To start, my puppy and I haven't taken a class here yet, but I will update as soon as we do. I wanted to leave a review purely based on my initial conversations and meeting Lance for our consultation. I adopted a puppy last Saturday who is extremely fearful of everything - seriously, every person, every sound, every little thing. I cannot take her outside without her shutting down and cowering in a corner within 30 second of stepping out my door. I reached out to Compatible Canine and received a message back from Lance within two days who let me know they always start with a consultation. I called the number provided to me and was able to schedule a consult a few days later (he wanted to wait until she had a full week to settle in before meeting her). A few days before my scheduled consultation, I reached back out explaining that my puppy is so fearful (and I don't drive) that it would be really difficult to get her to walk to Compatible Canine. I asked if there was any chance someone could come out to meet her at my place/somewhere nearby outdoors. Lance was able to accommodate and spent an hour yesterday observing my puppy's behavior and providing me with tips. In the first hour I spoke with Lance, I learned SO much. Last night was the first time I was able to sleep with my puppy in the living room with barely any whining and no barking (previously her separation anxiety required me to move her crate into my room each night). Again, we haven't taken a class with Lance yet, but I'm already grateful. We will be enrolling in 2 day classes a week. read more

There is no better way to describe Lance and his two other trainers as miracle workers. I have a 1.5-year-old cattle dog/husky mix who is extremely fear reactive. It was impossible to walk by other dogs without a huge scene or even people without him growling. Baths and nail cutting were out of the question as the local groomer told me to never bring him back, and when I attempted, he would become aggressive towards me. I have always believed in Kevin and thus have been to A LOT of trainers in search of helping him reach his full potential of being a great dog. Away from his fears, Kevin is the sweetest dog. The number of people who told me he was "incurable" and that I would have to simply manage with what I have the rest of my life left me deflated and hopeless. Then I stopped to chat with a woman who was walking her German Shepherd one day and she told me I had to go see Lance. A week later I was sold. Lance has been a blessing. He has achieved more with Kevin in a matter of months than others said Kevin could accomplish in his entire life. While Kevin still has some work to be done, he now can walk by dogs without a scene, LOVES pets from people and even just this week had his first bath and nail cutting without any issues. Kevin's sister is another shining example of Lance's work. She was returned to the rescue by a family who said she was heavily resource-guarding and acting aggressively. My mom adopted her but was worried she was too much to handle. Since working with Lance, Luna is a new dog and easily the best dog my mom has ever owned. It is not just Lance's abilities to train dogs that are so incredible, he is also there for the owners. He understands and allows us to speak our minds and even vent with frustration about the different obstacles we have faced during the training process. He is ALWAYS available to the owners and truly loves what he does and the dogs he works with. I really cannot say enough great things about Lance and his team. If you are struggling with your dog, Lance is the answer. I rarely write reviews but this one was necessary because I empathize with the difficulty of finding great trainers--Lance is beyond great. read more

Compatible Canine Center - Pet Training Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

Wisdom, experience, care and intuition! We highly recommend training at Compatible Canine!

My husband and I took both of our dogs to Lance: first, our ~3 month old puppy, and then later we took our 10 month old pup who had already developed some bad habits. With both dogs it was clear that Lance is some sort of dog whisperer. He always seems to know how to respond to the dogs in a way that will correct the behavior, and he did a great job of explaining the corrections to us so that we could try to understand how to best manage our dogs while on walks, in our homes, interacting with other dogs, etc. When we first started our classes with Lance he stressed the importance of training us (the humans)--and I think he does a great job of trying to train us in addition to the dogs. We always looked forward to our classes with Lance and enjoyed seeing the progress made by our dogs. There is nothing better than saying "down" from across the room and having your dog plop down in the blink of an eye. If you want someone who not only knows his stuff, but knows how to impart important tips to the dogs' owners, Lance is your guy. PS: make sure you come to class with jokes :) read more

I love comparable canine and all they have to offer. My daughter goes there and I have tagged along for a couple of the classes and they run a great program. Lance is one of the best and his assistant/receptionist is a amazing woman. All very friendly and willing to help. Thanks.compatable canine!!!!! read more

I have been working with the Compatible Canine Center and Lance for 25 years. Five dogs and 25 years later, I am so grateful for the superb training my dogs and I have received. I will always go to Compatable Canine with every new dog I get to live with. I have learned as much about myself as I have learned about my dogs and how to work with them successfully. A+++ read more

