Dog Training
The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) offers a variety of dog training courses as part of our commitment to supporting positive relationships between people and their pets. Our certified, experienced, and caring dog trainers will help you teach your dog:
At the conclusion of each dog training course, your dog will receive a signed certificate of completion. You and your canine companion will benefit from the opportunity to strengthen your bond through interactive group training courses. Our human participants feel more confident about their pet and have a deeper understanding of how to encourage good behavior.
Classes are held at both the Boston Animal Care & Adoption Center and the Dedham Education and Training Center. FREE parking is available at both locations.
Hear What Our Clients Have to Say
Enroll in a Course
You may enroll in a dog training class below either online or over the phone at (617) 426-9170 x227. If you are registering multiple dogs, please be advised that each dog must have its own individual handler.
Course Offerings and Details
View ARL’s dog training course descriptions to determine which class best matches your dog’s current level of training and interests.
For six-week courses, a reduced rate is offered (first-time use only) to dogs adopted from the ARL within the previous six months, and for Boston Veterinary Care clients. Please note, that there are no discounts on workshops, Agility for Fun, or Reactive Dog classes. To learn more, please contact a dog training representative for details at (617) 426-9170 x227 or email dogtraining@arlboston.org.
Classes are limited to six dogs. All classes need at least three dogs to start and may be rescheduled if not filled. All class sessions run for 6 weeks and will be extended if a holiday falls within the session. If classes are cancelled due to weather or an emergency, the end date will be rescheduled.
Refund Policy
To receive a full refund, for a cancellation of a class registration, please email us at dogtraining@arlboston.org at least (3) days before the date of the first class. A Partial refund (prorated and equal to 5 of the 6 sessions) is available up until 24 hours after the first class, by emailing us at dogtraining@arlboston.org. We are unable to offer any refunds after this period. Refunds will be credited back to the original credit card used for payment.
Vaccination Requirements
Puppy Kindergarten ONLY: Distemper (DHLPP). We know that puppies must be a certain age before receiving the Rabies vaccine and this is OK.
We require that all dogs be vaccinated for Distemper (DHLPP) and Rabies, while Kennel Cough (Bordetella) is simply recommended. Please note every puppy/adult dog that can receive rabies is required to and all of our shelter dogs that share the space are fully vaccinated.
Donations
All donation proceeds made to the dog training department go towards the animals in our care at ARL. You can donate during your course registration.
Six Week Courses
Unless otherwise noted, classes are held for one hour per week for six weeks. Our variety of 6-week courses cover a range of options from Puppy Kindergarten to Advanced Canine Foundation Behaviors.
Workshops
Workshops are held for one hour per week for 2-3 weeks and range from heeling, loose leash walking, reactive dog handling, and more.
All proceeds from dog training classes benefit the animals in our care at ARL.
Course Fees
Discounts are available for repeating clients!
Please note, that there are no discounts on workshops, Agility for Fun, or Reactive Dog classes
Beginning December 18, 2024, the fee for all 6-week classes will increase to $240.
Beginner Classes
$225
6-week course- Puppy Kindergarten (ages 8 weeks – 5 months only)
- Introduction to Canine Foundation Behaviors (ages 5 months and up)
- Reactive Dog Level 1 (Ages 5 months and up)
Intermediate - Advanced Classes
$225
6-week course, for those that have attended a beginner class- Intermediate Canine Foundation Behaviors (ages 6 months and up)
- Advanced Canine Foundation Behaviors (ages 6 months and up)
- Introduction to Rally Obedience (ages 6 months and up)
- Agility for Fun (ages 6 months and up)
- *NEW!* Sports Sampler (ages 6 months and up)
Workshops
Contact a Dog Training Representative
To speak with a dog training representative, call (617) 426-9170 x227 or email dogtraining@arlboston.org and please allow 48 hours for a response.
Dog Training Course Descriptions
Workshops
Holiday Manners Workshop
Duration: 3 weeks
Prerequisites: None
Course Location: This workshop is taught in Dedham and Boston.
