PosiDog Canine Learning Center

We loved the puppy class! Chad took the time to answer everyone’s questions and seemed genuinely interested in helping all of us acclimate to and with our puppies. After our puppy class completed we started training in private lessons with Kristen. Just after one class we feel like we have added on a wealth of knowledge for individual training for our puppy. She even sent a follow up email the same day with ALL that we covered in our lesson and what to work on that week at home– as well as what we will work on next.

We took 4 Classes from PosiDog. 3 were a waste of $$ and one (Reactive dog) was excellent. I observed the puppy kindergarten class with a friend and compared to OSU, Anything Goes for Dogs and Adventure Unleashed theirs wasn’t even close — total waste of time.

We went to Posidog for five years, starting with beginning obedience and then many years of agility classes. Our dog is a rescue, so he was extremely nervous when we first got him. He has made AMAZING strides thanks in no small part to Posidog (especially Kristen, who is absolutely wonderful). His confidence and personality have just blossomed with the positive reinforcement training and skills he has learned there. They were also extremely accommodating of him and his issues. For example, in their old building (a warehouse in Grove City) the air conditioners would come on periodically and our dog would be terrified of the noise. So, they would prepare by cranking the AC in the hour or so before our class and then turn it off during class so it wouldn’t be a problem for him. Thus, we could focus on training rather than convincing him the AC monsters were not coming to eat him.
The trainers really know their stuff about dog training, and they are constantly doing things to keep learning and stay current. They send their trainers to seminars with expert trainers, vets, and scientists, and they bring many of those same people to Columbus to give seminars and classes. They also just really, really care about dogs.
We recently moved to a different state and we are already mourning having to leave Posidog and all our wonderful friends there. I cannot recommend them strongly enough for their obedience and agility classes.

I impulsively signed my puppy Otis up for the 12-​week family dog training classes after he tried to jump on a little old lady walking down my street and then proceeded to bark at her for 3 minutes straight. As she walked all the way down the street. Not cool, Otis.
He was about 5 months old at the time, so I am sure a lot of what I was dealing with was the combo of normal puppy behavior and Otis’s boundless enthusiasm. But Otis is my first dog, and I was having trouble finding a training method that I could handle that also kept him engaged. I just knew I wasn’t really interested in punitive forms of training or «pack mentality» kinds of training (e.g., holding your puppy down on the floor to establish dominance when they act out), and that something about what I had been doing wasn’t really clicking. Enter PosiDog.
Kristen (Kristin?) ran each of the twelve weekly classes Otis and I were in at PosiDog. The twelve weeks were divided into four different segments with different goals for each (e.g., weeks one through three were focused sit, settle, and stay for us).
Some of what Kristen taught us were things I had already tried with Otis. However, I found that when that was the case, she was also able to point out things that were impacting the training that I wasn’t aware I was doing (because, as another Unilocaler pointed out, training is as much about training you as it is about training your dog). For example, I wouldn’t think to reward Otis when he got distracted but managed to come when called anyways, because I’d get caught up in the fact that he got distracted at all. These situations really changed the way Otis and I trained.
Most of what Kristen taught us were things I hadn’t seen before — and I read several training books as well as watched several training channels on YouTube prior to adopting Otis. Not all of these things clicked super well with Otis, but alllmost all did. And the fact that there were so many activities meant that we didn’t have to incorporate the ones that weren’t as effective.
This biggest differences the classes made? Otis and I feel like we’re on the same page now (or at least reading the same book… most of the time), and that’s made a world of difference in training and our lives in general! Thanks, PosiDog and Kristen!

I came to Posidog a week into first-​time dog ownership with a 3.5 month old puppy that was both shy and excited about various aspects of the world at the same time. It’s now almost six months later and the strides she has made with the help of several Posidog trainers have been fantastic.
I echo the comments from other reviewers who say that entry into New Beginnings puppy class is chaotic at best. The classes have rolling enrollments with no set start or end date – you pick up on what they are doing that week and are along for an 8 week ride. I was confused and frustrated at first, but staying after class helped. The best thing they could do is devote 15 minutes before or after your first class to show you the ropes so you aren’t paddling as hard upstream. This model does have benefits, however – we could switch class times due to my conflicts on a week-​to-​week basis. We eventually settled on a weekday afternoon class with Chad (thanks to a flexible work schedule) that was smaller, allowing for more attention.
Kristen has been the best trainer so far – patient and willing to work with individual issues. They will also offer 1-​on-​1 sessions if you need extra help. One session made huge strides in technique for the dog and I.
It’s said that teachers like myself are the worst students. Posidog helped me and my dog!

