Our obedience & manners training programs are perfect for dogs of all ages and breeds. We'll work with you & your dog to cover basic obedience cues like sit, down, stay, come, along with immediate house training improvement, greeting you with paws on the ground, being gentle with those teeth, controlling barking and much more.
(Pictured here are Irish setter Sandi playing with her golden retriever buddy Prince when they were young pups.) Our small-by-design classes offer lots of individual attention, at various times & on several days of the week.
Both puppy & dog levels begin every week - no waiting for a far-off start date thanks to an orientation session that lets you start immediately! Limited-size group classes ensure you get lots of individual attention.
Advanced classes go on to cover fun obedience, rally & agility levels (and many other topics) for fun and competition. Best Paw Forward Inc. training methods are effective & gentle, so you and your dog can learn quickly without stress or frustration.
PuppyLove is for pups starting classes when they are 8-18 weeks old due to their rapid mental development rate & improvement in vaccines for safe interaction when young. For many decades our own pups have started classes when they turn 8 weeks old to take advantage of the fastest learning time in their lives, along with critical social periods.] It can even include introduction to low, safe, supervised puppy agility training.
Pups can & should start safely-managed socializing at 8 weeks old after they get their first sets of shots.
They start turning into teenagers at about 18 weeks old and that lasts until they get to about 24 months old. Puppies 8-18 weeks old when they join our PuppyLove classes (inspired by Dr. Ian Dunbar of Sirius Dog Training) also get a reduced price to celebrate their having such smart owners!
You get a reduced price for PuppyLove compared to our parallel Basic Manners sessions for older pups & dogs even though they cover the same material (and a bit more, in fact, in PuppyLove). That's right: your fur baby just earned you a discount to recognize the good choices you are already making.
Our obedience/agility competition training program is fun and productive for dogs of all ages and breeds. Advanced classes go on to cover levels for fun and competition. Best Paw Forward Inc. training methods are effective & gentle, so you and your dog can learn quickly without stress or frustration.
New reduced sale price to help out a bit in hard times hre in 2026 spring/summer: $215 for 6-8 week sessions (in addition to our long-standing barter & work study programs where you just pay $50 to cover materials & classes in exchange for helping around our property, or providing agreed-upon items or help with projects for your classes.
Agility training is a fun and exciting way to challenge your dog both mentally and physically. Our agility classes are designed to safely help your dog build confidence, improve coordination, and learn new skills. (It is a lot more fun with some obedience & rally training too!) Whether you're looking for a new hobby or want to compete, we can help.
If you're looking for one-on-one training for your dog, we also provide private training sessions. We'll work with you and your dog to address any specific training needs you have. Whether you're dealing with a difficult behavior, want to improve your dog's obedience & agility tricks, or learn about showing your dog, we can help!
Lead trainer PJ Lacette is an eperienced trainer who will work with you to identify underlying causes of your dog's behavior, then develop a personalized training plan tailored to your dog's needs. We use positive, friendly, gentle, scientific & proven reinforcement techniques to help your dog learn new behaviors & overcome problem behaviors.
Our Detour Doggie Delinquents private & small-group behavioral training programs are for dogs struggling with behavioral issues like anxiety, shyness, fear or aggression. Stay tuned for the next session starting soon.
We'll work with you and your dog to identify the underlying cause of the behavior and develop a plan to address it. The goal is to help your dog feel happier, confident & cooperative in any situation. Our focus is on learning & desensitization, not on punishment which can quickly make these issues much worse due to increasing fear.
Socialization is crucial for puppies to develop into well-adjusted adult dogs, and the strongest, fastest time to do that is when a pup is 8 to 18 weeks old. Our puppy classes provide a fun, safe environment for puppies to interact with other puppies as they learn important social skills as well as obedience manners. Free play times continue even after your training series for pups that maintain approved social skill standards & participate in our programs at least monthly. Our trainers will also teach you how to properly socialize your puppy to prevent future behavioral problems.
From Dr. Ian Dunbar, who has inspired dog trainers worldwide to make puppy classes useful, welcoming & available to owners, breeders, researchers & veterinarians worldwide: "Preventing dog bites is the single most important part of training a dog. Life is very different with a dog that bites, especially a dog that bites hard enough to cause serious injuries."
Our advanced agility & obedience training programs are designed to take your dog's training to the next level. We'll work with you & your dog to teach obedience advanced cues like heel, recall, stays and retrieving.
Several of those skills also come in handy in agility programs where we focus on mastering equipment & skills, starting at safe puppy heights and continuing with skills that have produced top nationally ranked agility teams.
Effective proven positive reinforcement techniques are used to help you & your dog develop & maintain beginner & advanced distance skills.
Trick training is a fun way to bond & have fun with your dog, & is included in occasional workshops as well as beginning & advanced training classes -- fun tips on roll over, spin, fetch etc. Watch for dates for future sessions.
Aggression, fear, shyness or territorial issues are serious problems that can be dangerous for both dogs and humans. Our behavior-management programs are designed to help dogs overcome antisocial behavior through positive reinforcement training with the help of the highly experienced trainer, developing a personalized training plan that is tailored to your dog's specific needs. Private sessions for dogs with serious social issues (aggression, fear, shyness, extreme nervous tendencies, territorial behavior etc.) are only available at our location to provide maximum safety & progress. Small group Detour Doggie Delinquent classes are periodically available with the next session starting soon again on Sun. mornings.
One of the many things that sets us apart is that we like training dogs AND people (as well as occasionally training cats, horses, chickens & goats so far!). We are knowledgeable & passionate about helping you & your pets. You will learn more than some simple obedience tricks (though of course those are included & useful for everyday lif
One of the many things that sets us apart is that we like training dogs AND people (as well as occasionally training cats, horses, chickens & goats so far!). We are knowledgeable & passionate about helping you & your pets. You will learn more than some simple obedience tricks (though of course those are included & useful for everyday life).
