P.J. Lacette, who created Best Paw Forward, Inc. along with Sandy Guy who has retired, is creating a new training facility in the Central Florida/Metropolitan Orlando area. She has been training dogs for more than 30 years, and has earned titles on various breeds, racking up championships, obedience and field titles, therapy dog work and commercial work. You have probably seen some of her dogs or her students' dogs in print advertising or on television programs such as Petsburgh, Disney specials, Ask the Vet, That's My Dog, Zig & Zag Alpha Dog Challenge, Way to Grow and others.
   The major emphasis of the program is on temperament and behavior work. P.J. and Sandy started motivational training after hearing Ian Dunbar speak at his first series of seminars in Florida many years ago, and started clicker training after hearing Karen Pryor and Gary Wilkes speak at the Chicago Association of Pet Dog Trainers conference some years back. P.J. continues to attend as many seminars as she can reach.
   Clickers were added as reward markers in our basic and puppy classes, and gradually shaping exercises and operant conditioning info were added to the program so that of course it is used at all levels and in all classes now. Some of the students are clicker users, some clicker trainers, but the conversion continues to gentle, effective training for the whole family.
   We have regular classes in DELAND and MAITLAND, with parallel club programs in the Osteen/Deltona area, (SEE MAP); where club members have everything from puppy through utility, plus agility and conformation. ( and the home base; where we have everything from puppy through utility, plus agility and conformation.
   PJ is Association of Pet Dog Trainers Charter Member 15 and is also a member of the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors, as well as a member of national breed, all-breed and obedience clubs. For more than 30 years she has trained dogs and their families in Central Florida, and successfully competed with her own Irish setters and flat-coated retrievers.
   For 15 of those years, we trained with Nancy Maggiacomo Schenck, DVM and Claire Koshar at Three-J Dog Training in Maitland before establishing Best Paw Forward, and we consider ourselves very lucky to have started with such sensible, fair trainers. Having mentors with great people skills and who exhibit such sportsmanship and grace under pressure is a major plus.
   Our experienced, trained professionals offer dog training classes based on trust and respect, starting with our gentle PuppyLove sessions for puppies under 20 weeks old. It's easier and less expensive to prevent problems rather than fix them later.
   Many of our methods are based on those of Dr. Ian Dunbar, and clicker training methods we learned from Karen Pryor & Gary Wilkes. Most of our classes are limited to ensure lots of individual attention. Daytime, evening and weekend sessions are available. We also do Private Classes.
   Daytime and weekend programs on Agility Concepts are also included for dogs with some obedience or behavior training background, and our Jump Start introduces the agility equipment to families and dogs new to agility.
   Speakers on dog-related topics are available for school, professional and civic group programs.
   If your friends are considering getting a puppy or an adult dog, we will be glad to suggest breeds best suited to their households, and discuss the various merits of puppies vs. adult dogs.
Our staff can also help them find reputable breeders or offer tips on how to select appropriate pets from shelters and breed rescue groups.