Course Description: This special 3-week workshop is designed to help prepare both you and your dog for the holiday season when there can often be more large gatherings and guests in the home. You and your dog will work on new skills such as: “leave it”, stay/wait, settling on a mat/place, sitting for a greeting, and more.
Please note, discounts cannot be applied to this workshop.
New Dog Paw-rent Workshop
Duration: 2 weeks
Prerequisites: None
Course Location: This workshop is taught in Dedham.
Course Description: This workshop is designed for new or first-time dog owners to get a peek into the many aspects of dog ownership. During these 2 weeks, you will work on an introduction to proper types of equipment for your dog; an introduction to teaching basic behaviors (sit/down, recall, name recognition); and other topics such as biting/nipping, house training, chewing, and more.
Please note, discounts cannot be applied to this workshop.
Reactive Dog Workshop
Duration: 2 weeks
Ages: 5 months and up
Prerequisites: None. We cannot accept dogs with aggression to dogs or people, including those with a bite history to a dog or a person. For questions, please contact the Dog Training Manager at (617) 426-9170 x227 or email dogtraining@arlboston.org.
Course Location: This workshop is taught in Dedham and Boston.
Course Description: This workshop is designed to give an introduction to understanding and working with a reactive dog. During these two weeks, the trainer will go over basic handling skills to help manage your dog’s behavior. This is a great workshop to take before enrolling in our 6-week Reactive Dog class, as the trainer will work with you to recommend the best class and/or give advice for your specific dog.
Please note, discounts cannot be applied to this workshop.
Come When Called Workshop
Duration: 2 weeks
Prerequisites: None
Course Location: This workshop is taught in Dedham and Boston.
Course Description: Coming when called can be very challenging for most pet owners. This two-week workshop will focus on how we can teach our dogs to come around high-level distractions. Through the use of positive reinforcement methods, you will learn how to get your dog to come away from other dogs, people, novel stimuli, and more.
Please note, discounts cannot be applied to this workshop.
Heeling and Loose Leash Walking Workshop
Duration: 2 weeks
Prerequisites: None—However, no dog/human aggressive dogs. This is not a reactive dog-handling workshop. For questions, please contact the Dog Training Manager at (617) 426-9170 x227 or email dogtraining@arlboston.org.
Course Location: This workshop is taught in Dedham and Boston.
Course Description: During these 2 weeks, you and your dog will master the art of “Heeling” which is a structured loose leash walk. This workshop will help you teach your dog how to walk by your side regardless of distractions. Through the use of positive reinforcement methods, we will teach you how to stop your dog from pulling. Dog training is about fostering a relationship with your pet. Your dog will learn lifelong leash skills in a fun and productive way.
Duration: 2 weeks
Prerequisites: None. We cannot accept dogs with aggression to dogs or people, including those with a bite history to a dog or a person. For questions, please contact the Dog Training Manager at (617) 426-9170 x227 or email dogtraining@arlboston.org.
Course Location: This workshop is taught in Dedham and Boston.
Course Description: This workshop will help you teach your dog how to refocus their attention back on you when they get reactive and fearful. Through the use of positive reinforcement methods, we will teach you how to manage your dog from growling, pulling, lunging, snapping, barking, and more. In this judgment-free environment, you will learn about your dog’s reactivity and gain the confidence to handle your reactive dog in our unpredictable world.
Reactive Dog
Ages: 5 months and up
Prerequisites: None. We cannot accept dogs with aggression to dogs or people, including those with a bite history to a dog or a person. For questions, please contact the Dog Training Manager at (617) 426-9170 x227 or email dogtraining@arlboston.org.
Course Location: This class is taught in both Dedham and Boston.
Course Description: This course will help you teach your dog how to learn self-control and learn the skills to become a more confident dog. We will teach you how to refocus your dog’s attention back onto you when they are reactive or over-excited around dogs, people, and other distractions. Through positive reinforcement methods, you will learn how to control your dog’s barking, lunging, excitement, and more.
