Training is a lifelong commitment.
There is an idea in much of dog training that there is a moment where you can proudly announce "My dog is trained"! At this moment your dog responds to all cues you give and no longer has emotions, desires or breaks in impulse control. This idea is also a real falsity, and leads to more frustration than success in training. Learning to train your dog is an exercise in patience and communication.

The focus of Ruff Translating is combining the best on how dogs learn, with the entire household's needs, to create a more harmonious engagement.

Many of our training modes are developed in direct relationship to cognitive development research, our understanding of biological drives, as well as the full environment of your home. This means many of our training exercises will involve play, food reinforcement, and learning a marker system. We are a full spectrum of tools company, and use the term "balanced" to indicate our proficiency in e collars and prongs, as well are our use of clickers, games, and puzzles, but we are not hard-line trainers coming from a military or law enforcement background. We firmly believe that many tools allow dog training to be more accessible, and that it is our commitment to using the tools that make the most sense for the person and the dog together. As we focus on service dog training, we train even our non-service dogs to the highest standards. 

Expected Behaviors

Expected behaviors are those things that we shouldn't have to issue a command for. For example: not jumping on guests, staying off of the furniture, walking casually with a loose leash in an automatic 'heel',  remaining quiet when excited, keeping feet on the floor rather than counter tops, not touching food... there's a lot for a dog to learn about our human customs. The fundamentals of training start with helping a dog understand how to navigate household rules, without owners having to yell or constantly try to stop a dog from an undesired behavior. We use training around boundaries and space to help a dog know where they belong in our house, and the respectful behavior follows. 

Teaching Commands

Dogs don't speak English, but we can teach them that certain words have associations with specific behaviors (like sit, down, stay, etc.). These words widen a tool kit for dog owners - they can give their dog a command to get a behavior that is appropriate (or adorable). Teaching as many words as you can to your dog isn't only practical, it will also deepen your bond. Beyond that, we use a comprehensive marker system- or conditioned response to certain words to help dogs understand whether or not they are on the right track to earn a reward. For example, good means keep going, and yes means it's snack time!


Our Services and Booking Info

We are SO fortunate to receive more requests for training than we can accommodate, in part due to our long term relationship with most clients. We have to turn away some clients for our programs because we will not compromise quality of training, or time spent with clients, to take on a higher volume. Periodically, we will have a waiting list for the required initial private appointment to join any of our programs. We do our best to reach out to our waiting list as quickly as possible. Our training team develops long term plans in collaboration with each client and because we work primarily with service dogs, puppies and new adoptions, often times training plans last for more than 18 months. We are also slow-service establishment. There is no way around our booking process and there are not any shortcuts to getting an appointment here. We thank you for your patience! Please know that our commitment to excellence in client care and training results drives our commitment to smaller volume!

Muttessori Academy
A day training program focused on furthering your dog's skills as well as enriching their learning with unique exercises. We keep you up to date with your dog's progress through weekly report cards provided each Friday. Currently, operating Monday- Thursday from 7am until 6pm. Fully staffed by trainers and apprentices, this day service includes:
  • ​Two practice or game learning sessions with a trainer
  • One exercise-based activity (treadmill, etc.)
  • Structured reward and rest time
  • Daily group or private walks for potty breaks
  • Crate training practice
This program is meant to help you with your training progress in between lessons, as well as build your dog's engagement and confidence. It is not a substitution for lessons, and is not meant solely as a daycare program.

Daily rate of $95, w/discounts for multi-dog families

Scenes from Muttessori Academy

Private Lessons and Immersive Sessions
Private Lessons

One-on-one lessons with a member of the training team to work on family specific goals, available for learning basic commands through intensive behavioral rehabilitation. Lessons range from 60-90 minutes for $200 per session. Length of time is based on how long each dog can focus and learn as well as the intensity of the exercises, but lessons are least always one hour.

Private lessons are the foundation of your training with your pup, and required to access all of our supplemental programming. This is your opportunity to get the best progress tips, and exercises specific to your training goals. 

Immersive Sessions:

An immersive session is meant for service dog handlers working on specific skills of dog neutrality or pairing. We invite you to join us for an afternoon at Muttessori Academy, during our group skills practice session. In this environment, you can practice exercises along with the school dogs and coaching, which gives a more intensive practice than regular homework, but less one to one coaching then a private lesson. A trainer recommends this service directly to handlers as needed.

Group Classes and Special Events!
Group Classes are periodically offered for clients looking for something fun to do with their dogs, these classes give everyone a chance to learn new skills and build a stronger bond. Class themes could include therapy dog training, trick training, agility, scent work, etc. Rate of $40-65 per dog per class for 3-5 dog teams. Sessions will run for 60 to 120 minutes, depending on the topic and structure of class. We announce classes via social media and our client portal email list!

Study Hall:

We now offer facility space rental with trainer support on Saturdays from 11-1. This is meant for clients to have access to the space and materials needed for an easier practice environment, and can be booked through the client portal for $25/hour. 

Annual Dance Recital!
Each year the training team plans a zoom live performance of yes- a doggie dance recital- called our Dance Pawformance. We offer opportunities for both soloists and group performances. Participants generally have to meet a certain number of Muttessori days to be eligible. Once signed up, the trainers work with individual dogs to perfect their pawformance on their own or in a group. Costumes and backdrops abound, and we consider it the highlight of the season. 


March Wagness Urban Triebball 
Let's be honest- Boston winters are long and slow. So, we have taken a Triebball inspired game and made it another great opportunity to get creative with our dogs. Triebball is a German game, where dogs push large yoga-sized balls at the direction of their handlers and are scored for their abilities. We have created our own mini-version, suitable to be played in a training facility and once again- live streamed for the dog's families. Each dog takes a turn working on being sent around the ball at a distance and then shooting it in between two cones. It is such a fun time and great way for our dogs to get their training needs met in winter weather. 
Picture
Dolly Pawton Dance Recital 2022

Service Dog Training
Ruff Translating founder, Ejay, works daily with his service dog, Rio. Rio is a task trained, medical alert and response service dog. She is fully public access trained and has eight active tasking skills for Ejay. In 2023, Ejay began training Oscar, his standard poodle puppy as her eventual next in line replacement, who is expected to graduate program in 2025. 

Ruff Translating offers highly technical service dog training, specializing in those looking for (c)/PTSD service dogs with scent marking tasks for oncoming panic attacks. Ruff Translating’s company values include prioritizing working with individuals on a case by case basis to meet their service dog training needs. Ejay offers programs of a variety of levels of owner involvement, so if you are looking to potentially do some of your own service dog task training, or if you need it fully done by a skilled professional, Ruff Translating can help. 

While we began our program in highly trained psychiatric service dogs, we also provide service dog training for individuals with other disabilities, including those looking for seizure alert/response, blood sugar detection, mobility and stability needs. We have developed a range of tasks for diagnosis such as h-Ehlers-Danlos, POTS, Autism and those with similar support needs. You can check out our Service Dog tab (above) for more details.

Service dog training can be a costly expenditure and can take up to 24 months. It can feel intimidating to start, but we are eager to answer your questions and partner together. Our service dog training program is based in concepts of disability justice, and operates much differently than programs that deliver "finished" dogs with short introductory periods or those programs that only offer online coaching. It is a hybrid program, meant to empower disabled individuals to learn to work with their service dog as that partner grows and matures into a fully realized medical support.

If you are interested in discussing our service dog training including costs and process please reach out to us via email so we can set up a time to talk with you.