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 suppresses behaviour.
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.
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I’ve shared more about why I use positive reinforcement—and the problems with punishment—in this blog post.
Puppy Classes
​Confidence, communication, and early life skills for your puppy
Our classes set your puppy up for a happy, confident future. Together we’ll focus on early social skills, communication, and building positive habits from the very beginning. In a supportive, small-group environment, puppies learn how to interact politely with dogs and people, discover the importance of play, and work through everyday challenges like biting, stealing, and chewing—all with gentle, reward-based training.
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Ready to help little paws take big steps?
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Want to know more about why puppy classes are so valuable?
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Growing Up: Life Skills for Young Dogs
Confidence, practical skills, and fun for growing dogs.
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Our follow-on classes are perfect for slightly older puppies and young adolescents who are ready to take the next step in their training journey. In a supportive, small-group environment, we help your dog learn to stay focused around distractions, walk calmly on the lead, greet people and other dogs politely, and stay calm and confident during routine check-ups—all through reward-based methods.
Each session is packed with new challenges to keep learning fun for both dogs and their humans—it’s an adventure you can enjoy together!
Ready to join the fun and give your dog the skills they need for everyday life?
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One to one support
Tailored sessions, at home or out on walks
Some dogs (and humans!) do best with a little extra attention. Our one-to-one sessions are designed to focus entirely on you and your dog, helping you tackle specific challenges, strengthen training, or simply build confidence in real-life situations.
Whether it’s to assess and address tricky behaviours, or a private training session that gives you flexibility and a quieter learning environment, each session is personalised to your dog’s needs—and delivered with gentle, reward-based methods.
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!