While the trainer Lance was very nice and seemed like a good trainer, we were pretty disappointed in the fact that they gave us zero information over the phone and insisted that we bring our pup to their facility if we wanted any information on the services or pricing. It was definitely a hassle to travel pretty out of our way with our new pup after work just to get there and find out that the only package they would offer us was $675 for 12 group training sessions. When we said we didn't think we needed 12 full sessions they offered us $575 for 8 group sessions. We decided to not move forward because the location was not convenient to go to for more times but wanted to post the prices on here so others can make an informed decision! read more

We have been training with Lance for the last 6 months. He is not only great with all dogs and their parents but he is AMAZING with kids too. Lance is compassionate, patient, open-minded and flexible on how to help adults and kids train their dogs through many different methods. The behavioral changes with our dog Harley are so encouraging. We are learning to trust each other in a safe and positive environment. read more

Lance is excellent! Super helpful in getting my anxious/reactive dog under control. Hard to find trustworthy companies to leave your pets with but lance is it! read more

Nightmare. Horrid communication. I paid for puppy classes in full after a consult, & needed to schedule my next class since the original date no longer worked w my schedule.... I called/left msgs constantly for literally 1 month. I had to go **IN PERSON** just to talk with anyone! When I (understandably) requested a refund for wasting a month of prime puppy training time, the support staff took it personally & were extremely rude & defensive. Note: refund requested end of August. *Full refund* not received until **Mid-DECEMBER** (initial check Lance sent was conveniently $100 short!) read more

Let me start out by saying that finding a decent trainer is hard. Especially one that wants to work with "problem" dogs. We rescued an Australian Shepherd named Van back in October and little did we know he came with a WHOLE lot of baggage. After being turned down by a number of different trainers we gave Lance a call who told us to come in for a consultation. He knew exactly what Van needed within the first 5 minutes. We continue to see Lance regularly for sessions with Van. But we have watched him grow from being a fear biting, unpredictable mystery, into a sweet and trusting boy that now joins us for off leash hikes and loves meeting new people! If your looking for a reliable training experience WITH RESULTS, while having fun and having some laughs at the same time (Lance is a riot!) look no further than Compatible Canine Center. read more

Compatible Canine Center - Van is the big goof smiling to the left! - Pet Training Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

I paid for a 12 sessions training and have been trying to contact the them for over a year to schedule my 4th session without success. They never return calls, never answer the phone, very unprofessional. Also, their training may be effective but I would not want to take my dog there for daycare or similar, it is a small basement and dogs are tied to a treadmill to make them tired! read more

Took my dog to training with Lance! We had a great 10 sessions , wish I could more or even puppy school during the day but my work/drop off schedule is hard to work around ! Highly recommend this place read more

Don't let the hole in the wall basement appearance fool you. This is the most amazing dog trainers in Massachusetts. You enter the place throught the grooming center and down to a plain old low ceiling basement. There you find Francis, Lance and Diane. Three of the best trainers in Massachusetts. I have interviewed three other Boston trainers and other Brookline trainers and this is by far the best. I was lost with my male Havanese. The LOVE/HATE relationship was starting to tip on HATE and Francis taught us how to be a leader and alpha dog. They are reliable, friendly and understanding. They are the only people we trust with our dogs. It may not be the NICEST looking place, but you can be sure they are safe and treated well. read more

Based on the reviews here and their proximity to me, I decided to check out Compatible Canine Center during my search for a dog trainer. I gave them a call and scheduled an "interview." They are located in the basement of Brookline Grooming and Pet Supplies, and like others have noted, the interior isn't exactly luxurious. You can't help but miss the myriad of trophies on display in the corner though, which I found rather impressive. One of the trainers, Francis greeted me and listened carefully as I addressed the issues I was having with my dog, a rottweiler mix with a bad attitude towards other dogs and a short-attention span. He quickly came up with a plan to improve my dog's behavior, and explained each step of the program. I felt comfortable with it and decided to sign up for some classes. Training with Francis has been great. He goes over each step very carefully, demonstrating to us what to do and explaining the reasons behind each exercise. So far, after only 2 months of training, my dog has shown tremendous improvements. Gone are the days of lunging and barking at other dogs on walks, making life a lot easier for me. They also provide day care and overnight boarding as well, and other classes such as schutzhund and agility classes. There's a wide variety of dogs there, from German Shepherds to Yorkshires, so they seem to have experience working with all varieties of dogs. Definitely give Compatible Canine Center a try if you are looking for a dog trainer, they're great! read more

