Friends and dog lovers Lori Fricks and Renee Fritz have opened a new canine training, grooming and retail facility on the east side of Westfield. Positively Canine, which opened Oct. 1, is the result of Fritz and Fricks’ frustration of seeing so many dogs being punished for communicating their fear and stress to people so the store offers a $10 credit to anyone who turns in a prong or chock collar.
“It’s a place where it is stress free for people and animals,” said Fritz, a Noblesville resident.
Fritz spent the past four years working at a large chain pet supply store and now has the ability to stock all the items she has been researching for years.
“I was a manager but didn’t have a lot of say,” she said.
The store specializes in offering hard-to-find items for larger breeds.
“We both have large dogs and there aren’t places that concentrate on items for big dogs or those that are destructive chewers,” Fritz said. “If you have a dog that chew up anything, we ask you to come here to help you find something. We have toys in smaller sizes, coats and costumes. Anything we carry for the little (breeds) we have for the big.”
Fricks is the trainer and has been studying canine behavior for more than 20 years and locally training dogs for the last 13. Positively Canine is a force-free training facility that uses only positive reinforcement and strongly dislikes the uses of shock, prong and choke collars.
“We are the only facility in Hamilton County offering Reactive Dog Classes for dogs that bark, growl or lunge at other dogs while on leash,” Fricks said. “There are classes for all age groups and skill levels.”
Additional classes will be offered for puppies with no socialization skills, through beginner, intermediate and advanced skills.
In addition to training, grooming will be offered by Samantha Crawford-Thompson., who specializes in making the grooming process as relaxing as possible for her canine clients. She has been working with dogs for more than a decade. Fritz said the grooming tables are hydraulic to provide less anxiety for dogs.
Positively Canine also has a retail area that specializes in USA made, quality food, treats and products with many items crafted by local artisans.
“Most toys are made in the USA and many are locally made in Hamilton County,” Fritz said, adding leather chains and collars are made in Cicero and dog beds are from Carmel. “They’re products that I really liked and brought them here.”
Positively Canine ● 3276 E. Ind. 32, Westfield ● 1 to 9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Grooming is available 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday ● 399-7936 ● www.clickerchicks.com
