Fit N Trim Dog Training

Fit-N-Trim offers a wide variety of group classes held at two locations in Rowley, MA: a climate-controlled indoor facility and a covered arena. Programs include Agility & Obility (Beginner Obility, Beginner Agility 1 & 2, Intermediate through Competition Agility), Puppy & Manners (Puppy Kindergarten 1 & 2, Basic Manners, Rally Obedience), Reactive Dog classes (Reactive Dog, Agility for Reactive Dogs, Scent Work for Reactive Dogs), Scent Work (Beginner Scent Work, On-going Scent Work), and Specialty Classes.

Specialty Classes cover topics such as Control Unleashed, Come When Called / Leash Walking Combo, Weave Pole & Seesaw Focus, Trail Manners, AKC Canine Good Citizenship (CGC), AKC Community Canine (CGCA), AKC Urban Canine (CGCU), and Trick Dog. Most classes are structured as 6-week sessions, meeting for one hour per week. Some upper-level agility and scent work classes are ongoing. Reactive Dog classes have an initial orientation session without dogs and a class limit of 4-5 dogs with only 2 humans per dog. Prerequisites vary by class, with some requiring prior completion of a basic manners class or instructor permission, and age restrictions for puppies and young dogs. No make-up classes are available for most programs.

Pricing Summary

Most 6-week classes cost $190. Reactive Dog, Agility for Reactive Dogs, Scent Work for Reactive Dogs, and Control Unleashed classes are priced at $250 for 6 weeks. Trail Manners costs $210 for 6 weeks. All classes are 1 hour a week for 6 weeks. Gift certificates are available in amounts of $10, $25, $50, $75, $110, $120, $125, $150, and $185.

Policies

No make-up classes are available for Reactive Dog, Agility for Reactive Dogs, Scent Work for Reactive Dogs, Control Unleashed, and Trail Manners classes. For Puppy 2 / Intermediate Manners, there are no make-ups for a dog being spayed or neutered.

Fit-N-Trim Dog Training operates two training sites in Rowley, MA, dedicated to helping dog owners enjoy their dogs through various training programs. They offer classes covering basic obedience, behavior modification, and dog sports for both fun and competition.

Their facilities include a covered arena at 103 Haverhill Street, featuring two outdoor, three-season, fenced rings with sand and grass footings, primarily used for agility classes and practice. Additionally, they have a bright, indoor heated and air-conditioned facility at 108 Newburyport Turnpike, equipped with a dog and people-safe rubber floor, which is ideal for Puppy Kindergarten, Manners classes, seminars, and activities like Puppy and Mighty Minis Romps.

Beyond training, Fit-N-Trim also facilitates monthly Canine Chiropractic appointments with Dr. Sue Ferguson and Canine Massage sessions at their indoor facility. They provide gift certificates in various denominations, making them a suitable gift for fellow students or for personal use.

Accomplishments

Karen Gorman, owner and trainer, graduated from Essex Agricultural and Technical School in 1991 and completed instructor certification courses in agility in 1995 and 1996. She has worked with notable agility icons such as Susan Garrett and Julie Daniels.

Julie Annese is a certified groomer, a United States Canine Scent Sports CSD/Judge, and a Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer (CPCFT). Her Pomeranian, Merlin, is ranked in the top 20 for Pomeranians in Fast CAT.

Madelyn Cirinna is a local expert in dog behavior, with over 20 years as an early childhood and special education teacher and 25 years as an Animal Care and Control Officer. She has been an obedience and agility instructor for 30 years, titling dogs in various disciplines including obedience, agility, conformation, rally-o, herding, hunt tests, trick dog, Canine Good Citizen & therapy, achieving MACH, UD, and Champion titles. She is an AKC Breeder of Merit and an AKC Evaluator for CGC, CGCA, and Trick dog titles.

Jessica Drew is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and an Animal Care Specialist graduate, with future plans to attend the University of Washington’s Certificate in Applied Animal Behavior. She has 3 years of training experience, specializing in reactive dogs.

Pinky Han, with a degree in Leisure Studies and Resources, trained her dog Tilly to a Masters Agility Dog title through USDAA and taught at Camp Gone to the Dogs. She has an extensive background in sports psychology.

Diane Hanley is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA), a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and a certified L.E.G.S. Family Dog Mediator. She completed a 3-year apprenticeship and has over 300 hours of continuing education.

Caitlin Hawkins is a certified instructor from Petco and is pursuing a degree in behavior.

Kim Kezer worked at Mystic Marinelife Aquarium for 13 years and was a Senior Zoo Keeper with Zoo New England, where she now serves as the Animal Training Advisor. Her Irish Water Spaniel, Fiona, is a breed champion with RN and CD titles and has earned the IWSCA All Around IWS award.

Nadine Perry learned agility from Julie Daniels and has taught at various agility clubs. She has competed with her dogs at USDAA, NADAC, and AKC trials, earning Masters and Elite titles. Her dog, Twinkie, is a newly-certified Therapy Dog and has earned her TDI.

Judy Regan has competed in CPE, AKC, and USDAA agility, earning C-ATCH and C-ATCH2 titles with her Border Collies. She has attended various classes and seminars, including those on Control on Leash, Dealing with Reactive Dogs, and Prime Time Seminars for young agility dogs.

Naomi L. Smith is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA), a Canine Good Citizen evaluator, and a professional member of The Pet Professional Guild (PPG). She holds an AAS in Business Administration and a BA in Psychology with a minor in Biology. She competes in United Kennel Club and World Wide Weight Pull sanctioned events.

Kris Thober’s first Smooth Collie was ranked the #1 obedience Collie in the nation, with over twenty-five all-breed HITs, and was invited to the AKC Obedience Nationals. She has finished four AKC champions and holds many agility titles.

Bunny Watson has competed in AKC and CPE Agility since 2009 with four dogs. Her Belgian sheepdogs also train and compete in Obedience, Rally, and Scent Work. She majored in animal science with a focus on veterinary technology and worked at the Museum of Science for 26 years caring for/training wildlife and exotic animals. She is also a CVT working as a vet tech in private practice.

How to Get Started!

To get started, dog owners can book a class directly through the website for specific programs such as Beginner Obility, Beginner Agility 1, Puppy Kindergarten 1, Basic Manners, Puppy 2 / Intermediate Manners, Reactive Dog, Agility for Reactive Dogs, Control Unleashed, Come When Called / Leash Walking Combo, Weave Pole & Seesaw Focus, and Trail Manners. For Beginner Rally Obedience, Beginner Scent Work, and various Specialty Classes (CGC, CGCA, CGCU, Trick Dog), interested individuals can express their interest to help schedule the class when sufficient enrollment is met. For Beginner Agility 2, Intermediate through Competition Agility, and On-going Scent Work classes, individuals should contact Karen via email for current times and availability.