PAWSitive Connections – Dog Training Courses

PAWS for People is happy to offer obedience, therapy dog, and target training through experienced PAWS dog trainers. Whether you are just getting started or you need to work on specific behaviors, we have the perfect class for you! And we now have three locations – Newark & Millsboro, DE and Jennersville, PA

Locations (class schedules for each location are below): 

PAWS Office703 Dawson Drive, Newark, DE  19713
Jennersville Pets & Friends51 Jenners Village Ctr, West Grove, PA 19390
Concord Pet Foods26209 John J Williams Highway. Millsboro , DE 19966

Please note:

  • Aggressive Behaviors: In order to ensure that our facility is a safe environment for dogs and their handlers, we do not accept aggressive dogs. We recommend you seek the advice of a behaviorist if your dog is has aggressive behaviors directed toward other dogs or people.
  • Excessive Barking & Other Extreme Behaviors: Although we understand that some dogs can become overstimulated and need time to acclimate in a classroom environment, dogs who continue to demonstrate excessive barking, lunging, and/or other extreme behaviors disruptive to teaching/the learning of others will be asked to leave. Private training and/or seeking the advice of a certified behaviorist will be recommended.
  • Dogs in Heat: Intact animals are permitted provided their temperament is appropriate to PAWS culture. Females in heat cannot attend any training sessions for safety reasons and should not visit at that time.
  • Vaccinations: Proof of current rabies, distemper and Bordetella vaccines must be provided prior to attending the first session for all participants. All vaccines must be administered  by a certified vet.
  • Fees: All fees are based on one person and one dog. If you would like to bring an additional family member or friend to training, there will be an additional charge:
    • Additional adult – 50% of the original fee
    • Additional child (8-12 years) – $20
Suggested Class Sequence OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
  • PAWS Puppy is a basic obedience class for puppies 10 weeks – 6 months of age.
  • PAWS Obedience 1 is a basic obedience class for dogs over 6 months of age.
  • Attention and Focus is for dogs who have completed a basic obedience course (with PAWS or another provider).
  • PAWS Obedience 2 is for dogs ready for the second level of obedience training.
  • Therapy Dog Prep is for dogs who have a solid training foundation.


NEW AKC Accredited Courses:

  • AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy follows the AKC S.T.A.R program providing fun, socialization and basic training for puppies 8 weeks – 6 months Star puppy testing and certification is included in the program.
  • Canine Good Citizen teaches the basics of good manners and obedience, instills the values of responsible ownership, and strengthens the bond between you and your dog. Certification, testing and title is offered at the end of the 6 weeks. 
 

Classes for PAWS MEMBERS ONLY
  • Advanced Skills for Visiting
  • Tricks of the Trade
  • Basic to Advanced
  • Clicker Training for Better Visits
 

Classes at the PAWS Office, Newark, DE

Day# of SessionsStart DateTimeClassNotePrice
Tuesday5 weekly sessions4.02.2024 5:00 PMPAWS PuppyOpen to the public160
Tuesday5 weekly sessions4.02.20246:15 PMAttention & FocusOpen to the public160
Tuesday5 weekly sessions4.02.20247:30 PMPAWS Obedience 1Open to the public160
Thursday5 weekly sessions4.04.2024 5:00 PMPAWS Obedience 2Open to the public160
Thursday5 weekly sessions4.04.20246:15 PMPAWS Obedience 2Open to the public160
Thursday5 weekly sessions4.04.20247:30 PMTherapy Dog Prep Open to the public180
Friday5 weekly sessions.4.05.20249:30 AMPAWS Obedience 1Open to the public160
Friday5 weekly sessions4.05.202410:45 AMPAWS Obedience 2Open to the public160
Friday5 weekly sessions4.05.2024noonAttention & FocusOpen to the public160

Classes at Pets and Friends, Jennersville, PA

Day# of SessionsStart DateTimeClassNotePrice
Monday5 weekly sessions04.08.20245:00 PMAttention & FocusOpen to the public$160
Monday5 weekly sessions04.08.20246:00 PMTherapy Dog PrepOpen to the public$160
Monday5 weekly sessions04.08.20247:00 PMPAWS Obedience 1Open to the public$180
Monday5 weekly sessions04.08.20248:00 PMPAWS Obedience 2Open to the public$160