I have been working with Francis at CCC for 6 years. No matter what, Francis and all of the trainers at CCC have been able to teach me and my dog, not just show how it is done, but also explain the theory behind the training. They are great trainers who care about each dog and pay individual attention to each dog and their owners. They are not a cookie cutter shop! You will have individualized training that meets the needs of you and your dog at every stage of their development. I have used all of their services including: doggie day school, boarding, basic-advanced obedience, protection training, agility training, and trial training. Whether you are an experienced dog owner, first time owner, or training your dog for competition, you need to check out CCC! read more

I have been bringing my Rhodesian Ridgeback here for almost 2 years and can't imagine a better place with people who really care about his well-being and training. Francis and Lance are amazing with the dogs and really connect with them. Yes, it is in the basement of Brookline Grooming, and yes it's a little off putting with the concrete ceilings and mirrored walls, but these guys really know what they are doing. I mean, Francis works with Boston Police Canines. Day school is $40 and boarding is $60. My pup comes home after day school tired and worn out. Words of advice: don't try calling. They are really bad with answering the phones. It's probably better if you just "stop in." As for classes, you don't really "schedule" classes. They are every 2 weeks and if you have questions about when the next class is, you just stop in and the trainers will let you know. To the review about the crates piled on top of one another, they don't stay in the crates the whole time. They come out for training and lessons. Each dog is given training time in school. read more

Omg- Lance saved our family. We got a sweet little rescue who had some issues. The vet who saw her said we should give her up but my kids loved her. Lance told us to look at her and realize she was confused and had poor self esteem. He took her for 2 weeks and brought her back for a visit. She was a happy pup. One more week and 2 sessions with the family and she goes on walks, plays with other dogs, is calm and even goes outside in the rain. A miracle And Lance was so kind yo us. We need a new vet. read more

Lance has been the best trainor anyone could ever want. If it wasn't for Lance my dog and I wouldn't have been the best team in the whole world. Don't settle for second best when you can be a winner on the first try. Bunky and Yogi read more

I couldn't be happier with the results and the experience. Francis is totally dedicated to his work, and he teaches in a way that makes it easy to learn. I've been bringing my 1.5 year old Jack Russell here for almost a year, and she's gone from being pretty wild to being very reliable. Recently, my parents housed her while I was on vacation for two weeks. She got glowing reviews, and they were reluctant to give her back! Francis is demanding, but he always treats the dogs and owners with the utmost respect. That formula leads to a dog that works hard and owners that really enjoy building a relationship with their animals. read more

Lance is the best trainer. He understands the mindset of dogs and their owners. We took our french bulldog Sadie to Lance when she started to display aggressive tendencies to children and she needed to reestablish her manners. What sealed the deal for us was the fact that Lance owned a french bulldog. French bulldogs are interesting creatures so it was important for us to have a trainer/handler that understood their temperment. He taught us a lot about Sadie, her breed tendencies, and even pointed out bad behaviors that we were instilling in her. read more

I've been attending Compatible Canine Center (CCC) for almost 3 years. I have a Doberman and wanted her to be the most obedient dog. The breeder recommended Lance at CCC. She was 16 wks when she began training. CCC is nothing fancy. It's in the basement of another pet grooming/store. No frills. But it has what you need to train your dog well, keep it safe, and interact with others. Good enough for me! Lance is the owner. I've met a lot of "dog people" in my life and I've never come across anyone quite like Lance. He's taken years to truly understand the dog as much as a human can. Puppies, small/large breeds, companion/working dogs, and all sorts of dog issues. He makes no guarantees, like an honest person would, but he will work with you and your dog until life is manageable, but hopefully enjoyable. As long as you LISTEN and follow his guidelines, you will see the results. It's the clients that still believe their way is better and they KNOW what their dog needs who end up failing. If you don't follow his guidelines, don't expect results and it's not his fault or the dog's. Day School: Your dog starts off in a crate. The day consists of some training, possible treadmill use, maybe some time spent with other dogs on the floor (always supervised), and bathroom/water breaks. It's not a free for all dog party or anything crazy. But my dog will start to whine as we approach CCC. She can't wait to go downstairs and pops right into her crate with tail wagging! It shows me how well she is treated and how she craves the structure and discipline. Training: Lance's classes are excellent. He answers any specific questions you have about your dog. The training exercises with the group are helpful, even if you don't understand them at the time. Everything comes together in the end. The way Lance trains dogs makes sense for how their brains work. The books I've read on training, don't. He doesn't put the dogs or humans in dangerous situations, but when confrontations occur he addresses it properly so you can deal with it in real life. Boarding: My dog loves boarding with Lance. He has separate crates for all of the dogs in a large kennel, beds and blankets. Lance is very receptive towards who can socialize with whom. Sometimes the group exercises in 2 sessions or he will take 2 walks. The dogs are safe from strangers and any possible wild animals. He is consistent with checking on them and the amount of exercise they receive. Anyone that works with Lance at CCC is vetted by him. They may not have the excessive number of years of experience, but their knowledge is deep, their kindness is present, and their end goals are the same. It's a safe place where you can grow leaps and bounds with your dog as long as you put in the work. Lance and CCC will give you all of the tools. I don't know of anyone else in the New England area that can do it better. If you have a dog with behavioral issues, you might see Lance interact with your dog like nothing you've ever seen before. It's like watching a miracle. read more

