Paws Academy Dog Training

Paws Academy Dog Training Led by a qualified trainer and behaviourist, we are dedicated to using force-free, science-backed methods to achieve lasting, positive results.

⭐⭐⭐ Dog Trainer of the Year 2025 ⭐⭐⭐

Positive, reward-based dog training led by a qualified behaviourist, with behaviour support, puppy classes, obedience training and agility to help dogs grow in confidence and thrive. Welcome to Paws Academy Dog Training

With over 30 years of experience, Paws Academy provides professional dog training and behaviour support, both online and through one-to-one

and group classes in Co Mayo. Our training is vet recommended, and we specialise in supporting all behavioural challenges, with significant experience working with rescue dogs. Our services include:
* Puppy training classes
* Specialised workshops
* Behaviour modification programmes
* Agility training
* Online training

At Paws Academy, we are committed to helping you develop a well-behaved, confident, and happy dog through ethical, reward-based training.

25/11/2025

If your puppy ignores treats the moment you step outside, you are not doing anything wrong.

This is incredibly normal as the outdoors is filled with sensory input that young puppies simply cannot filter yet. Their brain is working overtime, so food drops to the bottom of the priority list very quickly.

Using higher value rewards gives your puppy a real chance to focus when the environment is busy. Start in the easiest outdoor spot you can find, reward tiny moments of attention, then build up slowly. When you train the stage, not the setting, things start to make sense for them and for you.

If this is something you are working on right now, you can save this post to come back to when training outdoors feels tough. ❤

25/11/2025

Puppy nipping is fixable.

See below ⬇

What a beautiful morning ☀️It’s a lovely day for training (if a tad chilly) hopefully the contact equipment will have de...
25/11/2025

What a beautiful morning ☀️

It’s a lovely day for training (if a tad chilly) hopefully the contact equipment will have defrosted before our first agility session.

Happy Tuesday & have a fabulous day! 🐾

24/11/2025

Puppies may look adventurous, but their ability to regulate themselves is still very limited at this age. Sometimes we can often give a little too much freedom too soon, and the signs show up quickly.

You may notice more nipping, chewing, faster frustration, difficulty settling, more toileting accidents or a puppy who keeps bouncing between activities without being able to stop.

None of this means the puppy is being difficult. It simply means the environment is louder, bigger or less structured than they can cope with right now. Reducing the space, adding predictable daily routines and guiding them gently from play to rest makes a huge difference. When we match freedom to development, puppies feel more secure and everything becomes clearer for them. ❤

Save this for later in case your puppy hits this stage suddenly.

A lovely Monday off today, the sun has been shining (apart from a few isolated downpours) it’s been reasonably mild, and...
24/11/2025

A lovely Monday off today, the sun has been shining (apart from a few isolated downpours) it’s been reasonably mild, and it’s been great getting out and seeing some of the Xmas decorations at Westport House this afternoon 🙂

Happy Monday! ♥️💛🩶

Why your puppy chews everything and what it really meansIf your puppy seems to be on a mission to chew absolutely everyt...
24/11/2025

Why your puppy chews everything and what it really means

If your puppy seems to be on a mission to chew absolutely everything in sight, you are not alone. From shoes and furniture to toys and fingers, nothing seems safe during this stage. It is easy to think your puppy is being naughty, but chewing is not misbehaviour. It is biology. During teething, chewing helps relieve real physical discomfort as new teeth push through the gums. Understanding what is happening inside your puppy’s mouth makes this phase much easier to manage calmly and kindly.

Puppies are born toothless, but by three weeks old, their baby teeth start to appear. These small, needle-sharp teeth are temporary and will soon fall out to make way for their permanent set. Around three to four months old, the adult teeth begin to erupt beneath the gums. As they grow, they dissolve the roots of the baby teeth, which causes the loose teeth to fall out. This process continues until your puppy is about six months old. During that time, their gums become tender and itchy, and chewing provides relief by massaging the tissue and easing the pressure.

From your puppy’s point of view, chewing is the perfect solution. The pressure on the gums feels soothing, and it releases calming endorphins that help them feel better. They are not trying to destroy your belongings; they are trying to feel comfortable. Once you see it this way, it becomes easier to respond with patience rather than frustration.

The signs of teething are easy to spot once you know what to look for. You may see small blood spots on toys, notice a bit of drooling or find tiny teeth on the floor. Your puppy might also be a little less keen on hard kibble for a few days or paw at their mouth occasionally. These are all normal signs that the adult teeth are making their way in.

During this stage, your goal is not to stop chewing but to direct it to the right things. Offer safe chew toys that are made for teething puppies. Rubber toys that can be chilled in the fridge are especially helpful because the coolness numbs the gums and eases inflammation. Avoid anything too hard, such as bones or antlers, as they can damage the delicate new teeth.

Rotate chew toys regularly so they stay interesting. Different textures satisfy different needs: soft for gentle relief, firmer for deeper pressure. You can also try offering a frozen carrot or a damp washcloth that has been chilled. These natural options can be a soothing addition to your puppy’s chew collection.

When your puppy chooses the wrong item, calmly redirect them to something appropriate. Avoid shouting or scolding, as this can create anxiety and confusion. Simply remove the unsuitable item, offer their toy and praise them when they start chewing it instead. This helps them learn that the toy brings comfort and approval, while the forbidden item quietly disappears.

It is also a good idea to manage your environment while your puppy learns. Keep shoes, cords and children’s toys out of reach, and provide safe zones where they can play without temptation. Prevention is far easier than correction at this age.

Chewing is also an outlet for energy and stress. During teething, your puppy may feel a little restless or unsettled. Gentle play, sniffing games and short walks help release tension without overexertion. Overly energetic or rough play can make them more bitey, so balance activity with calm downtime.

