Welcome to The Positive Canine
Specialist in Canine Behaviour
"Karolina is the best trainer we've had"
Meet Karolina, ISCP.Dip.Canine.Prac.
Hi, I’m Karolina - a qualified canine behaviour consultant with a passion for helping anxious, reactive and rescue dogs feel safe and understood.
My journey began with my own sensitive dog, who showed me just how emotionally complex dogs are and sparked my commitment to compassionate, evidence based behaviour support. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to understanding the why behind behaviour and helping dogs and their humans thrive together.
I’ve volunteered in Romania supporting street dogs, public shelters, and spay/neuter campaigns, and adopted my first ex-street dog from Spain who was my absolute world, and I'm now a proud dog mum to two Romanian Rescues. I’m currently the Canine Behaviour Advisor for Romanian Rescue Appeal and Penny’s Ark, two UK charities working to improve welfare and education in Romania.
I spent five years at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, assessing dogs for rehoming and creating tailored training plans. I’m now completing a Level 6 diploma in Canine Behaviour, building on previous study in animal behaviour. I’m a Certified Canine Behaviour Consultant (The ISCP), a supporting member of The Pet Professional Guild and ICAN, and I follow the UK Dog Behaviour & Training Charter’s code of conduct and ethics.
Led By Compassion
At The Positive Canine, I use welfare focused, science based methods that prioritise your dog’s emotional wellbeing. This means I do not use fear, pain, intimidation or punishment in any part of training or behaviour work.
Instead, I focus on positive reinforcement - rewarding your dog for behaviours you want to see more of, and guiding them toward alternatives when something isn’t safe or appropriate. For behaviour challenges, I use proven techniques such as counterconditioning, desensitisation and environmental management to help dogs feel safe and make better choices without pressure.
This kind of training builds trust, encourages thinking and learning, and makes the process enjoyable for both ends of the lead. It’s not just kind, it’s effective. Whether we’re working with a nervous rescue, a feisty adolescent, or a dog with a bite history, positive reinforcement works for all breeds, ages and temperaments.
This training also gives dogs the chance to make choices, which is especially important for fearful or reactive dogs learning to feel safe in their environment. It boosts confidence, strengthens your bond, and supports long term behaviour change without fear.
I do not use or recommend aversive tools such as:
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Shock, prong or choke collars
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Slip leads used as corrections
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Spray bottles, air cans or physical punishments
These tools can suppress behaviour temporarily but often increase fear through learned helplessness, stress or aggression over time. There’s simply no need for a “firm hand”. If positive reinforcement can teach a wild animal to voluntarily offer a blood sample, it can absolutely help your dog learn to feel safe, confident and understood.
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Why Choose Us?
We understand that the Dog Trainer population has exploded - you search for a "dog trainer near me" and receive a hundred different options; how do you decide who is right for you?
When working with us, you will receive:
A Private, Tailored Consultation which takes into account both your needs and your dogs. We strive to find a balance to ensure your concerns are addressed, without compromising your dog's welfare.
Follow Up Sessions which focus on your needs and address areas you would like more focus on; there is no hard and fast rule for how long training should take.
Ongoing Support via following our Consultation. This can be related to our original goals or can be about a new behaviour that has emerged (within limits, some new behaviours may require additional support).
Professional Communication with other Pet Experts in your life - From Veterinary Referrals on Observations made during our consultation to communication with your Pet Sitter to ensure training goals are not compromised.
Expert Knowledge on Canine Behaviour and Body Language. We will teach you what we know, helping you to understand your dog's most intrinsic behaviours, habits and feelings.
A Comprehensive Behaviour Report and Step by Step Training Plan within 5 working days of our Consultation. This will contain all the steps we discussed, outlined how to practice and when to practice, giving you confidence to continue the training outside of sessions.
A Professional and Confidential Service; although we love documenting training journey's, we will never prioritize obtaining a video for social media over real time teaching. We will obtain permission before filming or taking photos, and only do so when it is safe and will not interfere with the training.