Canine University

4.3 Stars,27 Reviews

2604, 71 Clinton St B, Malden, MA 02148

Service area: Serving greater Boston, Massachusetts, since 1992, with clients returning across generations.

Service Overview

Types of Dog Training

Family Dog
Behavior Modification

Specialty Focus Areas

Puppy Training
Leash Pulling
Reactivity / Aggression
Barking Excessively
Separation Anxiety
Biting / Nipping
Fearfulness
Recall

Training Formats Offered

Group Classes
Private Lessons
In-Home
Private Facility
Day Training

Program Formats

Ongoing Weekly
Sessions Package

Age of Dogs Trained

Puppy (<1 year)
Adolescent (1-2 years)
Adult (2-8 years)
Senior (8+ years)

Dog Training Methodology

Methods:

✓ Positive Reinforcement Only

Equipment:

✓ Clickers
✓ Food Rewards

Group classes are held in a warehouse facility with concrete floors and mats, allowing owners to train at their own pace. Classes are structured around positive reinforcement, clicker training, and behavior modification. Orientation is required before enrollment and includes a booklet explaining their methods. Classes accommodate all dog types, including older and rescued dogs, with flexible scheduling options. Private and in-home training are also available for individualized support.

Pricing & Policies

Pricing Summary

A 12-week training course costs $575. Pre-registration and payment are required to reserve a spot. Orientation is offered without a dog and does not count as a training week. Full refund if canceled 48 hours before the first class; no refunds after the first class.

Policies

Full refund if canceled 48 hours prior to the first class. No refunds after the first class. Orientation is non-refundable and does not count as a training week. Clients may be moved to earlier classes if struggling, but cancellation after enrollment requires adherence to the 48-hour policy.

Testimonials

Once you get past the warehouse location, you’ll quickly be surprised by how knowledgeable and tuned-in the people at Canine University really are. They can read your dog almost instantaneously, in a way that I imagine only comes with decades of experience. More importantly to my specific situation, I was very frustrated with the slow progress of my new puppy, and Canine University was accommodating, more flexible, and more supportive to me than they had to be, to try to get me restarted in classes with more success on the second go. Their daycare is also a cut above the rest, with a individually tailored curriculum of small group play to keep your doc not just exercised and safe, but also to build the dog’s socialization and behavior skills through structured activities. Highly recommended.
– Reviewer

We are really enjoying our time in Canine University, taking our newly adopted 2 year old dog for some beginner obedience lessons. Most of the dogs in class are closer to puppies, but they welcome and accommodate all types. The class leaders are very friendly and know a lot about how to get the best from your dog. They’re also very willing to answer any questions you might have, whether related to the lesson or not. The classes take place in a sort of small warehouse room with a concrete floor, with chairs and floor mats provided along the edges. Lessons are taught from the center of the room so everyone can see and work along at their own pace. It’s been a great experience and we’ve learned a lot about how to properly encourage good behavior with positive reinforcement, while also withholding reward (not punishing) when things go wrong. Highly recommended if you’re looking for a nice, small and friendly dog training school.
– Reviewer

We started in puppy kindergarten and stayed for Doggie play school. The staff has helped me with my siberian husky who can be a handful at times. We attended training with Gerilyn and enjoyed her positivity and expertise. She gives practical and useful advice for behavior issues. My dog’s ears perk up when we ask him if he wants to go to “school.” They always do even after 10 years! Play school has kept him young.
– Reviewer

About the Trainer

Canine University is a dog training business serving greater Boston since 1992, offering family dog training, puppy kindergarten, and group obedience classes for puppies, adolescents, adults, and senior dogs—including those recently adopted or rescued. They specialize in positive reinforcement methods, veterinarian-recommended techniques, and behavior modification for canine aggression in all forms. Services include private training, in-home and on-site instruction, and individualized coaching. They also operate a dog daycare center with structured small-group play sessions designed to build socialization and behavior skills. Their trainers are experienced, patient, and known for reading dogs quickly and adapting to individual needs. Clients return across generations, and the business emphasizes a supportive, welcoming environment for all dog types and training levels.

They provide group classes in a warehouse-style facility with concrete floors, mats, and chairs, allowing owners to train at their own pace. Their methodology is entirely positive, with no use of corrections or aversive tools. They offer flexible scheduling and accommodate dogs with behavioral challenges, including reactivity, barking, and fearfulness.

Accomplishments

Operating since 1992 with decades of experience in canine aggression and behavior modification. Clients return across generations, indicating long-term trust and satisfaction.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must pre-register and pay to reserve a spot. An orientation session is required before starting classes; it is held without the dog and includes a training booklet and Q&A. After orientation, clients may enroll in group classes or opt for private/in-home training.

33+ Years Experience
Free Consultation

Availability

Weekdays
Evening

Associations

APDT
PPG

Languages

English

Other Services Offered

Dog day care center

Location