing it to be the most humane and effective approach.

Pawsitive Paws offers a variety of dog training services in the San Diego East County area, including:

• Puppy Socialization Classes: For puppies 8-16 weeks of age. Focuses on socialization, exploration, problem prevention, and basic training. Length: 5 weeks, one hour per week. Cost: $180.00
• Basic Training Classes: For dogs 4 months and older. Teaches effective communication and training using positive reinforcement. Focuses on attention, sit, down, loose leash walking, recall, wait, leave-it, and stay. Length: 6 weeks, one hour per week. Cost: $180
• Canine Good Citizen Preparation: For dogs 6 months and older. Helps dogs pass the 10-part CGC test using rewarding methods. Focuses on proofing basic skills and good manners in the presence of people and other dogs. Length: 4 weeks, one hour per week. Cost: $160. *This class is for dogs who have completed the basic training class.
• Impulse Control: For dogs 4 months and older. Focuses on exercises and games to teach impulse control skills such as attention, wait, settle, go to your mat, and leave-it. Length: 4 weeks, one hour per week. Cost: $160.00.
• Leash and Community Manners: For dogs 4 months and older. Focuses on loose leash walking skills with distractions, impulse control, polite greetings with people, and politely passing other dogs on leash. Length: 4 weeks, one hour per week. Cost: $160.00. *This class is for dogs who have completed the basic training class.
• Out and About: A fun class that focuses on socialization and reinforcing manners and basics in new situations. Visits a new dog-friendly location each week. Length: 4 weeks, one hour per week. Cost: $160 (does not cover parking fees or meals). *This class is for dogs that have completed the Basic Training and Leash and Community Manners classes. Dogs need to be good with other dogs and people.
• Fun Tricks and More Class: Teaches fun tricks such as shake, high-five, wave, play dead, crawl, weave, jump through your arms, sit pretty, peek-a-boo, roll over, and cheers. Also includes nose work and games to reinforce basic cues. Length: 3 weeks, one hour per week. Cost: $120
• Fun Scent Games: Dogs learn to search boxes and other objects for hidden food with increasing difficulty each week. Length: 4 weeks, one hour per week. Cost: $160
• Private Zoom Training Sessions: One-on-one sessions for those who prefer individual instruction or have issues that can't be addressed in a group setting. Pawsitive Paws will create a fun and rewarding program based on individual needs. Cost: 30-minute session: $65.00, one-hour session: $125.00

Sharmon Marie Kinser is a CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed) and an ABCDT (Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer).

Sharmon Marie Kinser specializes in positive reinforcement training, particularly for dogs with aggression issues. She has experience working with puppies, adult dogs, and dogs with various behavioral challenges.

Sharmon Marie Kinser uses positive reinforcement training methods, which focus on rewarding desired behaviors to encourage learning and build a strong bond between the dog and owner. She avoids any form of punishment or aversive training techniques.

Shelly:

“These are the best classes I have ever been in! Sharmon is warm, witty, and extremely knowledgeable about the benefits of maintaining a positive relationship with your dog. She is capable of quickly understanding her students’ needs and providing useful suggestions. Her presentation is clear, and her style is open and inviting to questions. Sharmon is a delight to work with and can easily teach you to get results. If you are looking for help in training your dog, Sugar and I encourage you to strongly consider Sharmon and Pawsitive Paws!”

Ricky and Clover:

“I’ve learned, my dog has learned and we both are having a fun time taking classes from Sharmon! These are the best dog classes I have ever taken! I feel like I have a new dog after taking these classes. I went from having a very reactive dog to one well on her way to getting her CGC! All classes use only positive reinforcement, and there is not a choke collar in sight in these classes!”

Kim:

“When we had our first class with Sharmon, our reactive Penny was yards away from the rest of the group and barking. After just two or three classes Penny was part of the group with all the other dogs! Now, after completing basic training Penny continues to excel in Sharmon’s classes and is no longer the crazy reactive puppy we once had. It has truly been a miracle! Thanks, Sharmon for your excellent services. I would highly recommend it to everyone I know. I’m extremely happy with Pawsitive Paws.”

Vic and Tanisia:

“Pawsitive Paws – The name says it all. Extremely fun, educational and positive training. Our dog, Koda, loved the interaction with the other dogs and owners, and really looked forward to the time with Sharmon. Everything is geared towards teaching your dog what you want them to do, in a positive fashion. Sharmon encourages the entire family to participate in order to maintain consistency. A trained dog is a happy and confident dog.”

Sandy:

“Everything about our experience with Pawsitive Paws has been pawsitive. Thor and I began with your puppy class, he was the biggest, and wildest kangaroo, crazy pup and you performed magic on him with your techniques. I certainly have learned a different, better way to achieve desired behaviors. Thor and I are both a work in progress and we thank you for your patience and expertise. Your classes make learning fun for both dogs and humans. We look forward to attending future classes and Thor earning his Canine Good Citizen Certificate.”

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Cape-Able Canines is a full-service dog training, doggy daycare, and luxury dog boarding facility situated conveniently near the 8 and 125 freeways in La Mesa, California. They are based in La Mesa, California, and serve the greater San Diego and East County areas.

