Obedience Training at Paws Academy

 

Our Obedience Training programme is specifically designed for dogs aged 12 months and older. These sessions are a natural progression for dogs that have already completed puppy school, helping to further reinforce foundational training and build more advanced skills. They are also well-suited to older dogs who may have missed out on structured puppy training but are ready to learn and develop better manners and communication with their handlers.

 

It’s important to note that these sessions are not considered behavioural modification. While obedience training is a key part of a well-rounded dog’s development, it does not address specific behavioural issues such as reactivity, fear, anxiety, aggression, or other concerning behaviours. If your dog is displaying such behaviours, we recommend exploring our Behavioural Modification Programme, which is specifically designed to understand the root cause of behavioural concerns and develop appropriate, evidence-based interventions tailored to your dog’s individual needs.

 

In our obedience training sessions, we focus on establishing and maintaining the core principles of good canine manners. This includes teaching and strengthening a reliable recall, ensuring your dog comes back to you when called – even with distractions present. We also work on loose lead walking, helping your dog learn to walk calmly by your side without pulling, making walks more enjoyable for both of you. Basic positions such as sit, down, and stay are reinforced and practised in a variety of contexts, encouraging responsiveness and consistency in everyday life.

 

Additionally, these sessions include training in polite greetings, preventing behaviours such as jumping up or inappropriate interactions with people and other dogs. These life skills form the foundation of a well-mannered, sociable dog that can confidently and calmly navigate a range of environments.

 

For clients looking to advance their training beyond the basics, we also incorporate higher-level obedience workduring these sessions. This is ideal for those with an interest in competitive obedience or simply looking to take their dog’s training to a more refined level. We can help you polish heelwork, improve the precision and reliability of stays, develop quick and crisp position changes, and practise duration, distance and distraction exercises. The training is adaptable to your goals and your dog’s current ability.

 

Each obedience training session typically lasts between 45 to 60 minutes and is conducted in a calm, structured environment to support focus and learning. Sessions are available at two locations:

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Ballycroy – bookings for this location can be made online through our website.

 

Drummindoo Stud in Westport – to book a session at this venue, please contact us directly.

 

Whether you’re starting from scratch or aiming to fine-tune your dog’s skills, our Obedience Training sessions are tailored to support a strong working partnership between you and your dog through clear communication, consistency, and positive reinforcement.