Plenty!  Depending on the exercise you may be working on recall, or down/stay, or “leave it”, etc.  Trainers and volunteers circulate to coach you and offer support where needed or asked for.  And if it’s Puppy Kindergarten, we start off class with supervised, narrated socialization/playtime before getting down to work!

We have been teaching our students how to effectively use positive reinforcement in communicating clearly what is being asked/expected from their dog, for decades.  The methodology is backed up with science, causes no fear response, and never resorts to painful aversives as many other methods do.  It is simple yet powerful, and has been used to teach everything from drug detection dogs to the performing marine mammals at the New England Aquarium.

We use this method to teach what could be called good manners or household obedience.  A dog that comes when called, one that doesn’t jump on you, visitors, or counters; a dog who walks nicely by your side.  Importantly, we are coaching you on techniques which you can continue to refer back to as training challenges arise, and/or you begin to explore other dog pursuits (such as dog agility, pet therapy, etc).

If you follow through on what we teach you, you will have put into place a language which will serve both of you. With practice, you will achieve a clarity in your relationship with this dog where they will reliably comply with your commands out of understanding and love.

We encourage all who live with the dog to attend where possible, or at least practice using the exercises taught in class at home, ie homework.  By working with your canine companion- in class or at home- you are expanding your personal relationship with them to a new level, and in doing so are less likely to have a dog who does everything right for one person but blows off the other(s).

This can vary, but tends to be under twelve dog & handler teams.  The handlers can comprise a family with children, a couple or may be a single Dog Mom or Dad.

It is the most economical yet effective means of educating a dog.  You receive guidance as you learn from skilled trainers who have helped new and experienced handlers for years.  There is also an invaluable social-distraction component that can’t be reproduced in private training nor on your own.  And as a client of Canine University®, you become part of an alumni network which has seamless access to our knowledge base in the years to come.

Put simply, you can join us anytime!  Each group class is offered at the same day and time each week; so when you bring home a new canine companion you don’t have to wait weeks until the next class starts, you can join the class appropriate for their age group & get started on helping them become the best dog ever right away!

We believe anyone who lives with your dog will benefit from participating in their training, both in the classroom and by sharing/ participating in the practice session you are doing outside of class.  With their involvement you are more likely to avoid the situation where your dog will be obedient for you but ignores your husband etc.

Anyone who joins you in class should be either a full participant in exercises, or interested and cognizant of the work we are doing in class.  We do not offer childcare, and would caution anyone against bringing someone who would possibly distract you from training exercises or disrupt your attention from instruction etc.  There are enough distractions in the classroom that it would be unfair to other students to have your guests (young or adult) wandering, on the phone etc…and could take our staff’s attention away from those who we are here to assist, to attempt to maintain the safe space we provide for this work.

That said, we have had some children who are more adept at training than their parents.  A lot of couples with young children will either trade off attendance, or make it Mom’s night out with Spot. And if you try but it proves to not be a good idea to have some guests join you in class, we do provide regular homework which those who stay home on class nights can/ should take part in so the behaviors taught are consistent among all of your pooch’s family.

Absolutely, we just like to know that you are coming!  You can observe either puppy or adult training groups in progress; email us to see if we have room that particular evening.

When you come to observe we have a short questionnaire that helps us identify how your training objectives will best be met.  Anyone who is going to be involved in training your dog is welcome to come to observe with you.  You should NOT bring a dog or pup with you- it has proven to be unfair to those who are enrolled in class already.

We believe in early socialization as key to a healthy adulthood.  Most pups have received their initial shots while at the breeder or shelter, given that, you can feel confident beginning training from 8 weeks on, and update us as your veterinarian  schedules and administers the remainder of their puppy shots and rabies.

We accept copies of any documentation provided from your veterinarian, as well as the animal shelter.  Since different vets vaccinate differently, we work with you on the timing and do not require that they have had all shots before starting class: you can update us as they receive any remaining shots.  In Massachusetts the only inoculation mandated by law is Rabies, and if your dog is on a limited vaccination schedule or is being titred in lieu of receiving any vaccine simply provide us with a copy of the values, bloodwork etc.