The Cooperative Dog

The Cooperative Dog offers a range of programs including the Puppy Foundation Program, Family Dog Program, Reactive Dog Program (Rowdy Rovers), and general Dog Obedience classes.

The Puppy Foundation Program is comprehensive, starting with a “Puppy Head Start Seminar” for owners, an optional “Puppy Jump Start Lesson” (private, in-home), and sequential group classes (Puppy Foundation 1, 2, and 3) that progress from indoor socialization to real-world outdoor training.

The Family Dog Program is designed for young or older adopted dogs, beginning with a “Foundation Seminar” for owners or a “Family Dog Private Lesson.” This is followed by “Family Dog 1” for basic obedience indoors and “Family Dog 2” for strengthening skills in distracted environments, working towards off-leash reliability.

The Reactive Dog Program, “Rowdy Rovers,” addresses dogs that exhibit barking, growling, and lunging at other dogs. It requires a mandatory private consultation ($250) before enrollment in an introductory 3-class series ($175), followed by ongoing 6-week outdoor classes ($350) held in various Boston locations.

General Dog Obedience classes are also available through the Wellesley Recreation Department, including Puppy Kindergarten and Dog Obedience 1 & 2. These are typically 6-week sessions. Group classes generally have 3-8 students, with Wellesley classes accommodating up to 10, and meet for one hour weekly.

Pricing Summary

Group classes are generally $300 for 6 weeks, meeting one hour weekly. Wellesley Recreation Department classes are $260 for 6 weeks. Seminars (Puppy Head Start, Foundation Seminar) are $75. Private lessons are $175 for on-site sessions in Brookline or $225 for in-home sessions within specific service areas. The Reactive Dog Program requires a $250 on-site consultation as a prerequisite, followed by an introductory 3-class series for $175 and ongoing 6-class series for $350. No refunds are provided for Rowdy Rovers classes.

Policies

Group classes meet for one hour once weekly for three, four, or six consecutive weeks. Makeup classes are not allowed without prior arrangement. For Rowdy Rovers ongoing classes, there are no refunds, and participants must attend the six classes within an eight-week period. Proof of vaccinations is required for all classes.

Vera Wilkinson, CDBC, CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, is the owner and primary trainer at The Cooperative Dog. She has been working full-time in dog training and behavior consulting since 1996, dedicating thousands of hours to teaching private lessons, group classes, dog behavior education seminars, and private consultations throughout Boston, Greater Boston, and Eastern Massachusetts. Her core philosophy centers on education and empowering people to bring out the best in their dogs through practical training for everyday life.

Vera’s preferred training approach is positive, humane, and science-based, focusing on building a relationship between dog and owner based on mutual trust and understanding. She offers comprehensive programs for puppies, family dogs, and reactive dogs, alongside private lessons and behavior consultations. The business utilizes various locations, including a dog daycare, grooming, and retail facility, for its classes.

Vera is also experienced in training deaf dogs, as she owns one herself. She emphasizes a thorough, step-by-step training process to prevent and resolve common and serious dog behavior problems.

Accomplishments

Vera Wilkinson has been working full-time in dog training and behavior consulting since 1996, having worked with over 29,000 dogs. She holds certifications as a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), and Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP).

She is affiliated with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), and Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). Her awards include multiple “Best Dog Training” and “Best Dog Trainer” finishes in Boston’s A-List and Best of Boston by Boston magazine from 2010-2014, and the 2009 IAABC Dog Division “Member of the Year” Award. She also held leadership positions within the IAABC from 2007-2011.

How to Get Started!

For group classes, pre-registration and proof of vaccinations are required. For Wellesley classes, registration can be completed online or by phone, with a minimum of four dogs needed for a class to run. To join the Reactive Dog Program (Rowdy Rovers), a private on-site comprehensive dog behavior consultation is a mandatory prerequisite. To schedule private lessons or consultations, clients are directed to contact Vera via her website.