Puppy Kindergarten
Ages: Puppies 8 weeks – 5 months
Prerequisites: None
Course Location: This class is taught in both Dedham and Boston.
Course Description: This class concentrates on the importance of socialization in puppies and how to raise a happy well-adjusted adult dog. This class will also introduce some important skills such as appropriate play with other dogs, name recognition, how to greet people/dogs, and how to become more comfortable wearing a harness, collar and leash along with many other fun activities! Puppy play during class is at the trainer’s discretion.
Introduction to Canine Foundation Behaviors
Ages: 5 months and up
Prerequisites: None
Course Location: This class is taught in both Boston and Dedham.
Course Description: This course is designed for dogs over 5 months and have little or no previous training. Using positive reinforcement methods, your dog will be introduced to all basic cues such as sit, down, stay, coming when called, loose leash walking with a goal of becoming a well-mannered dog. Some socialization and play will be covered. Positive training leads to positive results.
Intermediate Canine Foundation Behaviors
Ages: Puppies 6 months and up
Prerequisites: Introduction to Canine Foundation Behaviors or a related course at another facility.
Course Location: This class is taught in both Dedham and Boston.
Course Description: This class will build on the skills learned in Introduction to Canine Foundation Behaviors classes by adding more duration, distance and distractions. New skills will be taught such as ‘Leave it’ ‘Drop it’ ‘go to place’ and ‘heel’. This course will help prepare you and your dog to join other fun classes we offer.
Advanced Canine Foundation Behaviors
Ages: 6 months and up
Prerequisites: Intermediate Canine Foundation Behaviors or a related course at another facility.
Course Location: This class is taught in both Dedham and Boston.
Course Description: This course will prepare you for the real world. You will continue to enhance your dog’s loose leash walking, stay, recall, greetings, and go to place behavior. You will learn how to walk pass other dogs, food, toys, people and more. You will continue to learn and understand how to be consistent regardless of location and distractions.
Introduction to Rally Obedience
Ages: 5 months and up
Prerequisites: Puppy Kindergarten, Beginner Adolescents, or Good Manners
Course Location: This class is taught in Dedham and Boston.
Course Description: Rally-O is a class that takes obedience exercises and skills and improves performance and accuracy. The handler and dog will navigate through a course of 10-20 signs, asking for a specific skill to attempt. You and your dog will strengthen your loose-leash walking, heeling, sit, down stay, tricks and more! This is a spin on traditional obedience by adding challenging fun exercises to build a stronger relationship with your dog while reinforcing your obedience techniques.
Agility for Fun
Ages: 6 months and up
Prerequisites: Introduction to Canine Foundation Behaviors or have taken a class at another facility.
Course Location: This class is taught in Boston only.
Course Description: This course is designed to build mental and physical exercise for your dog. Agility for fun is a fun outlet that allows your dog to release their energy in a fun safe way. Your dog will learn impulse control and build confidence around jumps, tunnels, weaves, and more. This class will be focused on creating focus out of your dog through attention games.
*NEW!* Sports Sampler
Ages: 6 months and up
Prerequisites: Individuals must have knowledge and be utilizing marker/reward training methods and have some mastery of basic manners skills including attention. Prerequisite note: Due to the nature of this class, dogs that enroll must be able to work comfortably in the same room with other dogs.
Course Location: This class is taught in Boston only.
Course Description: Dog sports are a great way to bond with your dog while also getting exercise and mental stimulation. Sports can build confidence, help generalize and broaden skills while adding new dimension to your partnership with your dog. In this six-week session, we will try three different dog sports: Rally, Scentwork, and Parkour.
Have a question about your pet’s behavior?
If you have a question regarding you pet’s behavior, please contact our Pet Behavior Helpline to speak with a knowledgeable staff member or volunteer.