Training

Greater Boston Dog and Zephyr will provide your dog with:

• Mental as well as physical exercise
• Structure in the model of an alpha dog (in the moment)
• Lots of affection at the right time — and in different ways.

There will always be new circumstances that impact a dog’s behavior, but Zephyr will provide the framework to help you and your companion immediately and effectively deal with the issues that may seem impossible to overcome.

Without humans, dogs would live in a pack, and every pack needs a leader. Zephyr teaches you how to take on the role of pack leader and establish a level of attentiveness and respect that only the alpha dog gets.

You will be doing yourself and your best friend a huge favor by giving them what a good pack leader would give them. With Greater Boston Dog you will increase the bond you already have with your dog or create a bond that you’re missing.

Obedience training often clears up behavioral problems because boredom is usually the culprit for destructiveness and other issues. Zephyr encourages you to challenge yourself and your best friend.

Greater Boston Dog Obedience Training is the perfect way to achieve your goals.

Most dogs are natural athletes, and giving them a constructive outlet for their energy, like obedience training, can be a truly rewarding process and experience.

Zephyr believes that by providing your companion with exercise, discipline, lots of affection, and treats at the right time, your relationship with your dog will be balanced and so much more enjoyable.

You’ll see a dramatic improvement in your dog’s behavior right away!

EVALUATION CONSULTATION

The Greater Boston Dog Evaluation is hands on, and the best way to give you an honest assessment and figure out the program that works best for you and your dog. A typical evaluation is 1.5 hours of our undivided attention for the purpose of meeting your puppy or dog in their own environment where they are more likely to exhibit the behaviors that are causing concerns. We’ll discuss your needs, wants, and goals for training, and devise a plan to achieve success, teaching you tips and tricks for addressing high priority issues. Often common problem behaviors stem from a lack of leadership, exercise, discipline, and affection given at the wrong times. Additionally, simply providing a constructive outlet for their energy like obedience training can solve many issues alone. Often owners are amazed to see a marked improvement in their dog after just a single session.

We will be providing you with a wealth of valuable information! We encourage you to take notes in all of these wonderful sessions!

Adult Dogs

DOG OBEDIENCE TRAINING / PRIVATE LESSONS

(Dog obedience programs also address dog behavior problems like jumping, chewing, digging, nipping etc.)
 

Greater Boston Dog believes in the power of private lessons which ensures you to get the most out of each obedience session. Some feel lost with the distractions of a group setting, some just need or prefer the benefit of the undivided attention, expertise and guidance we give you to help you train your own dog. You will see a change in your dog even after just one session. Keep in mind training begins the process of lifetime conditioning, we are building expectations for future behavior. Every dog and family is different, therefore we will suggest programs based on needs, wants and goals.

DOG BOARDING & TRAINING PROGRAMS

All dogs must be up to date on vaccines as well as monthly’s (heartworm + flea & tick)

All Boarding & Training programs come with 3 hours of owner training: 2 hours upon transfer of the dog back to owner or handler and 1 hour follow up at the home, included if used within a month of your dog returning home.

Our Board and Train Programs are available in 2-week, 4-week or 6-week packages and are based on prior evaluation. An evaluation is required for acceptance into any of our programs.

*ELECTRONIC COLLAR TRAINING

A note on e-collars: A wonderful tool when used properly that gives us the ability to reach out at great distances and communicate with your dog, possibly prevent a tragedy, or save your dog’s life. They can be used in a multitude of ways for training and behavior modification. Some trainers will teach e-collar obedience without prior training which is like building a high rise with no foundation! We introduce the e-collar in a very specific way for obedience and like to think of its use as more of an insurance in the event you need it.

DOG BEHAVIOR AND ETIQUETTE

Often behavioral problems can be addressed in a single session, just like on the Dog Whisperer. Dogs with more serious issues for example separation anxiety, shyness and aggression require multiple sessions or may be a good candidate for boarding and training. All pups and owners will benefit from Greater Boston Dog Obedience Programs. Behavior problems are usually the symptoms of the greater problems like boredom, lack of leadership and pack structure. Zephyr has extensive knowledge of dog behavior and knows that the best way to love your dog, is to lead your dog and will help you achieve the role of pack leader. You will gain a new understanding of how to communicate with your dog. Zephyr applies balanced methods that will appeal to the common sense of both you and your dog.

RESCUE DOG TRAINING 

All dogs, especially rescue dogs can come with a wide range of issues, or are simply more prone to exhibit dog behaviors which aren’t the most endearing. Zephyr deals with all of them and has worked with several Humane Societies and Dog rescues, training staff for major Humane Society events, acclimating new owners and rehabilitating dogs to make them adoptable.

Greater Boston Dog regularly works with Skyllars Rescue in Lakeville, MA we can assist you with whatever problems that may be occurring. Perhaps you have a great dog with no issues to speak of but would like obedience training and some basic control, which we believe every dog should have, Call today!

