Rates and Services

Finding the right support for your pet can feel overwhelming — especially when behaviour challenges are involved. My services are designed to offer clear guidance, practical strategies, and ongoing support, while always prioritising your pet’s emotional wellbeing and your relationship with them.

All services are personalised and evidence-based, and no advice is given without first assessing your pet.

Behaviour Consultations

Dogs & Cats

Behaviour consultations are suitable for pets experiencing fear, anxiety, reactivity, aggression, or ongoing behaviour challenges.

Consultations typically run for 1.5 to 2 hours, allowing time for a thorough assessment, discussion, and planning.

Each consultation includes:

A detailed assessment of your pet’s behaviour, history, and environment
Identification of contributing emotional, environmental, medical, and learning factors
Practical, achievable recommendations tailored to your household
Written and video resources and guidance to support progress

Virtual consultations are especially well suited to human-directed aggression behaviour cases, follow-ups, and for clients who are too far outside my service area, or can’t access a behaviourist nearby.

Rates:

In-person consultation (main service area): R1200
In-person consultation (Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington, Milnerton): R1400
Virtual consultation (via MS Teams): R1050

Private Training Sessions

Dogs

Private training sessions focus on building everyday skills while strengthening communication, trust, and teamwork between you and your dog.

I have a particular interest in working with leash-reactive dogs, helping both dogs and their owners feel safer and more confident on walks.

Sessions run for 45 to 60 minutes and are typically scheduled on a weekly or fortnightly basis, although timing is flexible and adapted to suit your dog and your schedule. Sessions are conducted at your home or in the relevant environment.

Training may include:

Loose-lead walking
Recall and focus
Engagement and confidence-building
General life skills and basic obedience

Support continues beyond the session to help you feel confident implementing recommendations.

Private sessions are ideal for busy owners who need 1-on-1 support and are particularly beneficial for dogs who may find group lessons overwhelming or unsuitable.
These sessions are only offered within my main service area, but for owners who are outside of this area, arrangements can be made to meet in a public space.

Rates:

Single training session: R500
Package of 4 sessions: R1600

Additional Information

I am unable to offer opinions or advice on behaviour or training concerns without first assessing the pet

In some cases, clients may be asked to have their pet seen by a veterinarian prior to behaviour work, particularly where pain, illness, or sudden behaviour changes may be involved

For certain fear- or aggression-based cases, clients may be asked to secure or separate their pet initially, allowing me to assess environmental and behavioural factors before deciding how best to proceed safely

These steps are taken to protect the wellbeing of everyone involved and to ensure the most effective outcomes.

Some pet medical aids offer behavioural and/or training coverage. If your pet is insured, check to see if their sessions may be covered.

Case Study

Max (owned by Liezl and Charl) - Leash Reactivity

Our dog Max struggled with reactivity, which made our walks very stressful for both him and us. He would constantly scan for triggers and react even when there was nothing to react to, leaving us (and him) feeling anxious and reluctant to take him out for walks.

We booked a few sessions with Michele from Best Paw Forward, and the difference has been incredible. She guided us in understanding his reactions, and body language, and how to manage the stressful triggers better. She also taught me how to reassure Max that he is safe, and that I will guide him to a safe space in times of stress (around triggers). Max has learned to settle more quickly after encountering a trigger, and our walks are now enjoyable again.

Michele is very informative, supportive, and she brings a calm yet confident presence to training sessions. We even learned that health issues could contribute to his reactivity, which was the case with Max. We feel more confident as handlers, and Max is happier and more relaxed.

I would 100% recommend Michele’s services to anyone struggling with behavioural issues in their dogs. It really made such a big difference for us.