Pawsitive K9’s is a dog walking and behavior consultation service in the Santa Cruz Area. We focus on positive reinforcement and use the approach of dog psychology to truly communicate what we want from our beloved pack members. Whether you are looking to have your fur baby get a stimulating outing and have their energy drained while you are at work to break up their day or if you simply don’t have the time to take them out yourself and would like to have their manners tuned up, we have you covered. 
From individual walks and pack walks to behavior consultations that focus on specific areas you would like to improve in your pack, we are here to help you obtain balance and peace in your home as well as out in public when you are out and about on your own personal adventures.
Pawsitive K9’s is owned by me, Kendra =) I am a total dog and animal lover who grew up riding and training horses for show jumping competitions. The barn I grew up at was known for transforming horses that had been thrown away by others into show champions. At a very early age, I learned every animal has their own way of communicating with people and other animals, and that the only way to see real results is with positive reinforcement training, clear communication, patience, and above all, love!
I grew up with German Shepherds and Rottweilers, always rescuing any dog in need. When I was in High School I first heard of Cesar Milan, not too long after that The Dog Whisperer came out. I knew then that I had found what truly interested me and I wanted to find a way to make a career working with dogs. Over the years I have been fortunate enough to shadow and learn from some of his trainers, as well as former students who have moved on to open similar businesses of their own. I have also attended the “School of Dog Psychology” seminars taught by his head trainer, Linn Boyke, to learn as much as I can, always trying to improve my skill set. One of the most important things I’ve learned is that there is no such thing as a bad dog if they have the proper rules, boundaries, and limitations. Also how crucial it really is to only reward the behaviors you want.
I graduated from UCSC with a B.A. in Sociology with an emphasis in Non-Verbal Communication. After graduation I worked in the corporate world as the Project Manager of a Fortune 500 company, running multiple projects for offices in three countries. I have also worked as a Property Manager in our beautiful community. For the last 9 years I have been the President of Operations for a small local business that specializes in building custom trucks for off road adventures. In this field I was able to fulfill my passion of helping dogs by organizing many build projects of rescue and evacuation vehicles for Villalobos Rescue Center in New Orleans (featured on Pit Bulls and Parolees on Animal Planet).
I’ve been a volunteer for Villalobos for about 10 years, and being able to combine these two worlds has in all honesty been the most rewarding thing I’ve done in my career because I knew I was really helping dogs and the people that save them by making sure they could perform rescues in any weather or terrain. During this time I also worked part time for a dog walking company which reminded me how much I love working with dogs, working in dog psychology, expanding my skill set and what my true passion really is. I enjoyed going to work and looked forward to it. So much that I decided to start my own Company that is focused on core values in the dog world that promote balanced, healthy dogs, responsible ownership, and the best relationship you can have with your Pawsitive K9.
I am the proud mama to two fur babies of my own, Willow and Barbie, both rescued bully mixes from Villalobos Rescue Center. Before they came into my life, I had a 130 pound Bull Mastiff rescue named Emma who changed my life and helped educate me on bully breeds and the stigma that can come with them. I am a huge lover of all dogs in all shapes, sizes, and breeds.
If you see us out and about on hikes please feel free to say “hi.” I offer individual walk and train sessions, pack walks (once the dogs have been acclimated to the pack), behavior consultation sessions, in home board and train packages and overnight care.
I am also certified in CPR and First Aid, ensuring that your fur babies are in great hands should an emergency arise.
I look forward to meeting you and your adorabull pups in this beautiful area we are lucky enough to call home!