Certified dog trainers in
Boston, MA
Hand-Picked Trainers

Learn from the best, certified trainers in

Boston, MA

Discover skilled and certified trainers with a heart for dogs and a proven track record, ready to help enhance the bond between you and your pet.

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Local & Skilled

Learn & grow with local Trainers

All of our Trainers are certified to have proficiency in all basic, intermediate or advanced skills, are educated in animal behavior and canine communication, and are suited for most pet training tasks.

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Positive Training

Positive Vibes, Positive Training

Meet trainers who believe in kind, positive reinforcement methods, making training a joy for both you and your dog.

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Top trainers

John James

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Amanda Peet

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Julia Styles

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Vivian M. Zottola-Gefke

United States

Vivian Zottola, MSc, is an applied anthrozoologist and human-canine relationship therapist. She operates a private practice focused on preventing and resolving conflicts between humans and dogs of all ages and breeds. Vivian offers online educational services to veterinary clinics, their staff, and clients.

She provides 'click therapy for dogs,' using various LIMA training strategies to communicate desired behaviors and manage expectations between dogs and their owners. She has worked with numerous dogs and their owners to successfully improve their lives. In cases where training individuals suffering from fear, anxiety, and stress has proven challenging, she collaborates with veterinarians, CAABs, and veterinary behaviorists to help dogs improve their learning potential.

Vivian resides in Waltham, MA, with her husband, 92-year-old mother, rescue dog George, and cat Nino. She serves clients in Boston and the Metro West area of Massachusetts in person and also offers online behavior training, educational, and consultational services by appointment only.

In addition to behavior training and consulting services, Vivian is a subject matter expert and volunteer for the nonprofit Center for Canine Behavior Studies, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization. She assists the team by providing unique insights and designing human-canine related studies. Vivian has coauthored peer-reviewed published studies with world-renowned veterinary behaviorist Dr. Nicholas Dodman, DACVB, and Tufts Cummings School statistician Ian Dinwoodie.

Vivian holds a master of science (MSc) degree in applied anthrozoology from Canisius College, an MSc in communication management from Simmons College, and an undergraduate degree in economics from Suffolk University. She established Boston K9 Concierge LLC in 2009, providing pet services and managing a staff of 10 assistants.

Vivian is a Certified Behavior Consultant Canine, Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer, Certified Professional Dog Trainer, FearFreePets Certified Animal Trainer. She has successfully completed the Case-Based Approach to Applied Clinical Behavioral Medicine course, led by vet behaviorist Dr. Karen Overall PhD, DACVB, and received a certificate of excellence for completing 'Living and Learning with Animals,' a comprehensive course focusing on Functional and Applied Behavior Analysis applied to animals.

For more information, please visit the website or contact [email protected].

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Mark Daleo

United States

Tricked Out Pup specializes in home training for both puppies and adult dogs. They offer instruction in basic commands and skills, catering to passive, shy, and dogs with aggression issues.

Their services extend to introducing a new dog to a family, including infants, and providing Emotional Support Animal (ESA) training and certifications. Their training equipment includes a 4ft leash, clicker, fetch toy, and frisbee.

Their philosophy is centered around positive reinforcement, aiming to build a strong bond of trust and confidence between the canine and their owner. Tricked Out Pup is based in Boston, MA, and has also served clients in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Dallas, TX, and Chevy Chase, MD.

They emphasize the importance of socializing and exercising dogs to develop well-rounded temperaments. In addition to weekly sessions, they offer training walks and reactive dog walks.

Refreshing past training methods is a key aspect of their approach to ensure continued progress. Tricked Out Pup also specializes in incorporating tricks alongside basic training to strengthen the connection between owners and their dogs.

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Aubrey Lee McElhiney

United States

Aubrey Lee McElhiney

History
Aubrey Sperry, CDBC, CNWI, CPDT-KA, is the owner and head trainer of Sit Pretty Dog Training. She is certified by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants as a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), by the National Association of Canine Scent Work as a Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI), by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers as a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA), and by Fear Free as a Fear Free Certified Trainer. Aubrey is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the Pet Professional Guild, and she has worked professionally with animals since 2007. She gained experience teaching people while working as an educator at the Los Angeles Zoo, and learned to work with various dog breeds as a veterinary technician in an emergency and specialty practice in Los Angeles. More recently in Boston, Aubrey worked as a zookeeper at the Franklin Park Zoo, where she trained or assisted in training a variety of exotic animals.

