If possible, it is best to have a trainer come to your home before you get your dog. A good trainer will give you lots of tips on puppy proofing your house to make the first few days go as smoothly as possible. If you already have your dog, then you can sign up for puppy class as soon as your pup has had 2 sets of puppy vaccinations.

There is no one right way to train a dog, as every dog will learn differently. At Best Paw Forward we will determine what works best for your dog and for you. In Beginner obedience we do not use any treats, as the goal is to have you and your dog's relationship grow together. Training should always be fun for both the dog and the owner, and that's what we strive for at the classes.

We believe in giving each student individual attention during class, so classes are small. Puppy class is limited to between 8-10 students, and Beginner and Outdoor Adventure 6-8 students. The DOGSAFE Canine First Aid course is limited to 10 students.

The training classes are a commitment - you will have homework and you will need to practice daily with your dog to see results. Your class will be once a week for one hour and are held at Happy Hound Dog Daycare in Nanaimo. You will need to bring your dog's vaccination records to the first class, as well as payment.

Everyone in the family is welcome at class as it is important for the dog that everyone is on the same page. It's great to have kids at puppy class, since we try and expose the puppies to as many new things as possible. In Beginner class there will be some down time for the kids as you work with your dog - so please bring something for the kids to do.

If someone else in the family can bring your dog to class, that would be best. If that's not possible, we can arrange a time that works best to make up the lesson. There will be no cost for a make up lesson.