Materials & programs include what to expect at what ages, how to improve puppy & adolescent dog behavior today, how to get winning performances at dog events and so much more.
You can also check out our event lists for small-group conformation/show dog workshops & classes
Follow driving directions at https://bestpaw.com/driving-directions to our Osteen site. Map programs may attempt to send you thorough Lake Ashby RD & Boy Scout Camp RD. Neither road is currently useful for getting to our location, and sugar s
You can also check out our event lists for small-group conformation/show dog workshops & classes
Follow driving directions at https://bestpaw.com/driving-directions to our Osteen site. Map programs may attempt to send you thorough Lake Ashby RD & Boy Scout Camp RD. Neither road is currently useful for getting to our location, and sugar sand there frequently traps cars & trucks.
There is 1 mile of packed dirt road off Pell RD when you turn into our subdivision.
More than 50 years of training dogs means we have a lot of experience meeting your immediate needs in gentle ways. You can effectively train a few minutes at a time throughout your busy day. Extensive materials provided so you can jump ahead to get tips on your goals & fulfill your dog's specific needs right now.
Dog training based on trust & respect
Small group & private classes.
Great foundation for happy, friendly dogs
Lighted fenced training areas, some indoor space for bad weather
Countryside temperatures 5-10 degrees cooler than in town, soft breezes all day. Heavy rain or lightning send small-by-design classes inside home or training barn for real-life training opportunities!
Barter & work study options, discounts available
BEGINNERS
PuppyLove & Basic Manners 9 a.m. Mon. mornings and/or 6 p.m. Wed. evenings
Basic Manners (18 weeks old & up)
11 a.m. Sat.
PuppyLove (pups starting 8-17 weeks old)
12:15 p.m. Sat. (included)
Safe beginner agility introduction included with PuppyLove & Basic Manners as a free optional addition
Week 1/orientation at different times/days
Sat. mornings approved intermediate through advanced competition level with advance registration:
agility 9 a.m
competition obedience/rally 10 a.m.
Drills, dog-friendly proofing, problem solving, detail or simple practice for performance & other dog skills
Dog & handler teams with advanced skills (call, text or email for details/generous eligibility for these sessions):
Mon. 6-9 p.m. all-in-one class (agility, obedience, rally, conditioning, conformation tips) for friendly experienced dogs 6-9 p.m. Drills, dog-friendly proofing, problem solving, detailed or simple practice tips
Usually helpful to have taught some off-leash recall skills (fenced training areas)
Same price as all our competition level sessions: $20 drop-ins
$55 per month for dog & handler teams at approved skill levels
Regular Best Paw Forward Inc. class helpers/instructors assist & demonstrate with their own dogs in this & other sessions. Barter & work study options and discounts available
Mon. Thurs. & Sat. mornings approved beginner through advanced competition, occasional conditioning exercises: agility 9 a.m., advanced obedience/rally 10 a.m.
Drills, dog-friendly proofing, problem solving, detail or simple practice for performance & other dog skills
Dogs with serious behavioral & social issues welcome in Detour Doggie Delinquents personalized training & small-group counseling programs at different times/days from other programs
Positive, gentle, effective behavior modification techniques & obedience tricks help grabby, shy, nervous, territorial, anxious, bossy, over-protective dogs overcome unwanted behaviors such as separation anxiety & fear.
Private sessions or occasional small group options
For pups 8-18 weeks old at orientation.
Only one set of puppy shots needed before classes begin. Covers even more material than Basic Manners for older pups & dogs.
$225 for 6-week series includes one or more classes per week, free makeup drop-ins for work/family/health conflicts or for extra training help during your series dates. Check the top of the web page for any closed dates & text us to confirm available space in the desired session
Easily manage jumping, barking, house training, chewing, stealing, coming when called etc. Free optiona,l safe, low-equipment agility introduction
Play times for approved dogs continue when your class ends if your pup maintains & demonstrates continued good social skills and attends one of our play times at least once per month after completing classes
New to our program? Get free hand-crafted latigo leather leash (up to $30 value) with advance registration form submission & advance payment
For friendly teenage & adult dogs (pups 18 weeks old & up)
Great start for family pets, therapy dogs, dog sports, show dogs, trick dogs etc.
New to program? Get free gentle custom training collar. Class requires leather leash (hand-crafted latigo leather leash available for purchase) with advance registration form submission/payment. Free optional agility introduction.
For pups 8-18 weeks old at orientation.
Only one set of puppy shots needed before classes begin. Covers even more material than Basic Manners for older pups & dogs.
$225 for 6-week series includes one or more classes per week, free makeup drop-ins for work/family/health conflicts or for extra training help during your series dates. Check the top of the web page for any closed dates & text us to confirm available space in the desired session
Easily manage jumping, barking, house training, chewing, stealing, coming when called etc. Free optiona,l safe, low-equipment agility introduction
6-8 weeks of classes: $255. Continuing/advanced dogs at next levels: $55 per month, $20 drop-ins for friendly dogs with approval of instructor (private help available for dogs with social issues)
Check with us on possible free play times for approved dogs with helpers & students after completing your first series
Free, safe, optional short intro to agility equipment included weekly with beginner classes for fun mental & physical development. Low heights for beginners, & of course extra low for safety & success with young dogs & pups
Advanced classes or experienced trainers/dogs with recall skills: $20 for single-class drop-ins, $55 monthly packages (volunteers, barter for needed items/supplies/skills/repairs can earn you free classes & practice time)