As a veterinary technician and avid participant in dog sports, Aubrey has worked with many different dog breeds, and knows how to tailor training regimens to suit different temperaments of individual dogs. She believes that many dogs can adapt to fit a lifestyle that suits a city dweller with the right training and mental stimulation. Aubrey's current passion is consulting with families that have dogs exhibiting aggressive behaviors. Helping families improve their safety, comfort, and communication with their canine companions is her specialty.

Aubrey lives in West Roxbury with her two dogs, Jolene and Guillermo. They are active in the dog sport flyball and can be seen with their team, Ready, Set, Ruckus!, at tournaments throughout the year. Aubrey also enjoys working with her dogs in obedience, dock diving, canine frisbee, lure coursing, and nose work. She also works hard to make sure her dogs are well-adjusted city dwellers. Say hi if you see them around West Rox or JP.

Training Philosophy
Aubrey believes that many dogs can adapt to fit a lifestyle that suits a city dweller with the right training and mental stimulation. She specializes in helping families improve their safety, comfort, and communication with their canine companions.

Services
Sit Pretty Dog Training offers a variety of services, including:

  • Private Training: Packages for new rescues, puppies, behavior issues, and frustrated greeters. Prices range from $595 to $880.
  • Group Classes: Puppy socialization, beginner obedience, intermediate obedience, intro to K9 Nose Work®, and advanced obedience: CGC Prep. Prices vary by class.
  • Behavior Consulting: Initial consultation for $295, followed by individual sessions or packages for continued support.
  • Separation Anxiety Training: Remote training packages and individual support sessions. Prices range from $45 to $795.

Certifications
Aubrey is certified by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants as a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), by the National Association of Canine Scent Work as a Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI), by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers as a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA), and by Fear Free as a Fear Free Certified Trainer.

Specializations
Aubrey specializes in aggression, separation anxiety, and nose work.

Training Methods
Aubrey uses positive reinforcement methods and focuses on building a positive relationship between the dog and owner.

Customer Reviews

We have been working with Aubrey for a few months now with our rescue puppy Mia, who has lots of fear around noisy streets. Aubrey is extremely professional, but also really down to earth and understanding - and at times has felt like our dog therapist listening to all our concerns. She always provides really personal and thoughtful techniques after each session.
– Marklin

Working with Aubrey has helped us understand the stresses and what was causing Easton's behavior and we have worked with her on techniques for behavior mitigation and slowly have improved Easton's behavior. We have not had an incident since we started with Aubrey and have full confidence when working with Easton in stressful situations.
– Ryan

Aubrey's the best, she changed my view and expectations on dog training! We started taking private sessions with my puppy Dio, who was around 13 weeks old. A few months later he now has manners like I never thought we could achieve. Aubrey didn't just train our dog, but taught me a ton of skills that will be useful in the future. I highly recommend her!
– Ilona

I've taken my puppy to Aubrey for group classes as well as 1:1 private sessions. She's amazingly knowledgeable about dogs and how they learn, has impressive experience working in zoo and veterinary settings, and has a wealth of information about a large number of dog sports as she actively participates in many with her own dogs. She is professional and upbeat, so our training sessions are always fun. Highly recommend Sit Pretty Dog Training for anyone looking for evidence-based dog training to bring out the best in you and your dog.
– Sara

We adopted our beautiful Aoife and soon discovered what a scared dog she was. We spent a lot of time practicing what Aubrey taught us in the private sessions to build her confidence. The 'look at that' game helped her learn to dismiss scary things. In another game she learnt to stay calm and wait when doors opened and not bolt through it or away from it. There were lots of other great confidence building and recall exercises for Aoife.
– Simon

Aubrey taught me how to understand Henry's behaviors and taught us how to communicate. Her work focused on reward-based training, behavior modification, prevention and desensitization. Aubrey's vast knowledge of animal behavior and learning did not go unnoticed. Henry and I use the training methods she taught us every day, and both of our lives have improved. We have good and bad days, but Henry and I are a team now. We are both much happier, more confident and safe. Our world totally opened up after working with Aubrey. I am so grateful!
– Sophia

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Peter Joshua Barinski

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Jechyl James

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Sandra Verbitski

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Lauren McKentire

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Guy Pearce

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Wesley Jachson

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Dingi Bells

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Mushita Babilon

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What’s essential in choosing a Dog Trainer?

Looking for professional dog trainers in Boston, MA? Look no further. We've curated a list of experienced and compassionate dog trainers dedicated to helping you and your furry friend build a strong and lasting bond. Our trainers specialize in various training methods and are committed to providing personalized attention to address your dog's specific needs. Whether you're looking to address behavioral issues, obedience training, or simply strengthen your dog's skills, our trainers are here to guide you through the process.

