Kids and Dogs:
Injured and Disabled Dogs:
Dog Behavior Resources and Considerations
  • Veterinary Care and Behavior: More and more qualified Veterinarians are providing medication as a course of treatment for dogs exhibiting fear, anxiety and aggressive behaviors. Know that while a licensed practitioner is able to provide remedy to an animal suffering from mental disorders ethically unless clear harm to the pet or the immediate family is evidenced, first course of action should be thorough evaluation and behavior modification training by a qualified Dog Trainer or Behavior Consultant.  Working as a team with your Veterinarian and a Qualified Dog Trainer Certified using humane, force free and scientifically supported training methods is best. See http://www.dacvb.org/

Local Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Behaviorist 
Local Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist
  • Terri Bright working through the MSPCA is a qualified and wonderful Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She developed a safe walk program at the MSPCA shelter to help enrich and train shelter dogs in an effort to improve the likelihood of adaptability. I had the pleasure of working with her as a volunteer many moons ago 2010-2011. She works with qualified veterinarians at her Behavior Clinic practice and is a great resource

Local Vets specializing in Clinical Behavior Medicine
Brian Bourquin, DVM and practice owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic

Local Behavior Modification Training Specialists and Qualified Trainers
  • Reference the www.IAABC.org and www.CCPDT.org for qualified Behavior Canine Consultants 
  • Emma Parsons and Julie Robitaille (TACT): If your dog is extremely stressed, fearful, people or dog aggressive.
  • Donna Savoie, Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor (BATI) offers force free Board & Training at her location.
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Separation Anxiety Training 
​Malena DeMartini Price - Separation Anxiety Training Resources 
Upward Hound, Casey McGee https://www.upwardhound.com/contact-us/

Local Boston Veterinary Care
Therapy Dog (ideal for helping others)
The AKC offers a designation AKC Therapy Dog allowing you to take your dog into an elderly community; a hospital for children and adults etc  Essentially the steps involve that you would need to
  1. Find an approved organization (list AKC approved training/testing organizations here) .  The one approved organization to test your dog in Massachusetts,  is Bright Spot Therapy Dogs  these folks will evaluate and test your dog. To pass the evaluator will be looking for a socially mature and stable dog. Typically we find this with adult dogs  (2-2.5years).  if your dog is under one they may not evaluate the dog.  Passing the AKC Canine Good Citizen designation is another criteria and they may offer the training to prepare you/your dog for this test if you don't already have the designation OR you may find a local private trainer OR an AKC Club (in Boston, Massachusetts area, AKC The New England Dog Training Club ) to work with to prepare and test you for the CGC.
  2. The next step is to Volunteer with your dog at local VA hospitals and other facilities that allow service dogs. Tracking your volunteer hours is important and will be included in the application process
  3. Last you will complete and submit an Therapy Application to the AKC. They provide the application and process the application. Once approved they send you certificate with patches

Service Dog (ideal for helping an owner)
  1. This is a dog specially trained to help someone physically handicapped, experiences seizures or other medical challenges.
  2. Some organizations offer Emotional Support dogs to be adopted for people experiencing PTSD and other emotional anxiety and depression. Contact Canine Companion for Independence #1-800-572-2275

AKC Public Group Obedience Training Classes
  • New England Dog Training Club (Fresh Pond, Cambridge) : If you're looking for a public class instead of small and private , this club is perhaps your best bet for the area. Rolling enrollment, so no waiting for the next class to start, and great for basic obedience techniques. It is the oldest AKC Obedience Club in the country, and several highly qualified instructors are there to help you every Thursday night. 
  • MSCPA : Affordable obedience classes, positive reinforcement based training in the City of Boston. 

Alternative & Engaging Training
What Comes After Completing Puppy Class 
Local Reward and Science Based Dog Trainers 
Amy Campbell - Native Dog Wellness (Cambridge/Somerville)
Melissa McCue - Muff Stuff (Cambridge/Somerville)
Donna Culbert - Donna’s Do Right Dogs (South Shore)
Diane Kurkjian - Everydog, LLC  (Danvers area)

Canine Physical Therapy & Aquatherapy
FlowDog

Animal Massage
Native Dog Wellness

South Boston Dog-walking & Playgroups
Sean Quirk - Mutts & the City

Fitness for You & Your Dog
Fit Doggie & Me

Animal Shelters/Rescues
Animal Rescue League 
MSPCA
Quincy Animal Shelter

Pet Photography
Kit Cat Photography
Zach Chadwick