A kinder world for dogs & humans, powered by INSTINCT Dog Behavior & Training
Dog training in Boston that teaches your dog, then teaches you.
Red Dog Boston offers positive-reinforcement dog training at 274 Southampton St, in partnership with Instinct Dog Behavior & Training: Board & Train Camp + Coaching, Private Coaching, Day School, Puppy Playcare and online group learning, led by Instinct co-founder Brian Burton. Whatever your dog is working on, from first manners to fear, anxiety or reactivity, we start with your dog’s personality, build the plan around it, and coach you too, so the progress comes home.
- Positive reinforcement only, and no judgment about where you are starting from
- Certified Trainers and Behavior Consultants with years of experience
- A plan built around your dog’s personality and needs
- Owner coaching in Board & Train Camp + Coaching and Private Coaching, so progress continues at home
Led by INSTINCT co-founder Brian Burton, featured in The New York Times and NPR.
How training works at Red Dog Boston
We teach your dog, then we teach you.
Our mission is help and hope for every dog and the people who love them, through Instinct’s Nature-Driven Nurture™ Framework. At Red Dog Boston that means hands-on work with your dog, on a plan built around their personality and needs, and coaching for you so the results last at home. Our programs are led by Instinct co-founder Brian Burton, who holds a master’s degree in Animal Behavior from Hunter College, CUNY, alongside trainers Coach Stacy and Coach Marissa.
How we coach
- Coaching sessions for you in Board & Train Camp + Coaching and Private Coaching, so you can keep your dog’s progress going at home.
- Check-ins between sessions through the Instinct app and by email.
- A shared progress board you can open any time.
- After the program you and your dog are Alums: online Q&As and seminars with your coaches, and an alumni group to come.
- Aila, Instinct’s 24/7 AI behavior guide, is included when you enroll.
How we train
- Positive reinforcement only. We teach your dog what to do, and we set clear, kind boundaries along the way.
- No electronic collars, prong collars or slip chains, and no judgment if you have used them.
- Your dog sets the pace; we never force an exposure.
- Low-stress handling.
Who we are
- Brian Burton, Instinct Dog Behavior & Training co-founder, and Boston coaches Stacy and Marissa.
- Part of Instinct Dog Behavior & Training, founded in New York City in 2009 by Brian Burton and Sarah Fraser, with locations from New York to San Diego.
- Instinct coaches hold industry-leading certifications (IAABC, CCPDT, Karen Pryor Academy, Fear Free Certified), and its leadership team includes certified behavior consultants and board-certified veterinary behaviorists.
- Instinct and Brian have been featured in The New York Times, NPR, NBC Nightly News, Inside Edition, New York Magazine, Good Housekeeping, the New York Post, AKC Family Dog and SiriusXM.
Every dog we meet is read against Instinct’s data on more than 15,000 dogs.
Your dog stays with us at Red Dog Boston for 1 to 4 weeks, with owner coaching included
Board & Train Camp + Coaching in boston
Board & Train Camp + Coaching is a positive-reinforcement board and train with owner coaching built in: your dog stays with us at Red Dog Boston for one to four weeks, trains and plays every day on a plan written for their personality, and comes home with new skills. Then we coach you, so those skills hold at home. Unlike a drop-off-and-done board and train, your coaching starts before camp and carries on after it. Dogs of every age, breed and history are welcome, and if your dog struggles with fear, anxiety or reactivity, you will find help here, not judgment.
Who Board & Train Camp + Coaching is for
- Leash manners
- Impulse control around food, toys and doorways
- Settling and stay
- Coming when called
- Polite greetings
- Barking and lunging on leash at dogs, people or objects
- Building confidence, and easing fear and anxiety
- Feeling comfortable with handling, petting and grooming
A better fit elsewhere: House-training, separation anxiety, and behavior that happens with one person or in one place are best worked on at home, so we would suggest Private Coaching.
How Board & Train Camp + Coaching works
We teach your dog. Your Camper lives at the resort, where our Care Team is on site around the clock (Boston is one of Red Dog’s three 24/7 resorts), and gets an hour of coaching every day, in two or three sessions depending on what we are working on, plus play, one-on-one time, and progress updates with videos, so you can watch your dog rocking a new skill.
