Playful Paws
Dog Training
Is your dog struggling with behaviours that don’t fit your family like barking, lunging at other dogs, or jumping on visitors? If you've tried different methods without success and feel embarrassed, enrol them in our dog training classes to see real change and have a dog you’re proud to take everywhere you want to go.
Our 6-week dog training classes cater to dogs of all ages, sizes, and abilities. With small, personalised dog training sessions, our dog trainers provide tailored training that moves at your dog’s pace, ensuring you and your dog receive the attention and guidance needed.
Learn why your dog behaves the way they do and how to shape their behavior, creating a well-behaved family member who can be part of everything you do.
Puppy Preschool
Ages: 8 weeks (2 weeks after their first vaccination)
Our puppy training classes help you understand your puppy and build a foundation for a lifelong bond. Designed for puppies 8 weeks and beyond, these classes focus on socialisation and fun, guided by our passionate and experienced dog trainers.
Puppy training class inclusions:
- House training
- Settling in a crate
- Calm interactions with other dogs and people
- Basic cues: sit, drop, settle
- Social manners
Cost: $120 for 4 weeks. Classes runs Monday nights at 5:30 pm or 6:45 pm at Playful Paws.
Bring a mat, a flat collar, or chest harness, a regular leash (no extender leads), and plenty of high-value treats (small pieces).
Playful Puppy
Ages: puppies over 12+ weeks and beyond, no upper age limit
Your puppy is now settled into your home, and their confidence (and cheekiness) is growing! Our playful puppy classes, designed for puppies from 12+ weeks of age, help you reward desired behaviours and create a well-rounded, social dog. Puppy preschool is not required.
Puppy training class inclusions:
- Building a strong bond with your puppy
- Maintaining focus amidst distractions
- Basics: sit, drop, wait, on your bed
- Fun tricks: high five, roll over, beg
- Calm on-lead interactions with other puppies
- Teaching your puppy to settle
- Walking nicely on a lead
- Introducing new experiences
- Addressing relevant topics as they arise
Cost: $180 for 6 weeks. Classes are held Tuesdays at 5:30 pm or 6:45 pm at Playful Paws.
Bring a flat collar or chest harness, regular leash (no extender leads), and plenty of high-value treats (small pieces).
Beginner Basics
Ages: any dog aged 12+ weeks and beyond, no upper age limit
A 6-week dog training group class that works on building your dog’s manners and social skills. This is a kickstart to your training journey and suitable for all beginner dogs.
Beginner dog training class inclusions:
- Basics: sit, drop, wait, on your bed
- Fun tricks: high five, roll over, beg
- Settling with high distractions
- Calm on-lead interactions with other dogs
- Walking nicely on a lead
- Introducing new experiences
- Addressing relevant topics as they arise
Cost: $180 for 6 weeks. Classes are held Tuesdays at 5:30 pm or 6:45 pm at Playful Paws.
Bring a flat collar or chest harness, regular leash (no extender leads), and plenty of high-value treats (small pieces).
Casual Dog Training Classes
For those who can’t commit to a 6-week program we offer casual dog training classes. Designed to build and maximise a positive relationship with your dog, each session is tailored to those attending. All ages and breeds welcome.
This is a fun and interactive, games based class. Teach your dog cool tricks whilst building on the bond between you both!
Want to teach your dog awesome tricks to show off at a family barbecue? Or perhaps teach a useful skill (like fetching a beer from the fridge)? This flexible class is for you!
We tailor this class each week to suit who is in the class, so each week is slightly different.
Things we cover
- Off-lead listening and learning skills
- Recall games - so you have a dog that is happy to come back
- Socialisation - being calm and confident in new environments
- Teaching you the different levels of learning and reinforcement
- Interacting calmly with other dogs
- Targeting exercises - such as closing doors and high 5, carrying items
- Games! Like simon says, temptation tower, golf, grooming games
- Doggy Dancing; such as the hokey pokey
- Social - walking politely with increased distractions
What to bring
- A flat collar, head halter or chest harness and a regular leash (no extender leads!)
- Lots of high value treats (cut as small as ½ your pinkie nail) - don’t be too stingy!
- Any items you'd like to start teaching your dog tricks with (skateboards, retrieving items, mats etc)
- A sense of humour
Flexible classes that focus on the bond between you and your dog.
Can’t commit to a six-week course? Or perhaps you’d just like the occasional brush up on your skills. This flexible class allows you to drop in when you can! This means that your dog will always be socialising with different dogs, whilst working on listening to you.
We tailor this class each week to suit who is in the class, so each week is slightly different.
Things we cover
- Walking nicely on lead
- Coming when you call them
- Basic and intermediate tricks (want to train your dog to get a beer from the fridge? We can start working on this!)
- Food refusal - not taking food when it’s offered
- Teaching your dog to go and lay on their bed
- Interacting calmly with other dogs
What to bring
- A flat collar, head halter or chest harness and a regular leash (no extender leads!)
- Lots of high value treats (cut as small as ½ your pinkie nail) - don’t be too stingy!
Running Mondays at 11 am & 12:30 pm
Setting up your puppy with skills for life.
Puppies are sponges for experience and learning - even the things we would prefer they didn’t learn!
Dreaming of a dog that you can take anywhere? Are they bored at home? Or perhaps you're too busy to train?
