I am here to tell you that if you want to learn how to train your dog (but mostly the training is for you) to be calm and adaptable to any and all situations,then the Pawsitive dog training center is the place for you and your dog. 4 years ago I took on a 3 year old white American Eskimo dog named Oscar from my neighbor because he was biting everyone and he was going to have to be put to sleep.I was his last shot at life. I had no idea how to handle this dog who acted like Cujo snarling and growling at other dogs and people walking by us. I was so embarrassed by his horrible behavior. I had a friend who had issues with her dog and she recommended I go see Jennifer at the Pawsitive Dog. Thank God I did because I was at my wits end with this dog and I was really concerned about a lawsuit from a bite. I brought him in for a consultation, and Jennifer tried all sorts of ways to startle him to see what his triggers were(and there were many) she was completely calm cool and collected, none of his aggressive responses got her nervous or upset. She simply handed me back the leash and said," you have an insecure reactive dog and he is a bully;" do you want to start classes on Monday? I was a bit skeptical that he could change, but from the very first classes, for Oscar just having to be near other dogs and strangers, he started to look to me for direction,and I looked to Jen for direction on how to use my corrections in a positive way.The prong/pinch collar is a necessary tool to use on the dog to let them know you do not agree with a certain behavior, which is followed by me guiding or directing the dog into the behavior I want and using treats for positive reinforcement.(If you watch dogs in play or a mother dog correcting it's young, they get a firm bite on the nape of the neck and they have a much higher pain threshold than we do, so I do not worry about harming the dog as some people do) Jen actually had to tell me to ease up, that my corrections were a little too strong sometimes.Fastforward 4 years, and Oscar and I have not had one bite incident since he started coming to Pawsitive Dog . We both love coming to classes and look forward to learning more ways to be more confident. Oscar is still insecure in certain situations with people,but he trusts me now and he looks to me for direction instead of taking things apon himself and biting someone or going after a dog. Is he perfect?...no, but he is so much more relaxed around people and dogs in social situations and enjoyable to be around. I can bring him anywhere with me and I don't live in fear that he will bite someone. These classes are not just for dogs with aggression issues like Oscar, if you have a sweet friendly dog, these classes will help you and your dog create a strong bond of trust and confidence.If you just want to learn how to make a dog sit, down or stay any book can teach you that.These classes are deeper than that and are actually fun for the dogs because it is a controlled situation were both the owner and the dog can relax and have some fun together. I am a firm believer in using a tool called a shock collar. Certainly not all dogs need this tool,but using it in the CORRECT way for the purpose of teaching a dog not to do a behavior such as constant barking as in my case with oscar has been tremendous in teaching him to listen to me even though he may not see me, and giving me my sanity back from his anxiety barking. I now have a peaceful home when Oscar has his collar on. Believe me , I tried everything prior to the collar but he knew I had no way to make him stop barking and be quiet. Now all I have to do is say "quiet" and he has learned to stop his crazy barking.I enjoy coming to the outdoor classes with the warmer weather for the more advanced dogs, what training centers give you a train ride on the T with 10 dogs, or a large group of dogs on a pack walk with different exercises for the dogs to do???? The first class may start out a little slow for some people who have some training background knowledge, but like everything in life you start out with the basics and build up. I HIGHLY recommend the Pawsitive Dog.Oscar does too! I have used all that I have learned in my training classes and have been fostering dogs with behavior issues for the last 4 years. Jennifer allows me to help these dogs by bringing them in for study halls to start with the basics of crate training which helps tremendously to get these dogs in better shape to be adopted. She is a TRUE DOG LOVER to do this at no cost for rescue groups,I don't think other training groups do this. I hope this helps you make a decision on where you want to start your training on your new partnership with your dog.I am so happy I chose to come here. I have to say my first impression with the dogs lying calm and quiet on the beds and crates was quite impressive to me, I thought ...I want that... and now I have it!! Good Luck Susan and Oscar read more

