Holding Paws Dog Training
Boston, MA, USA
(1)
Boston, MA, USA
(1)
NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS AS OF MARCH 2024
I’ll hold all your paws as we navigate this dog training thing together. Offering private training, day training services, training walks, train and plays at local dog parks, small pack hikes, boarding, board and train.
Show more
1 customer review
Dioan McIlroy
Dog Training
Very professional and patient.
What do you love most about your job?
Working myself out of a job! Every time I client tells me we’ve made so much progress they don’t need me anymore (or generally I tell them they’ve graduated!), I want to cry tears of joy. It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to help the next dog!
What inspired you to start your own business?
It was time! I’ve had several great mentors and experiences that have helped shape me while working for others. Now, I get to help humans and their dogs without any compromises.
Why should our clients choose you?
I have a unique model for client communication using a third party app, allowing (and very strongly encouraging!) clients to contact me in real time in between sessions. The app allows text messaging, audio memos, photos, and videos to be shared. If there are multiple people in your household, everyone will have their own (free) account and we will have one group so everyone knows what is going on. When—not if—something comes up in between sessions, I expect to know about it!! You’re the one paying me, so bother me! It is MUCH easier to answer a question in a 5 minute audio message back to you than to “fix” something a week later you worked on sub-optimally because you didn’t want to reach out and bother me. The app allows you to message 24/7 without texting me directly at 2 am, for example. I usually respond within hours, but maybe within a day.
Can you provide your services online or remotely? If so, please add details.
No, I do my work in person. I will take calls ahead of time to talk with you, but I typically do not train people to train their dogs online anymore.
What changes have you made to keep your customers safe from Covid-19?
I will respect any wishes you have for mutual safety. I will inform you if I am sick and offer to wear a mask or reschedule based on your comfort level.
Private Training Sessions ($150-$175
First session ($175) for 90 minutes to really dive in. Every future session is ~60 min ($150) to build skills, problem solve, check in on progress, pivot our training plans, and transfer knowledge your dog may have learned from working with me independently in board and train or various momentum building day training services.
Something unique: I use a free app that allows us to communicate in real time 24/7 without fear of after-hours texting. I expect pupdates whenever life happens!
Power Pup Outing ($50-$85)
You don’t have to be there! I work with your dog in your home and/or take them on local field trips to meet our identified training goals, plus structured outings to blow off steam. Outings may include fundamentals like sit and down; walks for leash manners or reactivity; car training; dog park trips for socialization or recall; and more.
I req 3 session pkg purchase ($450) for skill transfer upfront to transfer learnings to you for consistency.
Dog Hikes ($85-$135/ea)
I take your dog/s for ~2-4 hours on a local hike with a small, structured pack. Facilitated by a certified pro trainer (me), your dog can work up to off-leash recall, or just romp around in the woods on a 30 ft leash. You decide your comfort level. Packs customized based on best fit. Dogs wear GPS collars, not e-collars. Muzzled dogs welcome! Trails visited are dog-friendly and off-leash is allowed. New hiker pkg $425 for 4 hikes req to integrate, then $85/ea.
Solo hikes $135/ea
Boarding ($125/night - consistent clients only)
I board dogs out of my home, not a kennel or big facility! You will receive a video house tour ahead of your furbaIl’s meet and greet(s), which are required. I do not do one-offs. Preference to training clients. Boards are solo without any other humans or pets, hence cost (VERY limited availability). Fenced yard. Expect pupdates through the Voxer app while they are here. You can reach out at any time!
