Dog Training Positively Improves Life With Your Dog
We use safe, Force-Free training that is based on a scientific approach to learning and its application in training dogs. We use positive reinforcement methods to teach people how to live the best life with their dogs.
Specializing in family dog mediation
AKC Evaluator & Instructor for:
Training Service Area covers parts of Middlesex & Worcester Counties
*Online training options with no geographical restrictions available
check in-person if local or Zoom for anywhere when book below
WHAT WE HELP WITH
PUPPY
TRAINING -
I COACH YOU HOW TO SHOW YOUR PUPPY HOW TO BECOME A GREAT DOG
Puppies are a lot of work, I can help show you how to make things easier for both you and your new puppy, congrats by the way!
Getting a new puppy or recently brought one into your family and want to make certain you do things right? In the first session, you'll learn the true foundation behaviors that aren't what you think but will lead to an attentive dog who doesn't pull on leash, knows where to eliminate, and knows how to settle when you need them to.
*Includes email/phone support which expires 2 weeks after the last booked session. Purchasing additional sessions extends out support time and provides a discount for subsequent sessions.
From:
$150 initial 1hr session
*subsequent 1hr sessions are $120
$80
COMMON DOG PROBLEM & MANNERS
TRAINING
I COACH YOU HOW TO STOP YOUR DOG FROM PRESENTING UNWANTED BEHAVIORS
Does your six months or older dog pull on a leash, jump up on visitors, counter surf, or not listen well? I can help with these common issues so that you have the well-mannered dog you, your family and your friends love to be around.
Family dog mediation helps show you how to communicate with your dog to get the behaviors you want. The term "dog training" really comes down to people learning how to interact with their dog. I love showing people how to get those pesky behaviors to go away and what we can get your dog to do instead.
*Includes email/phone support which expires 2 weeks after the last booked session. Purchasing additional sessions extends out support time and provides a discount for subsequent sessions.
From:
$160 initial 1hr session
*subsequent 1hr sessions are $130
$90
DOG TRAINING SESSION - SPECIFIC ISSUES
I COACH YOU HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DOG THROUGH SPECIFIC CONCERNS
Want to learn the secret sauce to creating a wonderful dog and a wonderful relationship with them or have a specific issue not covered under "problem training"?
I'll come show you how to work on reactivity, manners, tricks or most anything you would like for your furry friend.
It can be frustrating when our dog acts out or acts up, most of the time it takes a little behavior understanding and rewarding what we want, stopping the attention given to what we do not like.
*Includes email/phone support which expires 2 weeks after the last booked session. Purchasing additional sessions extends out support time and provides a discount for subsequent sessions.
From:
$175 initial 1hr session
*subsequent 1hr sessions are $140
$100
AGILITY CLASSES & PRIVATE COACHING- INTRODUCE YOUR PUPPY/DOG OR IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS IN THE WORLD OF DOG AGILITY
Includes training in motivational gaming, confidence-building, and basic handling skills; all the way up to competition.
In-person classes & privates are held at Gemini Dogs in Littleton, MA. For more information click here. To register, click the button below.
Private agility coaching is available as well. Click here to book, $60 for a 1/2 hr session (email if you want to meet online).
From:
$225 for 6 weeks of classes
PUPPY BOARD & TRAIN -
I TRAIN YOUR PUP IN REAL LIFE SITUATIONS IN MY HOME - GREAT TO GIVE PUPPIES A HEAD START
Is potty and crate training a problem? Is your puppy constantly biting you and running off with things in their mouth? Would you like a jumpstart on some manners but don't have the time to take them to training? I can help, give me at least a couple of weeks and I'll help shape them into the best dogs. Canine fitness training is part of the program! We will need to schedule a time to review what I have taught your dog to keep things consistent, that time is included in the charge. Weeks can be broken up over 3-4 day sessions, leaving you time to be back with your pup to work on bonding.
*Includes a personalized action plan & email/phone support which expires 30 days after your dog returns home. Purchasing additional training sessions extends out support time.
