Frequently asked questions

Ideally we start puppies as young as 9 weeks in the Puppy Play and Train, socialization class. This class is ONLY for puppies between 8-16 weeks of age. It is recommended but not required for the Level 1 - Puppy Kindergarten class which is for all puppies between 10 weeks and 6 months of age.

Please see the class selector button on our Services page.

For dogs over 6 months of age, with no prior training, we have the Level 1 - Beginner Obedience class. If your dog has difficulty in new situations, around other dogs or people, I recommend private lessons, with one of our trainers. You can find their names and contact information on the 'About Us' page. If your dog is having behavioral issues (barking/lunging, fearfulness, aggression, separation issues) please contact me for a referral to a qualified trainer in your area, or check out the trainers listed on www.chooseleap.org for trainers who specialize in your dog's particular issue. All LEAP trainers are credentialed and use only positive methods when training.

Yes, some of our trainers do offer private training for dogs with behavior issues, you can check them out and get their contact information on the About Us page of the web site. You can also look for qualified trainers on www.chooseleap.org a listing of Credentialed, evidence based trainers in MA.

Start with our class selector on the Services page. It will help you choose based on your dog’s age, training history, and goals. If you’re still unsure, reach out and we’ll help point you in the right direction — because the right starting point makes training a lot easier for both of you.

We use only positive, evidence-based training methods that are designed to be effective and fun for you and your dog. Our goal is to help build good habits without relying on fear, force or intimidation. Training should feel clear, kind, and doable — not stressful.

In most classes, you’ll want to bring plenty of small, tasty treats, a regular leash, and a standard collar or harness that fits well. A hungry dog usually learns faster, so try to skip a big meal right before class. If you’ve signed up for a specific class, check the email we sent when you signed up for class for specifics.

Yes. We have online learning materials including a 100 page manual, homework for each week of your class, on line video tutorials to remind you of what you did in class and training tips. It’s a great way to keep the training going at home — which is where the real progress happens!

It depends on your dog, the behavior you’re working on, and how consistently you practice. Some dogs pick things up quickly, while others need more repetition. The good news? With short, regular practice at home, most families start seeing changes pretty quickly.

We handle payments offline, so you won’t complete checkout online. After you choose a class, we’ll send the next steps for payment and registration. If anything is unclear, just reach out and we’ll help you through it.

Life happens. If you need to miss a session, contact us as soon as you can and we’ll help you figure out the best next step. Your online class materials can also help you stay caught up between lessons, but we also offer previously recorded classes to watch as a makeup and for some classes, we can Zoom you into the class as it's happening!

You get more than just the in-person lesson. Most classes include weekly homework, a training manual, video tutorials, and training tips so you can keep practicing at home. That’s where the real progress happens.

We keep our groups small so everyone gets individual attention. For most classes this means no more than 6 dogs, many classes have only 5 dogs per class.

Our core classes are in person, with online learning materials to support you between sessions. So you get hands-on coaching in class and extra help at home — which is where the real progress happens, right? That said, if you miss a class, we do offer previously recorded classes in addition to our on line homework and video tutorials so you can keep up!