Paw Paws Canine College

4.6 Stars,22 Reviews

1645 Powers Hollow Rd, Slanesville, WV 25444

Service area: Serves Hampshire County, West Virginia and clients within a 2-2.5 hour drive from Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Service Overview

Types of Dog Training

Family Dog
Behavior Modification

Specialty Focus Areas

Basic Obedience
Leash Pulling
Barking Excessively
Separation Anxiety
Jumping on People
Potty Training
Recall
Reactivity / Aggression
Biting / Nipping

Training Formats Offered

Board and Train
Private Facility
Private Lessons

Program Formats

Intensive Program
Ongoing Weekly
Sessions Package

Types of Dogs

Small
Medium
Large
Giant
Herding
Sporting
Working
Hounds
Terriers
Doodles
Brachycephalic

Age of Dogs Trained

Puppy (<1 year)
Adolescent (1-2 years)
Adult (2-8 years)
Senior (8+ years)

Dog Training Methodology

Methods:

✓ Balanced Training
✓ Positive Reinforcement Only

Equipment:

✓ Food Rewards
✓ Harnesses
✓ Flat Collars
✓ Obstacle Courses

The flagship program is a 3-week intensive board-and-train with a focus on basic obedience (heel, sit, stay, down, come), extended down stays (15-20+ minutes), and practical applications. Graduates receive a 1.5-hour lesson at graduation and three additional follow-up lessons within four months to develop off-leash control. Free brush-up training is offered for life with future boarding. Private lessons and behavior modification sessions are also available.

Pricing & Policies

Pricing Summary

Pricing is available upon request via phone or email. Payment plans are offered for the 3-week board-and-train program. Brush-up training is free for life with future boarding. No public pricing listed.

Policies

All services require appointments; no drop-ins are allowed. Boarding requires current vaccinations for rabies, distemper complex, and Bordetella. Payment plans available for training programs.

Testimonials

Amazing- anyone struggling with their dog should bring them here. We brought our dog to Sue maybe three/four years ago as a last resort. Our sweet dog was getting intolerable as she grew older and stronger. Sue taught many wonderful things (including “place” which saves the poor mail man) and now that our dog is 5 years old and we have a 4 month old puppy, we will definitely be sending our new pup to Sue for the same training. Thank you Sue for teaching Bear (and us) so well! See you soon for the next pup.
– Anonymous

I cannot recommend Paw Paws Canine College enough! I took my 11 month golden retriever to Jenny and Sue for the board training program. After three weeks with them, my dog was incredibly well behaved. After the initial board train, we went back every month for the follow individual sessions which were enormously helpful for advanced skills. People are always commenting on how well behaved she is. She can be in a long down stay, courtesy when guests come to the door, great on leash, and we’re continuing to work on off leash skills. All of this is because of Jenny and Sue. My dog also loved them and was so excited every time we pulled into the driveway.
– Anonymous

I had adopted a small dog that had experienced some sort of trauma. The advice we were given with our short training visit paid off. She also counseled patience with the dog and that we have understanding that her whole world had changed and she was simply not certain of anything. Her routines were disrupted and she had no certainty of her place in the social order. So, we gave her some room while establishing routines that were more in her comfort zone. Now, that little dog is very sure of herself and honestly one of the best dogs I ever adopted. Thanks Jenny!
– Anonymous

About the Trainer

Paw Paws Canine College is a dog training and boarding facility located in Slanesville, West Virginia, founded by Sue Clauss with over 45 years of experience in dog training. They offer a balanced training approach combining positive reinforcement with behavior correction, focusing on building self-control in dogs through foundational obedience. Their signature 3-week board-and-train program includes solid command mastery, extended down stays, and free follow-up lessons for life with future boarding. They specialize in resolving behavior problems such as leash pulling, barking, separation anxiety, aggression, and housebreaking. The facility provides heated and air-conditioned boarding with two fenced play areas, overnight indoor sleeping, and care for special diets and medications. Trainers Sue Clauss and Jenny Mercer are both highly experienced and personally involved in training and client support.

Clients can also access Sue Clauss’s book, “Stop That Dog Now!”, which outlines practical methods for behavior improvement, and read free articles from the book on their website. The business emphasizes long-term success through follow-up training and offers payment plans for their programs.

The facility is open by appointment only and serves clients from Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., and surrounding areas within a 2-2.5 hour drive.

Accomplishments

Sue Clauss has trained over 10,000 dogs and operated training centers in Maryland and Delaware since 1989. She is the author of “Stop That Dog Now!”, a comprehensive guide for dog owners. The business has been operating since 2006 in West Virginia.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients should contact the facility by phone or email to discuss their dog’s needs and schedule an appointment. A consultation is required before enrolling in any program.

Contact

46+ Years Experience
Free Consultation

Availability

Weekdays
Weekends
Morning
Afternoon
Evening

Languages

English

wheelchair accessible parking

Other Services Offered

Kennel
Pet boarding service

Location