Mountainside Mutts

Mountainside Mutts offers private dog training sessions tailored to individual dog needs and group dog training classes. Group class options include “Puppy Start Right Preschool,” “Basic Manners For Real Life,” “Continuing Education/Advanced Manners,” “Tricks,” “Canine Parkour,” and “Reactive Rovers.”

They also provide a “Muttessori” program, which is a “Daycare Plus” or “Dog School” offering professional care, day training, and socialization. This program provides more structure than traditional daycare, with a better staff-to-dog ratio, supervised play, rest periods, and optional customized training sessions. Weekly report cards and videos keep owners updated on their dog’s progress. Enrollment in the Muttessori program requires prior participation in one of their private or group training programs.

Policies

For the Muttessori program, charges will be applied for late pick-up. Females in heat are not permitted to attend Dog School.

Mountainside Mutts is a dog training business located in Rutland, Vermont, led by Als, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer & Behavior Consultant. They focus on modern, humane, and force-free training methods, emphasizing positive reinforcement and clear communication, and explicitly state they do not use forceful tools like prong, choke, or shock collars. Their goal is to help owners build strong, lifelong relationships with their dogs, making training a fun and rewarding part of everyday life.

The business highlights several unique advantages, including being Rutland’s only Certified Canine Behavior Consultant and their commitment to owner involvement, as they do not offer board-and-train services. They provide a unique training and play space with a private dog gym and the largest fully-fenced outdoor training area in Rutland, VT.

Mountainside Mutts also offers a distinctive “Muttessori” Dog School, which is a “Daycare Plus” program focusing on enrichment and good manners. They ensure small class sizes and personalized coaching in a supportive environment. Their mission is to empower extraordinary relationships through compassionate canine coaching.

Accomplishments

Als is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer & Behavior Consultant and is noted as Rutland’s Only Certified Canine Behavior Consultant. Mountainside Mutts states they are proud to be certified by and associated with various organizations, though specific names are not listed in the provided content. The dog training school and enrichment center opened in November 2021.

How to Get Started!

Clients can begin by booking an initial training appointment or scheduling a complimentary discovery phone call. For the Muttessori program, the enrollment process requires attending one of their private or group training programs first, after which the pup may be invited to attend a try-out day.