Local puppy training – the fun way!

Paws & Minds’ range of puppy services includes; Pre Arrival & New Puppy In-Home Consultation, 1:1 Puppy Packages, and Puppy Life Skills Class. The focus is always on a kind and compassionate approach to training and care for your puppy, supporting you both to lead a fulfilling and happy life together.

Choose an individually personalised training package to meet your new puppy’s care and training needs with options to work at your home and in your local area, or join one of our group training classes run near Evertown, DG14.

My focus is always on supporting you both to lead a fulfilling and happy life together.

I would wholeheartedly recommend Tara to anyone with a puppy

Just over a year ago, we at very short notice acquired a puppy, Diggie, a Cockapoo. We had been thinking about a dog for a couple of years after losing our very old and very lovely Jack Russell, Tucker, and my daughter decided one weekend that she had met the perfect pup. However, we were a little unprepared!

Our previous dog had been a rescue when he was almost six years old, and basically he came trained and was not ever keen on changing his ways! Having a puppy was a whole new experience, and Tara was crucial in providing us with essential help and advice in the first few days and weeks of us getting to know each other. Tara was incredibly helpful and nothing seemed to be too much trouble, or even a silly question.

Once Diggie had settled in and was getting the knack of house training and basic instructions, she and I attended puppy training classes in our local village hall. This provided me with an insight on how to handle Diggie, what to expect from her, what was expected of me, and how to be realistic in those expectations. We had support from one week to the next in the series of six training sessions, via a WhatsApp group, which was invaluable in providing a recap of the lessons, and detailed instructions on the steps needed for certain commands. I felt so much more confident after the course in my abilities, not just Diggie’s.

I continued to practice what we had learnt, I think with quite some success. Diggie is a pleasure to walk, she’s not always perfect but then neither am I! Sometimes recall is a bit hit and miss, but after Tara’s advice to go back to basics, it’s improving again.

After Christmas we joined in with another session of six lessons, this time in trick training, which I think Diggie really enjoyed. She will often spontaneously offer up one of her tricks when she is after a treat!

I would wholeheartedly recommend Tara to anyone with a puppy, or an older dog, who needs a little help. She’s clear, concise, but also comprehensive, in her guidance. Tara responds quickly to messages and seems genuinely interested in how we are getting on. I have confidence that if I contact her for anything, she will respond. The whole experience of puppydom has been lovely, and part of this is down to Tara’s wise words.

– Lois & Diggie

I feel we have now been provided with an excellent set of skills

Just completed a six week puppy training course with Tara. It has been really great fun and informative. I had the youngest in the class but Tara has been very patient with Ruby’s over-enthusiasm! I feel we have now been provided with an excellent set of skills that we can now move forward into the real world. It has most definitely been a very worthwhile experience.
Thanks Tara!

– Sally & Ruby

We have just completed a six week puppy training class with Tara and our two girls. Tara gave us great advice and was patient both with puppies and humans. The follow up emails after every lesson recapping all we had learnt helped to focus the mind. Would definitely recommend.

– Lorinda, Hettie & Isla

Whether you need help with a new puppy, behaviour challenges, or want to build your dog’s skills, Paws and Minds compassionate, effective approach is designed to bring lasting results.