About Positive Dog Solutions

Positive Dog Solutions provides the knowledge, tools, and support you need to better understand and address challenging behaviors in your dog. I’ll help you understand how dogs learn and how to look at behavior from your dog’s perspective. Together, we’ll create a realistic management plan to reduce opportunities for unwanted behaviors to be practiced and give you clear strategies for handling challenging situations. From there, I’ll give you practical tools to help modify your dog’s behavior and build more desirable responses. My goal is not only to create behavior change, but also to strengthen the relationship between you and your dog along the way.

My Approach to Dog Behavior

I believe the way we work with our dogs shapes the relationship and trust we build with them over time. A strong relationship is built through consistent, respectful interactions and by creating an environment where our dogs feel safe, understood, and supported. I follow the LIMA approach (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) and the Humane Hierarchy beginning with methods that are kind, motivating, and effective. My approach is grounded in behavioral science and focuses on building positive associations, reinforcing desired behaviors, and helping dogs develop the skills to make successful choices.

changing dog behavior

Changing behavior takes time, patience, and ongoing practice. It is a balance between good management and structured training sessions. Progress is rarely a straight line. The goal is not perfection, but continued progress and the ability to adapt along the way.

Skills often develop first in carefully managed training situations and then need to be gradually and thoughtfully integrated into real-life situations. What works in one environment may not immediately transfer to another, and your dog’s ability to respond can vary depending on what they have experienced that day, their level of exercise and rest, or other factors that may affect how they are feeling.

Communication is an important part of the process. The more you share with me about what you are seeing—what is working, what is difficult, and what has changed—the more information I have to understand your dog’s needs and determine what may need to be adjusted. Sometimes a small change in the environment, the way an exercise is presented, or the expectations we have for your dog can make a big difference.

I will support you throughout the process, help you understand what your dog is communicating, and adjust the plan as needed. Together, we will create an approach that is realistic for you, appropriate for your dog, and sustainable for everyday life.

Vivian Levén, M.S., CBCC-KA

Owner, Coach, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant

ivian brings 30 years of experience in dog behavior. She earned a master’s degree in conflict resolution from the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. Vivian has been assisting show in show kennels in her home country of Sweden. She has worked in the field of animal welfare policy and research at the Animal Welfare Institute in Washington, D.C., during that time also assisted with evaluating and rehabilitating dogs with problem behaviors in the canine rescue community.

In 2010 Vivian was hired by Fur-Get Me Not in Arlington, VA to develop and manage the training department, including creating all the behavior specialty classes.

Vivian places a strong emphasis on furthering her education in the field of behavior science with emphasis on dogs. This interest extends to people. She mediates custody cases at the DC Superior Court dispute resolution division. She is also a CTI trained life coach. This training provides her a unique skill set to relate to the human side in addition to the dog. Other credentials and memberships:

Shawna Karrasch Equine Certified Professional (SKE-CP)
Certified Behavior Consultant Canine – Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA) through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge & Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA) through the Certification of Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) (2011-2024)
The Forensics of Aggression Course: Working With and Evaluating Canine Aggression with Jim Crosby
Fear Free Shelter Certified through Fear Free Pets
Fear Free Certified Professional through Fear Free Pets
Certified Family Paws Parent Educator (2015-2205)
Nose Work Instructor Course through Canine Copilots
Living and Learning with Animals Course with Susan Friedman
Chicken Camp with Bob Bailey
Holds the status of TAGteach Primary through TAGteach International
Professional Member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG).
Associate Member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
Served on the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers Examination Committee as subcommittee member for the KSA exam from 2013-2025.

Vivian shares a home with her daughter and two rescue bullies, Davina and Draco.