Private Coaching
Focused, individualized training support for dogs and families who need hands-on help, practical guidance, and a plan tailored to everyday life.
Private coaching offers one-on-one support for dogs and families who need more individualized help than a group class can provide. It is a practical option for building skills, solving everyday training problems, and making steady progress with guidance shaped around your dog, your goals, and your real life.
Vera Wilkinson, CDBC, CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, has more than 30 years of experience helping families build better everyday life with their dogs through humane, practical training. Private coaching can be a strong fit on its own, as a follow-up to a behavior consultation, or as a bridge into group classes when appropriate.
Private Coaching May Be a Good Fit If You Need Help With…
Private coaching may be a good option for:
- Puppy raising support between classes
- Adolescent manners and household skills
- Jumping, mouthing, pulling, overexcitement, or difficulty settling
- Real-life practice for walks, outings, greetings, and daily routines
- Training support that needs to happen in your home or everyday environment
- Building skills after a behavior consultation
- Dogs who need individualized help before or alongside group classes
- Pre-puppy planning or pre-adoption consultations
- Follow-up coaching for some separation anxiety cases, especially when virtual support is appropriate
Private coaching is designed to meet you where you are and help you make progress step by step.
Coaching Formats
Private coaching is available in formats designed to fit different needs, locations, and circumstances.
In-Home Coaching
Ideal for families who need help in the home or in the dog’s everyday environment, where many real-life training challenges actually happen.
On-Site Coaching
A focused option for hands-on work in Brookline for appropriate cases and goals.
Virtual Coaching
Virtual coaching is available for some clients, especially those living outside Vera’s regular service area or those working on goals that are well suited to remote support. It can be especially helpful for follow-up coaching in some separation anxiety cases, as well as for pre-puppy and pre-adoption planning.
This flexibility allows coaching to be tailored to what will be most useful and practical for you and your dog.
How Private Coaching Works
Private coaching is designed to give you practical help you can use right away.
Step 1 — Start With the Right Plan
We begin by identifying your goals, your dog’s current challenges, and the kind of support that will be most useful.
Step 2 — Work on the Skills That Matter Most
Coaching sessions focus on the real-life skills, routines, and problem-solving strategies that will make the biggest difference in everyday life.
Step 3 — Build Progress Over Time
Some families need only a small amount of targeted help. Others benefit from a longer coaching path that allows more time for practice, troubleshooting, and steady progress.
Coaching Package Options
Coaching Package Options
Private coaching is available in package options that can be matched to your goals, your dog, and the amount of support you need.
The Jumpstart: 3-Session Coaching Package
A good fit for puppies and new dogs for focused short-term help, troubleshooting, or support with one clear set of goals.
The Foundations: 6-Session Coaching Package
A strong option for families who want more guided practice, follow-up, and accountability over time.
The Cooperative Dog: 9-Session Coaching Package
Best for dogs and families who need a longer runway, more layered support, or help working through more complex training goals.
What Clients Say
Sarah, Brandon and Oliver – Boston, MA
When we got Oliver, we didn’t know where to go or what to do. Ollie, as a rescue dog from the south, was nervous about people and dogs and things. This made getting out of our building and going for walks unpredictable. Vera came to our condo for a few private lessons and we took two classes in Brookline. Vera keeps her classes intentionally small so she can help families with challenging dogs learn how to work through real life situations. We’ve had several stressful situations – veterinary appointments and visitors – and Vera has always been just a text message or phone call away and provided us with a plan so that Ollie can get through these with success and without incident. It was a ton of work for us but Ollie can now walk down the street without fear, he has many new friends (dogs and even a few humans!) and our quality of life has improved as a family.
Vera’s training and methods have opened up more possibilities for Ollie to expand his world and we couldn’t be more grateful to her. We are so proud of our boy and look forward to continuing to celebrate his milestones!
Thank you again!
Howard and Aggie – Jamaica Plain, MA
I’ve known Vera for over 20 years. We first met as neighbors walking our dogs in Coolidge Corner. She sensed a small problem I was having with my dog and came up with a solution instantly. Since then I’ve had 3 other dogs and Vera has helped me with various training issues with all of them. She matched me with current dog, Aggie, pictured here.
I’ve seen Vera work with other people and other dogs, and she is an intuitive genius. Her ability to read and communicate with dogs is astounding. Vera is kind and considerate and a true advocate for dogs and people.
I strongly recommend that you call Vera for help with your dog. Whether you decide to work with her privately or in one of her many classes, you can trust that Vera will be able to help you and your dog(s)!
Anne Stuart & Family with Maisie, Belmont, MA
Vera has helped our whole family to work more effectively and joyfully with Maisie, our sweet cocker/cavalier cross. Maisie had come to us as a young dog with some undesirable habits, and after an initial series of classes with another trainer, our progress with her had stalled. After the first lesson with Vera and her dog, Hawk, we felt both relief and rising optimism that together we could help Maisie to stop pulling when on the leash and to be less reactive to other dogs when out walking.
Two things we did not anticipate was that Vera would skillfully bring our eight-year-old granddaughter into the process of training Maisie. It was a delight to watch Vera teach our granddaughter how to work with Maisie, harnessing the energy and enthusiasm of the young dog and the young girl in happy synergy. The second thing I had not expected was that Maisie herself would become a happier dog.
Vera’s positive attitude and upbeat approach cannot help but rub off on those she is teaching. We highly recommend Vera’s approach for both children and adults.
Fees, Payment & Next Steps
Current 3-6-9 Session Coaching Packages options and pricing are listed below. Payment is currently required in advance, and waiver and cancellation policies apply.
- The Jumpstart 3-Session Coaching Package: $725
- The Foundations 6-Session Coaching Package: $1400
- The Cooperative Dog 9-Session Coaching Package: $2075
Private coaching packages are available in several formats and levels of support. Contact Vera to discuss the best fit for your dog and your goals.
Get Started
If you are looking for practical, individualized help with your dog, private coaching can provide clear guidance, focused support, and next steps you can actually use.
