Participate in virtual classes from the comfort of home
Accessible Paws: A Disability-Friendly Approach to Dog Ownership
Built by and for folks who live with chronic pain, neurodivergence, sensory sensitivity, disability, depression, anxiety, a larger body, and more.
Whether you're disabled and want a dog, but feel like you won't be able to walk or train them, or due to your brain/body, you're struggling with the dog you already have, this class is for you! It's full of tips for walking and training your dog around and through the struggles that living in a "different" body bring.
With a focus on doing these things in a body that doesn't work the way you might want it to, we cover walking your dog, training your dog, alternatives to walking your dog, creative toileting for your dog, advocating for your dog, choosing the right dog (for those that don't yet have a dog), and more!
Note: this class is a lecture-style course, so if you already have a dog we recommend setting them up with a "puppy pacifier" such as a new chew bone or stuffed/frozen puzzle toy to work on during your classtime. You'll need an internet connection, and may want to have your preferred note-taking options ready!
Breaking Up the Bark Brigade: Solutions for Demand and Alert Barking
There's more foot traffic than ever before in our neighborhoods, and our window watching dogs want us to know all about it! The people, bikes, kids, leaves blowing by are causing our dogs to sound the alarm!
Has your dog's barking got you pulling out your hair? Join us for a single session class on reducing alert barking to everyday sounds. We'll provide practical strategies and training tips. Your ears, household members, and neighbors will thank us!
Note: due to the nature of the content, this class is primarily webinar-based rather than being an active hands-on session. We recommend that you have plenty of note-taking supplies handy, as well as a puppy project for your dog to work on such as a special chew toy, stuffed Toppl or Kong, bully stick, or snuffle mat.
Reactivity Life Hacks: An Introduction to Safely Navigating Life With a Reactive Dog
Reactivity Life hacks is a low-cost, one-time class focused on survival skills for reactive dog owners.
We focus on preventing big reactions, managing reactions, getting out and through sticky situations, and starting the training games Paws Abilities uses to help dogs have fewer big reactions over the long run.
There will be opportunities to actively train your dog, so we recommend that you have a variety of small (pea-sized), high-value treats ready ahead of time. Set up your phone or computer so that you and your dog can be viewed by the instructor during the class in order to receive personalized feedback.
This class is designed to be used as an adjunct to group classes or private lessons. We recommend taking this online class as soon as possible, so that you can begin benefiting from the skills immediately!
Tablets for Tabbies
This class is all about administering medications to cats while keeping stress levels low and safety for humans and cats in mind. Following this curriculum, you’ll never have to worry about your cat hiding, scratching, or biting when you need to give them medicine.
We'll teach you how to convince your cat to willingly take a capsule and liquid oral medication. We'll also cover the steps to teaching kitties to allow topical treatments (like ear cleaning).
Need immediate relief? We will have a handful of I-need-it-now tips, but this class is designed for teaching your cat to take medications before they need to. Private training lessons are available for emergency situations (yes, we work with cats too!).
Cats are very trainable, and with fear-free training techniques, you'll be amazed at what a willing and happy participant your kitty can become in their own care!
Panic Button
Need immediate assistance with a new or worsening behavioral issue? Help is here!
In this 45-minute online planning lesson, your dog trainer will work with you to put together a personalized management plan, with training recommendations to keep things safe, sane, and doable until you can begin more intensive training.
Note that this consultation is meant to provide immediate management recommendations and an idea of next steps (classes, private lessons, Canine to Five, etc.) for your specific issue. An in-depth training plan will still need to be developed and followed. The Panic Button consult is meant to provide you with a roadmap to work with your dog, not a step-by-step trip itinerary. We will help you with immediate relief/safety recommendations, and will recommend a customized "next step" that you will need to follow to fully address your dog's behavior.
Examples of behavioral incidents that may trigger a Panic Button consult:
- I have a new puppy or newly adopted adult dog who's displaying signs of aggression, fear, or separation anxiety.
- My dog had a bite incident and I don't know what to do.
- My dog had a traumatic thing happen and I need help supporting them.
- My dog is suddenly lunging, growling, or snapping in situations that previously didn't trigger this response.
- My dog is panicking in situations that previously didn't trigger this response.
- Two or more pets in my household got into a fight.
- I just brought home a new pet or baby and my current dog is not behaving how I anticipated.
- My dog had a medical problem (intestinal impaction, injury from breaking out of a crate, etc.) related to a behavioral concern, and I don't want it to happen again.
- I don't know whether the behavior my dog is doing is normal and I want to talk to a professional to see if I should be concerned.
Your consult covers 45 minutes of private one-on-one live instruction via Zoom, as well as an email follow-up with a bullet-pointed list of recommendations that you can print off and keep handy.
Private Lessons
Private instruction is tailored to meet your individual needs. We can meet virtually, come to your home, or meet you at one of our training sites.
One-on-one instruction is a great place to start any training, whether you’re bringing home a brand new puppy or dealing with serious behavioral issues.
Click the button to send an email and get started!