We teach you. Owner coaching is included: it starts before camp, continues while your dog is with us and carries on after they come home, so you can keep the progress going. Your coach stays in touch through the app and by email.
You become Alums: online Q&As and seminars with your coaches, and an alumni group to come.
Board & Train Camp + Coaching Info
| Length | 1 to 4 weeks, set with you in the discovery call |
|---|---|
| Tiers | Solo (one-on-one, no group play) or Social (group play) |
| Price | 1-week camp: $1,750 per week 2-week camp: $1,645 per week 3-week camp: $1,610 per week 4-week camp: $1,575 per week |
| First step | Free 30-minute virtual discovery call; your coach confirms the program fits before anything is booked |
One-on-one 30-minute sessions, at the resort or virtually
Private dog training in Boston: Private Coaching
Private Coaching is one-on-one time with a Certified Trainer or Behavior Consultant, working directly on the specific behaviors you want to change, on a plan built around your dog’s personality and what you want life together to look like. Sessions are 30 minutes, at Red Dog Boston or virtually, and because you are in every session, you learn how to address each behavior yourself. Your coach checks in between sessions through the app and by email, so you are never stuck. Whether it is puppy manners or fear, anxiety or aggression, you will find help here, not judgment.
Who Private Coaching is for
- Dogs who have a hard time with fear, anxiety or aggression (behavior therapy)
- Life skills and manners, which is obedience training
- Puppy development
- Adolescent dogs, mischief included
- Senior dogs
- Dogs and kids: safety and a great relationship
- The things we do best one-on-one: separation anxiety, house-training, and behavior that happens with one person or in one place
A better fit elsewhere: If you would rather we do the daily work while you are at work, look at Board & Train Camp + Coaching or Day School.
How Private Coaching works
Book a free 30-minute discovery call. Your confirmation email brings the Behavioral Health Assessment; with it done, we use the call itself to set goals and start on first steps.
Follow the plan: single sessions as you need them, or a monthly membership for steady progress. We set clear, reachable goals together and adjust as your dog makes strides.
Stay supported: check-ins between sessions, then Alum support after the program.
GET STARTED WITH PRIVATE COACHING
Option | Price |
Single 30-minute session | $125 |
Monthly membership, 1 session a month | $115 a month ($10 savings) |
Monthly membership, 2 sessions a month | $220 a month ($30 savings) |
Monthly membership, 4 sessions a month | $400 a month ($100 savings) |
For puppies 12 weeks to 5 months old, then on to Day School
Puppy training in Boston: Puppy Playcare, then Day School
Puppies at Red Dog Boston start with Puppy Playcare: a full day of supervised play, potty walks, naps and one-on-one time with a puppy specialist, for pups 12 weeks to 5 months, $65 a full day or $52 a half day. When your pup is ready, Day School is the next step: structured days with a coach. Not sure where to start? Book a free 30-minute discovery call and our trainers will help you decide whether Puppy Playcare, Day School, Private Coaching or a combination makes the most sense.
What playcare builds
Confidence around people and dogs, sights, sounds and surfaces, and first manners, at the age when it matters most.
When to move up
Our coaches tell you in Playcare when your pup is ready for Day School
Day training, also called structured daycare, and your dog sleeps at home
Day training in Boston: Day School + Coaching
Day School, also called structured daycare, is day training: your dog spends the day with us at Red Dog Boston, working one-on-one and in small groups with a coach on a plan written for them, and goes home to you every evening. Every dog gets individual attention and a curriculum built around their personality and needs. It is the choice for families who want a professional to do the daily work and their dog home at night, and the next step for puppies graduating from Puppy Playcare.
Day School or Board & Train Camp + Coaching? In Day School your dog trains with us by day and sleeps at home. In Board & Train Camp + Coaching your dog stays with us for one to four weeks for faster, more concentrated progress, and owner coaching is included. Not sure? The free discovery call will help you choose.
Who Day School is for
- Barking and lunging on leash at dogs, people or objects
- Confidence outdoors, and easing fear and anxiety
- Leash manners
- Settling and staying in place
- Coming when called
- Impulse control around food, toys and doorways
- Puppy development
- Guest routines
- Resource guarding
- Feeling comfortable with handling
A better fit elsewhere: Separation anxiety, house-training, and some behavior directed at people are best worked on one-on-one, so we would suggest Private Coaching.
