Fingers and Paws Dog Training

Webinars, Seminars & Events

Stay tuned to my Facebook page for available webinars, seminars, and upcoming events. If you are interested in hosting, or in helping me connect with an organization that might be, please contact me.

Most seminars are for HUMANS ONLY (sorry pups!). In addition to public offerings, these can be made available by arrangement for the members, employees, or clients of community groups, hospitals, medical facilities, or any group or organization interested in learning more about dogs or supporting families to become more Dog Aware™. Registration method is dependent on location. Please contact me directly.

Other Webinar/Seminar topics can be created upon request. Examples:

  • Can We Please Have a Dog?! – information to consider before adopting a puppy or rescue dog
  • Puppy Basics – tips and tricks for surviving those first few weeks with puppy
  • Enrichment is NOT a Four-Letter Word! Ideas for enhancing training and life for – and with – your dog

Dogs & Storks®

Dogs and Storks SeminarIs Skippy as excited as you are about the expected new arrival? Does Luna appear to be more anxious and clingy, or sniffing new baby items with skepticism? Has Shadow always enjoyed being Mom and Dad’s “baby”, and now you’re wondering how to break the news that things are going to change? Or wondering how he can continue to be your “baby”? If so, this seminar is for you!

Our goal is to help families transition from pet parents to being baby parents with pets, in the process becoming more Dog Aware™. Dogs are very much a part of our families and need help preparing for baby just like human siblings do. They need to know that they are still beloved members of the family. Being dogs, however, you can’t just tell them! We offer positive, practical, and fun solutions that you can implement to help your dog adjust to all the changes that occur to the house and routine up to and after baby arrives. We will also offer ideas for handling baby’s arrival and the days and weeks after, so you can continue to include your dog with your family in a comfortable way.

This informative seminar is recommended for expectant parents, extended family members, midwives, doulas, OB and post-partum professionals, and anyone who may care for baby and dog together.

Seminar is approximately 2 hours long, with time for questions and discussion.

Dogs & Toddlers™

Dogs and Toddlers at MSPCAIs your baby starting to sit up, move about, crawl? As exciting as this milestone is for you, it is very common for the family dog to be concerned by baby’s impending mobility. Some dogs may be concerned about being able to sleep peacefully; for others it may be about their toys or food. Still others simply don’t know how to cope with the way the child moves, especially when “it” moves in their direction. This is a time of rapid growth and change for babies. It’s hard enough for parents to keep up, let alone the dog!

Just as you prepare yourself, learn how to be a Dog Aware™ parent that prepares your dog for all the changes that toddlerhood brings. Get insight and proactive solutions that help you find an appropriate balance of management, training, and inclusion that fits your family’s changing needs and nurtures budding relationships between your dogs and children – the next Dog Aware™ generation – based on mutual respect and trust.

Recommended for parents, extended family members, pediatricians and other professional family support specialists, and anyone involved in caring for children and dogs together.

Seminar is approximately 2 hours long and allows time for questions and discussion.

Doggone Crazy!™

Steps for Pets BATAll children, whether their family has a dog or not, will come in contact at some point with dogs. The older they get, the more likely they will encounter a dog without a supervising adult present. Children need to develop skills that help them make good decisions and keep themselves safe in the presence of dogs. Fortunately, even young children can learn age-appropriate skills that help.

The Doggone Crazy!™ Child-dog safety program is a fun and interactive presentation that is adaptable for children from age 4 onward. Through colorful photos and physical practice, it teaches children to be doggy detectives – to read a dog’s body language, make safe choices around dogs, and begin the habit of being Dog Aware™.

This is an empowering program for children in general but is particularly helpful for those who are afraid of dogs.  It is also fine for those who are either afraid or allergic to dogs, as NO LIVE DOGS are used. We use pictures, role play, and stuffed dogs with the children to empower them through knowledge and practice. NOTE: a modified presentation with a live dog may be arranged upon request.