Paws for Thought
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Promoting positive dog training in Edinburgh &
Midlothian
since 2004!
Understanding your dog
Motivation drives behaviour.
Understanding it changes everything!
Dogs behave in ways that are completely normal—for them.
But when those behaviours don’t suit us, we can be quick to label them as “naughty” or “disobedient.” In reality, most dogs aren’t being deliberately difficult—they’re simply doing what feels right or rewarding in the moment.
Many behaviour issues come from unmet needs, confusion, or misunderstood communication. Traditional training methods often punish the behaviour without ever asking why it’s happening.
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When we pause to understand what’s truly motivating our dogs, training becomes not only more effective—but also more compassionate.
Our approach
Setting dogs - and their humans - up for success
We teach you how to understand your dog's world, communicate clearly, and work together. Our training is creative, kind and designed to help both ends of the lead succeed.
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Dogs are brilliant at spotting patterns and remembering what works for them. We'll help you discover the most rewarding motivators for your dog. Then you will have plenty of ways to influence their behaviour.
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We also believe that a solid understanding of learning theory is essential. Knowing how behaviours are created, strengthened, or phased out gives you the tools to build new habits, maintain good behaviour, and resolve challenges before they escalate.
Why reward based training
Punishment doesn't teach. It just suppresses.
Punishment might stop a behaviour in the moment, but it doesn't show your dog what to do instead. Worse, it can damage trust, increase fear and make problems harder to solve over time.
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We focus on guiding dogs toward the behaviour we do want - using positive reinforcement to build confidence, connection and long-term results.
Puppy Classes
​Build a strong foundation from the start
​Our puppy classes are all about confidence, communication and early social skills. Puppies learn how to interact appropriately with dogs and people, and owners learn how to support their development every step of the way.
We cover:
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Socialisation.
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The importance of play.
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How dogs communicate with each other.
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Basic puppy problems such as toilet training, puppy biting, separation, stealing and chewing
Follow-on classes
Positive, practical support for real-life situations.
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Our small group classes are ideal for dogs who have completed a puppy course or for any dog needing a refresher on the basics.
We focus on skills like loose lead walking, recall, calm behaviour around people and dogs, and more.
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We also add new challenges, tricks, and games to keep things engaging—for both dogs and humans!
One to one support
Tailored sessions, at home or out on walks
Some dogs (or humans!) do better outside of a class setting. Whether you’re looking for behaviour advice, basic training, or help with a specific issue, our private sessions are built around your needs.
We offer:
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Behavioural consultation – assessment, training and advice to address a wide range of behaviour concerns.
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Private Training sessions – Ideal for owners looking for flexibility or a quieter learning environment.
Walk & Train Sessions
Training support built into your dog’s routine
Walk & Train sessions are one-to-one outings where your dog gets both physical exercise and focused training with an experienced professional. These sessions are perfect for dogs who are practicing real-life skills like loose lead walking, recall, calm greetings, or focus around distractions.
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You’ll receive feedback and practical tips so you can continue progress at home with confidence.
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Get In Touch Today
You can email me at pawsfor@hotmail.co.uk or use the contact form—whatever’s easier!
