School For Paws have always worked using kind, reward-based training methods. Since then we have developed and studies methods that work with using body language, leadership skills and understanding the dog's mind.

We do not feel the need to ban dogs from sofas, eat before your dog, dominate your dog over toys and all other 'old-fashioned' methods that are related to dominance. However, we believe a dog is still a pack animal and requires routine and leadership from us. Good leadership can lead to better control, better relationship between canine and man, a calmer and more relaxed dog and a happy owner!

School For Paws do not offer formal dog training classes, instead we offer one-to-one training within your home, where you will learn all these skills as well as your basic training needs. We cover anything from puppies from 8 weeks of age through to adult-hood and rescue problem dogs. The advantages of training at home is you will get personal tuition without the distraction of stressful situations in class, you will cover more problems that generally occur within the home that cannot be solved in classes and you can go at the speed you and your dog can cope with.

For all training workshops, dates and events click onto:

www.schoolforpaws.blogspot.com

Puppy Training:

Puppy training is essential from the moment you bring your new bundle of joy home. It is important to provide your puppy with leadership and show them how to behave in your home in a way you want them to. You can begin basic training from 8 weeks of age (ideal age to get a new puppy), so that it learns from day one what is expected of him.

You will need to teach your puppy toilet training issues, learn to be separated from you for short periods of time and learn to familiarise with sights, sounds, animals, other dogs, people, children and a variety of potentially scary things. Without this familiarisation, your pup could receive an unnecessary fright, and that can follow through to adult hood.
So what is socialisation we all hear these days? Socialisation is really the wrong word we would use. Socialisation means to socialise, this is in fact not always what your puppy needs. Your puppy needs to be familiarised with life within and out of the home. By allowing your puppy to play freely with other puppies at socialisation classes will teach him incorrect manners when around other dogs, for example; bullying when playing is a common sight seen. Puppies need to learn our human body language and also dog language correctly.

Here at School For Paws we offer training in your home to show you all these great learning skills for your puppy. We can help with toilet training, familiarisation, basic training skills essential to your pup (recall, walking on the lead, wait and leave it), and any other behavioural problems like jumping up, biting etc. It is simple, easy but does take patience and effort on behalf of the owner.

Our aims are to achieve better relations between canine and its owner and to promote responsible dog ownership.
If you have any questions on our training, you can email Emma at info@schoolforpaws.co.uk

TLC (Thinking Like Canines)

The TLC method is an uncomplicated method of training suitable for all breeds of dogs. It involves understanding the canine mind and using your body language to communicate effectively with your dog. TLC is about listening to our dogs and talking to them using our own body language. Anyone can achieve this and the results speak for themselves. We do not need to use toys and food as bribery but simply show the dog good leadership skills. There are only four basic commands required for a dog to be well mannered and to respond to a pack leader, and these commands are none negotiable. Being a pack leader doesn’t mean using threats nor does it mean being unloving, on the contrary, a good pack leader is like a good parent, setting the boundaries and being a loving mentor.

For the full story on TLC and to get a better understanding of this method of training, click on the following link to Barbara Sykes (Founder of the TLC method) at Mainline Border Collie Centre http://www.bordercollies.co.uk/tlc.php

Other Services

We do also help with adult dogs and rescues and offer the same service for training. Whatever its age or breed we are here to help.

Additional Services:

Kennel Club Good Citizens

School For Paws are on the registered list for the Kennel Club Good Citizens Dog Scheme. This is designed to promote responsible dog ownership and gives the owner something to aim for and achieve. You will recieve training for Puppy, Bronze, Silver and Gold and at the end take a test for each standard. These classes will be run at our outdoor training ground in the lighter evenings. See blog for latest dates.

Workshops

We will also be holding monthly workshops on a Saturday for Recall, Basic Training, Walking on the lead and Introduction to Agility. All training is held at our agility establishment in Hook. For details of next workshops, please see link below. This is updated as soon as we get new dates organised. All workshops will last from 2-3 hours depending on which one we are running. No more than 6 dogs will be in each class and there will be 2 instructors and assistants available.

For all training workshops, dates and events click onto:

www.schoolforpaws.blogspot.com

Talks and Seminars - Guest Trainers

School For Paws also offer opportunities to attend talks and seminars with top Trainers on a variety of dog related subjects.

Barbara Sykes MBIPDT

We are proud to have been involved with Barbara Sykes MBIPDT from Mainline Border Collie Centre. Barbara is well known for her successful training method, Thinking Like Canines, and is continually in demand as a trainer and her unique Sheepdog Experience training. Barbara has had many TV appearance and has published six books and edits a magazine, Freedom of Spirit, which is subscribed to in all corners of the globe. For more details on Barbara, her courses, books, magazines and charity for Border Collies visit her website www.bordercollies.co.uk.

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We are extremely honoured to have had the company of Victoria Stilwell, Dog Trainer and star from Channel 4's popular TV series 'It's Me or the Dog'.

Victoria, now lives in the USA and continues to work and raise money for charities for worthwhile causes. When Victoria is visiting the UK, School For Paws are proud to have Victoria come and give exclusive talks to the public on dog training, behaviour, body language and understanding the dog's mind. You can read more about Victoria on her website www.victoriastilwell.com

Emma Collings reports; "Victoria is an inspiring and knowledgeable trainer, I am proud to have worked with her and certainly hope to do more and exciting work with her in the future".

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For Photos and News on School For Paws visit;

www.doggienewssfp.blogspot.com

Here are some of our own dogs for your to view!

Enjoy...

Emma and Mel