Paw Print Training Course
Clay Paw Print Tile Training With Real Dogs
Private 1:1 Paw Print Tile Training in Dorset
This paw print training course teaches you how to take a clean, detailed dog paw print in clay and turn it into a paw print tile you can confidently offer your own clients. You do not need a kiln. Many people assume you do, but this training doesn’t use one. The techniques adapt to cats, rabbits, horses and other animals, and we’ll talk through how.
This is practical, hands-on training, so you’ll work with two real dogs throughout the day, my cockapoo Pickle and one more, rather than watching demonstrations or practising on artificial models.
£550 · One day · 9:30am–3:30pm · Private 1:1
20+ years of professional lifecasting · 100+ independent reviews · 5.0 on TripAdvisor
At a Glance
- Course: One-day paw print training course
- No kiln needed: You don’t need a kiln for this training
- Price: £550
- Length: One day, 9:30am–3:30pm
- Training: Private 1:1 with me
- Models: Pickle, my cockapoo, plus one more dog on the day
- You take home: Your own tiles, comprehensive notes, photos and short videos from the day, a trusted supplier list and a frame supplier
- Aftercare: Lifetime WhatsApp support, free
- Location: Lytchett Matravers, Dorset, with free parking
Learn With Real Dogs, Not Just Theory
One of the biggest challenges when learning clay paw print keepsakes is working with an actual animal. Dogs wriggle. Paws vary in size. Every dog has its own idea of how long to stay still.
That’s why this training is completely hands-on, and you learn by doing:
- Work with two real dogs throughout your training day
- Learn how to position and support a paw safely
- Understand how to achieve a clear, detailed paw print
- Shape your own paw print tiles during the day, then take them home to dry and finish
- Leave with the confidence to offer the service yourself
No plastic paws and no practising on inanimate objects, just real dogs, real impressions and proper hands-on training.
What Makes This Paw Print Training Different?
You’ll work with two dogs on the day: Pickle, my cockapoo, and one more. Working with a second dog means you see how a different paw and a different temperament change the way you work. If you’d like to bring your own dog, or have a friend or family member bring theirs, that’s welcome, so just ask when you book.
Every dog I’ve owned has been a Precious Memories model first. Legend, my German shepherd, Crumble, my Westie, and Phoebe, my rescue Shih Tzu, all modelled for me, and now Pickle does. I know what it takes to get a good paw print from a dog who’d rather be somewhere else, because I’ve done it with every one of them.
You’ll learn how to work calmly and confidently with a real animal rather than relying on a perfect demonstration. The techniques apply to dogs of different sizes and temperaments, and I’ll explain how to adapt them for:
- Cats
- Rabbits
- Horses
- Other animals where appropriate
You’ll leave with your own tiles, still drying from the day, and you’ll have learned every stage with me, so you’ll know exactly how to finish them at home. I’ll also give you a trusted frame supplier so you can present them properly.
Working With Nervous and Excited Dogs
Handling a nervous dog is something I cover in detail, and a lot of it comes down to the owner. The owner is key to the whole process, so there’s usually a good deal of conversation with them before the dog ever comes along.
I’ll show you how to have those conversations, what to ask, and how that preparation makes the session calmer for the dog and easier for you.
Why Paw Print Tiles Work for Real Dogs
A tile needs only a few seconds. That makes it ideal for an active dog who won’t stay still for long, which is most of them. A 3D cast, however, takes much more time, so it suits a calmer animal, and it’s the better choice for a memorial piece.
If you’re mainly interested in memorial work, the 3D Pet Casting Training is the better fit.
Who Is This Course For?
You don’t need previous lifecasting experience. This paw print training course is ideal if you’re:
- A dog groomer or dog walker wanting to add a pet keepsake service
- A pet sitter, doggy daycare or boarding business
- A vet nurse or veterinary receptionist
- An animal rescue volunteer
- A pet photographer
- A wedding pet chaperone
- Already running a pet or keepsake business
- Looking for a creative service you can add to your existing business
- A creative entrepreneur wanting a flexible, animal-friendly business
- A stay-at-home parent looking for a creative skill that can fit around family life
If you already work with animals, paw print keepsakes can be a natural addition to what you already offer.
What You’ll Learn
Taking a Beautiful Dog Paw Print
Learn how to achieve a clean, detailed clay paw print from real dogs, along with how the approach adapts to other animals.
Working With a Real Animal
Every animal is different. You’ll find out how to work calmly and safely with nervous, excited, large, small and wriggly dogs.
Clay and Materials
You’ll learn how to prepare your materials and get the right consistency for a good impression.
