There are many dog trainers in Massachusetts, from the tip of Cape Cod to the Berkshires, and with some time and research you should be able to find a trainer that can help your family pet. Currently Massachusetts does not have any state regulations on becoming a dog trainer. To ensure you're getting the best value and knowledge for your money, you can look for a trainer with a CCPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers) certificate. The suggestions below will put your dog around other dogs, so he can socialize during training.
Concord Dog Training Club
The Concord Dog Training Club is a member of the AKC and has been offering a supportive training environment to dog owners since 1948. Some of their classes include a "puppy kindergarten"--the perfect mix of socialization and basic training--show dog training, and a range of obedience courses. In addition to holding AKC-sanctioned Obedience Trials, the club sponsors annual AKC-licensed Tracking Dog and Tracking Dog Excellent tests.
Concord Dog Training Club
20 Beharrell Street
West Concord, Massachusetts
(978) 371-1133
Waggin' Trail Dog Training Center
The Waggin' Tail Dog Training Center of Westford, Massachusetts offers weekly drop-in training for novice dog owners in addition to formal classes on obedience, puppy handling, show dog handling and competition. Their classes can be done in daytime or evening hours, which accommodates a range of work schedules.
Waggin' Tail Dog Training Center
67 Broadway Street
Westford, Massachusetts
(978) 392-0945
Canine Companions Dog Training School
About 25 miles outside of Boston in Hamilton, Massachusetts, Canine Companions offers group and private lessons for dogs with all obedience skill levels. Canine Companions emphasizes firm voice control, persistence and positive rewards for your dog. In addition to standard obedience training classes, Canine Companions offers beginner and intermediate agility courses.
Canine Companions Dog Training School
6 Partridgeberry Ln
South Hamilton, Massachusetts
(978) 468-4321
Charles River Dog Training Club
Established in 1941, Charles River Dog Training Club is one of the oldest dog training clubs in Massachusetts. The club offers obedience and show dog training. Some of the available classes include puppy kindergarten, obedience for all levels, canine good citizens and special workshops. Those who have completed at least one class through Charles River can join the club as a member.
Charles River Dog Training Club
12 Meadowbrook Rd
Weston, Massachusetts
(617) 443-1188
Dogs Learning Center
Dogs Learning Center offers clicker training classes, "earth dog" tunnel classes, tracking classes and agility classes in addition to behavior/obedience classes. All of their instructors are CDPT trained or in the certification process. Dogs Learning Center offers private lessons in any of the classes above and private in-home consultations as well as group lessons. All of the classes use the clicker training method. Carolyn Barney teaches canine behavioral classes through the Harvard Extension School and authored an extensive clicker training guidebook.
Dogs Learning Center
577 Main Street
Hudson, Massachusetts
(617) 443-1188
Tags: Training Club, Canine Companions, Charles River, Dogs Learning, Dogs Learning Center, Learning Center