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We're so excited to have you and your dog as part of the Paws and Possibilities family! We’re here to support you every step of the way.

‍Every client begins their class training journey with our Virtual First Class: Part 1 class. This class is the foundation of our training program and is required before attending other classes. During this class, we'll cover:‍ ‍

How our training program works
What to expect in classes
How to get the most out of your membership
How to choose the right classes for you and your dog

Our memberships are designed to be flexible, so there isn't one "correct" timeline or class progression for your dog. Your training journey will depend on your dog's individual needs, rate of progress, your consistency with training, and how often you're able to attend classes.

‍The pathways below are intended to serve as a guide and provide a general recommendation for how many clients choose to progress through our program. As you meet the prerequisites for additional classes, you're welcome to attend any class that fits your training goals, including specialty classes and workshops.

Choose the pathway that best describes your dog and explore the class options below:

Puppy Pathway (8 weeks to 6 months old)
Dogs 6 Months & Older Pathway
Reactive Dog Pathway

‍If you're ever unsure which class is the best fit or what to attend next, we're happy to help! Contact us anytime at Info@pawsandpossibilities.com.

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Puppy Pathway

(8 weeks to 6 months old)

Your first four weeks are all about building a strong training foundation while helping your puppy develop confidence, appropriate social skills, and a love of learning. We recommend completing the following during your first four weeks of training:
Attend Virtual First Class: Part 1
- This class is required before attending any other classes and will introduce you to our training philosophy, explain how our membership works, and help you get started.
(If you purchased the Puppy Program) Schedule Your First Private Lesson
- We recommend scheduling your first private lesson early in your training journey. Your private lesson is tailored to your puppy's individual needs and will help you create a personalized training plan while supporting everything you're working on in class.
Attend Puppy Social Classes Regularly
- Continue attending Puppy Social and Puppy Social/Confidence Building classes throughout your puppy's first six months of age. These classes are designed to help your puppy develop appropriate social skills and confidence while complementing your foundation training.
Attend Virtual First Class: Part 2
- We recommend taking Virtual First Class: Part 2 during your first or second week of training. This class is not required as your second class but we want you to take it early in your training journey. Feel free to sprinkle in the classes below between your first class and this one. This class covers how to appropriately address unwanted behaviors and communicate clear expectations with your puppy.
Focus on Beginner-Level Classes
We recommend spending your first four weeks building a strong foundation by attending classes such as:
- In-Person Beginner
- Virtual Confidence Building
- Virtual Open Coaching
- Two Virtual Leadership Classes
- Any virtual class (except Virtual Intermediate)
In-Person Workshops You Can Attend
During your first four weeks, you're also welcome to attend:
- Grooming 101
- Separation Anxiety Solutions
- Kids Training Workshop
- Kids and Dogs: Safe Interactions
- Potty Training Solutions
- Tricks
- Playtime with a Purpose
- Nail Trim Workshop
- Any virtual workshop
By this stage, you and your puppy should have a solid training foundation and be ready to begin adding more variety to your training. We recommend continuing to attend your Beginner-level classes while gradually introducing new classes as you become eligible.
Remember, just because you've unlocked a new class doesn't mean you have to stop attending your previous classes. Many dogs continue to benefit from Beginner classes while also participating in more advanced classes. Attending a variety of classes helps build reliability, confidence, and real-world skills.
Continue Attending
- Puppy Social and Puppy Social & Confidence Building (until your puppy reaches 6 months of age)
- Beginner
- Virtual Confidence Building
- Virtual Open Coaching
- Virtual Leadership
Add These In-Person Classes
As you meet the prerequisites, we recommend adding:
- Beginner/Intermediate
- Confidence Building
- Leadership
- Open Coaching
Add These In-Person Workshops
As you become eligible, you can also begin attending:
- Confidence Building Workshop
- Dogs, Doors, & Doorbells Workshop
- Intro to Pet Therapy
- Stop Unwanted Jumping Workshop
- Leash Walking
- Recall Workshop
- Mastering Multi Dog Walks
- Service Dog Foundations
- Duration Workshop
- Scent Work Workshop
As you continue building your skills, you'll begin transitioning into more advanced training opportunities. At this stage, the focus is on increasing reliability, practicing skills around more distractions, and continuing to strengthen the relationship between you and your dog.
Continue Building Your Skills
We recommend continuing to attend the classes that best support your dog's needs and goals, including:
In-Person Classes
- Intermediate
- Confidence Building
- Leadership
- Open Coaching
- Puppy Social and Puppy Social & Confidence Building (until your puppy reaches 6 months of age)
Workshops
- Agility
- (Coming Soon) Intermediate-level workshops
Continue Your Training
Training doesn't stop after 12 weeks! As your dog progresses, you'll continue building reliability, confidence, and real-life skills by attending the classes that best match your goals. Many of our clients continue training well beyond their first few months and enjoy exploring specialty classes and advanced training opportunities as they become eligible.
As your dog continues to progress, additional opportunities may include:
- Pack Walks and Other Public Outings
- Advanced Class (trainer approval required)
- Becoming A Demo Dog For Events and Reactive Dog Classes (trainer approval required)
- Canine Good Citizen preparation and testing with select trainers
- Pet Therapy preparation and certification
- Teen Social and Adult Dog Social (as your puppy ages out of Puppy Social)

