More than puppy preschool.

Looking for puppy training in Canberra that goes beyond the basics?

YoPaws Puppy Foundations is a 5-week small-group program combining behaviour, early development and assistance-dog training principles to build stronger connections, social skills and practical real-life skills from the very beginning.

The YoPaws approach

YoPaws works across early development, behaviour and assistance-dog coaching, and we bring that lens to the way we think about puppy development.

We’re also disability-aware and human-centred. We understand that people learn, communicate and participate differently too. If there’s something that would help you take part in the program, you’re welcome to talk with us before class.

Your puppy doesn’t need to be an aspiring assistance dog.

We simply believe that many of the foundations valued when preparing dogs for bigger jobs can be pretty fantastic foundations for every puppy.

Rather than focusing on creating the “perfect puppy”, we focus on helping you understand the individual puppy in front of you and giving you the tools to continue learning together long after puppy class finishes.

What will we explore? 🐾

Puppy Foundations goes beyond basic cues to explore the things that help puppies and their humans learn, communicate and grow together.

Across the program, we’ll focus on:

• Building connection and communication
• Confidence for an ever-changing world
• Thoughtful, appropriate socialisation
• Calmness and everyday life skills
• Understanding the individual puppy in front of you

And we won’t keep all of our learning inside the classroom.

Weather permitting, we’ll venture outdoors to put some of those developing skills into practice in the real world.

There’s much more waiting for you across the five weeks. You’ll discover the full Puppy Foundations journey when you join us.

Program details

5-week small-group program

📅 Starts: Wednesday 14 October 2026
🕕 Time: 6:00 pm
📍 Location: Woofy & Whiskers, Gungahlin Marketplace
Shop 15/30 Hibberson Street, Gungahlin ACT 2912
💛 Program fee: $350

Places are intentionally limited to keep the learning environment small and supportive.

🐶 Who can join?
Designed for puppies under 6 months of age at the start of the program.

For puppy safety, puppies must have received their second puppy vaccination at least 2 weeks before their first class.

Keep growing with YoPaws

Your Puppy Foundations journey doesn’t have to finish after five weeks.

Participants receive access to exclusive discounts on further YoPaws learning, including:

• A discount on the YoPaws Online Puppy Course for those wanting to continue learning at their own pace
• A discounted In-Person Assistance Dog Discovery Consult for families interested in exploring whether an assistance-dog pathway may be appropriate
• Opportunities to continue learning through further YoPaws training and community programs

Ready to start your puppy journey?

You don’t need to have everything figured out.

Bring your puppy, your questions and a willingness to learn about the little dog growing up beside you.

We’ll take it from there.

Book your place in YoPaws Puppy Foundations and come grow with us.