About Pawsitive, LLC

Why Pawsitive?

Pawsitive, LLC dba Learn Pawsitive is a dog training and education business I started to advocate positive and force-free training methods in the Columbia, MO community. Learn Pawsitive provides a variety of closed-group classes (limited to 4-6 dogs and their owners), one-on-one training, and educational seminars led by me, Heather Vo, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA).

I started my journey as a dog trainer in 2010 when I realized that many dogs in the community were re-homed or abandoned because of behavioral issues. As I gained more experience and learned more about positive training approaches, I realized that positive training was far more effective than other methods, especially at producing long-term, lasting results. It has become my personal mission to help people build positive and healthy relationships with their dogs through force-free training.

Certifications & Credentials

Certified Dog Behavior Consultant

International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

  • Requires a minimum of four years and 500 hours of experience in animal behavior consulting
  • Requires 400 hours minimum of coursework, seminars, and mentorships
  • Proven application of learning theory, counterconditioning, desensitization, training, including case studies
  • Must follow IAABC Standards of Practice and Professional Code of Ethics

Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed

Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers®

  • Requires a minimum of 300 hours experience in dog training within 3 years
  • Must have attestation from CCPDT certificant or veterinarian
  • Continuing education required to maintain certification
  • Must follow CCPDT Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics

Low Stress Handling Certified - Certified Silver

Low Stress Handling University

  • Requires the recognition of overt and subtle signs of fear and anxiety in dogs
  • Must learn to approach and handle pets in a relaxed, non-threatening manner
  • Show understanding of how every interaction affects the animal’s perception of you and their willingness to cooperate
  • Demonstrates a solid education in how animals learn, animal behavior and understand how fear creates aggression

Fear Free Certified Professional

Fear Free® Animal Trainer Program

  • Fear Free® Animal Trainer Program allows trainers to work in partnership with veterinary teams to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in the animals they care for
  • Develops the skills to manage and handle dogs and cats alongside veterinary teams, specifically to prepare pets for low stress clinic experiences
  • Continuing education required to maintain certification

Aggression in Dogs - Course Completion

Master course for Trainers and Behavior Consultants

  • Expert instruction from Michael Shikashio CDBC, with additional modules presented by Dr. Chris Pachel DVM, DACVB, CABC, Jessica Dolce CCFE and Kim Brophey CDBC
  • Requires a minimum of two years or 300 hours of experience working with dogs in training or behavior capacity
  • The most comprehensive course on dog aggression for trainers and behavior consultants available anywhere in the world

Pet Professional Guild Member - Registered Canine Training Professional

The Pet Professional Guild®

Looking for 1-on-1 Dog Training?

Do you and your furry companion need help with specific goals? Are you looking for a personalized training plan to get there?

More About Personalized Training

Looking for Classes?

Whether you have a puppy, a reactive dog, or something in between, we have the group class for you and your busy schedule!

Learn More About Group Classes

Our dog, Nova, used to react to other dogs and people from over 20 feet away. After working with Heather we can safely walk on trails and at parks without Nova having a reaction. Nova truly is a different dog.

~ Mollie O. & Nova

Sadie had a lot of issues with intense reactivity (out of fear) with other dogs. Heather worked with us in a class setting with other reactive dogs in a slow and controlled manner. By the end of the class we were able to walk with other dogs in sight without a reaction using the techniques she taught us!

~ Lisa S. & Sadie

With Heather's help, my dog Pepper went from being reactive or shut down, to being trusting and more confident. I learned how to be her advocate and to love her for exactly who she is. Heather truly changed our lives so much for the better.

~ Laura N. & Pepper

When Scout developed problems with fear and anxiety of certain men and being left alone, she was quick to refer us to a vet with expertise in behavioral issues and working with us one on one to come up with positive ways to redirect his behavior. We love her force-free, positive reinforcement techniques, her love and passion for animals and have had great success working with her. Can’t recommend her highly enough!

~ Lisa S. & Scout