Group Or Private Dog Training
Clients often want to know which is the better starting point for their dog - group classes or private training.
For young, vaccinated puppies, a group class can be a great place to provide positive and safe dog-dog interaction needed to help pups develop and maintain their canine social skills and grow into well-adjusted, dog-friendly dogs. Group classes are also an excellent environment in which humans can learn about canine body language, play and other social interactions. Clients often wonder what range of canine play is safe or "too much." When should we intervene? When should we let the dogs work it out? A group environment is the best context in which to learn about and practice such observational skills.
In addition, puppy classes allow you to lay the dog training foundation for basic safety cues and manners needed by all dogs in a fun, supportive environment.
For older dogs who have passed the age of easy socialization, a group class is a good starting place IF the dog is comfortable with and friendly towards dogs and people. If desensitization work or behavior modification are needed, private lessons are definitely the better starting point.
However, some people simply find it easier or more convenient to learn the basics in a one on one environment with few distractions, according to their own priorities and schedule. Once the dog is reliable in an at-home or low-distraction environment, private training can be done in gradually more distracting public environments, or the student may prefer to practice amidst the controlled distractions of a group class environment.
To enroll in a dog training program:
1. Click on the relevant link in the navigation bar (at the top left of this page) for private dog training lessons, group dog training courses in either our Arlington, MA or Boston,MA venues, the PAC Drop In Class dog training program at our Arlington, MA location or our Dogs & Storks in-home consultation and then click on the specific option you'd like to sign up for.
You may pay your tuition online with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. If you prefer to pay by check, please click "other" as your payment method in the payment form and make a note in "comments" that you will be mailing your check; also let us know your dog's name and which program you'll be joining. Please note: tuition must be paid prior to the start of your course; tuition fees are non-refundable.
2. Submit your enrollment form and a copy of vaccine proofs before the start date of your dog training program.
Mailing address:
Picture Perfect Pets
11A Medford Street
Arlington, MA 02474Fax: (781) 316-2589
Download an enrollment form here: enrollment_form.doc
Download a PAC Class (drop in dog training program) enrollment form here: PAC_membership_enrollment_form.doc
If enrolling for private dog training:
Please contact Bette Yip regarding scheduling availability prior to paying for your private dog training online. Doggy Private School lessons are available at the Picture Perfect Pets dog training studio at 11A Medford Street in Arlington, MA and at Pawstonian, the dog daycare at 515 E. 2nd St. in Boston, MA. Private in home and on location lessons are available at the following locations and surrounding communities: Boston, MA | Cambridge, MA | Somerville, MA | Watertown, MA | Belmont, MA | Arlington, MA | Medford, MA | Winchester, MA | Lexington, MA.
