If Your Dog Needs Training,
We Can Help
We know that your life is busy & it can be difficult to find the time to socialize & train your dog. That’s where we step in! We have a variety of different training options available to best suit you and your dogs. Come to us for your puppy's training and socialization and stay for a lifetime of personalized & compassionate care.
Experienced
Certified
Personalized
Compassionate
PRAISE YOUR PUPPY - Puppy Training & Socialization Programs
Play Reward Arrange Instruct Socialize & Enrich
Canine Aspirations’ PRAISE Your Puppy program is based on scientific evidence and positive training techniques to help you raise the best dog possible. A puppy that is well socialized and trained will go on to be included in many more life activities than a dog that is not trained and well-socialized. As pet owners, we get dogs because we want them to be included in all facets of our lives. Our PRAISE program helps make this possible.
Group Training Classes
Nose Work Classes start on Monday 2/6 @ 5pm in Northborough. Register Here!
Home School
What is home school? Home school is board-n-train without the boarding. We work on training your dog while you work, take care of the kids or get things checked off your to do list. The end of each week brings a wrap-up meeting to transfer your dog’s new behaviors to you.
Board-n-Train
What is board-n-train? Your dog is invited to live with our professional trainer and be trained throughout the day in a loving home environment. This program is great for busy owners with new puppies and dogs to get started off on the right foot quickly. And if you are going on vacation anyway, why not come home to a well-trained dog? Each Board ’n’ Train package is tailored to the individual dog and family's needs and training goals. Most of my board-n-train clients come for basic manners (sit, down, loose-leash walking, come when called, wait, stay, etc...)...
Private Lessons
We come to you for private lessons and instruct you on how best to train your dog. We coach you on how to kindly and effectively train your dog. This service is ideal for people who really like the 1-on-1 style of coaching. Get lessons individually tailored to your dog when you sign up for Private Lessons. Help available for Manners Training, Reactivity (to dogs), Cooperative Care, Dog Sports (Rally, Obedience, Nosework, Tricks, Treibball, Freestyle, etc..)
AKC STAR Puppy, CGCs, Fit & Trick Testing Available
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Certification
AKC Canine Good Citizen, Canine Good Citizen Advanced, and Canine Good Citizen Urban
AKC Trick Dog Testing
AKC Fit Dog Testing
Can I Add on Training to Boarding or Playgroups?
Yes! We love getting to train our playgroup and boarding pups! Add-on a training session after a playgroup or when your dog is boarding with us. We can brush up on their manners, work on loose leash walking, recalls, cooperative care, tricks or dog sports. Dog sports aren't just for our performance dog client, they are fun for all dogs. Let us try out some fitness exercises, tricks or nosework while they visit us for some extra enrichment, and learn more about what games your pup enjoys best!
COMING SOON
GROUP CLASSES in Northborough, MA on Mondays:
2-4pm Nose Work Challenge Group (coming in March)
Each week we will work on a different NACSW challenge
Click here for more info: NACSW Skills Achievement Challenges offer online titling opportunities for you and your dog. This class is drop-in, you must register in advance. $30/videoed search - We will do at least 2 of the challenge searches during each class. Video camera on tripod, map of search provided.
5-6pm Intro to Nose Work
This class will introduce dogs to the sport of Nose Work. Inspired by working detection dogs, Nose Work is a scenting activity for virtually all dogs and people. This sport is ideal for handlers and dogs of all abilities, sizes and ages. It builds confidence in dogs and helps keep dogs healthy and happy. First we start by teaching your dog to sniff out a favorite toy or treat hidden in a box. Eventually dogs search entire rooms, exterior areas, and vehicles as well as containers.
There are no pre-requisites for Nose Work at all -- no obedience required. Dogs of all ages (including puppies, handicapped dogs, all the way up to seniors) are encouraged to join. Dog-reactive dogs are welcome because only one dog works at a time in this class.
Intro to Nose Work II - This class continues where Intro to Nose Work left off. Introduces dogs to the other types of search areas: Interiors, Exteriors and Vehicles.
Nose Work - Continuing on Primary
For dogs that have completed Intro I & II but are not yet ready to move to odor, due to age, confidence, or just want more practice before starting odor Pre-requisites: Intro to Nose Work I & II or Instructor Approval.
Nose Work - Intro to Odor (coming in March)
Once dogs have learned how to confidently search for treat hides, we introduce target odors Birch, Anise, and Clove. Pre-requisites: Instructor Approval.
Nose Work - Continuing on Odor (coming in March)
This class is for dogs preparing for Odor Recognition Tests and Trials. Pre-requisites: Instructor Approval.
Why Choose Us
Owner, Jenn McKay is an experienced certified professional dog trainer. She stays on top of all current methodology & ascribes to force-free methods which is what the latest scientific studies support as the best way to train our dogs. We are experienced with many breeds of dogs and are very small dog friendly and non-traditional breed friendly. We compete casually and are happy to train just for fun or for enrichment.
"Animals deserve the best care we can possibly provide. Training should not be considered a luxury that is only provided if there is time; it is an essential part of good animal care. Just as one would never consider developing an animal care program without a veterinary component, a nutritional component, a social component, and an environmental component, nobody should consider caring for an animal without a behavioral management component integrated into the program" - Ken Ramirez – From the introduction to “Animal Training: Successful Animal Management through Positive Reinforcement.”
Our Promise
We will use force free training and handling with your dog in training or when in our care.
We will never use or recommend prong collars, choke collars, or electronic training collars for your and your dog. We believe in using training, enrichment and management to work through any issues and deepen our relationship with our dogs. We will communicate with you regularly. We will treat your dog like they are one of our own.
"Our small dog has done training, playgroups & boarding at Canine Aspirations for the past 6 years. He absolutely loves Jenn and playing with his furry friends - he always comes home happy & tired! Best of all we have complete peace of mind leaving him in her expert care at his "home away from home". This is top-notch service, we couldn't be happier with our experience."
- The Shea Family
"I would hightly recommend Jennifer McKay's canine services. As a student in her classes and attending individual training sessions, I find Jenn to have an extraordinary level of knowledge and much experience with a wide range of behavioral situations. She is highly insightful and a good communicator. My dogs enjoy the benefit of supervised playgroups and have positive boarding experiences in Jenn's care."
- The Ferenchick Family
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