Pouring and Finishing
Pour your tiles, avoid air bubbles and finish them neatly without losing the detail you’ve worked hard to capture.
Colour and Finishing
I’ll show you how to use paint and wax techniques to bring out the detail in a paw print tile. You’ll also learn different ways to add colour and create a professional, attractive finish. Your tiles will still be drying when you leave, so I’ll talk you through each stage before you go.
Airbrushing isn’t included in this one-day course. If you’d like to learn airbrush finishing, I offer the Airbrush Masterclass as a separate half-day session that can be booked additionally.
Pricing and Your Own Clients
We’ll discuss pricing your work, creating a practical home or studio workflow and introducing paw print keepsakes as a service for your own clients.
Common Paw Print Problems I’ll Help You Solve
Small mistakes can make a big difference to the finished tile. I’ll show you how to avoid:
- Clay that’s too soft or too firm
- Poor paw support and distorted impressions
- Pressing too hard or using the wrong angle
- Losing detail when smoothing
- Uneven pouring and air bubbles
- Rushing the drying or curing stage
As a result, you’ll understand not just what to do, but why you’re doing it.
What You Take Home
- Your own paw print tiles, drying from the day
- Comprehensive notes covering every step
- Photos and short videos taken throughout the day
- A trusted supplier list
- A trusted frame supplier
- Lifetime WhatsApp support, free, for as long as you need it
Real Practice, Real Confidence
This is one of the biggest advantages of learning in person. Ask questions as you work, try the techniques yourself and get immediate guidance when something doesn’t go quite right. So there’s no need to go home wondering whether you’ve understood the process correctly. By the end of the day, you’ve actually done it.
Don’t just take my word for it: hear what my students
“I wasn’t sure where to start my journey adding keepsakes to my business but after a lovely chat with Glenda we worked out a plan and started with the 2D training day. I was a complete beginner but the day was so well set out it never felt rushed… I had two lovely furry helpers and one lovely human all supplied by Glenda so it was great to actually get to practice with them.”
— Helen W, TogetherFurEverWeddings, after the Raised 2D Tile Training day · read the full review on TripAdvisor
“World class teaching! This was my second time visiting Glenda for training. The way things were adjusted to suit what I needed for my industry was perfect…”
— Jodie, Legacy Pet Cremations, after her Advanced training
Paw Print Training Course Details
- Investment: £550
- Duration: One day, 9:30am–3:30pm
- Location: Private studio in Lytchett Matravers, Dorset, around 15 minutes from Poole and 30 minutes from Bournemouth
- Parking: Free on site
- Included: All training materials and two dog models, plus everything listed under What You Take Home
- Payment: A 50% deposit secures your training date, with the balance due one week before your course. International payments can be made via Wise.
Students are welcome from across the UK and internationally.
Worried you have no previous experience?
Complete beginners are very welcome on this paw print training course, as are people who already work with animals or in the keepsake industry.
Equipment can be costly – such as a kiln?
No kiln is needed. This training doesn’t use one, so there’s nothing to fire.
What animals will I work with?
Pickle, my cockapoo, is always there as your first model, with one more dog on the day. Bringing your own dog, or having a friend or family member bring theirs, is welcome too. Cats, rabbits, horses and other animals are covered through how the techniques adapt.
How do you overcome a nervous pet?
Much of it comes down to the owner, so I cover in detail how to prepare with them before the dog arrives. That groundwork keeps the session calm for everyone.
Will my tiles be finished when I leave?
Not quite. The tiles are shaped on the day and still drying when you go home, but every stage is covered with me, so you’ll know how to finish them. A trusted frame supplier comes too, for presenting them properly.
Can I work from home after training?
Home working is part of the day, including how to set up a practical workflow, price your work and introduce the service to your own clients.
Is airbrushing included?
Paint and wax finishing is part of the day. Airbrush finishing is taught separately, as a half-day session that can be booked additionally.
Does this cover baby and family tiles as well?
This day is all about pets. Hand and foot tiles for babies and families are covered in the Raised Hand & Foot Tile Training, which can also be adapted to include pets.
Next steps
Creating beautiful pet keepsakes, and offering them confidently to your own clients, is exactly what this day is for. There’s no pressure and no hard sell. A quick chat is all it takes.
Other Precious Memories Training Courses
- Raised Hand & Foot Tile Training: the human equivalent, with techniques that can also be adapted for pets
- 3D Pet Casting Training: professional 3D casting for pets, including memorial pieces
- Pet Print Jewellery Course: silver pet print jewellery training
- Airbrush Masterclass: half-day professional finishing training
