Who We Are
The Playful Paws Story
Megs Hopman is a nationally accredited Dog Trainer with 10 years Animal Behavioural experience
Hi, I’m Megs Hopman – Founder of Playful Paws: Training & Wellness (Playful Paws).
Through professional and personal experience, I’ve developed an appreciation for individuality. I understand that every dog, or person, is different – and it’s important for an Animal Behavioural Specialist to develop a training plan around this individuality.
I love meeting new people, and their fur best friend, and finding how to bring out the best in each partnership. The saying ‘dogs are like their owners’ doesn’t fall too short from me.
Who We Are
The Playful Paws Story
Megs Hopman is a nationally accredited Dog Trainer with 10 years Animal Behavioural experience
Hi, I’m Megs Hopman – Founder of Playful Paws: Training & Wellness (Playful Paws).
Through professional and personal experience, I’ve developed an appreciation for individuality. I understand that every dog, or person, is different – and it’s important for an Animal Behavioural Specialist to develop a training plan around this individuality.
I love meeting new people, and their fur best friend, and finding how to bring out the best in each partnership. The saying ‘dogs are like their owners’ doesn’t fall too short from me.
My best experience and teacher has been my first personal pet – Buddy.
He lives with anxiety, as do I. Buddy has taught me to be calm, relaxed and of course fun! Over the years Buddy and I have transformed our anxiety and along the way I discovered a genuine passion for helping people. Through Animal Assisted Therapy, I enjoy helping people navigate those difficult times with the unconditional love of their fur best friend.
Playful Paws offers a personal and fun way to train your best friend how you want. Megs can come to you at home, for those problem behaviours that only seem to happen at home. She delivers fun, family-friendly classes that are small and intimate so you can get the most out of my experience. Megs also visits work places, assists in training companion animals and works actively in the community with awareness around dog behaviour.
My best experience and teacher has been my first personal pet – Buddy.
He lives with anxiety, as do I. Buddy has taught me to be calm, relaxed and of course fun! Over the years Buddy and I have transformed our anxiety and along the way I discovered a genuine passion for helping people. Through Animal Assisted Therapy, I enjoy helping people navigate those difficult times with the unconditional love of their fur best friend.
Playful Paws offers a personal and fun way to train your best friend how you want. Megs can come to you at home, for those problem behaviours that only seem to happen at home. She delivers fun, family-friendly classes that are small and intimate so you can get the most out of my experience. Megs also visits work places, assists in training companion animals and works actively in the community with awareness around dog behaviour.
Qualifications
- Currently studying Certificate IV in Training & Education (TAE)
- Bachelor of Animal Science (LaTrobe University)
- Certificate III in Companion Animal Behaviour and Training (National Dog Training Federation)
- Certificate IV in Disability
- Current Working With Children Check (Victoria & Western Australia)
- Current Level 2 First Aid Certificate
Industry Experience
- I am a nationally accredited Dog Trainer with ten years experience in training pet dogs and Seeing Eye Dogs (individually and in a group setting), assessing behaviour and implementing modification plan.
As a Disability Support Worker with twelve years experience, I am confident working with people who have a physical, behavioural or mental disability.
Whilst with Seeing Eye Dogs Australia, I successfully developed a puppy training program from conception in Perth WA. This involved supporting up to 20 volunteers and 12 puppies at any time. I also completed an internal ‘Puppy Development Field Officer’ trainee course which broadened my knowledge of the developmental stages of puppies and different ways to deal with problem behaviour.
Other experience:
Playful Paws
- Undertaking puppy assessments and implementing individual behavioural training programs
- Extensive knowledge of health and behavioural aspects of a broad range of breeds
- Providing support and guidance to culturally diverse people
- Coaching volunteers and staff to achieve their goals
- Vast knowledge and understanding of team work and people skills
- Increased understanding of various disabilities, how they affect behaviour and implementing appropriate behaviour support plans
Happiness is coming home and knowing your dog is there to greet you.
Playful Paws offers a personal and fun way to train your best friend how you want. Megs can come to you at home, for those difficult problems that only seem to happen at home! Playful Paws delivers fun, family-friendly classes that are small and intimate so you can get the most out of her experience. Megs also visits work places to assist in training companion animals and works actively in the community with awareness around dog behaviour.
Full diagnostics
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Meet our team
PLAYFUL PAWS ® PHILOSOPHY
Our Vision
More Dogs. More Places. More Often.
Our Mission
Through education we create a strong positive relationship between you and your dog enabling you to be
proud to take your confident dog wherever you want to.
Our Values
Nurture positive community
Lead and educate with enthusiasm
Inspire confidence and creativity
Frequently Asked Questions
Working with your paw-some buddies!
At Playful Paws, we aim to bring out the best in your bestfriend through classes and private trainings.
We follow behavioural science and believe in building your dogs trust and respect by rewarding the behaviour you want. The more you reward the behaviour the more they will show it. We reward our dogs for behaviour we like using food, play and attention. If the dog does something we do not like, we examine why the behaviour is occurring and either fix the cause or train a more appropriate behaviour.
All behaviour is influenced by how an animal feels about something, and what they get out of it. No behaviour happens without a motivation. Positive Reinforcement training means that our training sessions are fun and enjoyable, resulting in dogs that want to be trained and learn quicker. They also see their humans as being wonderful providers of all the good things in life, resulting in higher engagement and better focus on the handler.
As soon as you get them! Puppies (or dogs) learn naughty behaviour as quick as good behaviour. Start with writing down some clear rules for you and your family tomorrow and reward all the right behaviour.
It is never too late for training – haven’t you heard that old dogs can learn new tricks? How long a behaviour has been occurring will influence how easy it is to change your dog’s behaviour, but it certainly is never too late. Contact us to discuss your dog's problems and, most importantly, find a solution.
Yes, absolutely! Our puppy classes are held inside our building, which is mopped and disinfected prior to class. Puppy preschool jump starts your puppy’s training and socialisation. While they might be young, they are definitely learning, so get them into a class ASAP!
Playful Paws
Our Services
While they are your greatest mate, it's also fun for your dog to play and learn through new experiences with other dog friends. Let your dog socialise with other dog friends at our dog daycare.
Our private training is one-on-one with a qualified dog trainer to help shape your dog that you’re are proud to call your best mate. Visit our dog training page to learn more about the classes we offer.
Assistance dogs require specialised training to increase their potential for providing support, trust and confidence to people with disabilities, helping them live independently.