Paws for Praise

Anne Springer is why people hate positive trainers. She is incredibly offensive and gives other balanced and positive reinforcement trainers a bad name. Her puppy classes are an absolute joke, for the low rate of $ 175 you can get a trainer that is 10 minutes late to class, will proceed to spend 15 minutes bashing every other trainer in New England (both positive and punishment based) and then will start with her blatant hatred for all bully breeds and the stereotypes and biases associated with them (or any other powerful breed) throughout the 5 minutes of playtime and class.
The skills taught are subpar and delivered in a way that does not allow the dogs to think for themselves or increase time or duration of the behaviors in class. Week one: sit. Week two: down. Week three: quick talk on recalls with no practical application. Throughout the classes she cannot be bothered to physically get up and assist, but she will sit on a chair and critique from afar. I get the aspects of her own physical limitations, but she either needs an assistant or should not be teaching group classes. To those in the class struggling with the basics? Good luck. You won’t be receiving any additional help or input from Anne. The favoritism and breed elitism in the class is astonishing.
At the end of class you are sent home with an ill-​prepared «homework» handout with a few YouTube links on how to teach the skills that *should* have been covered in the class. She spends absolutely no time in class (a PUPPY class, mind you) asking questions on how any of the «homework» went or basics such as crate training, potty training, discrimination, socialization, etc have been going. This is so incredibly simple and overlooked week after week.
Overall, you’d be better at a crappy Petsmart training class than having anything to do with this woman or her training classes. I have several friends who are trainers in the area, who use animal learning theory and reward based training who have received personal calls, verbal attacks and threats by this woman. For being so «positive» with dogs she certainly is the opposite with humans.

I am a fellow dog trainer from California. I met Anne when I enrolled into Jean Donaldson’s Academy For Dog Trainers. Anne has been a great role model and mentor. She is experienced and knowledgeable. Her methods are science based force free methods. I couldn’t think of a better trainer in the Danvers area that I would trust to help me with my own dogs.

I am a dog trainer also, who uses Anne’s same methods. If I lived in MA or anywhere nearby, you bet I would be using her classes for my own dogs. It would be hard to find a better, more experienced, more knowledgeable, and more kind and scientifically based trainer.

This was a very good time for both dogs and people. I went here two weeks ago for the first time and was amazed with the mix of dogs and the joy they were all having. Also one guy had a new small dog and kept making other dogs not come near his owner, Anne the owner would tell the guy to get up and walk away every time to teach the dog that this behavior will cause your owner to leave. Good time and worth a visit. I think it takes place on Sunday afternoons except holiday weekends, also ten bucks a visit or a 5 time pass for 45.00.

Anne is amazing! Truly wise and empathetic, about people as well as dogs. I called Paws For Praise to schedule a dog behavior consultation, expecting to leave a voicemail. Anne answered and spoke with me for over an hour, offering immediate short-​term help and advice, as well as strategies for the long-​term. She did not judge, but listened and asked insightful questions. Anne’s love for dogs is obvious, but that she cares for and understands the people who own dogs is what makes her unique.
I’ll be recommending her to anyone with whom I come in contact, and will be using her services for years to come.

Anne is the best! She understands «dog speak» and the dogs respond positively to her. She is very patient and always available to answer questions. Her class schedules are frequent and convenient. Yappy Hour is a great time for the dogs and their owners. My two «kids» love their Aunty Anne!

We feel incredibly lucky to have discovered Anne Springer and Paws for Praise! Our pup is now 15 weeks old and already a graduate of the first series of basic puppy training. Although my wife and I have years of experience with dogs, we never really knew the right tools to be a ‘dog trainer’ instead of just a ‘dog owner’. Anne is wonderful at teaching these tools and guiding you through the ongoing process of having a well-​behaved pup. She does this with a great balance of kind-​heartedness and authority and offers many wonderful group classes (can’t wait to start Hound About Town, which is loose leash walking!!) — — in addition to Yappy Hour for plain old fun and doggy socialization in a safe environment.
I would recommend Paws for Praise to anyone and everyone — whether you think you are a novice or an expert, and regardless of what stage of life you or your dog might be going through.

Anne is the only reason that we were able to keep our dog, Spike. We had Spike in class at 8 weeks old. He has been to several of Anne’s other classes since and occasionally makes it over to happy hour… (My fault he isn’t there more) Spike absolutely adores Anne and all the dogs at her classes. We recently got a second dog Roxy who has now been though the basic manners class and we are waiting for the next continuing education class to begin. Anne is also great in the aspect that you can email her any time with questions from training tips, boarding, vets offices or even types of food to eat. One thing you must understand about going to Anne is that she is very blunt with her feedback! But it is always right on and honest! Anne has great knowledge in dog behavior as well as people behavior and how the two should interact. I recommend Paws for Praise to all dog owners! Oh and if you are looking for a safe place for your dog to play, the yappy hour is the way to go! PS: Spike misses you Anne!

Anne has been a blessing to us. She has a way of sharing that is straightforward yet not critical. She is compassionate but doesn’t sugarcoat her feedback. She is personable, knowledgeable, funny, and just awesome overall. Anne’s skill at teaching stems from her ability to connect with her clients and assess their learning needs. She then tailors the training to the individual owner… and the dog, too, although usually the humans need it just as much! Anne has accepted and even embraced us, and our bully breed, after many turned us away, and for that we are so very grateful. Thanks Anne!!!