Transform Your Dog's Behavior with Best Paw Forward Inc.

Effective, gentle methods with experienced instructor

Behavior, manners, useful & fun, useful tricks

Equipment included ($26-$50 value) savings IF class form/payment both submitted at least a day in advance online or in person {special leeway if you tried but had trouble with technology},Additional discount codes limited to one per beginner level 

Schedule orientation (different time &/or day from the rest of your classes) which is required as  Week 1 of your series before you may attend the rest of your small group program: https://bestpaw.com/sign-up

• 10:30 a.m. Mondays, 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays or 6:30 p.m. Thursdays  included as Week 1 of 8-week beginner series (other orientation times $75 when available)
• Must prepare by reading how to get ready for orientation or private class
• Free optional agility intro for most PuppyLove & Basic Manners dogs
• Supervised 30-60 minutes play time, off leash training, social opportunities free for approved friendly PuppyLove graduates & Basic Manners dogs (with instructor approval) after completing  beginner/continuing series. Contact us for other BPF student approval guidelines (text or call 407-415-6601)
• Watch for upcoming workshops, agility/obedience/rally competition events & workshops  

FREE 2-week introduction to advanced levels included at end of 6 weeks of PuppyLove or Basic Manners (also roll over extra remaining beginner weeks sooner for experienced handlers or committed teams) 

bestpaw@bestpaw.com or text/call 407-321-1006 or 407-415-6601 (no commercial texting allowed) to confirm or set up other times (Refund policy below) 

SUNDAY 

9 a.m. Private classes

MONDAYS 

9 a.m. Free optional agility intro for current students

9:15 a.m. Basic Manners & PuppyLove combo

10:30 a.m. Orientation Week 1 for all PuppyLove & Basic Manners sessions,

by appointment

6 p.m.  Agility Plus/Obedience Plus/Rally​  Extended combo class runs until 9 p.m. Come for the early part or when you can make it - individual help included

TUESDAYS

Private sessions afternoon or evening at your location or in Osteen (must confirm available spot with instructor, call or text 407-415-6601) 

WEDNESDAYS

4:30 p.m. Orientation (Week 1 for all PuppyLove & Basic Manners sessions)

by appointment

6:15 p.m.  free optional agility intro 

6:30 p.m. Basic Manners & PuppyLove combo 

THURSDAYS

9 a.m. Agility Plus intermediate & advanced agility (some agility background required, text/call instructor 407-415-6601

10 a.m. Obedience Plus Rally intermediate & advanced obedience/rally drills, competition problem solving, text/call instructor 407-415-6601

11 a.m. Approved dogs play time  Supervised free 30-60 minutes off leash training & social opportunities for approved Best Paw Forward Inc. dogs, mostly those that start in PuppyLove. Contact us for other BPF student approval guidelines (text/call 407-321-1006 407-415-6601)

6:30 p.m. Orientation.  Week 1 for all PuppyLove & Basic Manners sessions, by appointment.

FRIDAYS  

9-7 p.m. Private sessions,  Agility, obedience/rally competition, behavior counseling, performance problem solving, Detour Doggie Delinquents, conformation private classes. Schedule private sessions with instructor at our location or private in your home (in-home only with friendly dogs - we happily work with dogs with issues but only at our site). Text/call 407.415.6601

SATURDAYS 

 9 a.m. Agility Plus (intermediate & advanced agility - courses, drills, problem solving)

10 a.m. Obedience Plus Rally (intermediate & advanced  obedience, rally drills, competition problem solving)

11 a.m. Basic Manners for older pups & adult dogs

Noon free optional agility intro for Basic Manners & PuppyLove students

12:15 p.m. PuppyLove for pups 8-18 weeks old at first class - don't miss fastest learning time in a pup's life! Our own pups ALWAYS start at 8 weeks old 

1:15 p.m.  Approved dogs play time  Supervised 30-60 minutes off leash training & social opportunities for approved Best Paw Forward Inc. dogs (mostly those that start in PuppyLove). Contact us for other BPF student approval guidelines call or text 407-415-6601

Free puppy training demonstrations 3:30 p.m. Saturdays at Farm & Pet, SR415, Osteen.

Private sessions available at our site for most dogs or at your home for dogs friendly to dogs and to people

Detour Doggie Delinquents sessions for dogs with social issues available at Osteen site.

USUALLY OUTDOORS UNDER COVER & SOME INDOOR TRAINING

• ROUGH WEATHER MAY MOVE CLASSES INDOORS (masks welcome)
• Use our driving directions for Osteen location. Do not trust GPS/cellphone GPS. Free Waze app correct more often than most other programs. Read & compare our notes for your drive. Avoid any route that includes Boy Scout Camp Road  or Lake Ashby Road (unless you  live in that area, have 4-wheel drive, & are expert at navigating soft tire-sucking sugar sand ) .

