Life Skills for the Family Dog
For dogs of all ages and skill levels
At Paws & Reward, we believe every dog deserves the skills to thrive as part of the family. Our Life Skills for the Family Dog Training Course in Flagstaff Hill, Adelaide is designed to help dogs of all ages feel more confident, stay calmer in everyday situations, and make better choice — whether you’ve got an adolescent dog who missed the foundations or an older dog who could use a refresher.
This small group dog training course focuses on the real-life skills that matter most in a family home. We’ll help you raise a dog who can make good choices around people, dogs, and everyday distractions—both at home and out in the real world.
What We Cover:
This course focuses on developing the essential life skills your dog needs to be calm, responsive, and well-mannered in everyday situations.
Throughout the course, we cover:
Building calm behaviour and helping your dog learn to switch off
Developing strong engagement and focus around distractions
Mat (place) training for settling at home and in public
Impulse control skills for real-life situations
Sit, stay, and waiting politely at doors and boundaries
Loose lead walking and staying connected to you on walks
Disengaging from people, dogs, and environmental triggers
Polite greetings with people (no jumping)
Enrichment and scent-based games to support calm behaviour
Play skills, including how to balance excitement and relaxation
You’ll also learn how to support your dog in challenging situations, so they can stay calm, make better decisions, and respond reliably in everyday environments.
More than just training
This isn’t just another dog obedience class in Adelaide—it’s a practical, modern dog training course focused on how dogs learn and how they feel.
Using positive reinforcement and thoughtful, controlled exposure, we help dogs build confidence and learn to stay connected with you, even when distractions are present. The result is a dog who not only listens, but is relaxed, engaged, and enjoyable to live with.
Small classes, personalised support
The Life Skills for the Family Dog course is limited to just 6 dogs per course, ensuring personalised coaching and plenty of individual support.
This small class size allows us to tailor exercises to your dog’s needs and help you work through any challenges with expert guidance.
What’s Included
Comprehensive Training Notes: When you enroll, you'll receive access to a dedicated online folder containing the Life Skills for the Family Dog E-booklet and additional resources to support your dog’s training and help you continue their progress at home.
Ongoing Support: Receive support throughout the weeks as needed to ensure you and your dog are on the right track.
Enrichment Tools: Access to chews, toys, lickimats, and snufflemats during class to help keep your dog settled and focused.
Graduation Package: Celebrate your dog’s achievements with a graduation bag, a photo, and a certificate.
Course Details
Duration:
4-week dog training course (one hour per week)
Location:
Weekly classes held at Flagstaff Hill Scout Hall, Adelaide
Requirements:
Dogs must be friendly towards people and other dogs
Dogs must be able to eat treats in a training environment
If you’re unsure whether this course is the right fit, please get in touch before booking
Upcoming Course Dates: TBA - starts June 2026
Tuition: $210 for the full course
Highly Recommended – Treat Pouch:
Investing in a quality treat pouch makes training easier, faster, and more enjoyable for both you and your dog. Purchase a treat pouch and good quality harness at the time of booking Life Skills for the Family Dog, and you’ll receive a 15% discount.
Please note: Dogs must be dog- and people-friendly to attend classes. If your dog is uncomfortable around unfamiliar dogs or strangers, private training will provide a more suitable and effective platform for training success.