How Day School works
- A plan written for your dog. The day mixes one-on-one coaching sessions with small-group learning, enrichment and play, all on a plan built around your dog.
- Individual attention. Small groups and a coach who knows your dog, so nothing is one-size-fits-all.
- Home every evening. Your dog sleeps in their own bed, and your coach keeps you posted on what they are working on.
Day School Facts
| Days | Monday – Thursday |
|---|---|
| Drop-off and pick-up | Drop Off: 8:00AM – 9:30AM Pick-Up: 4:00PM – 5:30PM |
| Program length | 10:00AM – 4:00PM |
| Price | $85.00 per day |
| Booking cut-off | Sunday before each week |
| First step | Free 30-minute virtual discovery call |
Why families choose it: a curriculum written for your dog · a professional does the daily work, so progress is fast · your dog sleeps at home · we coach you, so it lasts.
Online sessions with our Boston coaches
Group learning in Boston: monthly Q&As and seminars
Group Learning at Red Dog Boston is online: drop-in Q&As with our coaches, where you learn alongside other dog families and never feel alone with a problem, and seminars on the topics our clients ask about most. Dates and topics will be announced here, with in-person classes to follow.
Monthly drop-in Q&A
Bring your question, hear how other families handled theirs, and leave with a next step. Hosted on Zoom by our Boston coaches.
Monthly seminar
One topic at a time, hosted online, and chosen from what our clients ask for.
Which training program is right for my dog?
Pick by where your dog has the hardest time and how much of the daily work you want to do yourself. Not sure which program is right for your dog? Schedule a free 30-minute virtual discovery call with our training team. We’ll learn more about your dog, talk through your goals, and help you find the right fit.
- You want fast, concentrated progress with coaching for you included, and can be without your dog for one to four weeks: Board & Train Camp + Coaching
- The hard part happens at home or with one person, or your dog is anxious when left alone: Private Coaching
- You have a puppy 12 weeks to 5 months: book a free 30-minute virtual discovery call, and our trainers will help you decide whether Puppy Playcare, Day School, Private Coaching or a combination makes the most sense
- You want a professional to do the daily work and your dog home every night: Day School
- You want to learn alongside other families, or you finished a program: Group Learning
| Program | Best for | Where your dog is | Length | Coaching for you | Price, Boston |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Board & Train Camp + Coaching | Fear, anxiety, aggression, manners, leash manners, barking and lunging on leash, recall, impulse control | With us overnight | 1 to 4 weeks | Included, before, during and after | 1-week camp: $1,750 per week 2-week camp: $1,645 per week 3-week camp: $1,610 per week 4-week camp: $1,575 per week |
| Private Coaching | Fear, anxiety, aggression, separation anxiety, manners, puppies, seniors, kids | Resort, or virtual | 30-minute sessions, single or monthly | Every session | Single Private Lesson: $125 1 Lesson per Month: $115/month ($10 savings) 2 Lessons per Month: $220/month ($30 savings) 4 Lessons per Month: $400/month ($100 savings) |
| Puppy Playcare, then Day School | Puppies 12 weeks to 5 months: play, socialization, first manners | With us by day | Per day | $65 a full day, $52 a half day | |
| Day School | Barking and lunging on leash, manners, recall, guarding, handling, Playcare graduates | With us by day, home at night | Monday – Thursday: 10:00AM -4:00PM | $85 per day | |
| Group Learning | Alums and families | Online | Per session | In the session | Coming soon |
Our approach
Eight things to know before you book
We train with positive reinforcement only, at your dog’s pace, with you in every program. Every program follows Instinct’s Nature-Driven Nurture™ Framework: we start from your dog’s nature and nurture from there. These eight promises are the rules every program follows.
Not every program fits every dog. The free 30-minute discovery call decides which program suits your dog and your household, and sometimes the answer is a different one than you came in for.
You are part of it. In Board & Train and Private Coaching, coaching for you starts before the program, runs through it and continues after. We never hand back a “finished” dog; we hand back a dog and a family who understand each other.
Your dog sets the pace. We never force an exposure. We log progress and adjust the plan as your dog makes strides.
