The Right Paw

Group classes include Core (Kindergarten Puppy, Beginner, Advanced Obedience, Canine Good Citizen), Support (Drop-In Play and Obedience), and Specialty (Tricks, Therapy Dog, Rally-O, Scent Training). Classes run 1 hour weekly for 5–6 weeks. Private training options include in-home, facility-based, and virtual sessions. Beginners start with Kindergarten or Beginner Obedience; those with prior training undergo a private evaluation before class placement. The Attentive Dog Program offers 6 customized in-home lessons with lifelong support. The Train the Trainer program is a 3-day workshop plus 3 months of observation and teaching practice.

Pricing Summary

Private in-home training: $1399 for a 6-lesson Attentive Dog Program (originally $2400); single evaluation/session: $400. Group classes are offered in 5–6 session packages with small class sizes. Online services and the Train the Trainer program have separate pricing. A free Puppy Training Series is available via newsletter signup.

Policies

Group class policies are available on their website. Private training includes follow-up notes and lifetime phone/email support. Enrollment in group classes requires small class sizes and electronic class notes. No specific cancellation policy is stated, but flexible scheduling is offered for in-home training.

The Right Paw is a professional dog training business located in Princeton, MA, offering private one-on-one training and group classes for pet dogs and their owners. They focus on building strong, fun, and reliable relationships between dogs and their humans through games and positive, individualized methods. Their training philosophy emphasizes understanding each dog’s personality and motivations, using tools like food, toys, harnesses, collars, and sniffing time to create effective, humane training plans. They serve Worcester County and provide in-home, facility-based, and virtual training options. They also offer a free Puppy Training Series PDF with how-to videos, specialty classes like Therapy Dog and Rally-O, and a Train the Trainer program for aspiring professionals.

Their group classes include Kindergarten Puppy Training, Beginner and Advanced Obedience, Canine Good Citizen, and specialty courses such as Tricks, Scent Work, and Competition Obedience. Classes are small (6 dogs max), with electronic notes provided. Private training packages include a 6-lesson Attentive Dog Program for in-home sessions, with follow-up notes and lifetime phone/email support. They also offer evaluations for dogs coming from other training programs to ensure proper class placement.

The Right Paw is led by certified trainers including Jen Humphrey, Mallory Galatzer-Levy, Jillian Converse, Deb Cameron, and Eric Van Inwegen, who use a balanced, flexible approach tailored to each dog’s needs. They prioritize real-life skills, confidence-building, and long-term success over quick fixes, helping dogs thrive in everyday environments—from leash walking in busy areas to off-leash freedom in the woods.

Accomplishments

Jen Humphrey is a TWC-certified trainer and lead instructor of the Train the Trainer program. Graduates of the program include certified professionals like Jillian Converse and Brad Schneider, who credit The Right Paw for transformative training education. The business offers AKC-recognized training pathways including Canine Good Citizen and AKC Trick titles.

How to Get Started!

Beginners should start with Kindergarten Puppy Training (for puppies under 16 weeks) or Beginner Obedience (for dogs 5+ months). Those with prior training from another provider must complete a one-hour private evaluation to determine the appropriate class placement. All new clients can subscribe to receive the free Puppy Training Series PDF. In-home or facility-based private training can be initiated via the training application form.