Frequently Asked Questions

My puppy is over 16 weeks old - can I still enrol him/her in Fun for Dogs Puppy Program?

Absolutely YES! Most puppy schools won't take puppies over the age of 16 weeks, but we believe training is too important not to do! Pawsome Interactions Dogs Puppy School Programs are for puppies aged 8 to 20 weeks. 

Can I get a refund?

Refunds will not be given for 'change of mind' for any Service offered by Pawsome Interactions that you have booked and paid for.

Legitimate requests for refunds will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will be at the discretion of Pawsome Interactions management.

Can children come to classes?

We recommend children come to classes providing they can be managed and are reasonably well behaved and not distracting you from working with your dog.

For safety reasons children under 16 years of age cannot be the primary handler in classes. However we will include your younger child in activities when by accompanied by a supervising adult.

What happens when its forecast to be very hot, or wet and cold?

During summer time, Melbourne weather can get a bit out of hand and we can get the late afternoon temperatures of 30+ degrees. Puppies and dogs cannot regulate their body temperature very well once we hit the mid 30’s and this has to be taken into account. For in home training sessions and classes we will however training in the rain and cold unless it is unsafe to do so.

Our class venue has both indoor and outdoor training areas however if we feel the heat it just too much for the dogs to cope with, we will get in touch with everyone to let them know if we postpone that class.

Why do some dogs need referrals to a Veterinary Behaviourist?

Sometimes training alone is just not enough to resolve the issues because the dog suffers from a generalised anxiety disorder, separation anxiety, fear aggression and more. When we are dealing with dogs this fragile, they need further intervention and very likely medication as their brains will simply be blocked from learning.

Only a veterinarian can prescribe these however I always highly recommend seeing a specialist in this field such as a Veterinary Behaviourist because they have in depth knowledge on behavioural problems.

Do you offer private training?

Yes we do. Some dogs will not cope in a group class for a variety of reasons. Sometimes people are unable to attend classes due to work or social commitments and it suits them to have private training lessons. Often people chose to have private training lessons to accelerate learning.

What methods do you use to train?

All of our training procedures are based on positive reinforcement training methods. We do not use correction chains, compulsion, intimidation, physical force, spray collars, electronic collars, prong collars, forcing dogs or puppies onto their backs or muzzle grabs. Hitting, yelling or forceful methods used towards dogs are also not to be used in our classes or during in home training. When undertaking training with us you understand that harsh methods will not be tolerated in training and our services may be ceased as a result. Such methods will also not be allowed in group classes and ceasing of services within a group class will result in the remaining class fees being forfeited. We will not advocate for the use of aversive methods in training and you agree our methods will focus on using positive based methods.

Will my dog put on weight because of positive reinforcement training with treats?

It’s okay to be worried about your dog’s health and this is a big concern for many people. When positive reinforcement training with treats, it is best to use tiny pieces of food and subtract these calories from your dog’s daily food ration. Training is also good exercise and highly stimulating. You may also substitute a training session for one of your dog’s regular mealtimes.

Do you train dogs of any breed, age and size?

Yes. We also train people of any breed, age and size.

How quickly can I expect to see results?

Well that depends. If your dog has been practicing an undesirable behaviour for 2 years, it won’t change in 2 weeks. Often we can provide the information needed in our in home consultation to train the new behaviour with minimal follow-up training sessions, but practice is the key to success. Many behaviours will take multiple training sessions. If you want us to do the training, a few visits each week will get results quickly.