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Belmont
BRINGING PEOPLE AND THEIR CANINE FAMILY MEMBERS TOGETHER THROUGH CONFIDENCE, PATIENCE, AND CONSISTENCY. Helping dogs and people with any behavior problem is what I do best. I tailor each training plan individually, as each dog and their human(s) are individuals. I incorporate many different training techniques, based on positive training methods and dog psychology, to modify and change behaviors that are needed in our busy human world to ensure your dog is well balanced and trusted.
Dave Zygadlo
I really would like to recommend Mike's ability as a coach. He knows how to coach both dogs and humans to bring about results. Just when you're ready to give up, he's there to support you and prove that it can be done. Thank you Mike! Your help has made the world of difference for us. We're still a work in progress, but we continue to work at it knowing that we can do it!
Belmont
Happy Paws Playhouse has been an idea in my mind for many years and now has finally come to a beginning! At the start of 2022, and after 20 years, my relationship with the medical field came to a bittersweet end. I certainly could have continued in the field but knew that I was given an opportunity to get back to my true passion… animals and nature, even the spiders I come across get a warm welcome.
Belmont
Amanda Hurley
I moved to Boston with my recently rescued beagle terrier mix and the pace of city life was far too much for him. He was anxious and reactive to begin with but the bikes, the traffic, the extra pedestrians and everything else that you can run into on a city trip made our walks a very stressful time for both of us. I was referred to Janet and the moment she was around Casey, I could notice a change - he was more calm. She worked with Casey & educated my husband and I on how to use positive reinforcement and without her, I'm not sure how our story ended. With Janet's help, Casey became more confident, our walks were enjoyable and he was a happier dog. She is one in a million, working with Janet changed our lives.
True Fit Dog Training is a dog training service located in Arlington, MA and serves the neighboring towns. True Fit Dog Training offers both private in-home sessions and virtual online consultations to help fit your needs and your schedule. Having a dog should bring great joy. We strive to cater to your schedule and lifestyle to make the training process as stress-free and enjoyable as possible for both you and your dog!
During my Master's program in Mental Health Counseling at Boston College, my primary interest was in pet therapy. After searching for ways to marry my two interests of working with people and with dogs, I began to explore my options as a dog trainer. I am a VSA-Certified Dog Trainer (online) through the Victoria Stilwell Academy, a member of APDT (The Association of Professional Dog Trainers), and am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, a certification that requires passing a comprehensive exam and hundreds of training hours. The companionship and comfort that dogs provide speaks for itself considering the vast number of families that choose to bring a dog into the family. Dogs are also great for teaching children empathy and nurturing skills. I train a wide range of dog behaviors ranging from teaching puppies basic manners to modifying behaviors such as excessive barking, leash reactivity, and separation anxiety.
When I got my first dog after college, I wanted to do it right. I started researching the best training methods, only to be flooded by a wealth of information about the "right" way to train a dog. And in the overwhelming amount of knowledge, I was drawn to positive reinforcement, which is a training method focused around using gentle and humane methods to make training fun for both dog and pet parent. As an experienced dog trainer now, I firmly believe dog behavior can be transformed and owners can build a bond and communicate in a way that dogs understand using powerful force-free, positive reinforcement-based tools and techniques.
Yes, I provide both in-person and virtual sessions and clients have not found the virtual sessions to be any less in terms of the quality of care they receive.
I am fully vaccinated and for in-person sessions, I require masks to be worn indoors. There is also the option to meet outdoors, in which case masks are optional for the client, although I wear it as a precautionary measure.
Why should I get a Dog Trainer?
Making sure your pup is trained properly really matters. Without the necessary groundwork, you’re risking your dog’s wellness and security, as well as the safety of any other dogs it comes into contact with. It’s also important your dog is trained so that it can integrate properly with you and your family. Keeping it out of trouble will save you a lot of hassle (and potentially costly repairs too).
Making sure your dog listens to commands is very important. Not only will handling it be less stressful, but it can stop dangerous conflict with other animals. Furthermore, if your dog doesn’t want to listen to you, situations such as dealing with traffic can potentially become fatal. On the upside, having a well-trained pup enables you and your pet to socialise properly with other dogs and their owners.
Having a dog that is obedient means that life around the home becomes plain sailing. With good manners, your dog will be able to tell the difference between right and wrong behaviour, while being able to foster good relationships with other members of your family. These connections can help to build a fruitful relationship with your pet as part of the family. Time well spent together will allow you to both grow together, sharing experiences and creating the type of memories that make having a pet so worth it.
How about becoming an authority figure yourself? Although your trainer will help your dog get up to scratch, they will also teach you a great deal about the fundamentals of dog training. This includes not only how to handle your own dog, but principals that you can use to understand and better interact with other dogs too. Being able to help out less-informed dog owners can be a wonderful gift to have, and something that you can take further if you enjoy it.
Having a well-trained dog also means that taking your pet to the veterinarian will be a lot easier than it would be otherwise. Considering the nature and volume of work that they have to do, being a vet is tough, let alone dealing with an uncooperative pet in their surgery. In some cases, dogs can become violent when approached by a vet – definitely something they don’t need. By having your dog properly trained, you can avoid injuries – for both your dog and your vet – as well as unnecessary embarrassment upon visits.
How do I pick a Dog Trainer?
When hiring someone to train your dog, there is plenty to think about. The needs of both you and your pet have to be considered and so taking some time to sit down and work out what is important to you is a must. Down below are a few of the questions you might ask when it comes to finding the right dog trainer –
Should I go for group or private training? Each comes with pros and cons – those with a brand new dog can expect their pet to socialise and start to develop relationships with other dogs.
Does my dog need generalised training or would training in a specific area suit it better? One example of this is if your dog has an issue with barking, or separation anxiety. In these cases, someone that can specialise in tackling these issues would be optimal.
Do I need long-term training or do I need a quick fix? Goals such as conditioning your dog for agility or developing a routine will need more time with a trainer.
You should also take care to see what type of strategies your trainer uses. There are a wide variety of techniques that can be applied in order to change your dog’s behaviour – but not all of these involve kindness and care. It’s good to talk to prospective trainers about the ways in which they choose to teach your dog, including methods of both discipline and praise. Techniques such as positive reinforcement are very beneficial for dogs and are particularly powerful, while being enjoyable for them.
While your dog is your priority, how you communicate with your trainer is important too. Your trainer’s should be able to translate their understanding into constructive advice. A good trainer can tell you both what is working in terms of training your dog, and what isn’t. This includes passing on insights of what to do to correct certain issues, while conveying these ideas in a constructive, friendly way. In order to do this, a trainer needs to not only be able to express themselves clearly, but also be diplomatic and observant.
How much does a Dog Trainer cost?
There are various ways in which you can choose to train your dog. Some owners opt for private lessons, while others will put their dog through group daycare.
Group sessions are valuable not only because they are more budget friendly, but also because they are better as a long-term option. This is because your pet will have time to get to grips with a wider variety of commands. However one-on-one training provides your dog with lessons that are specially tailored to their needs, helping them learn in the best way for them.
There are also the various levels of obedience training to take into account. As well as classes specifically for puppies, there are basic educational classes, adult training, agility and advanced tutoring. Which of these you go for can affect pricing, as well as how quickly your dog learns (depending on its needs and comprehension).
Can I hire a Dog Trainer online?
Yes! You might be surprised to hear that dog training can be done remotely, through online video platforms like Zoom. They can take the form of group sessions or one-to-one classes to tackle certain individual behavioural issues. Many customers prefer online dog training for all sorts of reasons, like saving on travel time and costs.