Lance is wonderful! He trained us and our extremely hyper Husky/Golden Retriever mix. Our pup was so happy to be using his brain and learning new things, and he was exhausted after each training session. It wasn't because we did much physical activity; it was his concentration during the lesson. The training was probably even more helpful for us humans - or at least for me - because I hadn't lived with a dog since childhood. The sessions really gave me confidence that I could insist that our pup follow the "rules" and know that he would! read more

Super friendly and informative with my new Husky. I wish I could have been in the city longer for more training but overall see a big difference in my puppy. read more

Lance and Bill are amazing trainers to work with. They have an incredible amount of experience with all kinds of dogs from all kinds of backgrounds, and they do a terrific job of imparting that experience to both the dog and the owner. They help you learn how to manage and alleviate problematic dog behavior and also help you learn how to be great owner. The in person classes are small and targeted for whatever you want, be it training a new dog or working on existing issues with your furry friend. Additionally, their boarding services for dogs in their training is amazing. My dog absolutely loves going to board with them and play with other dogs and get training! (He also comes back a bit more svelte than he left) They also build a relationship with each dog that comes through their door; every time my dog goes to see them, he's as excited to see them as he is to see me when I get home. They definitely deserve the 5 stars for the effort they put in with each and every dog they train. read more

Lance is plainly a fantastic dog trainer. He has an incredible ability to accurately read the dog and provide an insightful and simple method to correct any problem. Furthermore, Lance provides the handler, or owner, of the dog with very basic, yet essential and accurate, instructions to follow so the behavior remains positive. Lance did just a tremendous job correcting the behavioral problems I was experiencing with my dog. I enthusiastically recommend Lance. Thank you read more

Lance and Francis are, hands-down, the BEST there is. Years ago, I rescued my best friend from the MSPCA. He was an absolute mooch who loved everyone and everybody... but it turned out that he hated other dogs. "Hated" is perhaps not a strong enough term to describe the unstoppable ball of dog-seeking rage who flunked out of SIX Boston-area dog training facilities. Trainers literally just threw up their hands, refunded my money and told me that there was nothing they could do. I figured that if "professional" dog trainers said it was hopeless, then I should just accept that my little Hanibal Lecter would have to live out his life in solitary confinement. Despairing, I remembered that a cousin of mine bred and trained Rottweilers out west, and I decided to see if she knew a lion-tamer anywhere in New England. To my suprise she said "Lance Woodley is one of the best, and actually he's right near you." (that was back in 2001, so Al Gore hadn't finished making the interwebs what it is today and finding things on line wasn't too much better than using the phone book). I went over to Brookline and discovered that beneath a run-of-the-mill pet supply/grooming place was the subterranean-layer of the original dog whisperer. I had an evaluation session, during which my little brindle bundle of madness tried to punk out every other dog he saw a la Popeye from Blood In, Blood Out. Lance and Francis, unlike all the trainers I'd been to, were totally nonplused by his behavior. They were like, oh yeah, we've seen worse, no problem. And they weren't kidding. After some intensive therapy, my dog got to the point where he could not just be in the presence of other animals, but even walk off leash around them! The folks at this place are god-damned miracle workers. Are there any downsides? None that I can figure. Apparently, some of the tenderfoots out there are put off by the fact that the facility doesn't look like a Boston Sports Club. But luckily I'm not there to admire the artwork or do pilates. All I care about is that my dog gets trained. Also, yes they're not always 100% about returning phone calls. But that's because they probably get tons of calls from weirdo Brooklinite tire-kickers who want to talk about cleansing their dog's chakras, or making sure that the feng shui of their dog kennel is just right. Don't be a weirdo- just bring your dog in for a visit and you will be a convert. read more