Email bestpaw@bestpaw.com or call to confirm or set up other orientation times (students & prospective students only, please)

     Experienced trainer-dog teams (titles on this or previous dogs make evaluation process easy) with friendly dogs may join advanced classes with advance instructor approval

American Kennel Club S.T.A.R. Puppy (complete program & testing before 12 months old), Canine Good Citizen, Community Canine, Agility Course tests by appointment or event 

Check events page for other fun activities

You may watch a program before you register (many of those you see in class are successful returning students with their next generation of dogs).  Please leave dogs at home if you visit during class hours, or schedule a private class.

REFUND POLICY: To maintain the quality of our small, focused classes, there are no refunds once registration & payment are completed, or if class materials have been sent to a student.

 
WEATHER MESSING WITH YOUR CLASS PLANS? If you miss a class due to weather issues or a serious emergency,  just send a message, email or text with your full name, dog's name, your phone number & email address to get free makeup weeks.

Cancellations 1 week or less before private class or orientation/first session of series receive full credit (no refunds) for upcoming series, private classes or workshop that begin within 6 months of original start date

• Minimum $25 fee for earlier cancellations made before first meeting with instructor to cover time, handling/banking fees. Minimum fee $75 if you have attended the 90 minute or longer orientation class. May be higher if instructor has spent extensive time before first class date answering training questions for registered or potential students via telephone or in person

Free makeup classes for workshops or credit toward a private class at Best Paw Forward Inc. can be substituted up to 6 months from the original date reserved

• Partially completed group classes may be resumed within 6 months, or when space permits during dates/time frame of your original group series 
• Class credit may be transferred to private sessions at Best Paw Forward Inc.
• Include info at signup or orientation about known conflicts with planned trips or special events to qualify for additional free makeup sessions.
• Private makeup classes at Best Paw Forward Inc. for PuppyLove & Basic Manners group students discounted to $35 per hour during original group series dates
• Contact us directly as soon as possible about options for approved makeups for serious medical, family or work emergency situations.

GETTING READY FOR ORIENTATION:

WHAT YOU SHOULD WEAR

· Comfortable casual clothing appropriate for both outdoor and indoor training

· Non-skid shoes such as tennis or athletic shoes

· No sandals nor flip flops

· Pockets are a big plus! 

MISSING A CLASS?

Tell instructor or helpers (even better, bring a note or back it up with email or text) at registration or orientation if you will be away during any regular class days to get extra weeks for free makeup dates for planned events (also for serious emergencies). You also get to drop in on other sessions during the week, free, just for extra help as well as for makeup times (check ahead before dropping in, especially on Sat, on home page & on class schedule for closings for special events or weather)

BRING TO CLASS (to orientation & to all other beginner classes)

· Your dog

§ Rested (no long walks, no play dates, no doggy exercise workouts day of class

§ Hungry. Provide fresh water at all times for your dog - no need to withhold water before class nor usually any other time except at bedtime for puppies

· No full dog tummies

o Morning class or early afternoon: no breakfast until after class

o Evening class - light breakfast before 9 a.m.; no other food/treats until after class 

o Very shy, nervous, protective or possessive dogs older than 18 weeks likely need Detour Doggie Delinquent programs

· GREAT TREATS TO EVERY CLASS, including orientation

o Boneless chicken, all-meat or low-fat hot dogs, drained lean ground beef, cheese, lunch meat, liver, chicken gizzards (cheaper and healthier than most dog treats, helps you make the most of your class training time)

o 4-5 different soft, high-protein, healthy human-grade soft items as listed above that can be easily ripped apart during class, or cut into tiny bits lightly dusted with flour or almond flour to keep them separated (puffed-rice size for tiny dogs, frozen pea size for medium to large dogs 

o Program prevents & fixes begging dogs

o NO commercial dog treats (even at home avoid those full of sugar, artificial sweeteners, chemicals, grains)

o Something novel & exciting that pup does not get at home already

· Treats in easy-open easy-close dog training treat pouch, treat bag, carpenter/kitchen apron with pockets, belly bag

· PLASTIC BAGGIES CONTAINING TREATS ARE NOT ALLOWED because dogs HAVE swallowed plastic bags in class

o Slippery plastic bags & even easy-open plastic containers with lids will slow down your response time, & you know how fast those pups are! 