From:
$2800
total for 2 weeks
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BETTER VET VISITS-
I COACH YOU ON HOW TO MAKE VISITING THE VET AND THE VARIOUS PROCEDURES THEY DO MORE LESS SCARY FOR YOUR PETS
Fear Free training employs “Happy Visits” and “Victory Visits” to help acclimate pets to accept veterinary care, and as a pet owner, you can take steps to improve your pet’s veterinary experience.
I will teach you tips and ways to make the trip leading up to and at the vet much less stressful for human and pet.
Fear-free training reduces fear, anxiety and stress.
From:
$60
per 1/2 hr session
Learn about your Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Cara Armour KPA-CTP, FFCP
When she started her pet care business in 2003 with her husband, she found herself dealing face-first with some challenging dogs. She and Gerard consulted with some trainers, even about their own dogs having recall and reactivity issues but the training never felt right. It was corrective, which allowed the unwanted behaviors to happen and then be corrected in the hopes that they would diminish. Cara started to learn about positive reinforcement training which made so much more sense, preventing the unwanted behavior from happening and training an alternative, incompatible behavior.
A dog cannot pull on the leash and touch your hand at the same time. Why wait for the dog to pull when you can teach them not to in the first place?
Finally after meeting Martha Francis from Fetch Dog Training Cara was introduced to the world of positive reinforcement training using reward to reinforce the behavior you want. It was then that training literally clicked. Bad behaviors extinguished new and good behaviors rewarded and maintained. Cara was able to have success with client dogs learning that loose leash walking was rewarded and jumping dogs suddenly stopped offering the behavior because she learned how to reward what she wanted them to do instead. Cara learned that the secret to a good dog becoming great is being proactive instead of reactive.
How Cara's Life Went to the Dogs
A lover of the Boxer breed, in 2013 after suffering the loss of her previous Boxers from a disease that could have been prevented by better breeding practices, Cara researched getting a Boxer from a reputable breeder who bred away from known health issues. She knew in order to improve the breed she loved, she had to have a hand in helping, and this meant breeding as well as conformation. What she didn't realize is that despite the Boxer she worked so hard to find being genetically and physically everything she dreamed of, she also stumbled into other things she had no idea about but they became her new dreams, dog sports - particularly agility.
Debbie (yes, that is her dog's name) and Cara quickly found themselves at agility classes, fully immersed back in the face of positive reinforcement training only this went beyond stopping leash pulling and jumping up inappropriately. Agility showed Cara that she could get her best friend around an entire course with just the positioning of her body. The level of communication and the bond she built with her dog was incredible, and she wanted to learn more and more.
Eventually, this agility addiction would lead Cara and her Boxer Debbie to rise to the ranks of eligibility and success at Westminster, AKC Nationals, and her massive goal, to become the #1 preferred AKC agility Boxer and get invited to 2019 Invitationals, which she not only made, but was a finalist placing 8th in the 20-inch class, beating 121 other dogs. In 2020 Debbie and Cara became the very first Boxer team to win the lifetime award of Agility Grand Champion (AGCH). They proceeded to be invited to the 2020 AKC agility Invitationals, made finals again but this time placed 2nd! They continued onto more, the 2021 and 2022 AKC agility invitationals, missing finals by less than 1 second. But at 9.5 years old, that's amazing for a Boxer.
The journey continued with an invitation to the most prestigious AKC agility event, the 2021 AKC Agility Premier Cup. There have been many firsts for their team, they continue to set the bar as the highest preferred agility champion Boxer ever, first Boxer to be awarded premier class titles, first Boxer to ever achieve the Agility Grand Championship and they continue to qualify for AKC national events, including the 2022 nationals and again to AKC Agility Invitationals for 2023!
All goals seemed to just get crushed despite massive setbacks. Breeding, other sports, having and raising litters from Debbie, from Debbie's offspring, COVID-19 and of course still having to work to pay for all of this! But Cara continued to work hard at everything she did so that she and Debbie could enjoy every moment together. She now enjoys even more training and ring time with her two offspring, Walter and Phoenix and young dog Wendy. Walter has earned 4 Master Agility Championship and is phenomenal at scent work. Phoenix is a rising star and on her way to her 6th agility championship as well and like Walter, excels in scent work. Wendy has just started out being born in 2021 but at 19 months old, found herself in the master agility classes for AKC.