The trainers at +Dog have changed my dog's life and our relationship completely. I could not be more pleased with the results. By way of background, I have a 15 month old Maltipoo named Finn. Finny had a rough start to life and in July 2013 I rescued him from a breeder that was shut down for neglect. The rescue people said he was sweet, smart and playful. He arrived terrified, panicked and not-housebroken. When I say terrified, I mean he was afraid of everything; me, going outside, noises, his dog dishes, everything. Even a dropped house key would prompt him to run to the nearest corner, put his back to the wall and shake. He didn't eat well and would hardly sleep. He could not go outside at all. Eventually, I forced him outside where he would shake and freeze up and I would try to drag him. He was afraid of people and especially children. I went in to full mommy-mode and started consulting the "experts." I went to a behaviorist and two well-respected trainers in the Boston area. Each of them told me that I just had to accept I had "a fearful dog." One went so far as to tell me to get another dog. After consulting yelp reviews and interviewing multiple alternate trainers (I had a spreadsheet and a detailed list of questions with sub-parts), I chose +Dog and enrolled Finny in the accelerated overnight training program. I was nervous about giving Finny to +Dog for three weeks. It was the best decision I ever made. During the time he stayed with the trainers, he had daily personal instruction by Jen, Breslin, Francis and the Intern-Trainers. Finn and I also did night classes together. After about 10 days, Finn started walking on the leash with no problem. All I had to do was say "let's go" and he would go, inside or outside. He started sleeping in a crate with no problems where the crate had previously terrified him. He started eating his food and would even drink out of a metal dish (which used to terrify him). He went potty outside. All in all, after three weeks I had a different dog. That was two months ago. Since that time, Finn and I have continued going to +Dog for training. He is a completely changed dog - one who prances down the street with style, flirts with the other little dogs and the ladies, goes potty on command and will hold down while I am in the house with other people. Most importantly, he stopped reacting to, and shaking from, every single noise he heard. Through it all, the +Dog staff has supported and helped us. I have called on nights and weekends, emailed multiple times a day and picked the brain of every trainer there on every topic imaginable. They are always responsive to my emails, calls and concerns. Most importantly, they are all invested in Finn and in making him the best dog he can be. With respect to cost, I would say that quality instruction by professionals who are invested in you and your dog is not cheap. If you are looking to pay as little as possible and be in a class of 30, this is not the place for you. You also get out of it what you put into it. I work with my dog every day now, both on his training skills and our relationship. My dog loves me but he also listens to me. Part of his improvement has been changing how I think about him and how much I spent "training" him. In closing, +Dog won't "fix your dog" overnight. Dog training is a process and no trainer can give you an "instant fix" for behavior issues. Anyone who tells you differently is full of it. What +Dog did was give me the tools to help Finny and improve our relationship. And so far, its working for us. read more

Jenifer and Breslin at the Pawsitive dog are wonderful. I first began training with Jen with my first dog Paige in 2000. Jen was great working with Paige my American Pit Bull Terrier who was extremely dog aggressive. With the help of Jen at the + Dog Paige was able to become a very well mannered, obedient and respectful dog. They really know dogs and their different temperaments. They work great with dogs of all different temperaments. They customize the training to their clients and the client's dogs. When I got my new puppy Sox a puggle I had no doubt in my mind that I wanted to take him to beginner obedience training at the + Dog. Jen helps to tech dogs to relax, receptive and respectful. They start with the basic obedience because it's the core building blocks. Everyone needs to know their ABC's in life. They want people to have a great relationship with their dog as they learn good manners and obedience. They help to so you can have a happy, adaptable, adjustable dog in any situation. The positive dog teaches you to reinforce as much good behavior as possible. Also prevent undesirable behavior from becoming a habit. My dog and I really enjoy going to classes. For every class you take with your dog you can take without your dog for free. This is great because you can catch things you missed and absorb the information better without your dog distracting you. At the begging of all the classes they have a question and answer session to help people with and problems they may be having. You can learn a lot from listening to other people's questions and the great advice Jen gives to help you with your problem. My Dog loves going to day school he learns a lot while he is there and he gets exercise and stimulated during class. I love it when he comes home because he is really tired. He also enjoyed camp staying with the + Dog at their home while I was on vacation. He really enjoyed hiking in the woods and playing near the pond while I was away with the peace of mind knowing he was in great hands. The Pawsitive Dog is really committed to helping dogs and owners develop enjoyable lifelong partnerships. read more