Classes at Concord Pet Foods - Millsboro, DE

Day# of SessionsStart DateTimeClassNotePrice
Mondays5 weekly sessions3.11.246:00 PMPAWS Obedience 1 Open to the public$160
Mondays5 weekly sessions3.11.247:00 PMAttention & FocusOpen to the public$160
Mondays5 weekly sessions3.11.248:00 PMPAWS Obedience 2Open to the public$160

Course Descriptions

PAWS Puppy (puppies 10 weeks - 6 months)

paws-puppy-toryDo you have a new puppy? Want to get a good start with its training and have fun at the same time? This 5-week course will focus on helping you and your pup build a partnership by teaching the basics in a fun, motivational way. We’ll also teach you how to incorporate play into training and how to keep your pup’s focus on you around distractions.

Instructors
Karen Powell – (Newark, DE & Jennersville, PA)
Colleen Hruska – (Millsboro, DE)

We will cover the following:
  • Clear Communication w/ Marker Words
  • Shaping Behavior
  • Hand Touch
  • Name Game
  • Sit
  • Down
  • Come
  • Heel Position
  • Loose Leash Walking
  • Engagement/ How to play with your dog
  • Out – release toy or object
  • Gentle Jaws
  • Leave It
  • Stay
  • Accept Handling

Requirements:

  • Open to puppies 10 weeks to 6 months of age.
  • This course is open to everyone (PAWS members and greater community).
  • Proof of current rabies, distemper and Bordetella vaccines must be provided prior to attending the first session for all participants.

Cost: $160 (5 week course)

Location: PAWS for People Office & Training Center
703 Dawson Drive, Newark, DE 19713
Google Maps

You will need to bring:

  • A variety of soft treats
  • Non-squeaking tug type toy
  • Flat, straight leash and approved collar: flat, buckled collar; Martingale; harness

Register Now

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy

The Puppy Star class follows the AKC S.T.A.R program providing fun, socialization and basic training for puppies 8 weeks – 6 months Star puppy testing and certification is included in the program.

20 STEPS To Success: The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Test
S ocialization
T raining
A ctivity
R esponsibility

OWNER BEHAVIORS:

1. Maintains puppy’s health (vaccines, exams, appears healthy)
2. Owner receives Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge
3. Owner describes adequate daily play and exercise plan
4. Owner and puppy attend at least 6 classes by an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator
5. Owner brings bags to classes for cleaning up after puppy
6. Owner has obtained some form of ID for puppy-collar tag, etc.

PUPPY BEHAVIORS:

7. Free of aggression toward people during at least 6 weeks of class
8. Free of aggression toward other puppies in class
9. Tolerates collar or body harness of owner’s choice
10. Owner can hug or hold puppy (depending on size)
11. Puppy allows owner to take away a treat or toy

PRE-CANINE GOOD CITIZEN® TEST BEHAVIORS:

12. Allows (in any position) petting by a person other than the owner
13. Grooming-Allows owner handling and brief exam (ears, feet)
14. Walks on a Leash-Follows owner on lead in a straight line (15 steps)
15. Walks by other people-Walks on leash past other people 5-ft away
16. Sits on command-Owner may use a food lure
17. Down on command-Owner may use a food lure
18. Comes to owner from 5-ft when name is called
19. Reaction to Distractions-distractions are presented 15-ft away
20. Stay on leash with another person (owner walks 10 steps and returns)

Instructor
Karen Powell (Jennersville, PA)

Requirements:

  • Open to puppies 8 weeks to 6 months of age.
  • This course is open to everyone (PAWS members and greater community).
  • Proof of current rabies, distemper and Bordetella vaccines must be provided prior to attending the first session for all participants.

Cost: $180 (6 week course)

Location:
PAWS for People Office & Training Center
AND
Jennersville Pets & Friends

 

PAWS Obedience 1 (dogs 6 months and older)

Instructor
Karen Powell – (Newark, DE & Jennersville, PA)
Colleen Hruska – (Millsboro, DE)

We will cover the following:

  • Clear Communication w/ Marker Words
  • Shaping Behavior
  • Hand Touch
  • Name Game
  • Sit
  • Down
  • Come
  • Heel Position
  • Loose Leash Walking
  • Engagement/ How to play with your dog
  • Out – release toy or object
  • Gentle Jaws
  • Leave It
  • Stay
  • Accept Handling

Requirements:

  • Open to dogs 6 months and older.
  • This course is open to everyone (PAWS members and greater community).
  • Proof of current rabies, distemper and Bordetella vaccines must be provided prior to attending the first session for all participants.

