As of January 2020, Fingers and Paws is in South Melbourne, Australia! Class schedules will be posted on my Facebook page when sufficient interest is expressed; please let me know if you are interested. I also offer private and semi-private training options. Have a friend you’d like to train with? Let’s talk about a semi-private!
MY PHILOSOPHY
Training is important but should also be fun for everyone involved. My classroom is a humor-filled, judgment-free zone where you can safely admit what you do or do not know, describe what you have already tried, ask questions, and practice new skills. When things don’t go as expected, we’ll share an empathetic laugh and use those moments as learning opportunities.
REMOTE CLASSES are available as well. The classes listed below are adjusted as needed to ensure that the class session goals are achieved.
IN-PERSON CLASSES are for dogs that are both people and dog friendly and up to date (for their age) on core vaccines. Pre-registration and proof of vaccination/titers is required for all classes. Equipment allowed: flat buckle or martingale collars, 4-6 foot leash, harnesses, and head collars only, please. Children that are 5 years and older are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18.
Classes:
- Social Puppy 1 & 2
- Smart Puppy
- Shy Puppy
- Obedience Level 1
- Obedience Level 2
- Game On! (single night class)
- Private and semi-private lessons:
- Half an full hour private and semi-private lessons are also available. Please contact me directly if you are interested.
Social Puppy 1
Teaches foundation, socialization, and off-leash play skills for puppies 8-16 weeks of age at the start of class, to help them grow into well-adjusted adult dogs. Establish a compassionate base of communication for your puppy and your family, get answers to your questions, and build your puppy’s confidence through positive training games and humane socialization techniques. Learn how to handle puppy nipping, jumping, crates and containment, management, house- and chew-training, grooming, and veterinary visits.
Note: Social Puppy 1 & 2 may be held in the same room at the same time (separated as necessary). Registration is limited to 8 puppies; depending on puppies’ ages, play styles, needs, or the number of people looking to register, I may break class into two time frames on the same evening. TIP: try to avoid having your puppy vaccinated within 2 days of class, or at least not the same day, to ensure his/her optimal comfort and interest.
Social Puppy 2
Designed for puppies 4-6 months of age to continue to work on skills started in Social Puppy 1 – or to get you started now! Puppies at this age are transitioning into adolescence, gaining strength and endurance, and their play style with both dogs and humans is changing accordingly. Learn to read body language, evaluate play, determine how and when to interrupt and manage off-leash play. We will use short periods of off-leash time to practice human as well as canine skills.
Note: Social Puppy 1 & 2 may be held in the same room at the same time (separated as necessary). Registration is limited to 8 puppies. Depending on puppies’ ages, play styles, needs, or the number of people looking to register, I may occasionally break class into two time frames.
Smart Puppy
Age-appropriate basic obedience for dogs under 15 months old, with a focus on how to survive your dog’s adolescence! Start/continue your pup on the path to better manners, stronger attention, and a deeper relationship with you. Using marker signals when the dog makes good choices, we work on basic cues such as sit, down, hand targeting, stay, come, and loose leash walking. As needed, we also strengthen foundation skills useful for everyday life such as impulse control, appropriate mouth/chewing, 4-on-the-floor, polite sit, tolerance for handling, etc. Learn to motivate your dog by turning training into a game! Class size is limited to 7 dogs, so register early!
Discounts are available to returning group class and private client dogs. People deserve reinforcement too! Because I allow children in class, all group classes are for dogs that are both people and dog friendly. Please contact me before registering if you have questions. See the Preparing for Class document in the Resource Center before coming to your first class.
Shy Puppy
SHY PUPPY option: Occasionally puppies need a little extra support to become comfortable with their peers and older dogs, or with people. When I have a few puppies in need, I will run a separate class structured to allow these pups to gain confidence with other dogs and people in their way, at their pace. Also covered: how to introduce shy pups to objects and anything else that may concern them, and how to address their reaction when they do become overwhelmed (though we do our best to prevent it from happening in class). For dogs under 8 months old, acting fearful but not fear aggressing. Contact me to discuss if this is an appropriate class for your dog.
Basic Obedience Level 1
Learn how to positively, effectively communicate with your dog to build better manners, stronger attention, and a deeper relationship with you. Using marker signals when the dog makes good choices, we solidify basic cues such as sit, down, hand targeting, stay, come, and loose leash walking, plus strengthens foundation behaviors such as attention, focus, and patience. Learn to motivate your dog by turning training into a game! Class size is limited to 7 dogs, so register early!
Discounts available to returning group class and private client dogs. People deserve reinforcement too! Because I allow children in class, all group classes are for dogs that are both people and dog friendly. Please contact me before registering if you have questions. Please see the Preparing for Class document in the Resource Center before coming to your first class.
Basic Obedience Level 2
Learn new skills and how to strengthen existing skills in more “real world” situations using marker-based positive reinforcement. Special attention is paid to individual participants’ goals, so curriculum varies accordingly, making each class session somewhat unique. Planned exercises and games strengthen skills included in the AKC Canine Good Citizen test – sit for greetings and petting, stand for care handling, walking through a crowd, human greetings with dog by your side, and more. For owners who have a reasonable understanding of positive reinforcement training and dogs that have successfully completed a Level 1 class and/or can demonstrate basic skills in a class setting. Group classes are limited to 7 dogs, so register early!
Discounts available to prior group class and private client dogs. People deserve reinforcement too! All group classes are for dogs that are both people and dog friendly. Please see the Preparing for Class document in the Resource Center before coming to your first class.
Game On!
Come test your training progress with these engaging group games! Each game is designed to test one or more skills in a seriously fun way. Between games we review the results and identify useful exercises for future training efforts. Games will vary from class to class but always cover a range of skills, so come often and feel free to request your favorites! Session is limited to 8 dogs, so register early to be part of the fun!
IMPORTANT: Dogs joining Game On! must be both people and dog friendly for everybody’s safety, as dogs are moving in close proximity to each other and can get pretty excited. Out of an abundance of caution, I recommend that pre-teen children DO NOT attend this class. Teens are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18. Please see the Preparing for Class document in the Resource Center before coming to your first class.