Results Matter! Compatible Canine Center produces results! It is very important to me to have a well-trained dog for many reasons, including the dog's safety. I was referred to Lance Woodley, owner of Compatible Canine Center (CCC), and was quickly and efficiently set up in new puppy obedience classes. These classes are not held on a demanding schedule and I wondered how my dog would learn. What I learned is I was really signing myself up for "people training" because we have to train our dogs, it isn't magic, it is work and it's an ongoing process. If you think you can teach your dog how to behave by going for an hour a week or send them away for resident training and not continue to work with them every day, you probably should get a cat. At CCC we are taught progressively each week how to train our dog; one lesson builds upon another. Our homework, for both owner and dog, in between classes was to keep reinforcing the lessons at home with our dogs. I admit, I was pretty nervous, I have a big, strong dog that has to behave, not jump on people, not pull me down the street when we walk, not be aggressive to other people, children and dogs. I asked the question the day I signed up, what can I realistically expect at the end of the puppy training session? Answer: "If you do your part, your dog will be trained so that she will behave for you off leash." Right! I thought No Way - that can't be possible - but figured it would be worth the effort if that could potentially be the result at the end of puppy training, even half that result would be great. The result is 100%!! She is still a puppy so I will continue to work with CCC to continue training. I highly recommend Compatible Canine Center, they know what they are doing! read more

I'm not sure why I've seen such great reviews for this place. They may be good with dogs, but they are certainly not good with people. I stopped by one day with my dog to ask about classes and training. When the trainer came down she immediately asked me if my dog was neutered and then told me NOT to do it. She persisted and then questioned why I was having him neutered. Then she told me I would have to make an appointment for an evaluation before they could give me any class or training information. She was very short with me when trying to find a time around my 9-5 work schedule. We tentatively set up an appointment, but then said she would have to call me later that evening to confirm. She never did call. I was not impressed with the shady service, nor the judgmental attitude. I would look elsewhere to find a place where I feel more comfortable. read more

Francis 4 prez! Listen, if you're looking for a posh, Newbury Street type feel, then this is not your place. If you're looking for results, then take your dog here. Francis is our dog's trainer, and she absolutely loves him! He also trains K-9 units for area police/ troppers for a reason: results. The lessons our lab learned here STUCK and got better over time. She was probably a hair too young to start the class, but Francis interviewed her, and OK'd her. Now that she's 20 months, even though we haven't been to a class in months, the lessons she learned there are still with her today. He makes Cesar Milan look like a chump. Woof, woof!!! 5 paws up. read more

If I could give 10 stars, I would! Lance has helped me through a very difficult time where the older dog that I rescued started displaying aggressive behaviors in my home. He has a gift for explaining why dogs act the way they do. He helped me break down what triggers were in order to prevent them and he even came to my home to help me modify the environment. Above all, Lance provided superb training for myself and my dog. I am indebted to Lance, and couldn't recommend him any more highly. His facility is basic/ not fancy and no-nonsense. If you're looking to work hard and get results for both you and your dog, then this is the place! read more

No one is better than Lance and Francis. We trained our German Shepherds and our Belgian Tervurens with Lance. There is no one else I would go to anywhere in New England to work with my animals. read more

These guys are great with dogs! Not so good with people--just keep that in mind and you will have a great experience there. They are NOT people people, they are dog people. The training was exceptional and very reasonably priced. read more

We adopted a dog aggressive 9 month old from the MSPCA and went through their basic training class (they use only positive reinforcement) and though our dog learned all of the commands the only way to do the class was behind barriers so that she could't see the other dogs and then react. The second she would see another dog from even blocks away she would go nuts snarling barking and jumping around walks were a nightmare. We tried other (positive reinforcement only) trainers and though she learned every trick she was still reactive. Needless to say tacking her down into a room full of dogs for our evaluation at CC was nerve racking. When Lance asked if we would mind if he took the leash and then took her over to the dog filled crates and she didn't make a peep we knew we had found the right place. We've been taking her there for close to 2 years now and she's a much happier dog, she's not super tense anymore and we now enjoy walks. She can now play with other dogs something we had thought would never happen. She absolutely loves all the trainers particularly Lance and Francis. They have the ability to read a dog and know exactly what kind of approach to take. They were able to change my dog's aggressive behavior but I've also seen them take a very timid dog with zero confidence and bring him to life to where he is no longer afraid of everything and is even doing agility training. While some people may not agree with the use of prong or e-collars I have never seen any of the trainers use excessive force. Mostly you will see them rewarding and praising and only using these training tools when necessary. I used to have a frustrated, anxious dog who would rub her neck raw with her collar, and would bite her tongue and jowls while freaking out at other dogs and bleed all over the place. Now a have a happy healthy dog that I can walk without being constantly afraid of what's around the next corner. read more