Cost: $160 (5 week course)

Location: PAWS for People Office & Training Center
703 Dawson Drive, Newark, DE 19713
Google Maps

You will need to bring:

  • A variety of soft treats
  • Non-squeaking tug type toy
  • Flat, straight leash and approved collar: flat, buckled collar; Martingale; harness

Register Now

Attention & Focus

 

This course will cover attention skills and focus on the handler around distractions.  Attention and focus from your dog will greatly improve your performance as a team and will help curb undesirable behaviors from occurring.  We will continue building on the skills learned in PAWS Puppy/PAWS Obedience 1 and working/coaching each team at their level.

The emphasis of this course is to improve and build a reliable therapy team through mastering attention skills and focus on the handler around distractions.  We will cover a variety of exercises and games as well as loose-lead handling skills in order to help you and your pup become a more well-rounded team and increase reliable performance. The lessons learned can also be carried over to help your pup become a well-mannered family pet.

Skills Addressed:

  • Attention and Focus games
  • Attention on Handler- “Watch”
  • Off – No jumping
  • Meeting and Greeting a Friendly Stranger
  • Automatic Sit
  • Stay
  • Come when called
  • Settle
  • Sit/Down
  • Leave It
  • Clear communication using Marker Words
  • Fading treats and lures

Instructors:
Karen Powell – (Newark, DE & Jennersville, PA)
Colleen Hruska – (Millsboro, DE)

Requirements:

  • This course is open to everyone (PAWS members and greater community).
  • Proof of current rabies, distemper and Bordetella vaccines must be provided prior to attending the first session for all participants.

Cost: $160 (5 week course)

Location: PAWS for People Office & Training Center
703 Dawson Drive, Newark, DE 19713
Google Maps

You will need to bring:

  • Treats: We recommend bringing 3 levels of treats for variety and motivation
  • Flat, straight leash and approved collar: flat, buckled collar; Martingale; harness

Register Now

PAWS Obedience 2
This course will prepare teams for the next level by working towards a more reliable performance using the combined skills learned in PAWS Puppy/PAWS Obedience 1 and Attention & Focus.  We will offer continued support/coaching at each teams level looking to improve in any and all areas of work previously covered.  Emphasis will be loose-leash heeling with distractions, attention on the handler, and improving clear communication using Marker Words.
 
Most teams completing this course will be well prepared to take the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test and make a smooth transition into Therapy Dog Prep.

Instructors:
Karen Powell – (Newark, DE & Jennersville, PA)
Colleen Hruska – (Millsboro, DE)

We will cover the following:

  • Heeling with Distractions
  • Improved Attention and Focus on the Handler
  • Leave It
  • Entering/Exiting Doorways
  • Sit/Down Stay
  • Come when Called
  • Supervised Separation
  • Polite Greetings
  • Settle with Distractions
  • Accept Handling
  • Clear Communication
  • Fading Treats and Lures

Requirements:

  • This course is open to everyone (PAWS members and greater community).
  • Proof of current rabies, distemper and Bordetella vaccines must be provided prior to attending the first session for all participants.

Cost: $160 (5 week course)

Location: PAWS for People Office & Training Center
703 Dawson Drive, Newark, DE 19713
Google Maps

You will need to bring:

  • A variety of soft treats
  • Non-squeaking tug type toy
  • Flat, straight leash and approved collar: flat, buckled collar; Martingale; harness

Register Now

Therapy Dog Prep: Targeted Training for the Prospective Therapy Dog Team

 

training-3-21-15-aliyah-murphy-bodieWant to become a PAWSome team? This class is for you! Throughout this 5-week course, handlers will have the opportunity to review and practice the basic skills necessary for their dogs to become therapy pets. We do lots of fun exercises to help you and your pup get ready for real pet therapy work. In addition, handlers can work toward passing PAWS’ Standards of Excellence Test (STEX), which is required for all PAWS Therapy teams, and/or the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test. CGC testing done at the last class.  Please note:  Additional PAWS Training is needed prior to PAWS Therapy Pet Certification.

