Beat the Winter Blues: Why Now is the Best Time to Train at Proper Paws

As the January chill settles in, it’s tempting to curl up on the couch and wait for the spring thaw. But while the temperatures have dropped, your dog’s energy level likely hasn't! At Proper Paws Dog Training, we believe winter is actually the "secret season" for a training transformation!

Here is why you should grab your leash and join us this month:

1. Spring Success Starts in the Winter

We all dream of those perfect, sunny spring walks, but those dreams can turn into a nightmare if your dog is pulling you down the sidewalk or barking at every dog that walks by! Don't wait until April to address leash manners. By focusing on loose-leash walking in our climate-controlled facility now, you’ll have a focused, polite partner ready to hit the trails the moment the first flower blooms.

2. Bust the Backyard Boredom

When it’s too cold for long walks and games of fetch dogs often get "cabin fever," which leads to chewed shoes and pent up puppies. Training is the ultimate boredom buster! It provides a constructive outlet for that pent-up energy and gives your dog a "job" to do during the long winter months.

3. Brain Power = A Tired Dog

Did you know that 15 minutes of intensive mental stimulation can be as exhausting for a dog as an hour-long run? Training is mentally taxing; it requires focus, problem-solving, and impulse control. If you want a dog that settles down quietly at your feet in the evening, a brain workout at Proper Paws is the fastest way to get there.

4. Fix the "Difficult" Stuff Now

Whether it’s jumping on guests, selective hearing, or destructive behavior from boredom, difficult behaviors take time and consistency to reshape. Use this "off-season" to put in the work. By tackling these challenges now, you won't have to spend your spring and summer stressed out—you’ll be out enjoying the sunshine with a well-behaved companion.

Don't let the frost stall your progress!

Come in from the cold and let’s get to work! Check out our upcoming class schedule and book your reservation today. We can't wait to see you and your pup in the gym!

LEVEL 1 CLASSES - Beginner Obedience for dogs over 9 months, Puppy Kindergarten for puppies up to 6 months of age.

Monday 1/26 9:30am

Level 1 - Beginner Obedience with Sharon

Tuesday 2/3 6:30pm

Level 1 - Puppy Kindergarten with Noelle

Tuesday 2/10 11:00am

Level 1 - Puppy Kindergarten with Judy

Saturday 2/21 9:30am

Level 1 - Puppy Kindergarten with Noelle

LEVEL 2 - Classes - for dogs that have done Level 1 or know Watch, Touch, Sit, Down, Come, Loose Leash basics, Got to Mat and Wait in NON-distracting areas.

Wednesday 2/4 11:00am

Level 2 - Graduate Puppy with Judy

Wednesday 2/4 6:30pm

Level 2 - Graduate Puppy with Noelle

Tuesday 2/10 12:30pm

Level 2 - Graduate Puppy with Judy

Saturday 2/28 11:00am

Level 2 - Graduate Puppy with Noelle

LEVEL 3 Classes - for dogs who have completed Level 1 & 2 and want 'real world' experience, in the winter these are challenging games and fun excersizes incorporating all of the behaviors you and your dog learned in 1&2.

Wednesday 2/18 12:30pm

Level 3 - Master Puppy with Judy

Wednesday 2/18 7:45pm

Level 3 - Master Puppy with Noelle

JUST FOR FUN - Tricks is for anyone who has completed Level 2, we work to help you attain your AKC Novice Tricks title or just come learn some cool things to teach your dog!

Thursday 2/19 11:00am

Tricks