PAWSitively Obedient
SHAPING YOUR DOG’S POTENTIAL.
PAWSitively Obedient has been a staple of the South Shore community since founded in 1995 by Karen Lanoue-Lambrecht. Over the past 30 years, PAWSitively Obedient has worked to help strengthen the bond between dogs and their guardians through positive reinforcement training. From the start, PAWSitively Obedient has been driven by a mission: to connect pet guardians with effective, humane, and modern training methods that build lasting, respectful relationships.
When the company began, positive reinforcement training was rare. The 1980s and 90s were dominated by punitive and compulsion-based methods. Karen saw a better way. She recognized the need for compassionate, science-based training and set out to make that a reality for her community. Since then, the company has grown into a thriving team of dedicated, credentialed professionals.
In May 2025, ownership of PAWSitively Obedient transitioned to Janice Gifford. Janice had been a integral part of the PAWS team since 2014, working as a full-time dog trainer. Karen still remains part of the team in a part-time role to balance her home life with her family and two wonderful dogs, Raymond and June Bug.
At PAWSitively, we remain committed to providing effective, up-to-date training for both new and returning clients. We continuously strive to learn and grow, recognizing that every family—and every dog—is unique. As trainers, we’re honored to share in your dog’s journey.
The Dogs Behind Our Logo:
Every trainer has a dog who changed their life.
It is common for dog trainers and behavior consultants to have their careers shaped by a dog who challenged them. These dogs are often labeled as “difficult,” when in reality they simply require a different approach and a deeper level of understanding.
When these dogs find guardians willing to meet them with patience, compassion, and curiosity, they often become extraordinary teachers. They challenge our assumptions about dog ownership, inspire us to learn more about behavior and communication, and ultimately help us build stronger relationships with our canine companions.
Many of us at PAWSitively Obedient can trace our professional journeys back to a special dog who changed the way we see the world. These are the dogs who inspired us to learn, grow, and become better trainers, coaches, and advocates for dogs and their families.
When it came time to redesign our logo, we wanted to honor those dogs. The three dogs featured represent the companions who shaped our careers, influenced our training philosophies, and helped make us the trainers we are today.
Jackson
Owned by Janice Gifford
I brought Jackson home when he was just 8 weeks old—small enough to fit in the palm of my hand. He was an easy puppy and seemed comfortable around people and other dogs for the first few years of his life.
Around the age of three, Jackson began showing signs of reactivity and aggression toward unfamiliar people and dogs while on leash. Wanting to help him, I sought professional guidance and found PAWS-itively Obedient in 2014. Through our training journey together, I became fascinated by dog behavior, learning theory, and behavior modification. What started as a desire to help my own dog eventually became a career.
Jackson is featured in the PAWSitively Obedient logo because he changed the course of my life. Without him, I may never have discovered my passion for dog training. He taught me far more than training skills—he taught me patience, empathy, and how to see the world through a dog’s eyes. Most importantly, he taught me that not every behavior needs to be “fixed.” Sometimes, the kindest thing we can do is support our dogs as individuals and help them live fulfilling lives.
Jackson crossed the Rainbow Bridge in April 2026, peacefully and surrounded by the people who loved him most. While I wish he could have stayed with me forever, including him in our logo ensures that his legacy continues to be part of PAWSitively Obedient every day.
Kira
Owned by Palestina Baronas
I adopted my heart dog, Kira, from a rescue in Puerto Rico after losing the first dog I had as an adult. I waited five long weeks for her to make the journey to Massachusetts, eagerly counting down the days until we could finally meet.
Kira had lived with other dogs in her foster home and was believed to be dog-friendly. It came as a surprise when, during our first walks together, she would bark intensely at other dogs. She was also far more fearful than any dog I had owned before. As a new guardian navigating these challenges, I often felt unsure of how to help her.
Wanting to better understand her behavior, I enrolled Kira in her first obedience class. What began as an effort to help my own dog quickly turned into a passion for learning about canine behavior, learning theory, and training. Kira became the inspiration behind my journey into the dog training profession. Through her, I met Janice and the team at PAWSitively Obedient, which ultimately led me to the career I have today.
As I learned how to support Kira’s unique needs, my desire to help other families facing similar challenges continued to grow. She taught me the importance of patience, empathy, and meeting each dog where they are. The bond I share with Kira is the strongest relationship I have ever had with a dog, and I believe that is because of everything we have worked through together. Through confidence building, training, and trust, Kira has shown me that growth isn’t about changing who a dog is—it’s about helping them feel safe, understood, and successful.
I am grateful every day for the lessons Kira has taught me. She not only shaped the trainer I became, but also the way I approach every dog and family I have the privilege of working with.
*Photo credit for Kira goes to Leaf.
Angus
Owned by Victoria Montgomery
Angus came into my life as a gift from my mom after we lost our family German Shepherd to cancer. There was a void that only a dog could fill, but Angus ended up giving me so much more than I ever expected.
At 20 years old, I wanted the “perfect” dog. Being a Staffy mix, I felt an added pressure to have a dog whose behavior would help challenge the stereotypes often associated with his breed. Early on, however, Angus was extremely nervous and shy. As he matured, that fear often came out as growling, barking, and snapping at unfamiliar people and situations. I remember thinking, “Oh no, what have I gotten myself into?”
Like many dog owners, my initial goal was to “fix” him. Over time, though, Angus taught me a much more important lesson: he didn’t need fixing. He needed understanding, patience, and a relationship built on trust. Once I shifted my focus away from changing him and toward supporting him, everything changed. My goal became helping him feel safe in a world that often felt overwhelming.
I may not have gotten society’s version of the perfect dog, but for more than 12 years, I’ve had the perfect dog for me. Angus has taught me lessons about life, relationships, compassion, and myself that no human ever could. He introduced me to a deeper understanding of dogs, a career that I love, and even my husband. I often jokingly say that Angus saved my life—but in many ways, it’s true.
I was honored when Janice asked to feature Angus in the PAWSitively Obedient logo. It feels fitting because he played such a significant role in shaping who I am today. The lessons he taught me continue to influence how I approach training, behavior, and the relationships we help our clients build with their dogs every day.
While each of these dogs had a different journey, they all taught us the same lesson: successful training is built on understanding, compassion, and partnership. Their legacies continue to shape how we work with dogs and their families every day.