We have been taking our puppy to Pawsitive Dog for about 10 months now and just have to share our experience here. Our 2 year old pit/boxer mix has made such progress in the short time we have been here. The first time we came in for a consultation I remember thinking that the dogs laying around the perimeter of the room on dog beds must have been drugged. They were perfectly relaxed, extremely comfortable and not even reacting to the dogs and people running around the room, coming, going and training right in front of them. On the car ride home that night I admit I told my boyfriend, "there's no WAY Cash will be able to do that", and for our wild puppy, I really didn't think there was. A few months and a lot of training later and I come to pick Cash up from school and what do you know, he's up on the dog beds just casually watching a class of 10 dogs run around and throw treats near him and he looks totally at peace! Again, I left proclaiming that "of course he can do it for Jen and Breslin in school but he will NEVER do that in real life". Now, 10 months after that first night and Cash will hold a down-stay for us no matter where we put him. On the dock of the sailing club during an open house, in the next room while we have a dinner party, next to our friend's loud and crazy 4 month-old chocolate lab. You get the picture. Cash came in to Pawsitive Dog with food aggression, a lot of untamed energy, and little respect for us as owners. He is still a puppy and still has the crazies around the apartment sometimes but he listens to every word we say to him. It sounds crazy but he looks at me now and I can see him listening to my command and wanting to please me by doing it. He has a long way to go but the distance he has come in such a short amount of time is really one of the most incredible things I have ever seen. Thank you to Jen and Breslin for everything you have done for Cash and his owners :) read more

Pawsitive Dog is not a place I would recommend to any pet owners unless they are at their wit's end with a dog. Choke/Prong collars are used on many of the dogs which are highly controversial and said to make dogs more aggressive. When we went to visit, we saw that there can be over 35 dogs at a time and two trainers. They also use SHOCK collars. The dogs seem to spend most of the day in a cage. Perhaps some positive techniques are employed, but certainly some negative practices are as well that are extremely questionable. Not a good place for a puppy, affectionate, or sensitive dog. The classes are said to have decent information but are overpriced. They claim to be the best training center in Boston, but I wonder who is doing the ratings, and how much competition they have in their category. Regardless, this place is overpriced staffed by over confident trainers who are secretive of the daily goings on of the center, even in reference to your own pet. The owner talks a good game but it is hard to know the facts. Anyone can say they have a wait list. Perhaps a good saleswoman, but I would trust her with my dog. read more

Well, six classes later and we're still loving THe Pawsitive Dog! I took the first two classes without my dog, then took those same two classes with him before moving forward. For me, it was easier to digest ALL of the information without my dog distracting me (and the other owners!) When I did take class with him, it was, as I predicted, funny - but not in the Ha-Ha sort of way. Funny in the embarrasing, wow-I-should-have-done-this-months-ago sort of way. Over the past three months, I've learned how to figure out what my dog is thinking, why my dog is acting the way he is and how to mold his behavior into what I want. Pure genius. As I approach my last class of the series this week, I was pleased to learn that the price goes down each series. More pure genius. I'm excited to see what we're going to learn next and I'm even more excited that I get to shell out less $$ the second time around. read more

I adopted my first boxer in 2006. After going through three trainers, the final trainer suggested I call The Pawsitive Dog for help. Jen and her team literally gave this dog and me a second chance at life! I've since rescued 3 boxers, and all came with behavioral challenges. Each time, I welcomed them into my home because I knew the staff at The Pawsitive Dog would teach me how to communicate with my dog clearly and consistently to set each up for success. My last two boxers even earned their Canine Good Citizen certifications! I'm going into my 14th year with this team of professionals who never give up on either their human or canine clients. I'll never go anywhere else! If you need dog training from basic skills to long advanced - like me, The Pawsitive Dog is the place to be! read more

We have been taking our dogs to Pawsitive Dog for a while and the team there is fantastic. Both rescue dogs, Francis not only dedicates his time to training them but helping us (the owners) understand how to read their behaviors and manage their attitudes appropriately. He's available for questions always (even outside of training hours), and he has a phenomenal and patient attitude with everyone he comes across. We have seen dramatic improvements in both dogs from the day they were rescued 2+ years ago until now and a lot of it comes from the training and direction we have received from Francis. I highly recommend taking your animal here, you'll get the knowledge and support you need. read more

5 Stars! Everything is positive at the +Pawsitive Dog! We have had two dogs at different times go through their training program so we know first hand the quality of care and expertise they have. We trust them with our favorite family member, and know that he will be loved by them and trained in a positive "pawsitive" environment. We receommend them to any friends who are new dog owners, or a current owner facing a frustrating situation. We have all had successful experiences that have helped create a happy family environment between us and our dogs! Thank you to Jen and Breslin for being our pack leaders! read more