Smiling Loretta Rocco, owner and trainer of The Positive Pooch, with two black labs by her sides

Meet the Trainer Loretta Rocco

Loretta Rocco(formerly Cleveland), CPDT, founded The Positive Pooch more than 25 years ago. As its owner and trainer, she has built her business around helping dogs and their families through positive, effective, and practical training. She is a certified professional dog trainer and a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT).

Loretta teaches group classes and provides personalized in-home training. For over 25 years, she has also been trusted by other dog-training facilities throughout the area to teach classes for their clients. Her extensive teaching experience includes puppy, beginner, intermediate, advanced, and reactive-dog classes.

Loretta tailors her training to the individual needs of every dog and family. She helps owners communicate more effectively with their dogs while developing reliable skills, confidence, and good manners.

Committed to continuing education, Loretta stays current with industry standards and science-based training methods. Her completed coursework includes Living & Learning with Animals by Dr. Susan Friedman and The Engaged Dog with Brenda Aloff.

When she is not helping clients and their dogs, Loretta enjoys running in the woods with her two black Labradors, Isaac and Livvy, and training her parrots, Rue, G, and Annie.

Mason’s Obedience Trial

Watch Mason, Loretta’s black Labrador, compete in an obedience trial where Mason gets first place.

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Isaac in the Open Ring

Watch Isaac compete in the open at Bloomsburg.

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2020 High in Trial 199.5 in Open B

Cleveland All Breed Dog Training Club

2021 High in Trial 199.5 in Open B

Wilmington Kennel Club

2021 High in Trial 200 in Open B

Wilmington Kennel Club

Group of pet owners sitting on the floor with their dogs, listening to the trainer's instructions

Our Training Philosophy

Our training philosophy is based on very simple common sense. Every dog deserves a well-balanced life, which includes daily exercise, a good training program, socialization, and a lot of love! We at The Positive Pooch train with positive reinforcement. We use food reward, toys, and a lot of verbal praise. Dogs also need to learn in their training that there are boundaries.

We teach the owner how to find this balance between praise and correction. We believe that with obedience training you are teaching the dog who the leader is. They learn to respect you in a fun and positive environment

Testimonials

"Loretta was great! Our puppy loved working with her and learned so much. Highly recommend The Positive Pooch!"

Katie F. Google Reviews

"I have used positive pooch for training all three of my dogs and always had a great experience. They learned quickly using her techniques. I have used her to walk my dogs also on numerous occasions and have always been more than satisfied. I would highly recommend her to anyone who wants to attend her training classes or use her as a dog walker."

Google Reviews

"My dogs have been going to Loretta, at Positive Pooch, since 2012. Her classes are fun and informative and the dogs love them! You will see such a difference in your pup, only a few weeks in the Puppy class! Loretta teaches new things to keep it exciting for the dogs, as they move up to the more challenging classes. Positive Pooch is a five star dog training school!"

Ann P. Google Reviews

"Adding a new puppy to our family has been fun...and challenging! Loretta Cleveland expertly addressed "the puppy issues" in class and provided sage advice to make home life easier. From nipping and chewing to jumping (on everyone and everything!), The Positive Pooch offered real-life solutions to successfully navigate puppy-hood and to help our little guy become a cherished and well-mannered family member."

Kelly Hanlon Google Reviews

"I took the beginner class with our new 6 month old rescue, Bree. In only 5 classes, she learned a number of commands, but more importantly, I learned how to have her do them too. I’m amazed at how well she remembers, and we have fun working on the commands at home. I really didn’t expect Bree to learn that much because she was so frightened the first time, but she caught on quickly, and I gained confidence in handling her."

Laney Durland Google Reviews

"The training classes have made a tremendous difference for my dog, a 2-year old adult rescue, when first adopted didn't even know basic commands and has since not only learned them but has moved on to the advanced training. The best part is he looks forward to the sessions, familiar people & pets and has fun, especially with the agility tunnel."

Mike Cerio Google Reviews

"I highly recommend Loretta from the Positive Pooch for both her group training classes and her private sessions. My puppy was exhibiting behaviors such as nipping, stealing, and jumping that turns out are completely normal but somewhat jarring for a novice puppy owner. She has helped me to understand what is behind my dog's actions and to literally "nip" them in the bud with practical solutions. Her approach is very positive and fun for the dogs, but also lets them know who is boss in a clear way with gentle corrections. In addition to helping my dog learn to obey and behave in a group setting, we also get to socialize with other pups and owners in the Puppy and Intermediate classes. It is amazing how quickly he has been able to learn in class and also translate the learning at home."

Marie Gould Google Reviews

"Loretta is the best of the best! My fiancé and I started training our mini goldendoodle Remmy with her when he was a puppy and he has come such a long way. She taught us how to be firm with him (which was tough for me in the beginning!), but he has learned to listen very well and we are so grateful. He loves going to class every week and enters with his tail wagging. It is apparent that Loretta is a dog lover and all the dogs love her back. You won't regret training with her - it will improve the relationship between you and your furry best friend!"

Mandy Martignetti Google Reviews

"Hudson just finished the puppy class w Loretta and I could not recommend her more! Looking forward to doing the intermediate classes next. She knows so much about our little fur babies and really helps make life so much easier at home w a puppy. She’s the best trainer I’ve ever experienced w my dogs :)"

Maureen Jones Facebook Reviews

"Great experience with my seven month old that has a lot of energy to burn. Loretta made it informative with simple tasks and homework for the week that really changed the way our puppy behaves at home. The space is nice. The length of time of the class is just right Loretta is firm but kind and my puppy got very excited every week as we pulled into the driveway. Highly recommend this class."

Ronna Marenger Facebook Reviews

"I now have my 4th dog in training with Loretta. I trained 3 German Shepherds with her years ago. And now my 5 month old Aussipoo just finished puppy classes, and we’re ready for intermediate. She really knows her stuff! I really like that the dogs train alongside other dogs and learn to be focused in a group environment."

Michelle Short Facebook Reviews

"We had a great experience with Loretta. She is so calm but assertive and was so helpful to all of us in the class. She took the time to help each and every pup and their human. She is wonderful and teaches positive reinforcement which was important to me. Looking forward to continuing my Hanks training with Loretta!"

Erin Grobelny Facebook Reviews

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