We are excited to bring you this NEW initiative
This six or twelve week course will give your puppy (or dog of ANY age) a kick start to learning new skills, all while you work. You will drop off your puppy and they will be with up to other dogs learning:
- Social skills - how to play with other dogs
- 1:1 time with accredited trainer
- Learning to settle in a crate
- House training - teach your dog where to go to the toilet
- Meeting other dogs calmly
- Teach your puppy to sit and drop
- Naughty behaviours - creating a calm and happy puppy. Some of the behaviours we target:
- Chewing
- Jumping up
- Mouthing
- Scratching
- Over-excitability
Puppy Kinder is held at our training centre at 6 Macleod Street, Bairnsdale.
Please note that this is NOT a substitute for teaching you how to train your puppy - but is complimentary
What to bring
- A flat collar, head halter or chest harness and a regular leash (no extender leads!)
- Your puppies favourite toy
From 12 weeks (no upper age limit - all dogs can learn new skills!)
Monday to Friday 7am - 6pm, $100 Full day, $75 Half day (any 5-hour block within opening hours)
You can also attend our FUNDAYS once your dog is calm and social - all the benefit of Puppy Kinder without the 1:1 training session.
Monday-Friday $75 Full day, $50 Half day (any 5-hour block within opening hours)
Package passes are available for Kinder and Funday in 4, 6, 8 or 12 pass packages. Each package will give you a better rate per session! Contact us today to find out more!
Teaching your dog to meet dogs on and off lead.
Does your dog pull or lunge toward other dogs? Are they scared when they meet dogs? Do they not know how to play with other dogs off lead? Our Social Sessions are aimed at both on and off lead social skills whilst your dog’s continue to listen to you!
The focus will be on your dog learning social skills in a supportive and friendly environment.
This class is suitable for any age dog and will cover:
- Building on your bond with your dog
- Listening to you when you call them!
- Learning how to meet other dogs on lead calmly
- Socialising at different distances, until your dog is comfortable
- Off-lead play in a controlled and fenced environment
- How to maintain your dog’s focus with distraction
- Teach your puppy to settle, perfect to take them out for a cuppa!
- Teaching them to walk nicely on lead
Social Sessions is held with a maximum of 10 puppies per session
What to bring
- A flat collar, head halter or chest harness and a regular leash (no extender leads!)
- Lots of high value treats (cut as small as ½ your pinkie nail) - don’t be too stingy!
Private Dog Training
Sometimes, group classes might feel too overwhelming and stressful for your dog. That's why we recommend our one-on-one training sessions at Playful Paws.
Our skilled dog trainers will develop a custom training plan to teach your dog to become calm and confident, both on and off their lead, even with distractions.
Behaviours which we often work on in our one-on-one dog training can include:
- Excessive barking
- Aggression
- Fears/phobias - scared of thunder or the environment
- Escaping
- Resource guarding, growling or biting you around their food or toys
- Reactivity – barking, lunging on or off lead toward people or dogs
- Over-excitable behaviour such as jumping up, mouthing, or vocalisation
Training For Anxious Dog
Our team specialises in training dogs with anxiety. Recognising that all dogs may experience anxiety at various points in their lives we have noted the ways anxiety in dogs can manifest:
- Barking or nipping at strangers
- Lack of confidence in new environments
- Chasing other dogs
- Difficulty settling at home
- Separation behaviors like pacing, chewing, jumping, and fretting
- Learn strategies to support both you and your dog to navigate stressful situations
One-on-One Dog Training
We approach training in a positive manner, creating a calm and enjoyable environment for both dogs and humans. Our services include both in-home and on-location dog training across the Bairnsdale region.
- In-home dog training allows us to address specific behavioral issues within your dog's familiar surroundings, ensuring they feel comfortable and secure.
- Private dog training provides opportunities for your dog to learn and adapt to new environments, enhancing their social skills and overall confidence.
Whether at your home or another setting, our tailored dog training sessions aim to meet the unique needs of your dog.
Behavioural Consultations
We offer behavioural consultations for dogs who are struggling.
We address serious issues such as anxiety affecting your dog's daily life, separation-related behaviors like escaping, destroying items, or increased distress when left alone, and aggressive behavior.
Megs, our qualified behaviourist, provides a thorough overview of your dog's behavior, a comprehensive behavioral report, and effective strategies to help both you and your dog.
This service is limited and available by appointment only, with prices starting at $200 per hour.
Booking your private dog training
Each private dog training session can be booked through our website.
Our training involves the entire family, ensuring everyone is engaged in the process. To prepare for a private dog training session, bring plenty of treats and ensure anyone involved in your dog's life is present.
- Private 1:1 dog training is conducted at 6 Macleod Street, Bairnsdale and starts at $90 per hour.
- For in-home dog training, price starts at $120 per hour *Travel fees may apply*
All bookings must fill out our playful paws survey about you and your dog before the training session.
Cancellation policy
We kindly request 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel your training session. Failure to do so may result in cancellation fees.
See cancellation policy.
Terms and Conditions
All bookings have attached our terms and conditions - please note if we don't hear from you within 24 hours of your booking, we will assume you agree to all our terms and conditions.
Cancellation policy
We would appreciate if you provide us with 48 hours notice if you cannot attend, or cancellation fees may apply.