Calm, Reliable Behavior for Everyday Life

Many households seek training because daily life with their dog feels harder than it should.

Walks feel chaotic. Commands seem optional. Your dog may pull on the leash, ignore “come,” or struggle to settle at home.

Foundation Training is our core program for dogs who need clearer expectations and more reliable behavior in everyday life.

You and your dog will practice the everyday skills that make life together easier:

• calm leash walking
• coming when called
• settling calmly at home
• polite greetings with people and other dogs

These skills are practiced in real-life situations so they become reliable habits, not just commands performed during training sessions.

Why This Approach Works

Many dog training programs focus only on teaching commands.

At Dog Coach, we focus on leadership, structure, and communication so your dog understands what is expected in everyday life.

When expectations become clear, dogs relax. Behavior improves because your dog understands how to follow direction.

Pricing

at your home

$1,100

(4) One-hour sessions, at your residence

tri color australian shepherd on a long line next to owner in the dog coach training room

Foundation Training includes (4) one-hour training sessions, 6’ leash, a long-line recall leash, and a fitted prong collar. Training is to be completed during an agreed-upon 4-to-6-week period.

Start the Conversation

Every client begins with a training assessment so we can understand your dog, your household, and the goals you hope to achieve.

After submitting it, we schedule a consultation call to review your situation, answer your questions, and help you make the best dog training decision.

Begin Your Assessment

Takes about 10 minutes and helps us prepare for your call.

Structure at Home

Training does not only happen during lessons. The routines in your home shape how quickly your dog learns.

Foundation Training includes what we call Full Crate Training. A properly introduced crate gives your dog a safe place to relax and learn how to settle when they are not actively engaged with the household.

Many behavior challenges develop simply because dogs never learn how to truly “switch off.” Teaching a dog to relax in a crate helps build the calm state of mind that supports good behavior everywhere else.

If crate training is new to you, we guide you through the process step by step. The crate is not used as punishment.

Learn more:

• How to Crate Train a Dog for Calm Behavior
• Teaching Your Dog a Calm State of Mind

Tools That Support Clear Communication

Dog Coach uses balanced training methods, combining encouragement with clear boundaries and accountability.

We define balanced training simply: dogs learn through both yes and no, praise and correction.

Foundation Training uses a properly fitted Herm Sprenger prong collar to create clear, consistent communication during training. When used correctly, this tool provides humane guidance that helps dogs understand direction on the leash.

All dogs we train, whether a Chihuahua or a Mastiff, are fitted with an appropriately sized Herm Sprenger collar so communication remains clear and consistent.

For some dogs, particularly large or powerful dogs, a remote collar becomes a helpful next step in training, allowing precise communication even at a distance.

Learn more about our Remote Collar Training program.

How Training Works

Foundation Training includes five private one-on-one sessions working directly with you and your dog.

Most clients train at our Wenham training barn, where structured lessons and controlled distractions help dogs focus and learn new skills more clearly than they often can at home.

In some cases, particularly when behavior is more reactive or challenging, training at the barn allows us to create a safer and more controlled learning environment.

We also offer in-home training throughout Greater Boston and the North Shore, when practicing in the home environment is helpful for the household.

You can view our full Areas Served here.

Once the skills are understood, you practice them in your daily routines so the training carries over into real life and new behaviors become reliable habits.