Dog Talk & Therapet

Programs are divided into three levels: Level 1 (Beginnings) focuses on socialization, manners, and foundational skills for puppies and newly adopted dogs; Level 2 (Moderate) builds on skills with cross-training, distraction, and duration; Level 3 (Challenging) includes off-leash training, sequencing, non-competitive dog sports, and relaxation. Behavior Coaching addresses ingrained issues like reactivity and anxiety with customized, long-term plans. Therapy Dog Team preparation is integrated with Pet Partners certification support. All programs emphasize integrating training into daily life using gentle, positive methods.

Pricing Summary

Private Training is offered as a 5-session, 1-hour package with handouts, Maureen’s book “Awareness Centered Training,” and one follow-up. No refunds after the first session. Behavioral Coaching is customized and may require 2–4 sessions or longer-term commitment. Fees are detailed in downloadable brochures on the website. Online coaching requires an intake form prior to scheduling.

Policies

There is no refund for private training after the first session. Clients must commit to weekly practice and home assignments. Behavior Coaching requires ongoing commitment and may span months or years. All sessions require advance scheduling, and cancellations must be communicated directly via email or phone.

Dog Talk & Therapet is a training and wellness sanctuary led by Maureen Ross, offering private and Zoom-based dog training and behavior coaching with a focus on gentle, educationally enriching methods. They use Awareness Centered Training (ACT), grounded in APDT LIMA (Least Invasive, Minimally Aversive) principles, to help dog owners build strong, confident relationships with their pets through daily integration of skills. Services include Level 1 (Beginnings) for puppies and adult dogs learning basic manners and socialization, Level 2 (Moderate) for enhancing skills like distance and distraction control, and Level 3 (Challenging) for off-leash training, non-competitive dog sports, and relaxation techniques. They specialize in Pet Partner Therapy Dog Team preparation in collaboration with New England Pet Partners, Inc., and offer behavior coaching for ingrained issues like reactivity, fearfulness, and separation anxiety. Training is conducted in a calm, judgment-free sanctuary environment with an emphasis on breathing, awareness, and low-stress desensitization.

They do not offer group classes, home visits, or boarding services. All training is delivered privately or via Zoom, with a structured 5-session package for private training and flexible, long-term plans for behavior coaching. Maureen Ross is a certified professional with published books on dog training and therapy dog preparation, and her approach empowers owners to make informed choices while prioritizing canine well-being.

The business promotes wellness through education, including resources like “Doggy Diner” and “Calm in Chaos,” and encourages integrating training into everyday life using life rewards and proactive behavior shaping.

Accomplishments

Maureen Ross is the co-founder of New England Pet Partners, Inc., a non-profit Pet Partners chapter. She is the author of three published books on dog training, including “Awareness Centered Training.” She is certified to evaluate and train Pet Partner Therapy Dog Teams and has been recognized by clients as a highly knowledgeable and respected trainer with extensive experience in therapy dog preparation and behavior modification.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients should review the website’s program descriptions and brochures, then contact via email (maureenr@dogtalk.com) or phone (603-635-DOGS) to schedule an initial consultation. For online coaching, an intake form must be completed before scheduling. The team meets clients and dogs “where they are at” to ensure a personalized, supportive start.