Making Fetch Happen

Making Fetch Happen offers several training programs. Their Behavior Change program involves working 1:1 with a certified behaviorist to determine underlying causes of problem behaviors and build customized plans.

Group Classes cover a range of topics including Obedience, Nosework, Agility, Tricks, Canine Good Citizen (CGC) prep, and Happy Husbandry, typically running for 6 or 7 weeks. Puppy Essentials are 1:1 sessions designed to prepare new puppy owners.

The Doggy Day School operates Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 12 pm, featuring structured, small playgroups, customized behavior/training plans, enrichment activities, and a live stream. They also offer 1:1 Private Dog Walks, which are suitable for reactive dogs and include staff trained to carry out specific behavior plans. A Free Puppy Class is available for puppies 8-20 weeks old, focusing on safe socialization.

For Separation Anxiety, they provide a specialized program with a certified CSAT trainer, including weekly live assessments, daily customized plans, and unlimited email support, with a minimum commitment of four weeks.

Pricing Summary

1:1 Dog Walking is $35 for a half hour or $60 for an hour. Behaviorist sessions cost $200. Doggy Day School is $150 per day for dogs over 6 months and $100 per day for puppies under 6 months, with an optional $20 for in-home drop-off.

Group classes such as Obedience ($230 for 7 weeks), Nosework ($200 for 6 weeks), Agility ($200 for 6 weeks), Trick Foundations ($200 for 6 weeks), Canine Good Citizen Prep ($200 for 6 weeks), and Happy Husbandry ($200 for 6 weeks) are offered. Separation Anxiety training costs $150 per week, with a minimum commitment of 4 weeks.

Making Fetch Happen is a dog training business that offers a totally fear-free, science-based approach to training and behavior change, aiming to build happy dogs. They provide a variety of services including behavior change consultations, group classes, puppy essentials, doggy day school, and 1:1 dog walking.

Their unique advantages include working with a certified behaviorist, Shelley Harrison, who tackles underlying problems for long-term behavior change. The business emphasizes small playgroups and short sessions for their Doggy Day School to ensure an enjoyable experience, along with customized behavior/training plans, enrichment activities, and a live stream for owners. They are also fully insured.

Accomplishments

Shelley Harrison, the Head Behaviorist, is a certified KPA-CTP, an A-Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the IAABC, and a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT) through the Malena DeMartini program. She holds a Masters of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Northeastern University and a BA from Smith College. Shelley has worked as a trainer with the MSPCA, as Shelter Behavior Coordinator, and with organizations like ASPCA, American Humane Society, Boston Animal Care and Control, and Yankee Golden Rescue. She is also a certified AKC CGC Evaluator.

Jack Strauss, the Lead Trainer, is a CPDT-KA certified dog trainer with seven years of experience as both a dog trainer and shelter worker at MSPCA in Boston. He specializes in teaching agility and obedience. Anna Jones, a Day School Trainer, is a certified Basic Obedience dog trainer with extensive experience working at a doggy daycare and with shelter dogs.

How to Get Started!

To get started, clients can contact the business directly via email or phone. Specific registration links are provided for various group classes, puppy day school, adult dog day school, and the free puppy class. For 1:1 dog walking, behavior change, nosework, agility, tricks, CGC prep, happy husbandry, and separation anxiety programs, clients are instructed to contact the business for more information or registration links.