Dog Training
What can I do to help you and your dog?
At Four Paws Training Academy I aim to provide quality training or behavior therapy to educate owners and provide solutions to help and guide our canine family members.
Whether you are thinking about getting a dog, just about to bring a puppy or rescue dog into your home, or would like to help your dog with a few struggles in life... I can help. Getting to know your dog so you know what they're saying to you, helps build confidence, and seeing their accomplishments not only will fill you with joy, but give your dog the building blocks in life.
We do this by using positive reinforcement and games. Teaching your dog to engage with you, stay close and be happy is the key.
Discovery School - Beginners / Puppys / Rescues / My dog won't listen!
Going back to "Why" I became a trainer and behaviorist I know that in all the years I was around dogs, I didn't have enough of this knowledge! This is why I like all owners to start with the Discovery School programme. For you to understand why your dogs do what they do and give them the best start (Or restart) you can ever give to them. "Relationship" and "Bond" by both dog and guardian will give you Eye contact, Relaxed lead walking, and them staying loose.
In Discovery, I help you build that relationship with your puppy, new rescue, or dog that won't listen to you! We aim to have loads of fun using games and positive rewards to build closeness, disengagement from distractions, and the biggest thing that helps a dog learn... calmness! I love brain work and I'll certainly be helping you to tap into all of their senses, by using activity circuits, enrichment, scent work, and body awareness.
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Does that sound good?
On top of all of that each part of the program is supported by session plans with video support links, additional eBooks, e-leaflets sent to you via email, and a dedicated whats app support group will be set up.
Your first week will be a doggy-free session!! Don't panic...This session gives me the opportunity to get to know you as guardians, we can concentrate on how our dogs tick and why your dog does those irritating things like... Chew! Sniff butts! Hump! Zoomies! Plus be able to read "Dog" and "Think Dog!" All without being disturbed and have a cuppa, of cause!
So why do my courses have more sessions than other trainers?
I will not only train you at the venue, but in our later sessions we will be going out and about, meeting up as a group at dog-friendly places, putting our training into practice, and having someone there to help and guide you.
Sound good... Let's sign you up!
Hold on... You may miss a session?? Don't worry, please let us know and the session will be either videoed or sent to you! If you have any questions about the session, you can ask on the dedicated What's App group. You won't miss out!
Now, let's sign you up!
The next stage of our learning programme is Explore School. All guardians and dogs that meet the Discovery Certificate Grade will graduate and be invited at a discounted price to Explore School... Yes, the learning journey continues!
Fee - £180 for 9 sessions. Held at Littlethorpe Scouts Building.
Explore School - Intermediate / Loose Lead / Recall / Troublesome Adolescence
The next stage from Discovery School…*
You both have been working on Relationship and Bond, and it's time to Strengthen, Grow and get Exploring, with Confidence and Focus.
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We concentrate on the following in Explore School:
Dog and human greeting
Walking with a loose lead
Staying close and coming
Back Settling Focus Making good choices
Handling skills and equipment
Understanding body language and how they communicate
All this and lots of fun games to grow our dog’s confidence.
I look into why our dogs do what they do and how we can help prevent this. I help your dog to stop rehearsing the problem areas and help the build alternative behaviours.
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How’s that sound?
The programme is supported by session plans, video support links, and additional eBooks, all sent via email. A What's App group will be organised to support each other through your journey. The first week will be dog free, to concentrate on why our dogs run off, pull on the lead, stop listening to us, and the dreaded hormones! Plus, a cuppa, of cause!
In the nine sessions, I set up your dog to succeed, build confidence, and have fun doing the skilling at the venue. Later on, we will start going out and about, practicing all the good stuff that we have learned. Don't worry, I am there to support and guide.
You may miss a session.
Don't worry if you can’t make a session! Please let us know and the session will be either videoed or sent to you! If you have any questions about the session, you can ask on the dedicated What's App group. You won’t miss out!
A welcome newsletter will be sent to you a week previous, of what to bring and all that!
Oh, and if you have been on one of our programmes before, Nude me for a cheeky 10% off code if you haven't already got it! Don't forget to use it! Let’s sign you up...
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Extra bits to know...
*If you haven't trained with me before or you have been part of my Behaviour Program and feel this program will be beneficial, please do get in contact with me.
This programme is for puppies 6 months plus. I understand that there is a lot of information out there that advises dog owners to use certain equipment to stop their dogs from pulling.
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At Four Paws, I do not believe in quick fixes, we work together as a team for the best interest of your dog. Quick fixes do not solve WHY your dog is doing it... that's the bit we need to work out and help!