After being reinspired by many positive reinforcement trainers and having the amazing fortune of attending agility trials with the world-famous positive reinforcement trainer, lecturer, author and guru, Emma Parsons, Cara decided it was time to formalize her education in positive reinforcement training so that she could help more people have wonderfully behaved dogs. We all adore our dogs but we all have that one or few things we wish could "fix". The demand barking, the jumping on visitors, the cute trick you want to show your family. There is always something and Cara wants to help people enjoy every minute with their dogs, they're only with us for a very short chapter in time, why not enjoy every minute with them?
Cara now proudly holds the distinction of a certified professional dog trainer through the prestigious Karen Pryor Academy. She was trained by Emma Parsons and is now proud to be a KPA-CTP (Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner). Cara is Fear Free Certified (FFCP) and she is also working on completing her training to become a Certified Canine Fitness Trainer so that she can further keep dogs happy and healthy. She is a registered AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator as well as Trick Dog and virtual manners. Cara is also a certified AKC S.T.A.R. puppy instructor and evaluator.
Cara has continued her studies by attending these seminars and certification courses:
March 2, 2012 - Malena DeMartini-Price, CTC and Gina Phairis, BSC Comms, CTC Fixing the Unfixable: A New Look at Separation Anxiety
Jun 19, 2016 - Amanda Shyne puppy agility at Master Peace
Mar 25, 2017- Amanda Shyne weave poles
Apr 21, 2018 - Amanda Shyne jumps
Apr 22, 2018 - Amanda Shyne weaves poles
5/5/2018 - Silvia Trkman running contacts
6/9-6/10/2018 - Sue Sternberg Dog-Human Environment: Sociability & Aggression & Puppy & Adult Mouthing; Aggression & Safe/Defensive Handling
8/30/2018- Sarah Stremming Push Button starts and consent to work
February 2019- Fitness Trainer Certificate Program through Fenzi Sports Dog Academy
September 2019- Reducing Overarousal and Reactivity via the Circle Method of Leash Walking by Denise Fenzi of Fenzi Sports Dog Academy
October 2019 - Walking with Reactive Dogs by Amy Cook through Fenzi Sports Dog Academy
October 2019- Diane Patterson's String Theory, training yourself to see where your dog is coming from, going to and where it is on an agility course
January 2022- Karen Pryor Clicker Expo
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Right From the Start! Agility Skills and Foundations Skills
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Training Squats: The Ups and Downs of Shifting Criteria
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A Successful Approach: Your Dog Controls the Distance
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Fido Loves Fluffy: Creating Calm in a Cat and Dog Household
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Right From the Start! Agility Skills and Foundations Skills
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Trust Code: Unlocking the Science of Trust
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Ready, Set, Oh No! Click to Calm in the Canine Sport Environment
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Building Behavior: Shape the Future
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Upset to Upbeat
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Onwards with Start Buttons
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Train that Chain: Behavior Chains
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Proof It or Lose it: Building Resilient Behaviors From Home (or Anywhere!)
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Managing Energy and Emotions: Getting to Just Right
January 2023 - Cara co-taught Stressed for Success, Recognize and Reduce Stress in Your Agility Journey
January 2023 - Karen Pryor Clicker Expo
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Creative Reward Deliveries
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How to Walk The Lead: Loose-Lead Training
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Power Targeting for Any Training Goal
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How to Walk The Lead: Loose-Lead Training
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Using Frustration as an Asset
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Click to Calm for Agility Competitors
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Harnessing Conditioned Emotional Responses (CERs) for Performance
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Stimulus Control, Duration, and Other Impossible Dreams
September 2023 - Completed the Fear Free Professional Program to become a Fear Free Certified Professional
Cara Armour and her dog Debbie at the 2019 AKC Agility Invitational Finals