This stage is also the perfect time to start getting your puppy used to having their mouth handled. Use calm praise and gentle touch around the muzzle, lifting the lips slightly for short moments. This helps prepare them for future dental care and vet visits. When adult teeth are fully in, regular brushing with a puppy-safe toothpaste will keep their mouth healthy long-term.

Teething can sometimes cause short-term changes in behaviour. Puppies might seem more irritable or distracted, or they may nip more during play. This is often just a reflection of discomfort, not disobedience. Keep training sessions short and positive, and avoid anything that requires long focus during days when they seem unsettled. The more supported they feel, the more confident they become once teething ends.

By the time your puppy reaches six or seven months, the adult teeth are usually all in place and the chewing intensity fades. You will likely notice a calmer, more focused dog. The temporary chaos of teething gives way to maturity, but the lessons you teach during this time last for life. By calmly redirecting and offering comfort, you show your puppy that you understand their needs and can be trusted to guide them through discomfort.

If you are struggling to manage chewing or nipping, or if your puppy seems unusually uncomfortable, you can reach out for advice. Sometimes retained baby teeth or jaw alignment issues can cause extra discomfort, which a vet can quickly resolve.

Teething can be messy, but it is also a valuable stage in your puppy’s development. With the right support, it becomes an opportunity to strengthen your bond rather than test it. Your patience now builds a foundation of trust, teaching your puppy that even when they feel uncomfortable, they can rely on you to make things better.

We run puppy school locally in Westport and offer global puppy training support to help owners through stages just like this one. If you would like guidance on managing teething, nipping or early behaviour training, send us a message. We are here to help you and your puppy grow together with calm, confident progress. ❤

🐶 Westport Puppy School 🐶Our next intake for puppy school in January is fully booked. We are now enrolling for Feb p...
23/11/2025

🐶 Westport Puppy School 🐶

Our next intake for puppy school in January is fully booked.

We are now enrolling for Feb puppy school, which will run for six fun, confidence building weeks, these classes do get booked up quite quickly 🙂

We would love to welcome you and your puppy to class. If you are interested in finding out more, details are below.

If you need support before puppy classes we do also offer 30 min puppy school 1:1 readiness sessions or 30 min puppy 1:1 coaching 💛

23/11/2025

There is a lot of confusion about whether an eight week old puppy can go outside before they are fully vaccinated, and the advice circulating online is often oversimplified. The answer is not to shut your puppy indoors for weeks, but also not to take them straight into busy dog areas.

Your garden is typically safe (as long as there are not unknown dogs coming in and out). Being carried in your arms is safe. Watching the world from your front gate is typically safe. These gentle exposures are a huge part of early socialisation and they shape how your puppy sees the world later on. What you avoid are high dog traffic areas where you cannot control the environment.

Finding this middle ground is one of the simplest ways to support confidence, learning and calm behaviour in the first few weeks. Save this if you are bringing home a puppy soon. ❤

Enjoying a relaxing and lazy Sunday afternoon, we are chilling out with the fire on, cup of hot chocolate, reading a boo...
23/11/2025

Enjoying a relaxing and lazy Sunday afternoon, we are chilling out with the fire on, cup of hot chocolate, reading a book 📕 after a busy week.

Hope you all have a relaxing Sunday, and if you are local to us, take care in the wind and rain today ♥️

23/11/2025

If your puppy is between ten and sixteen weeks old and their behaviour gets noticeably harder in the afternoon, there is a reason. At this age their nervous system is still developing. Their tolerance drops later in the day and it often shows up as nipping, jumping, restlessness, ignoring cues or sudden bursts of high energy.

So try to look at this as misbehaviour as it’s typically tiredness.

A simple routine of short play, toilet break and guided settling before they tip over can change your entire afternoon with them. Some puppies need you close by to switch off. Some need a calming chew or scatter feeding on their bed. Supporting them before the meltdown encourages smoother naps and calmer evenings.

Puppies typically need less vs more in this period, so skip the extra walks, the extra training and promote rest and sleep instead. ♥️

22/11/2025

Many 8 to 12 week old puppies cannot settle on their own yet, and that is completely normal. Their arousal rises quickly and drops slowly, which means they often need your help to make that shift into rest. Sitting with them, offering a chew, stroking them for a minute, or guiding them into a calm set up is not creating dependence. It is teaching their nervous system what settling feels like.

When the pattern is predictable, puppies become more confident resting without constant input because the process makes sense to them. Support first, then independence follows.

Let me know if your puppy is struggling with naps at the moment and I can share more guidance.

Address

Aughness South, Ballycroy, Westport
Mayo
F28YR65

Telephone

+353857574185

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About Kola-Beanz

Kola-Beanz Equestrian and Pet supplies is a family run business in Co Mayo, Ireland. We are proud to be working with some of the best equestrian and pet brands, all hand chosen by us, to ensure that we only stock products that we know and trust.

This ensures that we only sell items which are superior quality, hardwearing, have a great design, plus are the latest in high end fashion.

We specialise in the HAAS Brushes and HAAS Brush Sets and have exclusive Brush Packs designed for your horses particular colour and coat. As well as stocking all the HAAS brushes individually.

At Kola-Beanz we are dedicated to providing award winning customer service, and have a fantastic customer loyalty reward scheme, called ‘Blue Points’. Blue-Points are given for every purchase made, plus bonus blue-points are awarded for sharing to FB, Twitter or following on Instagram. Plus you get money off vouchers as part of our refer a friend scheme. Your Blue-Points can then be used for money off purchases or great gifts! It’s good to be rewarded!