Puppies

PUPPY 101

This one-time session is a combination of our evaluation, potty training, behavior and etiquette and loose leash walking lessons. This option is great for brand new puppies 8 weeks of age and up. This meeting is 2 hours in length and after meeting you and your pup we will focus our time on teaching you the tips and tricks, ins and outs and ups and down of puppyhood including potty training, leash handling and the phases and stages of puppies. Providing you realistic expectations of the process, and it is a process, to make this a successful and enjoyable experience of raising your new addition to the family.

PUPPY OBEDIENCE TRAINING / PRIVATE LESSONS

(All puppy obedience programs also address issues such as jumping, chewing, nipping etc.)

Greater Boston Dog believes in the power of private lessons which ensures you to get the most guidance out of each obedience session. Some feel lost with the distractions of a group setting, some just need or prefer the benefit of the undivided attention, expertise and we give you to train your own dog. Keep in mind training is a process and we are building a expectations for future behavior. Every puppy and family is different, therefore we will suggest programs based on needs, wants and goals.

PUPPY BOARDING & TRAINING PROGRAMS

Puppies must be at least 12 weeks of age to participate in a board and train program.  An evaluation is required prior to any program.

All puppies must be up to date on vaccines as well as monthly’s (heartworm + flea & tick).

All Boarding & Training programs come with 3 hours of owner training: 2 hours upon transfer of the dog back to owner or handler and 1 hour follow up at the home, included if used within a month of your dog returning home.

Our Board and Train Programs are available in 2-week, 4-week or 6-week packages and are based on prior evaluation. An evaluation is required for acceptance into any of our programs.

*ELECTRONIC COLLAR TRAINING

A note on e-collars: A wonderful tool when used properly that gives us the ability to reach out at great distances and communicate with your dog, possibly prevent a tragedy, or save your dog’s life. They can be used in a multitude of ways for training and behavior modification. Some trainers will teach e-collar obedience without prior training which is like building a high rise with no foundation! We introduce the e-collar in a very specific way for obedience and like to think of its use as more of an insurance in the event you need it.

PUPPY BEHAVIOR AND ETIQUETTE

Often puppy behavior problems can be addressed in a single session, just like on the Dog Whisperer. Puppies with more serious issues for example separation anxiety, shyness, aggression require multiple sessions or may be a good candidate for boarding and training. All pups and owners will benefit from Greater Boston Dog Obedience Programs because teaching the right things from day 1 gives your dog a constructive outlet for their energy. Behavior problems are usually the symptoms of the greater problems like boredom, lack of leadership and pack structure. Zephyr has extensive knowledge of dog behavior and knows that the best way to love your dog, is to lead your dog and will help you achieve the role of pack leader. You will gain a new understanding of how to communicate with your dog. Zephyr applies balanced methods that will appeal to the common sense of both you and your dog.

PUPPY BITING / NIPPING

Your new puppy will bite, nip, chew and scratch. It’s truly how we interact and and react at the times when this normal puppy behavior occurs, that relays the message of appropriate or inappropriate behavior. Greater Boston Dog will teach you caring and effective methods for addressing common, and not so common puppy behavior.

Adult Dogs and Puppies

POTTY TRAINING / HOUSE-BREAKING

House-training or house-breaking is really a broad term for conditioning your dog’s expectations of his own behavior in the home. The main thing to acknowledge and accept is that this is a process that takes place over time and changes as your dog grows both physically and developmentally. There are multiple aspects of this process, the first and most pressing being Potty Training, the two main methods of this being Crate Training or Pee Pad Training. These methods are fundamentally different. Your method should ideally be chosen in advance of the pup or dog entering your home. Commonly when the dog starts to understand the process is generally when the humans begin to make mistakes; learn proven methods, tips, tricks and that stand the tests of time.

Behavior Modification

Whether you have just rescued a new dog with issues or have had ongoing problems for years, don’t be discouraged! Dogs live in the moment, and if we change what we’re doing, they’ll change what their doing. Greater Boston Dog will help you recognize what you may be unknowingly doing that adds to or creates unwanted dog behavior. We often find dog owners learn to accept inappropriate behavior or work around it, putting the dog away when company comes over or seeing another dog on your walk and immediately heading the other way for fear of a scene! Maybe your dog steals food from the counter, barks excessively, or jumps on you and company. Perhaps your dealing with the other end of the spectrum with a dog that’s exhibiting shyness, fear aggression, or separation anxiety? Whatever the case may be we’ll help you problem solve and create the kind of companion you desire. Some issues can be addressed in a single session like leash pulling.

DOG AGGRESSION

Aggression in dogs can come in many forms for example; resource guarding, fear aggression, dog aggression, human aggression, territorial aggression, even play aggression etc. These behaviors left unchecked have a tendency to get worse. Do you find yourself putting your dog away when company comes over, or avoiding people and other dogs on walks? Maybe at this point you’ve just stopped walking your dog altogether, we can help, call Greater Boston Dog for an initial evaluation session if you have concerns about your dogs behavior, we’ll assess what’s going and help you turn it around, Your dog may be a good candidate for boarding and training.