Dogs 6 Months & Older Pathway

Your first four weeks are all about building a strong training foundation while helping your dog develop confidence, strengthen your communication, and build the skills needed for future training. We recommend completing the following during your first four weeks of training.:
Attend Virtual First Class: Part 1
- This class is required before attending any other classes and will introduce you to our training philosophy, explain how our membership works, and help you get started.
Attend Virtual First Class: Part 2
- We recommend taking Virtual First Class: Part 2 during your first or second week of training. This class is not required as your second class but we want you to take it early in your training journey. Feel free to sprinkle in the classes below between your first class and this one. This class covers how to appropriately address unwanted behaviors and communicate clear expectations with your puppy.
Focus on Beginner-Level Classes
We recommend spending your first four weeks building a strong foundation by attending classes such as:
- In-Person Beginner
- Virtual Confidence Building
- Virtual Open Coaching
- Two Virtual Leadership Classes
- Any virtual class (except Virtual Intermediate)
In-Person Workshops You Can Attend
During your first four weeks, you're also welcome to attend:
- Grooming 101
- Separation Anxiety Solutions
- Kids Training Workshop
- Kids and Dogs: Safe Interactions
- Potty Training Solutions
- Tricks
- Playtime with a Purpose
- Nail Trim Workshop
- Any virtual workshop
By this stage, you and your dog should have a solid training foundation and be ready to begin expanding your skills. We recommend continuing to attend your Beginner-level classes while gradually introducing new classes as you become eligible.
Remember, just because you've unlocked a new class doesn't mean you have to stop attending your previous classes. Many dogs continue to benefit from Beginner classes while also participating in more advanced classes. Attending a variety of classes helps build reliability, confidence, and real-world skills.
Continue Attending
- Beginner
- Virtual Confidence Building
- Virtual Open Coaching
- Virtual Leadership
Add These In-Person Classes
As you meet the prerequisites, we recommend adding:
- Beginner/Intermediate
- Confidence Building
- Leadership
- Open Coaching
Add These In-Person Workshops
As you become eligible, you can also begin attending:
- Confidence Building Workshop
- Dogs, Doors, & Doorbells Workshop
- Intro to Pet Therapy
- Stop Unwanted Jumping Workshop
- Leash Walking
- Recall Workshop
- Mastering Multi Dog Walks
- Service Dog Foundations
- Duration Workshop
- Scent Work Workshop
As you continue building your skills, you'll begin transitioning into more advanced training opportunities. At this stage, the focus is on increasing reliability, practicing skills around more distractions, and continuing to strengthen the relationship between you and your dog.
Continue Building Your Skills
We recommend continuing to attend the classes that best support your dog's needs and goals, including:
In-Person Classes
- Intermediate
- Confidence Building
- Leadership
- Open Coaching
Workshops
- Agility
- (Coming Soon) Intermediate-level workshops
Continue Your Training
Training doesn't stop after 12 weeks! As your dog progresses, you'll continue building reliability, confidence, and real-life skills by attending the classes that best match your goals. Many of our clients continue training well beyond their first few months and enjoy exploring specialty classes and advanced training opportunities as they become eligible.
As your dog continues to progress, additional opportunities may include:
- Pack Walks and Other Public Outings
- Advanced Class (trainer approval required)
- Becoming A Demo Dog For Events and Reactive Dog Classes (trainer approval required)
- Canine Good Citizen preparation and testing with select trainers
- Pet Therapy preparation and certification
- Teen Social and Adult Dog Social (after completing the required prerequisites)

Reactive Dog Pathway

Your first month is all about building a strong foundation and creating a personalized training plan for you and your dog. During this time, we recommend getting started with your virtual training right away while preparing for your private lessons.
Attend Virtual Classes
You're welcome to attend any of our virtual classes and virtual workshops during your first month.
We especially recommend attending:
- Virtual Reactive
- Virtual Confidence Building
Complete Your Manners Matter Modules
Before each of your private lessons, we recommend completing the following:
- Before your first private lesson: Complete Module 1 of Manners Matter.
- Before your second private lesson: Complete Module 2 of Manners Matter.
These modules will help you get the most out of your one-on-one training sessions and provide a strong foundation for the skills you'll be working on with your trainer.
Complete Your Two Private Lessons
We recommend scheduling and completing both of your private lessons during your first month.
Your private lessons are tailored to your dog's individual needs and are designed to help you build foundational skills, work through your dog's specific challenges, and prepare you for success in the In-Person Reactive Dog Class.
During your second month, you'll continue strengthening the skills you've built while beginning to practice them in a structured group environment.
Continue Attending Virtual Classes
Continue attending any virtual classes and workshops that support your training goals, especially Virtual Reactive and Virtual Confidence Building.
Begin In Person Reactive Dog Class
Once you've completed your two private lessons, you're ready to begin attending our In Person Reactive Dog Class.
This class allows you to practice your skills in a carefully managed environment with the guidance of one of our trainers.
Progress Toward Additional Classes
As you continue attending Reactive Dog Class, your trainer will evaluate your dog's progress. When appropriate, your trainer may clear you to begin attending additional classes that match your dog's skill level and training goals.
Training doesn't stop after the first two months! As your dog continues to progress, you'll become eligible for additional classes and training opportunities based on your trainer's recommendations and your dog's individual needs.
As your confidence grows, your trainer may recommend adding other group classes to continue building your dog's skills in new environments.
If there are still specific behaviors you'd like to work on or you'd like additional support, we also offer:
- Continued Private Lessons
- Day Train
- Board and Train
Every reactive dog progresses at a different pace, and there is no set timeline for moving into additional classes. Our goal is to help you and your dog build confidence together while ensuring each new step sets you up for long-term success.