Love Posidog. As most people know, dog training is less about the dog and more about educating the guardian (s).
Posidog’s puppy training and distance obedience courses armed me with a better understanding of how my dog’s brain works and honestly has empowered me to continue to help him grow over the last 18 months.
The playtime at the end of puppy class helped me learn what natural, normal puppy play looks like and also gave him the opportunity to learn some puppy social cues early on in a non-​threatening setting.
It has made dog park days, choosing a daycare, and walks that much easier. While my dog learned many of his skills and ‘tricks’ during his Posidog class enrollment, I have been able to continue teaching him new things using the foundation they provided.
Posidog cares about the craft and their skill and professionalism is exemplified in their ownership of their own pets. I can’t recommend them enough.

Tl;dr: good place, dogs love it, could work on their people skills, very serious about not using any kind of punishment (correction collars, verbal corrections, etc).
I’ve been to three different classes (puppy class, tricks, and polite greetings) at PosiDog, and I plan on coming back for more. If you know much of anything about dog training, you know there are a lot of controversies and various camps about what methods are useful and/​or humane for dog training. PosiDog is probably the most extreme «positive only» place I’ve seen: NO corrections are used or allowed, and there’s a lot of emphasis on making sure the dog feels safe and is enjoying the learning experience. Don’t bother going here if you are set on using a prong collar or Milan’s weird poking corrections! This can be great for the dogs. I’ve watched training classes at other facilities that are filled with Unilocaling dogs, miserable dogs, shut-​down dogs that just want to get the hell out, and you will NOT see that at PosiDog. On the other hand, it’s like the «slow food» movement — training without any punishment whatsoever can take a bit longer in the initial stages IMO, and it takes more effort to manage the environment so the dog can succeed. If you aren’t wiling to put the work into building a positive, force-​free relationship with your dog, you won’t be happy with PosiDog.
If you ARE willing to put the work in — if you like the idea of having your dog listen to you because he WANTS to and not because he’s afraid of what you’ll do if he doesn’t listen — you will probably love PosiDog. They put a ton of effort into finding the best methods to get the behavior you want from the dog while remaining force-​free. They work hard to make the environment such that the dog can be successful, e.g. using barriers so the dog is less distracted in class. They get in great seminars from experts in force-​free dog training, and all of the trainers that I’ve met (and I’ve met at LEAST five here) are really dedicated to making training work for your dog.
The people part of the training is a work in progress, IMO. I might be a bit unusual here because I previously worked with a trainer in Wisconsin who, while we disagreed about some of the methods, had FANTASTIC people skills. She had enthusiasm in truckloads, every person walking in the door felt like a rock star, and she had a great talent for knowing when to step in, when to let the person work it out, how to phrase things so the person could learn without feeling stupid, and how to succinctly answer a question in a helpful way. The trainers at PosiDog aren’t bad, per se, but they aren’t particularly good in this area either. They can sometimes get sidetracked by method. I once saw a couple ask how to handle their puppy jumping on the couch (Dad wanted to say «No»); instead of the trainer giving a few useful alternatives for the actual situation — like «ask the puppy to get down on the floor» — the puppy owners got a five minute lecture on why saying «no» is bad and how to train some self-​control exercises. Um, great in the long run, but right now they just need the puppy off the couch lol! I would say most of the trainers at PosiDog got in to this business because they love the dogs, not because they enjoy people so very much; they vary a bit in their people-​handling skills.
All that said — it’s still the best positive dog training facility in Ohio. If you want to leave the pinch collars behind, come to PosiDog! :)

We recently finished the Rowdy an Reactive Class with our Gwen and we are really, really pleased with the results. As I mentioned in my previous review I still cannot say enough nice things about PosiDog. This particular class is expensive for a reason, the planning and set-​up takes a lot of work and energy on their part. I don’t know a single other training center in Central Ohio that offers a class quite like this. Working with a reactive dog is tricky and if not done properly your reactive dog could easily be made worse if the class isn’t set up just right. This is a six week class (plus one week of orientation without your dog) and Gwen really started to make progress in that sixth week, so you have the option of adding on three extra classes for an additional $ 99 and that made all the difference in the world. My girl once again knows I have her back and we have moved past the traumatic experience that caused her reactivity in the first place. Sara, Chad and Kristen are all wonderful trainers and if you have the opportunity to take a class at PosiDog whether for fun, rehab or prevention I highly recommend it!

