About Us

Reactive dog and puppy training for Baltimore area dogs and guardians.

Fear and Reactivity Trainer

Meet Rachel!

Certified Training Consultant – Rachel Ash, CTC, CPDT-KA, SAPT
Rachel’s education and certifications exemplify her commitment to providing her clients with humane, science-based solutions. Rachel graduated from the prestigious Academy for Dog Trainers, a rigorous two-year program, earning her Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC). She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and a Family Paws Parent Educator. Rachel is also currently enrolled in the four-year Pet Harmony mentorship program preparing her to become a certified behavior consultant.

Her determination to specialize in fear, aggression, and reactivity was fostered by her years working as a trainer at the Maryland SPCA and her desire to help her fearful pup, Maya. Her experience working with the more challenging shelter dogs, teaching reactive rover classes to the community, and creating a puppy class curriculum focused on preventing fear-related problems in the future molded her vision for Pawsitive Behavior Solutions, LLC. Her experience as a pet parent of a fearful, reactive dog gave her the perspective needed to be a source of support and empathy for her clients.

When Rachel isn’t helping dogs and guardians build stronger bonds through training, she watches British crime shows while cuddling on the couch with Maya and enjoys nature hikes with other dog-obsessed professionals.

Why Train with Pawsitive Behavior Solutions?

Dedication to education and professional development with five canine behavior certifications

Commitment to practical, force-free training methods that are rooted in science

Specialized knowledge and experience with fear and aggression- based behavioral challenges

Meet Maya

Rachel’s passion for working with fearful and reactive dogs stems from her life with her rescue dog, Maya. Maya was a foster-fail that after being rehomed multiple times at an early age, became profoundly fearful. Once Rachel earned her trust and she felt comfortable in her home, Rachel knew that Maya would not be able to tolerate another rehoming. It was an adoption that came with mixed emotions – she was delighted to have her as a companion but overwhelmed at the prospect of lifelong management and training.

Maya is now a senior, and her training goals have taken a backseat. Her full-time job is now lounging in the sun on her orthopedic bed, de-stuffing toys, and antagonizing the neighbor’s dog through the fence. A perfect life for a retired reactive dog!

Rachel’s life with Maya has given her a unique insight into the challenges that come with living day in and day out with a fearful, reactive dog. This experience has better equipped her to help her human and dog clients live happier lives.

Rachel’s Approach to Training

EDUCATION

Understanding why your dog does what they do is the first step in tackling sometimes frustrating and overwhelming behaviors with empathy

Prevent

Set your dog up for success by rearranging the environment to keep everyone safe and prevent your dog from rehearsing problematic behaviors

Enrich

Address unmet needs and provide outlets for normal doggie behaviors so they have a greater tolerance for things that might concern them

Train

Execute simple, tailored exercises to change the way your dog feels about things that frustrate them or cause them to feel fear

Why Positive, Force-Free Training?

It’s Effective, Evidence-based and Ethical

1. Effective

Humane, force-free training is a form of training in which we reward the dog for desired behaviors with things they value – food, play opportunities, and real-life rewards. The dog learns that what we want them to do pays off well, so the desired behavior becomes more reliable.

2. Evidence-based

The science behind animal learning tells us that rewarded behaviors are more likely to recur. That, combined with setting up our environment to set our dogs up for success, will prevent your dog from rehearsing the behavior we want to change.

3. Ethical

It is well documented that the use of force, intimidation, and pain can inhibit learning and instill fear in our dogs. When attempting to modify a dog’s behavior, the priority is always to create a positive, safe environment to foster learning while preserving the human-dog bond.

Professional Development & Credentials

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Pawsitive Behavior Solutions, LLC

Owner and Operator

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CPDT-KA

Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed

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CTC

Certificate in Training and Counseling, the Academy for Dog Trainers, LLC

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The Aggression in Dogs Master Course

The Aggression in Dogs Master Course Complete Canines, LLC

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Licensed Family Paws Parent Educator

Family Paws Parent Educator Training Program, Family Paws, LLC

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SAPT

Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer, Julie Naismith Training and Consulting, Ltd.

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Behavior Consultant Mentorship Program

Pet Harmony Behavior Consultant Mentorship Program, Pet Harmony, LLC

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APDT

Member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers

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IAABC

Supporting Member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

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Pet First Aid and CPR Certification

Rescue Encore

Are You Ready for a Pawsitive Training Experience?