Expert Guidance

Our trainers have the expertise to assess your dog's behavior and create a tailored training plan to address specific needs.

Strong Foundation

Professional dog trainers can help establish clear communication and trust between you and your dog, strengthening your bond.

Behaviour Issues

Whether it's excessive barking, aggression, or separation anxiety, our trainers can provide effective strategies to address and modify unwanted behaviors.

Personalized Attention

Working with a professional trainer ensures that your dog receives individualized attention, allowing for a more focused and effective training experience.

Specialized Training Methods

Our trainers are well-versed in a variety of training techniques, ensuring that your dog receives the most suitable and effective approach for their learning style.

Expert Guidance

Investing in professional training can lead to lasting results, providing you and your dog with the skills and knowledge needed for a harmonious and fulfilling relationship.

With a commitment to positive reinforcement and effective training techniques, our listed dog trainers in Boston, MA are dedicated to helping you and your dog achieve your training goals. Whether you're looking to address specific behavioral issues or simply enhance your dog's obedience skills, our trainers are here to support you every step of the way. Don't hesitate to reach out to one of our recommended trainers and take the first step towards a more joyful and rewarding relationship with your canine companion.

Unleash the full potential of your canine companion with expert dog trainers in Austin. These seasoned professionals bring years of experience and a deep understanding of canine behavior to every training session. No matter the breed or age, we tailor our approach to suit the unique needs of your furry friend.

Expert Guidance

Our trainers have the expertise to assess your dog's behavior and create a tailored training plan to address specific needs.

Strong Foundation

Professional dog trainers can help establish clear communication and trust between you and your dog, strengthening your bond.

Behaviour Issues

Whether it's excessive barking, aggression, or separation anxiety, our trainers can provide effective strategies to address and modify unwanted behaviors.

Personalized Attention

Working with a professional trainer ensures that your dog receives individualized attention, allowing for a more focused and effective training experience.

Specialized Training Methods

Our trainers are well-versed in a variety of training techniques, ensuring that your dog receives the most suitable and effective approach for their learning style.

Expert Guidance

Investing in professional training can lead to lasting results, providing you and your dog with the skills and knowledge needed for a harmonious and fulfilling relationship.

Ready to embark on a transformative journey with your dog? Contact trainers today to schedule your first session. Our team is here to support you and your canine companion every step of the way.

We've got the answers for your questions

What are the key qualities to look for when hiring a dog trainer in Boston, MA?

When hiring a dog trainer in Boston, MA, look for someone with experience, positive reinforcement techniques, and a good understanding of various breeds and their specific needs.

Are there specific certifications or qualifications I should look for in a dog trainer in Boston, MA?

Yes, look for trainers in Boston, MA who are certified by reputable organizations such as the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) or the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP).

What training methods are commonly used by dog trainers in Boston, MA?

Dog trainers in Boston, MA often use positive reinforcement techniques, including rewards-based training and marker training, to encourage desired behaviors in dogs.

How do I find the best dog trainer for my specific needs in Boston, MA?

Consider your dog's personality, behavior issues, and your own training goals. Look for a trainer in Boston, MA who specializes in addressing your specific concerns and has a track record of success.

What are the typical costs associated with dog training in Boston, MA?

Dog training costs in Boston, MA vary depending on the trainer's experience, the type of training needed, and the number of sessions required. It's best to inquire directly with trainers for pricing details.

How long does it usually take to see results from dog training in Boston, MA?

The timeframe for seeing results from dog training in Boston, MA can vary depending on the dog's age, temperament, and the specific behaviors being addressed. Most trainers can provide a general timeline during the initial consultation.

What types of training programs are available from dog trainers in Boston, MA?

Dog trainers in Boston, MA offer a range of training programs, including obedience training, behavior modification, puppy training, and specialized training for specific activities such as agility or therapy work.

Do dog trainers in Boston, MA offer in-home training sessions?

Yes, many dog trainers in Boston, MA offer in-home training sessions to address behavior issues within the dog's familiar environment.

Are there dog trainers in Boston, MA who specialize in training specific breeds?

Yes, you can find dog trainers in Boston, MA who have experience and expertise in training specific breeds, understanding their unique characteristics and training needs.

What is the best way to get started with finding a dog trainer in Boston, MA?

To find a dog trainer in Boston, MA, start by researching local trainers, reading reviews, and scheduling initial consultations to find the best fit for you and your dog's needs.

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