Hoof & Claw Animal Behaviour & Welfare

Modern | Evidence‑based | Welfare-focused

Animal Training in Armidale, NSW

Welcome to Hoof & Claw Animal Behaviour & Welfare!

Where we go beneath the surface of “obedience” and focus on the relationship, communication, and overall welfare of you and your

four-legged best friend.

Whether you’re starting from scratch, feeling stuck with a behaviour issue, or wanting everyday skills to be stress-free, we offer support tailored to you and the animals in your world with practical solutions that are designed to work in real-life situations.

SERVICES

FAQS

Please send an inquiry if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Help! I don't know where to begin?

Send an Inquiry to get started.
We discuss your animal and goals.
We confirm if this is the right fit for both of us.
You can book in for your 1-hour face-to-face initial consultation or for a puppy or adolescent package.

Do I need an initial consultation?

Puppy Essentials and Adolescent Confidence programs can be booked directly.

All other services (Adult Success, Day Train, Walk & Train and Cooperative Care) start with a 60‑minute in‑home initial consultation, so we can understand your dog, your household and your goals before recommending a program.

*The $80 consultation is credited toward your package if you decide to go ahead.

What's the initial consultation like?

Before booking:

We discuss your animal's history, your goals, any safety concerns, and past experiences.
We listen to understand what brought you to us.
We provide some early management/training tips.
We're honest about whether our approach is right for your situation.
We answer any questions so you feel confident before committing.

There's no obligation - this is about making sure we're the right fit for each other.

Where are sessions held?

Sessions are generally held at your property so your animal learns in their own environment. This is crucial because:

Your animal is calm and familiar with the space.
We work with the actual environment where problems occur.
You learn in the context where you'll practice.

What training methods do you use?

Training is based on modern, reward‑based methods that focus on teaching dogs what to do, using food, play and real‑life rewards. No fear‑based tools or intimidation are used, and recommendations follow current welfare and veterinary guidelines.

What kind of rewards do you use during training?

Treats are one tool in our training toolkit, but not the only one. Positive reinforcement comes in many forms:

High-value treats.
Verbal praise and affection.
Play and access to favourite toys or activities.
Environmental rewards (going outside, sniffing time, interaction with other dogs).

Most animals are motivated by something. If food motivation is low, we identify what your animal finds rewarding and use that. We work with your individual animal's preferences.

Do you guarantee results?

Behaviour is influenced by many factors - health, environment, history and daily routines - so no ethical trainer can guarantee specific outcomes.

What is offered is science‑based methods, realistic guidance and support to help you implement changes at home.

Do you offer group classes?

Not yet! - stay tuned on my socials for when this will become available.

Can you help with reactivity/aggressive behaviour?

Not yet! - stay tuned on my socials for when this will become available.

What if we're not seeing progress?

Training is a marathon not a sprint and is usually a steady progression. If you're not seeing progress:

First check: Are you doing home practice daily if not 4 times per week (minimum) consistently?
Second check: Are you replicating the techniques exactly as shown?
Third check: Is your animal's stress level/environment affecting learning?

We troubleshoot during sessions and adjust our approach as needed. Progress sometimes looks different from what was expected, and we help you recognise and celebrate it.

If, after honest assessment, our approach isn't working for your situation, we'll discuss alternatives, including referrals to other trainers or specialists.

CONTACT

If you are ready to get started with training, submit an enquiry form and tell me about you, your dog and which service you're interested in. I'll then send you some forms to fill in and a booking link to confirm your spot.

Hoof & Claw Animal Behaviour & Welfare

Armidale NSW 2350, Australia

Hours

Mon	By Appointment
Tue	By Appointment
Wed	By Appointment
Thu	By Appointment
Fri	By Appointment
Sat	By Appointment
Sun	Closed