· Vaccine or titer records (vet receipt is fine) or send online

· At home, use mainly dry dog food in different flavors than dog’s current food for treats, or enhanced kibble for any challenging exercises for the first few days

With the right dog-friendly, handler-friendly collars & leashes:

· Walks improve quickly.

· Easy, gentle control of pups/dogs new to training & of long-time serious pullers

· Dogs cannot easily slip away

· Not used for corrections – used for safety

· Dog wears regular collar with tags at same time if head collar is used – the two work quite well together, and make it easier to go back down to regular snap or buckle collars later (sooner with dedicated trainers)

· Let us know if your dog is uncomfortable with strangers (on the incredibly rare occasion when we did not notice it). We can talk you through the fitting. A leather leash and snug-fitting buckle collar may be best for orientation or a private session in that case. 

TRAINING EQUIPMENT

• Safe      equipment required on arrival at all sessions (details for each class      level below)
• Secure      leash & snug-fitting     collar for friendly dogs when they arrive in private or orientation class

· Best leash for all ages: 4’ to 6' leather, easy to hold, no wider than 5/8”, handmade latigo (included free with Basic Manners advance registration). No wider than 5/8” for medium to large dogs, ½” for most smaller dogs 

· NO HARNESSES, PRONG COLLARS, ELECTRIC COLLARS NOR EXTENDABLE LEASHES ALLOWED on dogs in any classes including private. Any rare exception for a private session with friendly dogs must be approved ahead. Feel free to contact us for any clarification. There are reasons that sled dogs wear harnesses to pull heavy loads. 🙂

Basic Manners dogs (older pups & adult dogs) $30-$50-value training equipment package, including handmade latigo leather leash and gentle collar, free with prepaid class & completed submitted class registration form. Your instructor will choose which collar works best for your dog. Special-feature leashes available at great prices.

Regular collars can remain on dog when using the right head collars. When using a nylon slip collar or limited slip (for dogs that may get out of buckle or snap collars), all other collars must be removed. 

No chain nor partial chain collars allowed in beginning nor agility classes 

No wide collars attached to leash for any dog that pulls on leash

On rare occasions, for friendly smaller dogs that do not pull around distraction, we may allow snug-fitting buckle or snap collars & leash variations. We reserve the right to require safe, easily handled equipment at any & all sessions. 

Female dogs in season may not attend Basic Manners – 3 extra weeks will be added to their series. They are still welcome in advanced sessions at owners’ discretion with owners’ careful management. 

Dogs must be clean, healthy, free of parasites such as fleas, ticks etc. 

Entire family/household welcome for most programs

· especially Basic Manners & private sessions for friendly pups & dogs

· Two adults if possible, please, in each family with children younger than age 5

· Children must remain with parents or guardians at all times

CELL PHONES, PAGERS

· Please take pictures and video to share with us for class credit for your family – talk to your instructor about downloads 

· Turn off or mute internet connections, phones, tablets, pagers during class

· Let your instructor know about a special need to leave one on during class, or if you are filming/shooting pictures to share. 

· Step at least 20 feet away from an outdoor class if you must take an emergency call during a class. 

If your dog has serious noise issues, consider a private session first so we can confirm the dog has good social skills without affecting other attending families and dogs. Talk to us in advance since this can be quickly addressed for friendly dogs in our programs.

DETOUR DOGGIE DELINQUENTS

Programs for dogs 19 weeks (early teenagers) or older with social issues such as being shy, nervous, dominant, possessive, territorial, protective, or aggressive: Detour Doggie Delinquents (bestpaw.com)

CLASS POSTPONEMENT Rare class cancellation announcements posted on web page. Rainy, cold or hot weather usually does not affect classes. Most sessions outside under cover; some move inside training areas or house. Feel free to use masks for closer indoor work (instructor vaccinated, boosted) & careful)

Inclusive programs - Work study means affordable classes for all who appreciate logical, thorough, gentle, efficient, friendly programs! We love students who exchange their help or barter items for discounted group sessions and workshops. Details available at https://bestpaw.com/discount-opportunities

Discounts available with completed class registration form sent in advance, payment before first session. Tell your friends & family about opportunities here, and discounts for: 

BPF Continuing/Returning Students 

Reputable breeders & their pups

Multiple dogs in household 

Experienced trainers 

Service dogs, service dogs in training

Veterinary staff 

Essential personnel (active or retired), including law enforcement, firefighters, military, Coast Guard, medical personnel, teachers, mental health counselors 

bestpaw@bestpaw.com https://bestpaw.com 407-321-1006 phone volunteer, 407-415-6601 (text for fastest reply)

In-home private sessions available for friendly dogs. Regular at-your-site prices apply