You learn how your dog learns: their learning style, strengths, challenges and how they see the world, through the shared progress board and your sessions.
Positive methods, clear boundaries. No electronic collars, prong collars or slip chains. Positive reinforcement does not mean anything goes: we teach your dog what to do, set kind, consistent boundaries, and help you build a relationship your dog can trust. If you use aversive tools now, there is no judgment; your coach will talk through alternatives with you.
A team, not one trainer. Your coach consults Brian Burton, Instinct’s co-founder, and, when it helps, your vet.
Not the cheapest option, on purpose. Our Care Team is on site 24/7 at a low staff-to-dog ratio, and our coaches are employees, not contractors.
If you are trying, we will go a long way to help. Whatever your dog’s age, breed or history, we are honored to be part of their journey.
Not ready to book?
Start with a free online behaviorAL HEALTH assessment
Aila is Instinct’s AI dog behavior guide. In a 45-minute behavioral health assessment you tell Aila about your dog’s breed, health, home, motivators, stressors and skills; seven expert perspectives review it, and Aila turns it into a custom plan with 24/7 support and a human coach whenever you want one. The free plan includes the behavioral health assessment, the plan and ten messages, with no card needed; AI Coach is $25 a month, AI Coach + Monthly $99 and AI Coach + Weekly $270, each adding human sessions.
Your coaches
Meet your Boston coaches
We are honored to be part of your dog’s journey and grateful to be trusted with their care.
Coach Brian Burton, INSTINCT co-founder, Master's in Animal Behavior
Brian has a Master’s degree in Animal Behavior & Conservation from Hunter College/CUNY and a Bachelor of Computer Science degree from Dalhousie University. He is a dog behavior consultant who has helped hundreds of NYC owners and dogs with severe aggression, fear, and anxiety issues. Brian has been featured as a dog behavior expert in media outlets including The New York Times, The New York Post, NPR, Sirius XM Radio, AKC Family Dog Magazine, and many more.
Coach STACY HANDLER, Certified Dog Trainer & Behavior Consultant
Stacy Handler is a full-time certified dog trainer and behavior consultant at Red Dog Pet Resort & Spa in Boston, providing positive reinforcement-based training for dogs, the Board & Train program, and other resort training programs. Stacy has experience in working with a wide variety of breeds and temperaments, helping owners and their dogs navigate complex behavioral issues like fear, anxiety and reactivity.
Certifications
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
- CATCH Certified Dog Trainer (CCDT), Graduated with Distinction, Mentor Trainer
- NACSW Instructor Certification Program (PNWI, K9 Nose Work ® )
- AKC-Approved CGC Evaluator
- Fear Free Certified Trainer (FFCT)
- Supporting Member, IAABC
- Kelley Bollen Animal Shelter Behavioral Management Certificate
Read More
She also enjoys providing obedience training to guide dogs in manners training from puppy through adolescence into adulthood. An Associate Nose Work Instructor (ANWI) through the National Association of Canine Scent Work, Stacy regularly incorporates K9 Nose Work ® into training sessions to provide mental stimulation and build confidence. She has taught a wide range of group classes including puppy kindergarten, basic obedience, therapy dog certification preparation and scentwork. Stacy is a retired prosecutor with a JD from Boston College Law School, having switched careers to dog training upon earning certifications from the CATCH Canine Trainers Academy and the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. She has substantial experience in working with shelter dogs in both New Jersey and Massachusetts, implementing behavioral modification plans and providing training through the adoption process into home living.
Coach Marissa Soares, Dog Trainer
Marissa is a dedicated dog trainer with years of experience handling and working with a variety of breeds. She specializes in basic obedience and puppy foundation training, helping dogs develop essential skills, build confidence, and establish positive behaviors from an early age.
As a proud owner of both a Bullmastiff and a Chihuahua, Marissa understands firsthand that every dog has a unique personality, temperament, and set of needs. Her hands-on experience with different breeds allows her to appreciate the importance of patience, consistency, and an individualized approach to training.
Marissa is passionate about helping dogs and their owners build strong, lasting relationships through clear communication, trust, and positive learning experiences. Her goal is to set every dog up for success while helping owners feel confident and supported throughout their training journey.