What can I say about Lance and this fantastic training center. At first glance it seems austere, rustic, and possibly not an environment that you'd like your precious pet exposed to. Well, dog lovers, let me tell you that Lance and his crew are superior. My Mini-Schnauzer loves going to school ! He is a rescue and definitely had issues. They may never all resolve, partially because of his breed, and partially because of his unfortunate first two years, but boy have his problems lessened. Yes, the trainers use prong collars, which some people don't like, but it beats having a constant battle with your dog, and becoming frustrated, angry, and stressed. They also use tons of praise and lots of love. The training is NOT harsh or punative; it is positive and rewarding, building self confidence in the dogs. I firmly believe "A well trained dog is a happy dog" ! These dogs are, indeed, happy! read more

Dog training comes in many forms: puppies, adult dogs with socialization problems, aggression, adopted dogs with transitional issues, etc. Lance and his trainers have infinite patience and will work wonders, and help you and your dog with issues large and small. It's one thing for a dog to do well for a trainer. Hey, they're smart. Dogs quickly figure out that if they behave and do well: lots of positive feedback and TREATS! Dog training also involves owner training and that is one of the things that separates Lance & staff from most other trainers. They will help to make you a better, and smarter dog owner. read more

My boyfriend and I adopted 2 redbone coonhounds in September 2008. We tried group training classes, and had someone come to our house for private lessons. Oh how I wish our dog groomer had told us about Compatible Canine from the get go! In the 2 months we've been taking our dogs to day school, we have seen an incredible difference. they actually listen and obey now! We were having trouble with one being aggressive with the other only at home and around us, and Francis made a house visit to show us how to deal with it! Love this place! read more

Lance Woodley and his team at Compatible Canine Center know what they're doing and are great to work with. I started training there with my lab at nine weeks in puppy development classes and have continued with obedience training throughout his first year. Its been really cool to see my dog mature, learn commands, and work on perfecting his skills. During training sessions Lance helps owners improve their ability to effectively and consistently communicate commands to their dogs and prevent bad habits. Compatible Canine Center is the only place I trust to board my dog or get training advice. So thankful for them! read more

I don't write reviews often, but this place is great. I rescued a pit bull and have been training with Lance and Francis for about a year. They have been very encouraging and my dog loves both of them. I leave her with them when I go on vacation and I am never worried about her. They are willing to talk to you and explain your dogs behavior until you understand and feel comfortable. They have a great variety of classes and I completely recommend them. read more

I just realized that we never reviewed Compatible Canines and Lance Woodley... must fix that immediately. We adopted our first (and only, as of now) dog in March 2011, and as parents of two girls aged 10 and 5 we wanted to make sure that Maggie Mae behaved properly. She did not have any major issues: just pulling on the leash, getting excited about small critters that we met on the walk, and overall having no training whatsoever - par for the course for an adopted 1 year old dog. The 10 lessons we took with Lance (bought as a package and spread over almost 6 months, giving us a few weeks after every lesson to apply what we just learned) got us to where we wanted to be, and we are grateful for the lessons we learned. Not only we learned how to handle Maggie Mae so that she is a happy, well-adjusted dog, but my now 12 year old daughter is now walking other dogs in the neighborhood, and her customers first noticed her when she was walking Maggie Mae because of how happily, easily and comfortably her 80 lb dog walks by her side. And yes, besides heaps of positive reinforcement, we do use a prong collar during her walks. We were initially uncomfortable initially since it kind of looks like a medieval torture device, but after educating ourselves on the topic and noticing the improvement in Maggie Mae's behavior as a result of using the prong collar as part of her training, we realized that like with any other tool, it works great when used correctly and as a needed complement to positive reinforcement, and Lance / Compatible Canines went to great lengths to ensure that we were trained in how to use it. Yes, the place does not look like a 5 star hotel, but we went there to learn how to work with our dog, and we got everything we hoped for. The trainers are among the best in Boston, they take the time to understand what the dog's issues are in order to determine what type of training the dog needs, and deliver great results. I've sent multiple friends and neighbors to them and everybody was very happy with their results. read more