30 Years of Experience Training Dogs

An Investment that lasts a lifetime 
Dawn with Dogs

Obedience Training for Dogs in Plymouth, MA

Canine Etiquette provides obedience training for dogs in Plymouth, MA, built around the reality of living with a dog who jumps on guests, pulls toward every squirrel, or blows past a recall. We work with families throughout Plymouth and the surrounding towns to close the gap between the dog you have now and the dog you’re hoping for.

Our Specialization

  • Obedience Training 
  • Socialization
  • Behavior Modification

Obedience work here goes past sit and stay. We tackle leash pulling, jumping on visitors, counter-surfing, resource guarding, and reactivity toward other dogs. Socialization sessions get your dog comfortable around new people, new dogs, and new environments. When deeper behavioral issues show up, like separation anxiety or aggression, behavior modification work addresses the root cause instead of masking the symptom.

Say Goodbye to Embarrassing Moments

Well-mannered dogs are trained, not born. With consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement, we’ll work together to reshape your dog’s behavior and deepen the bond you share.

Would you like your dog to: 

  • Behave better?
  • Listen to you?
  • Be more reliable?

Programs for Every Age and Stage

Puppy or senior, energetic or set in their ways, our approach adjusts to match your dog’s temperament and life stage.

Puppy classes lay the groundwork early, teaching young dogs how to greet people politely, play appropriately with other puppies, and handle new sounds and surfaces without panic. Our puppy kindergarten program builds on that foundation with structured socialization and the first building blocks of obedience, giving owners a head start before bad habits ever form. Dogs that get this early exposure tend to grow into calmer, more adaptable adults.

Sessions Happen Where the Problems Actually Occur

Rather than working in an unfamiliar environment, we train in your home, your yard, and the exact spots around Plymouth where your dog struggles most. That real-world context speeds up learning because your dog practices the skill in the setting where it actually matters, rather than in a generic substitute. Sessions also move to parks and other public spaces once your dog is ready for added distraction and real-life practice.

Training Rooted in Positive Reinforcement

Every session relies on positive reinforcement instead of corrections or force. Dogs learn faster and retain more when they’re working toward a reward instead of avoiding a punishment, and that approach builds trust between you and your dog rather than eroding it. During each visit, you learn the exact cues, timing, and reward strategies we use, so the training doesn’t stop the moment we leave.

Dogs coached this way tend to offer good behavior on their own, without constant prompting, because they’ve learned it works in their favor.

Scheduling That Bends and Support That Doesn't Quit

Life gets busy, and our program bends with it. Missing or rescheduling a session never sets your dog’s progress back. Once training wraps up, support doesn’t disappear along with it — questions and setbacks that come up months or years later still get answered, at no extra charge.

Let’s build a training experience that’s convenient, rewarding, and genuinely enjoyable for your whole family.

Why Choose Us

Because no two dogs are the same, our training programs are customized to your dog’s specific needs. This personalized approach is why you’ll see real results when you work with us.

We Visit You

Life can be busy, and we understand that. Training with us means you’ll receive one-on-one instruction in the comfort of your own home or in real-life settings such as parks, so your dog can adapt to everyday scenarios with ease. 

Another benefit of one-on-one training is flexibility—your schedule is your own. If you need to reschedule a session, don’t worry; you won’t fall behind. 

Lifetime Support

Training isn’t supposed to be a one-off session. Our programs include lifetime support for your dog. No matter what challenges arise down the road, you’ll never be left without help. 

Let’s make training convenient, effective, and fun for you and your family. 

Contact Us Today

We’ll walk through your dog’s specific behavioral challenges and build a training plan tailored to your household, schedule, and goals. Reach out to learn more about our obedience training for dogs and puppy classes.

Useful Articles for a Happy Pup

The Importance of Canine Socialization

Let’s talk about socialization or the lack there of. 

As a dog trainer, the most common issue I see are dogs that lack socialization with other dogs and people, which is very sad when you know how unnatural it is for them to be anti-social.

Dogs are pack animals with a strong need for social structure, which is an innate quality inherited from their ancestry to wolves. I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, “you can’t fight the genes.” This statement couldn’t be truer when talking about dogs and their need to engage with people and other dogs.

The “Socialization Period” for dogs starts between 8-16 weeks of age. It is a once in a lifetime natural window when social relationships develop as well as being sensitive to psychological trauma. This period is also known as the “Cutting Age,” cutting teeth and cutting strings, which means they are growing up and their natural instinct to explore new stimuli starts to develop. In short, it’s not about you anymore. Yes, you are still the center of their universe but there is also a whole new world out there waiting to be discovered and they’re ready.

Once your puppy is fully vaccinated and you have a clean bill of health from your vet, start introducing your puppy to as much as possible and as carefully as possible. Remember that dogs are very impressionable at this age, so avoiding negative experiences is just as important as having positive experiences. It is a time when things can be overwhelming for your pup. For instance, taking them to a fireworks display is a no-no or anything your dog will perceive as intimidating or frightening. A traumatic experience can haunt them for the rest of their life. Use common sense and be responsible.

If you are starting from the beginning with your dog, it is important to introduce them to other dogs and people during this time period. If you have other dog(s) in your home, they don’t count because they are family. Your dog needs to meet and play with other dogs too, particularly other puppies. By doing so you are ensuring your dog will grow up to be dog friendly. The same is true with people. They should be introduced to lots of people including all ages of children.

If you happen to have gotten your dog as an adolescent or adult and are noticing social issues, it isn’t too late to help them. There are no quick fixes for dogs that have poor socialization skills but with training and patience life can be a lot happier.

So get out there and enjoy life and have fun together. Besides, it’s always nice to meet new friends, four legged and two. 

– Dawn L. Archibald-Corby, Canine Etiquette. 

Have Preparations Been Made?

It is the same old story of procrastination. But have you really thought what would happen if the right preparations haven’t been made, if something happens to you? Don’t just assume a member of the family is going to take your dog, or any other pet you might have, just because you are family. They might want to but just can’t for whatever reason. Now what? 

Everyone is different, but if you are a loving pet owner, your animals are just as important to you as any member of the family, because after all they are family too. 

You have to have the conversation, speak to an attorney, and have to put things in writing. Not only to make things easier for the person who will handle your affairs but to make sure everyone will be taken care of in your absence. 

Not long ago I received a call from a friend. She lives in a mobile home park for seniors. One day, one of her neighbors was taken by ambulance to the hospital.  Her other neighbor took her dog. 

A couple of days went by. When she called to inquire about her friend, the only information she was given is that she was transported to another facility. No further details because of privacy laws. 

Now what? One week became two and so on. Even the police couldn’t or wouldn’t help. Then I got the call. 

The neighbor couldn’t keep the dog any longer. He wasn’t a dog person, knew nothing about dogs, the dog was peeing, no vet records, and he was out of ideas. 

So I found someone to help me with foster and we took the dog and the dog was eventually adopted into a loving home. 

It was only by luck or Devine intervention that it worked out so well. Most cases don’t. If not for the cooperation of four people, the dog would have been left in a house whose furnace had broken, so the place was frozen and the dog would have frozen too. 

So make a plan and be the responsible owner you are and are expected to be. You can’t take chances with loved ones. 

– Dawn L. Archibald-Corby, Canine Etiquette. 

Learn more about our dog training programs. 

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