Programs are overseen by our Certified Behavior Consultant, Stacy Handler, and Instinct’s senior behavior leadership team.
Dog training in Boston: questions we get asked
How much does dog training cost at Red Dog Boston?
Private Coaching is $125 for a single 30-minute session, or a recurring monthly membership: $115 a month for one session, $220 for two, or $400 for four. Puppy Playcare is $65 a full day or $52 a half day. Board & Train Camp + Coaching and Day School pricing [to come]; your coach will walk you through it on your free discovery call. Prices are plus tax.
What is the difference between Board & Train Camp + Coaching and day school?
In Board & Train Camp + Coaching your dog stays with us overnight at Red Dog Boston for one to four weeks, for fast, concentrated progress, and owner coaching is included so you can keep that progress going at home. In Day School your dog trains with us by day, Monday to Thursday, and sleeps at home. The right fit depends on your dog and your schedule, and the free discovery call will help you decide.
Does Board & Train Camp + Coaching include coaching for me?
Yes. Owner coaching is part of every Board & Train program. It starts before camp, continues while your dog is with us, and carries on after they come home, so you can keep working with your dog on everything they learned. Your coach also stays in touch through the app and by email.
Can my puppy start training before all their vaccines?
Yes. A puppy can start Puppy Playcare at Red Dog Boston after their first round of vaccines, given at least one week before, and continue the vet’s booster schedule, following the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior position on early socialization.
Do you use shock collars or prong collars?
No. We train with positive reinforcement only: no electronic collars, prong collars or slip chains. That does not mean anything goes. We teach your dog what to do, set clear and consistent boundaries, and help you build a healthy relationship your dog can trust. If you use these tools now, there is no judgment; your coach will talk through alternatives with you.
Where do training sessions happen?
Private Coaching sessions happen at Red Dog Boston, 274 Southampton St, or virtually. Board & Train Camp + Coaching and Day School run at the resort.
How long does a training program take?
A Red Dog Boston program runs from one session to several months:Board & Train Camp + Coaching is 1 to 4 weeks, Day School about 3 to 6 weeks, and Private Coaching as long as your goals need.
Do I need a consultation before booking?
Yes, and it is free. Every training program at Red Dog Boston starts with a free 30-minute virtual discovery call with one of our coaches. After you book, you will receive a behavioral health assessment to complete before the call; it helps your coach understand your dog, so the conversation is about your goals from the first minute. On the call we talk through what is going on, start on first steps and recommend the program that fits.
Is dog training available at the other Red Dog resorts?
No. Dog training is offered at Red Dog Boston only. Daycare and grooming are at all seven resorts and dog boarding at six.
What happens after the program ends?
After a Red Dog Boston program you and your dog are Alums: you keep your coach’s check-ins and get online Q&As, seminars and an alumni group
My dog barks, lunges, growls or snaps. Can you help?
Yes! We work with dogs experiencing a variety of behavioral challenges, including barking, lunging, and reactivity. The best program depends on your dog’s individual needs, so we recommend scheduling a free 30-minute discovery call to talk through how we can help.
Good things happen when we work together
Book your free 30-minute discovery call
Thirty minutes, on video or phone, with one of our trainers. You tell us about your dog and what you want to change. We ask a few questions, explain which program fits, and tell you honestly what to expect from it.
What happens next
Book your call. Pick a time that suits you; your confirmation email arrives straight away.
Complete the behavioral health assessment. The confirmation email includes the link. It is online and self-paced, takes around 45 minutes, and helps your coach understand your dog before you talk, so the call is about your goals from the first minute. Your answers are read against Instinct’s data on more than 15,000 dogs.
The call, and your program recommendation. We review what we learned, set fair, reachable goals together, start on the first steps, and recommend the program that fits your goals, your budget and your dog. When you enroll, Aila, Instinct’s 24/7 AI behavior guide, and the Nature-Driven Nurture™ Foundations Course are included.
Prefer to talk?
Call (617) 830-8558 or email training@reddogpetresort.com.
Red Dog Boston
274 Southampton St, Boston, MA 02118 · Map and directions
Resort hours: Monday to Sunday, 7 am to 7 pm
Day School: Monday to Thursday, 10 am to 4 pm