Puppy Foundation Program

Before adopting our Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, we searched the Boston area for an appropriate trainer. After a long phone conversation with Vera, I was certain that she would be a good fit for our family. The day that 8 week old “Ueli” arrived at our home, Vera visited and advised on the best strategies for raising our puppy, considering our spatial limitations and busy family dynamics. After this visit, we participated in Vera’s puppy foundation program for most of Ueli’s first year.

Though this was not my first large breed dog, or working dog, I learned a great deal from Vera immediately. She is perceptive, thoughtful and intellectually rigorous. Her approach prioritizes forming a bond of communication between pet and family, not just blind obedience, punishing and treating. Her teaching helped hone my observational and listening skills so that I can deliver the lesson that Ueli needs in order to understand. This teaching has helped me to grow as a dog owner, but also as a human being. Recently, Ueli passed is Therapy Dog Certification Evaluation. It was a difficult test, but we rose to the challenge. The evaluator pulled me aside and told me that Ueli’s performance was “incredible” given that he is under 18 months old. I believe that it was our start with Vera that made this possible.

I recommend Vera and her puppy foundation program to anyone who wants to deepen their relationship with their dog, while developing a well-balanced, well-behaved, canine community member.

We came to Vera with our brand new 12-week old feisty and energetic lab pup in hopes of having a loving companion to grow with. We are a couple hoping to have children in the next few years, so it is very important for us to have trust that our dog will listen and follow instructions so everyone is happy and safe . Vera’s motto of training in a practical manner for everday living was EXACTLY what we were looking for. When we hit a bump in the road, Vera gives us several tips and tricks to navigate around it. We are constantly complimented on how well-behaved and smart Otis is for being so young. We have now enrolled in 3 classes, enjoying every one, and we continue to learn and grow alongside Otis and cannot thank Vera enough for it.

When we first got Sapphire, we were a little worried about how to train her because she was deaf and had never even been outside. When we tried to walk her, or communicate with her, she struggled to communicate back or even understand us.

Our vet recommended Vera. The first time we met her we explained our situation. She took Sapphire’s leash in her hand and Sapphire immediately started walking with her! It was so rewarding to work with someone with such great knowledge of deaf dogs, not only owning her own, but working with them for many years. She was a breathe of fresh air, and gave us hope that Sapphire could learn and be trained.

Before leaving Boston, Sapphire had learned how to sit, lie down, stay, walk, come, socialize with other dogs and play outside without any difficulties. We loved the way Vera interacted with her, and we would recommend her to anyone with any type of dog, hearing abled or not!