Train
Paws4ever is committed to supporting you and your dog throughout your relationship together. Our professional dog training instructors use only science-based, positive reinforcement methods to help you and your dog achieve your training goals.
We offer a variety of fun and accessible private lessons, group classes, and workshops for every age and level.
Tuition Supports Shelter Pets
Paws4ever is a completely independent non-profit organization that operates an Adoption Center for dogs and cats rescued from our local county shelters. Unlike tuition fees at for-profit dog training businesses, your tuition for Paws4ever’s Dog Training Program saves lives and provides quality care for homeless pets in our community.
Paws4ever’s Training Philosophy
You may have noticed that your dog does not speak human language or read minds. Wouldn’t that be easy? Positive reinforcement is the best way to build communication, cooperation, and trust between you and your dog. The best part about this type of positive training is that it not only works well, but it can be fun and confidence boosting for both of you!
Think about dog training like driving a car: you can steer all day, but you still won’t go anywhere without the gas. Rewards are the fuel for behavior that keeps your dogs engaged and encourages them to keep trying. Rewards are our way of communicating to Rover what it is that we like and want to see more of.
Punishment on the other hand, such as yelling at a dog or yanking their leash, is like the brakes. It impedes progress, so it doesn’t have a place in the Paws4ever classroom. If a dog is too afraid to make a mistake, then they’ll stop offering behaviors altogether, leaving no opportunity for productive learning. Instead we want them to enthusiastically keep working with us so we get the chance to say “Yes! That right there! Do that!”
Positive training isn’t just safe and humane–it’s proven effective. Dogs learn better when they are motivated and comfortable–don’t you?
Our trainers are happy to talk your ear off about the many benefits of using positive-reinforcement based training, so please feel free to ask further questions if you are curious about the hows and whys of dog behavior. Let’s talk!
Dog Training Scholarships
The regular price of our dog training classes are $135-$150 per 5-week group class or $100 per 1-hour private lesson. If you are in need of training for your dog and are unable to afford our regular rates, you may request a Dog Training Scholarship. A scholarship can provide up to a 5-week group class and 2-3 private lessons.
Paws4ever’s Training Facility
Paws4ever Dog Training classes and lessons are held in our spacious and cheerful Learning Center at Paws4ever at 6311 Nicks Rd. in Mebane. Paws4ever is in a beautiful rural setting that is convenient to pet families in Mebane, Burlington, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Carrboro, Durham, Graham, and other surrounding areas!
Paws4ever also has an Adoption Center and a 3-acre membership-based Dog Park on site!
Give the Gift of Education
Did you know that we offer gift certificates for our Dog Training Program? Gift a private lesson or a group class to a friend (or yourself!) for future use. Learn more at the button below!
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“We so appreciate Heather’s useful and practical advice – we were able to apply it right away.”
Play time was great socialization experience.
Methods used are kind and positive and help build bond between owner and puppy.”
“We listened to our breeder and signed our dog up for their puppy class. Our main goal was to help with socialization with our puppy. This class is great and Brian was a wonderful teacher. He was very knowledgeable and great with the dogs. Not only did the class focus on socialization but we also learned how to teach basic skills to our dog in a positive way. I was also able to witness several dogs start the class feeling insecure but after two classes they were able to join the pack and enjoy the other dogs. It was really awesome to see the dogs improve in a positive environment. So glad we took this class!”