Meet Courtney
The heart behind The Pawsitive Paw
Building understanding. Cultivating connection. Creating a more fulfilling life together. I’m Courtney, the owner and trainer behind The Pawsitive Paw, nestled among the trees and mountains of Southern Oregon. My connection with animals has shaped much of my life. Over the years, I’ve worked across several areas of the animal-care industry, including veterinary clinics, animal shelters, the Humane Society, dog daycare, boarding, and training. Each experience has deepened my appreciation for the complexity of dogs and the responsibility we have to understand them beyond what we see on the surface. What began as a passion for animals has grown into something much more meaningful: helping people and their dogs understand one another, navigate challenges, and build relationships rooted in trust, communication, and clarity.
My Philosophy
I believe dogs deserve to be understood as individuals, not simply managed according to a set of expectations. Their genetics, breed purpose, temperament, learning history, environment, and daily experiences all influence how they move through the world. Sometimes the behaviors we struggle with are signals that something in a dog's life needs a closer look (whether that's unmet needs, confusion, overarousal, insecurity, or a lack of clear communication.)
My approach considers the whole dog and the relationship they share with their human. We work to develop practical skills, establish healthy boundaries, build engagement, and create appropriate outlets for each dog's natural drives. Obedience is an important part of this process, but it isn't the entire picture. I want to help you understand how to communicate with your dog, recognize what they need, and navigate real-life situations with greater confidence and consistency.
Training That Meets You Where You Are
Living with behavioral challenges can feel overwhelming. Reactivity, anxiety, overexcitement, and everyday struggles can leave even the most dedicated dog owners feeling frustrated or unsure of what to do next. You don't need to have all the answers before reaching out.
My role is to guide, educate, encourage, and help you work through challenges with a practical plan tailored to you and your dog. We'll look at the bigger picture, identify opportunities for change, and develop skills that make sense for your everyday life. I believe meaningful progress comes from understanding, consistency, and a willingness to keep learning. There is room for accountability without losing compassion, and room for structure without losing the joy of being a dog. My goal is to help you build a lifestyle that supports your dog's well-being while strengthening the connection you share.
Beyond Training
The work doesn't have to end when a session or program is complete. I value the relationships built with the people and dogs I work with, and I want you to feel supported as you put new skills into practice. Through continued education, workshops, enrichment opportunities, and follow-up support, my goal is to help you carry what you've learned into the real world. Every dog teaches us something. Every relationship gives us an opportunity to grow. And sometimes, the biggest changes begin when we learn to look at things a little differently.
I'm grateful to do this work, to learn alongside the dogs who come into my life, and to help their people discover what is possible when understanding and communication become the foundation.
Thank you for being here. I'd love to learn more about you and your dog. Let's build a life that works for both ends of the leash.
The Pawsitive Paw | Southern Oregon
MEET OUR PACK
Ryker James
Ryker was my first dog as an adult, and was by my side for nine years. This friendly, loving Flat-Coated Retriever has been my adventure buddy, my teacher, and one of the greatest gifts life has given me.
From scent work and hiking to playtime and anything involving food, Ryker approaches life with enthusiasm. We've traveled throughout much of the Western United States together, sharing countless adventures along the way. He's been with me through every chapter of my journey with animals (from working in veterinary clinics to dog training and boarding.)
Ryker has been a constant companion, a mirror for growth, and a reminder of just how much our dogs can shape our lives. His sweet, steady, and socially neutral disposition also makes him a valuable part of my work.
He holds a very special place in my heart, not just as my best friend, but as one of the dogs who helped shape the work I do today.
*Ryker Passed June 2025 from Cancer*
Buddy Sunshine...sometimes Riot
The Wild Child · Small Dog, Big Drive!
Buddy is my 4 year old Shorty Jack (Jack Russell Terrier), and he is every bit the energetic, driven, larger-than-life terrier you'd expect him to be!
Whether he's running, hiking, biking, working, or hunting lizards and ground squirrels depending on the season, Buddy is always ready for his next adventure. He lives for having a job to do and is usually first in line when the treadmill, FitPaws equipment, or agility obstacles come out.
Beneath all that fire and determination is a little dog who loves nothing more than burrowing in for a good snuggle. One minute, he's curled up beside me; the next, he's wild'n out in the woods, doing what Jack Russell Terriers were bred to do.
Buddy is a daily reminder of how important it is to understand and honor a dog's natural instincts. Drive isn't something to suppress...it's something to channel into appropriate outlets that allow a dog to work, think, move, and thrive.
He's full of life, personality, and terrier-sized determination, and I wouldn't have him any other way!
Augustine Peabody or "Auggie"
The Sensitive Soul · Learning at His Own Pace
Auggie joined our family several years ago when my hubby adopted him from the Brookings animal shelter. A young Pit Bull/Shepherd mix at the time, he was described as “fearful and timid.) A description that still captures much of his sensitive nature today.
He is a wonderful reminder that every dog experiences the world differently. We may never know much about his early history, and I don't believe we need to assume a dog has been abused to understand that they're struggling. Genetics, temperament, early experiences, and the environment can all shape how a dog responds to the world around them.
For Auggie, navigating social situations and unfamiliar experiences hasn't always been easy. Like many sensitive, insecure dogs, he can become overwhelmed when interactions move too quickly or he doesn't have the space he needs to feel comfortable.
Since combining our packs, we've been working together to help Auggie build confidence through patience, predictability, appropriate space, and clear, consistent communication. We're learning to recognize the subtle details of his body language, respect his boundaries, and give him the time he needs to process the world around him.
And he's making progress every day.
Auggie has become one of my greatest teachers...not because he's the easiest dog, but because he reminds me how important it is to look beyond behavior and understand what a dog may be communicating. His journey is a daily lesson in trust, thoughtful socialization, and the power of allowing a sensitive dog to move at their own pace.
He reminds us that confidence isn't something we can demand. It's something we help nurture, one experience at a time.