Paws and Connect Dog Training

Training for trust, teaching for life.

At Paws and Connect Dog Training, we believe that every dog and human deserves respect and empathy.

Our training approach is grounded in the trust between the dog and the handler. We create an environment where dogs can thrive, teaching them essential skills for safely and happily navigating our world.

Establishing clear expectations and maintaining consistency is crucial for our dogs. Since we expect them to adapt to a world that is not inherently theirs and to adhere to our rules, we must provide them with the necessary information and support to succeed.

We focus on setting the dog up for success, utilizing rewards and positive reinforcement. We do not use punishment or corrections. Not only is it unfair and confusing for a dog to be penalized for behaviors they do not understand, but it will damage the relationship and the trust the dog has in its handler.

We aim to help you understand your dog so that you can communicate more effectively, find a meaningful connection, or strengthen the one you already have.

What We Offer

General Obedience

  • Learn important skills and cues to make sure you and your companion are always on the same page. We can work on skills such as: sit, down, wait, stay, recall, leave-it, go to place, loose leash walking, etc. Virtual options with live coaching and feedback are available.

  • Let’s meet somewhere to practice your dog’s established skills around distractions. This can be anything from loose leash walking around a busy park, to working on sitting calmly outside a cafe.

  • Coming soon!

Behavior Training

  • Trust is at the heart of all training. Learn some exercises and tools to help strengthen your relationship with your dog.

  • Gain a deeper understanding of your dog’s behavior and learn valuable skills to help your dog work through difficult situations. Behavior modification and skills to help with behaviors like: reactivity, resource guarding, mild aggression, fear/anxiety, etc.

  • Live instruction and coaching via video call while you work with your dog on new skills and cues. This is a great option for dogs who are fearful or anxious around strangers.

Extracurriculars

  • Tricks are a great way to bond with your dog and tire them out! Learn some fun crowd pleasers, keep your dog’s brain active, and even earn some trick titles along the way!

  • Just like for us humans, exercise is an important part of keeping your dog healthy. Adding strength training into their routine can aid their overall physical health, but is also great for injury prevention as it promotes body awareness and core strength.

  • Bored dog that needs more to keep them busy and entertained? Let’s talk about various enrichment options and figure out what works for your dog!

Finding the right trainer for you and your dog

Your dog is an integral part of your life and deserves to be treated with kindness and understanding. The most important part of choosing a trainer is finding someone that you trust and feel comfortable with. You should be able to ask your trainer questions without feeling embarrassed or judged, and you should feel confident that they will answer with your and your dog’s best interest in mind.

Dog training as a whole is an unregulated industry with no licensing. This means that there are no requirements for an individual to call themselves a “dog trainer”, and no oversight to ensure safety or education standards. With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming!

So where do you even start?

There are several organizations, such as the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), who work to ensure a standard of ethical practices and methodologies. Trainers credentialed through these and other credible organizations must obtain continuing education. This ensures that they are frequently learning from other professionals in the industry and remaining up to date on evidence-based theories and practices.

Beware of red-flags like the use of heavy punishment or aversive methods. Dominance-based training is outdated and can be damaging and dangerous for you and your dog.