CHEWING

Your puppy will chew and needs to chew. It’s really up to us to guide our puppy or dog to chew the appropriate things that he or she has been given for chewing. Zephyr will show you how to best guide appropriate chewing and prevent unwanted chewing.

DIGGING

Most dogs enjoy a good dig, some people cater to this natural desire by creating a place that’s ok for digging. More often than not dogs digging in our manicured or polished lawns is not an acceptable behavior. If your puppy or dog is digging up your prize winning roses give us a call we can help.

EXCESSIVE BARKING

Its totally normal for your dog to bark a little to announce their own presence or the arrival of someone on your property, many get dogs for just that reason. Some people experience excessive barking on walks, some start up when you leave the house, some do it to demand attention, it’s out of fear in some cases. Territorial when people or animals are walking by your house or down the hallway in an apartment which can be a deal breaker when you have very close neighbors. You don’t have to live with out of control barking, call Greater Boston Dog today!

IMPRINTING

This is a program specifically designed for first time dog owners however long time dog owners will also benefit from Zephyr’s expertise. The fact of the matter is, your puppy is learning from every interaction whether you are intentionally training him or unintentionally the one being trained. Greater Boston Dog will help you to stay a step ahead of your pup while intelligently and effortlessly planting seeds for future behavior, etiquette and obedience training. Ideally, training in this format starts the day the pup enters the home. Lucky for us they live in the moment and therefore even if his introduction to life in your home has been less than perfect we can help you turn it around.

JUMPING

Unwanted Jumping is probably one of the most common dog behaviors that I encounter. So much of the time, jumping behaviors are mistakenly or unknowingly encouraged and rewarded, sometimes they’re self rewarding if they jump on a counter or table with food on it. If your dog is jumping on you, company, strangers or furniture we can help, Call today!

LEASH PULLING / LOOSE LEASH WALKING

In most cases Zephyr will be able to teach you how to walk your dog properly in just one session. The importance of hierarchy on the walk is the foundation and sets the tone for your relationship with your dog, a new understanding will help you transform a simple activity that can be a otherwise stressful into an enjoyable bonding time for you and your dog. Even if your dog has been pulling you around for years, we can teach old dogs new tricks. Don’t waist your time and money on harnesses, no pull harnesses, gentle leaders and snoot loops, call Zephyr today for a life changing session!

COPROPHAGIA / POOP EATING

There can be many reasons a puppy or dog will eat there own feces. Greater Boston Dog will help you problem solve and get the issue under control.

SEPARATION ANXIETY

Living with separation anxiety in dogs can be an extremely challenging undertaking and is potentially emotionally and physically draining on both the owner and the dog. This trait can crop up in any breed but tends plague some breeds more than others and can range from dog behavior problems like excessive barking, destructive dog behaviors like chewing furniture, pulling down window treatments and scratching doors, to urinating and defecating multiple times during the separation frenzy. Often times one thing and sometimes it’s all the above. If your dealing with any of these issues call Zephyr for assistance.

SOCIALIZATION

Dog socializing begins with mom and litter mates and it’s important part of development that should be continued as much as possible with other puppies and dogs that you know are up to date with vaccines in a controlled environment. Part of understanding your dogs interactions is recognizing a primal drive that dogs have for hierarchy, by natural selection they are either a leader or a follower, and all are opportunists. Greater Boston Dog teaches you how to safely introduce, meet and greet other puppies, dogs and people, specifically veterinarians and groomers will appreciate it, but it shouldn’t end there. One of the main keys to creating a well balanced dog is familiarity, and positive interactions with various stimuli prior to 5- 6 months old. Most older dogs can be rehabilitated through a more lengthy process and we’ll teach you how to work with the temperament of your adult dog.

TRASH CAN RAIDING

Smart dogs will quickly figure out that raiding the garbage is a self rewarding behavior. One of the hardest types of behaviors to catch because most dogs only do this frustrating action when no one is around to stop it. If your dog is taking advantage of you when no one is looking, call Greater Boston Dog for peace of mind.

Custom Programs

This program was designed by Zephyr to give your best friend a running start in your busy life, often those in need of an emotional support dog, busy professionals, celebrities, and professional athlete’s find it makes the most sense to take advantage our custom programs. Greater Boston Dog will guide you through the process, from helping you select the right breed and temperament for your family, finding the breeder, initial procurement of the pup for boarding and training and hand delivery with on location owner training. Custom programs are just that, we’ll be as involved as you need us to be with the process. We also do offer this type of extra intensive training for young or adult dogs as well. This is our most intensive Program and sets owners up for success from the day your new family member enters or re-enters your home. The average custom program is 8 weeks; however, we do offer 4 week and 12 week packages. Please note that with particular breeds and temperaments, it may be necessary to extend training time. The commands for these programs usually go beyond the basics and are tailored specifically for your needs.

Phone / Zoom Sessions

Phone or Zoom sessions are available in 30-minute increments.