Cape-Able Canines offers CGC evaluation, CLASS instruction, puppy, general obedience, and specialty classes. They specialize in serving deaf dogs and other special needs dogs, and they also organize socialization events and provide private consultations. Their training philosophy revolves around positive reinforcement and lure-based techniques, aimed at reinforcing the relationship between handler and dog while building confidence and enhancing socialization experiences.

Angie Fonseca

Angie Fonseca has been helping pet parents in San Diego since 2002. She works with dogs, cats, and other pets, and always uses gentle training techniques.

Angie Fonseca's Training Philosophy

Angie Fonseca's methods are based on scientific research about animal learning and most importantly, ethics. She promises to never sacrifice your pet's emotional well being for any reason.

Services

Angie Fonseca offers a wide range of training services, including:

• Kids & Dogs
• Leash Reactivity
• Separation Anxiety
• House Training & Litter Box Problems
• Loose Leash Walking
• Overexcited Behaviors
• Resource Guarding
• New Puppy or Kitten
• Fear/Anxiety
• Newly Adopted Pet
• Basic to Advanced Training
• Canine Good Citizen Preparation
• Introducing Pets & Socialization
• & More!

Certifications

Angie Fonseca is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, a Certified Fear Free Pet Professional by Fear Free Pets, a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator for the American Kennel Club, and a Mentor Trainer for Animal Behavior College. She was formerly the Behavior & Training Coordinator for the San Diego Humane Society.

Specializations

Angie Fonseca specializes in working with dogs, cats, and other pets. She has experience in a variety of areas, including leash reactivity, separation anxiety, house training, loose leash walking, overexcited behaviors, resource guarding, fear/anxiety, and more.

Training Methods

Angie Fonseca uses gentle training techniques and never employs the use of harsh methods or tools. Her methods are based on scientific research about animal learning and ethics.

Customer Reviews

One customer, Erik R., shared a positive review about Angie Fonseca's services. He described how she helped him with his German Shepherd who was reactive to other dogs and strangers. He praised Angie's gentle approach, her ability to teach him how to work with his dog, and her positive and supportive attitude. He stated that Angie helped him build a strong bond with his dog and that he is now able to manage his dog's reactivity.

Certifications:

• Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Knowledge Assessed
• Certified Behavior Consultant - Canids (CBCC-KA), Knowledge Assessed

Julie Schmitt

Julie Schmitt began working at Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc., in San Rafael, California in 1996. She completed a three year intensive apprenticeship and is a licensed Guide Dog Mobility Instructor through the State of California. With six years of hand-on experience at Guide Dogs, Julie trained over 90 guide dogs. During her tenure, she worked with over 400 dogs. She was responsible for the teaching and reinforcement of positive and humane methods of dog care; including training, daily care, administration of medications and provision of stress relief activities. In 2002, Julie and her family moved to San Diego where she established Out N' About Dog Training. She was privileged to be approved as a Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainer by Victoria Stilwell herself, star of Animal Planet's hit TV series It's Me or the Dog and a passionate advocate for positive reinforcement training methods.

Training Philosophy

Julie Schmitt trains dogs the same way she raises her kids. As a mom of two girls, she knows that raising kids is not a "fix it and forget it" prospect, and the same is true when working with dogs. She believes that when dogs act out, it's too easy to lose sight of their moments of greatness, so she helps empower frustrated dog owners to create lasting change in their dogs, leading to improved behavior and more shared joy. The methods she employs represent a lifestyle choice. They are the same practices that can be used to improve relationships with family members, friends, or co-workers.

Vision: Keep it simple, appreciate the small things, find the joy.

Services

• Behavior Consulting & Training: (dogs 5 mos. and older) Private, virtual and in-person training sessions. Focuses on helping you have a well-mannered dog, ready to enjoy the world.
• Puppy Training: (dogs under 5 mos.) Learn all you need to know to survive (and enjoy!) puppyhood, and watch your puppy grow into the well behaved adult companion you look forward to.
• Group Classes: Functional classes that are developed specifically for you and your dog. Drop-in classes are available, along with ongoing virtual training.
• Board and Train: Julie Schmitt will train your dog for a minimum of a three-week period. During this time, your dog will be taught basic on-leash obedience cues such as sit, down, stay, relaxed leash walking, and come. Your dog will be able to perform these cues even in the most distracting environments.
• Day Training: Have a trainer come to your house multiple times a week to train your dog while you are out n' about. Your dog gets to stay in the comforts of their own home, and you get to provide all the fun stuff while we do the hard stuff.
• Puppy Preschool: Hybrid class where you will have access to the trainer twice a week. It's for puppies under 4 months of age. Puppies are required to have 1 set of vaccines from their vet prior to attending their first in-person class and should be kept up to date on vaccines throughout class.
• Puppy Kindergarten: The next stage of training for puppies under 7 months of age. We build upon the foundations established in preschool, and introduce more focused behavior and impulse control around distractions. If you have not participated in Puppy Preschool, initial virtual training is necessary.