Requirements:

  • This course is open to everyone (PAWS members and greater community).
  • Proof of current rabies, distemper and Bordetella vaccines must be provided prior to attending the first session for all participants.

Instructors:
Karen Powell – (Newark, DE & Jennersville, PA)
Colleen Hruska – (Millsboro, DE)

Cost: $180 (5 week course)

Location: PAWS for People Office & Training Center
703 Dawson Drive, Newark, DE 19713
Google Maps

You will need to bring:

  • Treats: We recommend bringing 3 levels of treats for variety and motivation
  • Your dog’s favorite or highly motivating toys
  • Flat, straight leash and approved collar: flat, buckled collar; Martingale; harness

Register Now

Canine Good Citizen Training Class

Canine Good Citizen teaches the basics of good manners and obedience, instills the values of responsible ownership, and strengthens the bond between you and your dog.
Certification, testing and title is offered at the end of the 6 weeks.

Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger
Test 2: Sitting politely for petting
Test 3: Appearance and grooming
Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
Test 5: Walking through a crowd
Test 6: Sit and down on command and Staying in place
Test 7: Coming when called
Test 8: Reaction to another dog
Test 9: Reaction to distraction
Test 10: Supervised separation

Instructor
Karen Powell (Jennersville, PA)

Requirements:

  • This course is open to everyone (PAWS members and greater community).
  • Proof of current rabies, distemper and Bordetella vaccines must be provided prior to attending the first session for all participants.

Cost: $180 (6 week course)

Location: PAWS for People Office & Training Center
703 Dawson Drive, Newark, DE 19713
Google Maps

Advanced Skills For Visiting (PAWS Members Only)

2016-volunteer-recognition-sussexPAWS therapy teams know that the more the person you are visiting is engaged with our pets, the better the visit and the deeper the therapeutic effect. This new course is designed to teach YOU how to teach your DOG some very significant engagement behaviors – actions and tricks that your dog can do to encourage greater involvement and interaction between your pet and the recipient of your visits.

Instructor: Karen Powell (Newark)

We will cover:

  • Retrieve & Release  – teach “Bring” & “Out”
  • Push – dog will push small objects such as small car, stroller, ball with nose
  • Head Rest – dog rests head on persons lap
  • Paws on Lap – dog rests paws and head on persons lap
  • Touch – dog gives nose touch to hand, book, wheelchair, bed
  • Spin & Twist – dog spins in circle to the left & right
  • Squish – dog sitting in-between handlers legs
  • Puppy Push Ups – Sit & Down with hand signals
  • Find It – dog finds treat and indicates
  • Shake – shake paw
  • Go Touch & Stay – send dog to another person/bed/chair & Sit
  • Settle – Down & Standby
  • Back Up – dog back up with handler


Requirements:
This course is open to PAWS members only

Cost: $180 (5 week course)

Location: PAWS for People Office & Training Center
703 Dawson Drive, Newark, DE 19713
Google Maps

You will need to bring:

  • Treats: We recommend bringing 3 levels of treats for variety and motivation
  • Several assorted small objects for dog to retrieve (such as NON-SQUEAKY stuffed toys)
  • 2 tennis balls (sized appropriate for your dog)
  • hand towel to place in your lap and to use as a target
Private Training
One on one sessions to help develop and hone in on specific skills you want to work on without added distractions of a classroom environment.
 
Instructor: Karen Powell (Newark)
 

Requirements:

  • This course is open to everyone (PAWS members and greater community).
  • Proof of current rabies and distemper vaccines must be provided prior to attending the 1st session for all participants.

Cost: $60.00 per session

 
Location: PAWS for People Office & Training Center
703 Dawson Drive, Newark, DE 19713
Google Maps
 

You will need to bring:

  • Treats: We recommend bringing 3 levels of treats for variety and motivation
  • Flat, straight leash and approved collar: flat, buckled collar; Martingale; harness
By appointment: Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 5:30-6:30 PM
e-mail Aileen to schedule: AMurray@PAWSforpeople.org