Dog Behaviorist?

[firepail.livejournal.com]

Does anyone have a dog behaviorist they have used and can recommend? Or an obedience class? Local is preferred, but any in-state suggestions would be appreciated.

Any behaviorist anti-recommendations are helpful as well.

Thanks!

Comments

[violet-helix.livejournal.com]

Dr. Stefanie Schwartz, aka Dr. Cookie was very good when I brought my Sheltie to see her for anxiety issues.

She has appointments at VCA South Shore Animal Hospital in Weymouth and at Angell Memorial.

Her web site is: http://www.dr-cookie.com/

[koshmom.livejournal.com]

http://www.canineuniversity.com/welcome.html

These guys rock. They have a training facility (and do doggie day care) in Malden, really close to the Oak Grove T stop. They have a whole series of classes, ranging from puppy classes to adult novice, to intro to agility and how to show dogs and how to teach dogs specialized tricks. Mostly group classes, but if your dog can't handle groups they will either help you themselves or help you find a good one on one trainer if that's what you need. They even host a yearly weekend retreat in New Hampshire/Maine for you and your dog!

I recommend them highly, having gone through 3-4 (beginner to advanced tricks) classes with my dog.

[koshmom.livejournal.com]

oh, anti-recommendations: PetSmart. While you might get lucky and find a decent dog trainer, it's the luck of the draw. They are also forced to "go with the PetSmart program" which includes strongly encouraging you to buy treats from their store, and "if you don't do it the PetSmart way, you're Wrong.". I took one multiweek class with them, and they fired my instructor halfway through because the instructor wasn't following their poor training guidelines (that instructor was *good* and the replacement was virtually useless). They also lost my "class picture" (which turned up on their "look at our happy graduates" bulletin board) and also lost my registeration after the fact, so I never got the promised "diploma". This was PetSmart near Wellington Center (in the Home Depot/Target/Costco shopping center).

[docorion.livejournal.com]

Marjie at City Dog Training is excellent - http://www.citydogtraining.com She just opened her own facility, too. Will come to your home to see the dog in his/her environment, and give you tips on how to set up a training regime at home to get the most out of your relationship. Straightforward, no nonsense, matter of fact advice-the kind I personally like a lot.

Northeast School for Dogs

[wolftone.livejournal.com]

http://www.northeastschoolfordogs.com/

Melissa is a genius with dogs. When I adopted my border collie, she was an anxious wreck. After a lot of work, she's more-or-less a well-behaved member of society.

The trip to Oxford is a long one, but worth it.

[shana-lyons.livejournal.com]

Try the New England Dog Training Club. They're at www.nedtc.org and they were great with our beagle. Their classes are affordable and held at the Armory in Cambridge. Their training method seems to work especially well if your dog is food motivated. "Beginner 1" was the session we took and they covered sit, settle, lay down, stay, come, and some loose leash walking. A bonus is that you get to meet other fun people with dogs.

[firepail.livejournal.com]

thanks so much!

I grew up owning shelties, they are such great dogs.

[firepail.livejournal.com]

thanks for the recommendation and anti-recommendation. I have a border collie, so I may want to do some agility stuff when he's a bit older.

[firepail.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I have been curious about behaviorists that will do house calls.

Re: Northeast School for Dogs

[firepail.livejournal.com]

Great to know! I have a rescued border collie puppy =)

[firepail.livejournal.com]

My guy is definitely food motivated. Thanks!

[mderidder.livejournal.com]

We have used Alana Stevenson for a number of issues our dog has had, including severe anxiety and leash control. She will do everything at your house.

http://www.k9kitty.com/

[firepail.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

Anybody have any experience with Dogma/Zen Dogs in Union Square?

[bobobb.livejournal.com]

My friend Dot has her own dog training business. She specializes in aggressive dogs, but works with all dogs. I have to say she is very good and her clients like her a lot. E-mail at dotb_2242 at hotmail.

[mwrgana.livejournal.com]

Look for a T-Touch practitioner in your area.

To find out more go to http://www.ttouch.com/

companion animals' page here http://www.ttouch.com/whyTTouch.shtml

it is a superb method of working with and training your animal, using respect, kindness and most of all, understanding. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Don't know any dog behaviorists...

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

But I could recommend some dog cognitive neuroscientists. :)