Certifications

• Licensed Guide Dog Mobility Instructor
• Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
• Certified Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainer (VSPDT)
• Certified Fear Free Professional
• Licensed Be a Tree Presenter (dog bite prevention for children)
• Member, The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
• Professional Member, Association of Professional Dog Trainers

Specializations

• Puppy Training
• Behavior Consulting & Training

Training Methods

• Positive reinforcement training techniques
• Reward-based training
• Science-based training methods

Customer Reviews

• Andy & Jeana: “We wanted to make sure that our new pup, Zoe, was trained from an early age since we knew she was going to be a large dog and it’s no fun when 55 lbs of energetic fur doesn’t behave. We tried the group courses at a local chain pet store and, while great for socialization & basic commands, weren’t satisfied with the results. After getting a referral from a former customer of Julie’s at a dog park we decided to give her a try.
  
  Julie’s approach to training was very effective & we easily related to it. We liked that it was reward/praise based (no punishment) and we got to meet at different locations of our choosing which proved to be both fun & effective. Consistency is critical to training a pup and we appreciated how Julie spent more time “fixing” us and not really our dog.
  
  Julie pointed out our inconsistencies, explained why Zoe was confused and not following commands, and then showed us what we should be doing. We also appreciated how Julie was able to have a phone conference with us before the first session to discuss Zoe and we were immediately able to make progress from day 1. This meant a lot to us because it showed the Julie valued our time & wanted to maximize the value of a private trainer. Julie also divided each lesson into focused areas so that we weren’t overwhelmed with “homework” and we were able to see incremental progress.
  
  The results are amazing – we have a 6 month old pup that now behaves very well for her age. It was particularly beneficial that Julie focused on Zoe’s issues and didn’t rely on a standardized program for every dog. We would highly recommend that anyone make the investment and start training with Julie. We still have to keep training Zoe (it’s never done) but Julie definitely gave us a toolkit for continued success!”
• Rachel: “I have a 2 year old Shiba Inu named Corner who has the name for a reason… Julie was an amazing dog trainer and a very professional person! I have never gone to a trainer or had one come to the house before because I was afraid of how they would treat Corner since he is like a kid to me. I found Julie online and chose her specifically because of her training philosophy. I didn’t want Corner to be punished during training and Julie’s training program is based upon rewards. I am very impressed with this experience. Corner has had three sessions so far and has had remarkable improvements! He is a very smart/stubborn little guy and Julie knew just how to handle his antics. I highly recommend her to anyone! Its well worth it!”
• Priscilla and Tank: “I liked the idea of clicker training because it really helped the training get started. The class helped Tank improve every week and I’ve noticed he is far more advanced than other puppies his age. The instructor worked very well with the pups! We had fun and Tank has improved greatly, than you!”
• Sheryl and family: “The instructor is great and has complete knowledge of all aspects of a dog. Julie is Fantastic! Her methods work and it’s all done with kindness. There are no questions that Julie can’t answer; everything from training to nutrition, grooming and beyond.”
• April and Leroy: “What was most beneficial about the class was socializing with other puppies. The class helped with distractions, meeting new friends and learning basic training skills. The instructor knew what she was talking about, was very organized, friendly and helpful.”
• Joseph and Marley: “Thank you very much for the class. My dog is well behaved and very responsive to commands. The instructor was knowledgeable and accessible. I would recommend this class to a friend.”
• Andrea and Wonder Mutt: “(My dog) listens better and walks better. I loved that the instructor knows what she is talking about and knows information about different breeds. I sure would recommend this class to a friend.”
• Linda and Apple: “The homework assignments were helpful because they provided detailed information about training procedures. Puppy play time was very helpful because (my dog) doesn’t have lots of dogs nearby. I already recommended the class to a friend. The instructor is very approachable.”
• Lisa and Bridget: “I liked that the instructor used positive reinforcement and no punishing. The class was very helpful.”
• Lileana and Indy: “I really enjoyed the class and would recommend it to a friend. Our dog has more focus. Thank you!”
• Annie and Elvis: “The instructor was excellent and it was a great class!”
• Chris, Don and Sarge: “Thanks so much! I feel like I came in with an unruly puppy and came away with a sweet responsive “best friend!” Yes, yes! The instructor was very personable, not judgmental and made me feel like I could do this! She had an excellent disposition and good control.”
• Jenn and Tiki: “I feel prepared and knowledgeable as a dog owner and trainer. My dog has a longer attention span. She looks for direction and guidance from me – “what’s next Ma?” I really enjoyed coming to class and thought it was great. Julie is in complete control and so professional and friendly. She really impressed me from the start!”
• Jessica and Luna: “My dog is much more calm and pays attention to commands more. The homework assignments gave me bonding time with my dog and were very informational. Thank you very much for all the great information! We’re going to miss you.”
• Mark and Luke: “I’ve never trained a dog before. The class helped me to be a better owner. The instructor knew her stuff!”

Media Appearances

• Victoria Stilwell makes the cover of the October issue of San Diego Pets Magazine, San Diego's premier pet magazine for pet lovers. In this issue, Victoria discusses her mission of changing the focus of today's dog training methods by embracing solely reward-based dog training. She highlights her global network of highly qualified, like-minded trainers who subscribe to her philosophy.