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Fee - £180 for 9 sessions. Held at Littlethorpe Scouts Building.
Skills For Life Dog Club - Life Skills, Continuing your learning journey
The club is a weekly, 1 hour, trainer lead and supported dog club for you to enjoy with your dog.
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Who’s this for???
Dogs and their owners with basic dog training want to build their learning so that they can accomplish a final result through non-aversive, positive reinforcing training.
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Benefits of being part of the Club:
·Progressing along with other dog owners in the class.
·Be a part of a supportive community.
·Keep your human and dog relationship topped up.
·Train in a safe environment, indoors and outdoors.
·Access too up to date, scientific-based eBooks and videos as part of an online library?
·Goal setting from home learning to the outside environment.
·Be encouraged to work through different levels to ace your dog’s learning.
·Have a supportive private What's App group with extra learning and information.
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The club sessions will cover a multitude of different games, canine knowledge, and tricks.
Fee - £50 Per month, by arranged standing order.
Held at Littlethorpe Scouts Building. Sundays 12:45pm
Lead Walking and Recall Programme - £200
Consultation/assessment, Four, One to One training (Owners and dogs) sessions, based on the first session of one and a half hours and the following three sessions an hour long.
The first two sessions will be set in the home environment the third will be out and about and the fourth will be at another location a month later. Written plans of each session with video support, eBooks, e-mails & phone support. (Client is to maintain Contact). Mileage Charges may apply.
I'm Buying a Puppy - £150
Would you like support in preparing for your new puppy?
This service offers three one-hour sessions that are tailored to your needs. Normally starting before your dog comes home, what do you need and don't have to buy?
What management do you need to put around your house? How do we help our dogs decompress in the first few days? Or after your dog is home and settling, I will help with the first steps of relationship bonding, helping with home training, and the first steps towards socialisation.
This service is offered for the first 14-20 weeks (Depending on their last vaccination) before a dog can socialise with other dogs. All the learning is supported by eBooks and videos, with a private What's App group.
The next step will be to start Discovery School One to One sessions or our Discovery School group to further your training. Please note mileage charges may apply​​​
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I'm Rescueing a Dog - Starting at £150
Would you like support in preparing for your new Rescue Dog?
This service offers three one-hour sessions that are tailored to your needs. This may be coming to meet your rescue in its current rescue center or foster home.
Planning for your dog's transition to your house and what we need to put in place.
What management do you need to put around your house?
How do we help our dog decompress in the first few days?
What future training it may need and most importantly helping them settle and the first steps of relationship bonding.
I can advise about house training, socialisation with other dogs.
All the learning is supported with eBooks and Videos, with a private What's App group. Please note mileage charges may apply. The next step will be to start Discovery School One to One sessions or our Discovery School group to further your training.​​​
Discovery School One to One £250
Consultation/assessment, Five, One to One training (Owners and dog) sessions, one hour long.
As detailed above in the Discovery School group sessions and tailored to your needs. These will take part in your home setting and then may adventure out into different locations, depending on how your puppy is doing.
Written plans of each session with video support, eBooks, e-mails & phone support. (Client is to maintain Contact). Mileage charges may apply.
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​Please click to read the Training and Behavioural Terms and Conditions. ​
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Reviews
These reviews have been taken from my Facebook Page
Updated 6/23
Me and my puppy have attended the puppy and life skills groups with Maria, and I’d highly recommend them. He’s a crazy cocker spaniel and wants to meet everyone, know what’s going on everywhere and gets really excited about everything, so it’s been great to learn some games to keep his focus on me, calm him down, and he’s now beginning to get the hang of loose lead walking. The games were an absolute lifesaver over Christmas when me and pup were mobbed by my three young nieces! He’s only six months but both me and him have learnt loads. The courses are fun and you get lots of backup advice from Maria whenever you need it, and you’re always given literature from each class to help you practice at home
I feel incredibly lucky to have taken part in the puppy and rescue dog sessions. My dog Cleo has come on so much and is much more confident when we are out and about on walks. Training is based on games, Cleo and I both loved it and continue with them at home. Maria is absolutely fantastic, obviously dedicated to her job and doggy clients, and very knowledgeable.
I would 100% recommend Four Paws Training Academy
Marie Dakin
We booked a couple of sessions with Maria as soon as we brought our puppy home. We also attended puppy and progression classes.
Maria is welcoming and friendly, nothing is too much trouble and she is always on the end of the phone, should you need advice or supplies.
It has been a pleasure to attend the weekly classes. We have learnt so much and it was always fun as well as informative.
If you are looking for a local dog trainer or behaviourist, then I would highly recommend Four Paws and Trails.