I can’t speak for any of the agility or adult classes but we were done after 3 of the 8 sessions of puppy classes at Posidog. The classes were repetitive. We did the same thing every week, except one time we spent 45 min watching a PowerPoint on nail clipping (which wasn’t helpful). The playtime was run ineffectively. My dog was shy to play so they stuck him with two other shy dogs (because that makes sense?). When they finally began to play the trainer made me pick up my dog after two seconds to practice getting him used to me grabbing his collar. That’s great and all for a puppy that was loving play time, but for one that was having trouble that’s not quite positive reinforcement. I started taking him to the dog park and he was perfectly social after two times of unstructured play.
My final straw was when I stayed after to ask a trainer for advice on crate training, my puppy was having a hard time. Mind you, if you google «tips for crate training» you can find plenty of suggestions… Which I had done, but I figured asking the people that I’m paying to help me would be a good idea too. What was posidogs suggestion? «Sounds like he has separation anxiety, you should contact this behavior specialist at OSU so you can get him medicated». Are you kidding me? Your suggestion was to pay another $ 100+ to see a behavior specialist because you have some kind of partnership with them so I could MEDICATE my four month old puppy??? I tried the googled suggestions and talked to a friend who’s dad is a trainer and within a week he was comfortable in his crate.
Completely unprofessional. A few members of the staff were condescending to myself and others on multiple occasions. I have nothing positive to say about this place except that my dog loved the kongs they give out to keep them busy.
If you’re going to spend the money on puppy classes, go anywhere else. Utilize the internet, socialize your dog by taking them out in public, ask your friends who have had dogs for help… Any of those would be more helpful and much cheaper than taking your puppy to PosiDog.

I’ve been to 3 sessions of puppy class and haven’t really figured out how it is helping me or my puppy. It seemed like we stepped into the middle of a cycle of the classes and aren’t really learning the basics, IMHO, that a puppy needs. Also, there is very limited and controlled interaction of the puppies at playtime. I’m of the mind that pups should be pups when playing unless it is overly aggressive.
Could be me, but I’m done after 3 of 8 weeks. So, it was expensive for me.

This place was awful. I had a scared puppy and they made us go in the room next door and had no interactions with other dogs.
took her to Zoom Room in the Short North, should have done it from the beginning. Waste of money.

Posidog has been a great experience for us and will continue to be. We recently took our corgi puppy through the 8 week puppy bootcamp, and she showed great improvement every week.
The staff is friendly, and attend to «uh-​ohs» very quickly. They offer good advice. The classes are thorough and well paced. We’re looking to starting up agility classes next month!

Worked 2 of my dogs here beginners agility it was a great experience for all .I have worked with clubs and trainers from several states these folks are excellent, the facility is nice and the staff helpful and kind. couldnt ask for more.

We did PosiDog’s 6 week puppy training course. The facility is bright, super clean and very fun for doggies. (It even has foam flooring for good dog traction and safe play.) I loved that most classes are on a flex schedule, so that you don’t have to pay when you need to miss. Costs are reasonable.
They also offer classes like agility, Leash Reactivity Rehab and adult behavior training.
Each class included several basic lessons, time to practice and of course time to play and let puppies get socialized in a safe environment, which really helped my dog.
Training centers around always using positive reinforcement for your dog. Much of what we got out of the class was just understanding how a pup’s mind works — owners need just as much training!
One of the other benefits I didn’t think about needing was was the «homework» and materials they provided after each class. It helped us remember what we were practicing and how to do it right. Every sheet talks about managing the situation as well as your dog, to get the best possible results.
It is the best material I have found out there that is consistent with always using positive reinforcers for dogs, after scouring the internet without finding anything similar.
All staff members are super patient and helpful. They are always willing to stay after class to consult on different behavior questions you have with your pup. Sarah, Chad, and Valerie are all terrific!