Stepping into your first dog training class can feel a bit like the first day of school—equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking (and that’s just for the humans). Whether you’ve got a bouncing puppy or a teenage hooligan in a fur coat, here’s what you can expect from your very first group class at Paws ‘n’ Heal—plus a few handy tips to help things go smoothly.

Before You Arrive

1. Pack the treats:
Bring high value treats (feel free to bring chicken or hot dog sausages if you have a pocket rocket). The class environment is a HIGHLY stimulating environment, even for chilled pups. Think of the smells, the other dogs, the strange people….setting them up for success from the get go is only going to beneficial to progression. If your dog normally has a meal around class time, skip the meal. It will keep them motivated to work and help ensure they aren’t being overfed.

2. Consider your kit:
Bring your dog on a flat collar or well-fitted harness. A standard lead (no retractables) is a must and dogs must be under control on a lead at all times. Class is meant to be a positive experience and all dogs having their space reinforces this. Bonus points if you bring a treat pouch—fiddling with greasy pockets is no fun for anyone.

3. Don’t overdo the pre-class walk:
A gentle stroll is fine, but don’t exhaust your dog beforehand—they need brain energy, not just physical tiredness.

When You Arrive

1. Take your time settling in:
Your dog might be very excited or a bit unsure. That’s okay! Find a quiet spot, give them a few treats for calm behaviour, and let them take it all in.

2. Expect barking, pulling, and general chaos—at first:
It’s completely normal for the first 10 minutes to feel like a bit of a doggy disco. Everyone’s adjusting. Don’t panic—we trainers have seen it all and nothing shocks us.

3. You’ll work on engagement straight away:
We’ll kick off with simple focus games and reward-based exercises to help your dog tune into you, even with distractions around.

What You’ll Learn

The first session is all about laying strong foundations:

• Focus and name recognition

• Marker words or clickers to build communication

• Basic cues like ‘sit’ or ‘watch me’

• Loose lead walking prep

• How to reward effectively and read your dog’s body language

You’ll also get tips on setting your dog up for success outside the class—because consistency at home is where the magic happens.

What Not to Bring

• Tension or embarrassment. We’ve all been the person with the dog doing backflips on the lead. No judgement here.

• Harsh tools. No prong collars, choke chains, or aversives—ever. This is a positive, force-free zone.

• Unrealistic expectations. Your dog won’t graduate as a canine Einstein in week one. But you will leave feeling empowered, supported, and full of tools to practise. Trust the process. Each week builds on the week before and it all comes together for dog and human!

Final Thoughts

Your first training class is just the beginning of your journey together. You’re not just teaching your dog to ‘sit’—you’re building communication, confidence, and connection.

So bring your treats, your patience, and maybe a sense of humour—and let’s turn that furry whirlwind into a well-mannered marvel (or at least one that doesn’t mug you for sausage every five seconds).