I’ll hold your paws as we navigate this dog training thing together. Offering quirky dog hiking, private training, day training, solo outings, boarding and sitting services.
Why I’m different: I use a third party messaging app (Voxer), to stay in touch with my clients in between meetings. Instead of, “I need to remember to talk to the dog trainer next week about this thing that happened because I don’t want to bother her by texting,” you can (and should!) ask me in real time. I will typically get back to you the same day, often within hours, and sometimes within minutes. Voxer allows us to send and receive text messages, photos, short videos, links, and audio memos in one central location. This helps us pivot our training in real time. Plus, you get plenty of pupdates.
PRIVATE TRAINING
$180 initial consult (required) in your home
$160/single session
How can we support you? We love working with clients and their dogs on many things, but here are a few that stand out: puppy start right sessions; teaching appropriate play (how to “dog” with other dogs and people, too); acclimating your new adult dog into your home; surviving and thriving through adolescence; basic manners (“obedience”) including loose leash walking, recall (“come”), stay, sit, down, polite greetings (no jumping up), barking, etc.; jumpy/mouthy hyperarousal behaviors (your dog jumps, mounts, or grabs hold in a state of overstimulation); leash reactivity and frustration (barking, growling, lunging, nipping, etc.); anxieties and fears; relieving YOUR anxieties and fears with your dog; and most importantly, how to not need us anymore! Not sure if we’re the right fit? Reach out and ask us. If not, we can refer you to a trusted source.
Package of 4 = $620 ($155 ea)
Use within 4 months
Package of 6 = $900 ($150 ea)
Use within 6 months
Client responsible for tracking sessions. Sessions generally take place in your home, but we might meet at other locations as appropriate to meet our training goals.
DAY TRAINING BY THE DOZEN
Package of 12 day training sessions plus two privates with you: $1,760
Initial private training consult (additional $180) required before enrolling.
What’s your goal? If you need support working on loose leash walking, reactivity to other dogs, or another specific goal, we can help while you’re busy. This package includes 12 day training sessions plus two mandatory private sessions with you to implement what your dog is learning with us and apply it to your daily life with your dog. Each day training outing is about an hour in length, and you will receive detailed pupdates at the end of each session. We pick up and drop off.
Client is not included during day training sessions. Additional private training sessions with you ($160) and/or day training sessions ($120) may be purchased at any time.
Cadence can be 2x/wk, 3x/wk, or 4x/wk depending on needs, schedules, and availability.
Package expires 6 months from the day of purchase.
POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT BOARD & TRAIN
$250/day
Initial private training consult (additional $180) required before enrolling.
Together, we will develop and prioritize specific, measurable goals (KPIs) in your first consult session ($180). Whether you need support working on basic cues such as recall (come), stay, leave it, loose leash walking; how to be a calmer, confident canine in general; or another specific and measurable goal, we can help you get a head start. Then, we will be there to support you to ensure your investment was worth it!
QUIRKY DOG HIKING
$95-$160/hike
Your dog may be a quirky hiking candidate if they: 1) prefer smaller crowds; 2) are reactive towards people or other dogs; 3) have imperfect recall; 4) have a high prey drive; 5) are overzealous greeters; 6) need just one or two buddies to consistently hang out with; 7) if they are a puppy or adolescent; 8) have a TON of energy; 9) don’t have an appropriate outlet at home to deal with their emotions in a healthy way; 10) wear a muzzle; or if you consider them quirky for any other reason. They just have to think hiking is fun!
We always roll out on trail armed with a long line leash, treats (and other rewards depending on your dog), squeakers, med kits, patience, and a lot more. We thrive on helping dogs learn and earn more freedom safely without e-collars using positive reinforcement. We can accommodate dogs that may learn to be mostly off-leash as well as leashed-only dogs. All dogs are equipped with GPS collar attachments during hikes.
For buddy hikes, rates are $160 ea until your dog is properly integrated with a buddy. If we aren’t able to integrate your dog, solo hike rates will continue to apply. The first few hikes include meet-your-buddy sessions, plus extra focus needed as we learn about your dog and your dog learns to trust us (and we teach them the rules for on trail! A hand touch is our recall cue). These intros will typically have two trainers to support each dog as they get to know each other if buddy hikes are the plan. If solo, this ensures we can support your dog with all the attention they deserve.
Max 3 dogs per pack. Hikes are about 40-60 minutes on trail, depending on which trails are most appropriate for your dog. For example, we might take a shorter trail where we are unlikely to see anyone else, versus a longer trail with likely a few more sightings if that’s your dog’s preferred style of quirky.
BUDDY HIKES ($100 ea):
Package of 4 = $380 ($95 ea)
Use within 4 months
SOLO HIKES ($160 ea):
Package of 4 = $600 ($150 ea)
Use within 4 months
Travel fee will be assessed depending on distance. We pick up and drop off.
SOLO BOARDING
$150/nt
+$50/additional dog from same household
+$25/day holiday rate per household
Contact for details and availability. No kennels here!!
Introduction meeting required before booking. First meeting free, then $100/additional meeting if needed before boarding for the first time. Payment in full required at least 7 days prior to the start of scheduled boarding.
Sorry–we cannot accommodate dogs with separation anxiety.
SITTING IN YOUR HOME
$150+/nt staying overnight in your home
Drop in visits only (no overnight) $55+/drop in up to 45 mins
Transportation and/or travel fees will be applied to extended service areas as well as areas without parking. Contact for details and availability.
Introduction meeting required before booking. First meeting free, then $100/additional meeting if needed before sitting for the first time. Fees also apply to additional meetings in extended service areas. Payment in full required at least 7 days prior to the start of scheduled sitting.
STRUCTURED SOLO WALKS AND OUTINGS
$60/outing or walk – 30 minutes
$90/outing or walk – 50 minutes
Local only. Limited availability.
Does your dog need an experienced handler and walker to meet their needs? Are they reactive towards dogs, kids, men with hats, bicycles, trucks, etc.? Generally anxious or a flight risk? Just prefer they avoid others? We know dog behavior and how to keep them (and others) physically and emotionally safe.
We can walk your dog in your neighborhood or take them to a nearby area to decompress.
Package of 8 = $680 ($85 ea) for 50 minutes
Use within 4 months. $720 value
Package of 16 = $1,280 ($80 ea) for 50 minutes
Use within 6 months. $1,440 value
Package of 8 = $440 ($55 ea) for 30 minutes
Use within 4 months. $480 value
Package of 16 = $800 ($50 ea) for 30 minutes
Use within 6 months. $960 value
Client responsible for tracking sessions. Primary service areas only.
POLICIES
All pricing subject to change. Costs may vary where designated with +. Initial consult with you ($180) may be required before enrolling in any program.
Client is required to sign liability agreement before services may be provided. Client must show and maintain up-to-date vaccine records and/or titers for rabies and distemper. All dogs are required to wear some form of identification provided by the client with the dog’s name and at least one phone number if client is not present during a scheduled service.
Hiking dogs are encouraged to get routine testing for parasites and tick-borne illnesses.
Boarding and sitting clients are required to leave a full copy of medical records as well as authorization from your vet(s) to act as your dog’s medical agent while you are away.
Payment preferred through Venmo. Other forms of payment are accepted, but please ask first.
Holding Paws Dog Training
Primary Service Areas: Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, Arlington, Malden, and some surrounding towns. Parts of Boston: South End, South Boston, Seaport area.
I’ll hold your paws as we navigate this dog training thing together.
