New Beginnings Dog Training

New Beginnings Dog Training New Beginnings Dog Training offers private in-home training using positive reinforcement. We use positive reinforcement training methods. Going to the dog park?

Owner Martha Palermo, KPA CTP, is a professional dog trainer certified by Karen Pryor Academy in 2011. About Us:

New Beginnings Dog Training offers private training in your home, where your dog will be more comfortable and learn more quickly. I specialize in helping you and your newly adopted dog have a successful relationship. New Beginnings Dog Training services the areas of Metro West and Cent

ral Massachusetts. Please contact us today at [email protected] or 774-287-1398 for pricing and a free phone evaluation. Training Philosophy:

New Beginnings Dog Training teaches people and dogs though positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement allows dogs to be active participants in their learning and they become enthusiastic learners. They learn faster, are more engaged in the training process, and have stronger bonds with their people than dogs trained using punishment. Meet the Trainer:
Owner Martha Palermo, KPA CTP, is a professional dog trainer certified by Karen Pryor Academy in 2011. She specializes in helping newly adopted dogs adjust to their new homes. Martha has been involved in animal rescue for over 20 years. She was the founder and director of Bay State Dogs, Inc., a small local all breed dog rescue. She is currently a volunteer for National Newfoundland Rescue providing support to fosters and new adopters. Martha has worked with several other local shelters and rescues providing training and behavior assessments. Martha has a BS in accounting and a MBA from Bentley University. She is a member of IAABC, APDT, MAC, Doggone Safe and NCNE. Seminars and workshops that Martha has attended include:
Assess-a-Pet, TACT, The Genetic Basis for Canine Behavior, Dog to Dog Interactions and Sociability vs. Aggression Thresholds in Dogs with Sue Sternberg, How to Teach a Reactive Dog Class with Emma Parsons, and Cementing the Human-K9 Bond with Dr. Tim Lewis and Sue Sternberg. She also participated in an internship with Sue Sternberg studying the behavior of sled dogs at Eden Dog Sledding and the Un-Chained Gang. Martha completed Canine Body Language and Behavior Observation training with Kelley Bollen and is certified as a volunteer evaluator for the MA Animal Coalition program Animatch. Martha is a former adjunct faculty member at Becker College in the Animal Sciences Department and a former mentor trainer for Animal Behavior College. She has also been a Delta Society Pet Partner and a Reading Education Assistance Dog partner with her Newfoundland, Lily. She has also participated in nosework and agility classes with her dogs. Martha and her family currently have a 2 yr old Lagotto Romagnolo and a retired Quarter Horse. Services:
Caring for your New Puppy:
A training program that will teach you how to survive the first few months with your new puppy. We will cover house training and crate training as well as effective ways to manage the typical puppy behaviors of chewing, nipping, & jumping. Puppy Basics:
A training program for your new puppy (8-20 wks) that will teach your puppy the behaviors he needs to become a happy, polite, safe member of the family. Behaviors include:

Come when called
Sit
Watch Me
Settle on a bed/mat
Stay/Wait
Walk politely on a leash
Greet people without jumping
and more...

Manners for the Family Dog:
A training program for an older puppy or adult dog new to training or one that needs more practice. Helping your adult dog be a happy, polite, safe member of the family. Behaviors include:

Come when called
Sit
Watch Me
Settle on a bed/mat
Stay/Wait
Walk politely on a leash
Greet people without jumping
and more.. Taking it On the Road:
Are you uncomfortable walking your dog in your neighborhood? Bringing your dog to your child’s sporting events? Going anywhere in public with your dog? This program will take you on the road with your dog. We will go to a different public place every week and work on handling situations that arise when your dog is out with you. You and your dog will gain confidence. Kids and Dogs:
A training program designed for families with children that will teach your children how to interact with your dog so that they both stay safe and build a stronger bond. We will show your children how they can participate in the care and training of your dog as well as teach them fun games and tricks. The program will be custom tailored to be age appropriate for your children. Behavior Modification:

Is your dog fearful of people? Does your dog bark and lunge at other dogs when you are out walking? Is your dog protective of his food? Do you come home to destruction when you leave your dog alone? New Beginnings Dog Training offers programs custom tailored to help you manage and modify your dog’s undesirable behavior. We understand how stressful it is to live with behavior problems and we can offer solutions. We can help reduce the stress to your family and your dog so that you can peacefully co-exist. Contact us now for a behavior evaluation. Consultations:

Choosing the Right Dog for You:
Puppy or Adult? Which Breed? Adopt or Purchase from a Breeder? Once you have decided to bring a dog into your family we can help you to choose the dog that will best fit your family and lifestyle. If you decide to adopt, and we hope you will, we can ensure that you find a reputable rescue group or shelter. Puppy Preparation:
Are you a first time dog owner bringing a new puppy (or an older adopted dog) into your home? We can help you prepare by puppy proofing your home, providing a list of items you will need, giving you instruction on house training and crate training, teaching you the best way to introduce your new puppy to children and other pets, and more.

For my clients (and anyone else) practicing Treat & Retreat, check out Suzanne’s blog for some great information. If you...
05/31/2026

For my clients (and anyone else) practicing Treat & Retreat, check out Suzanne’s blog for some great information. If you have a fearful dog and have not tried this exercise it can build confidence and make their world a little larger while letting them feel safe.

There's a moment in Treat/Retreat that looks, to the casual observer, like a dog running away. Someone tosses a treat past the dog, deeper into the room, and the dog turns and goes after it. To anyone watching with the usual assumptions about fearful dogs, it might read as: dog got scared, dog fled.

That's not what's happening. Not even close.

Understanding why requires paying close attention to one specific thing: the dog's body as they move.

Most people have seen a dog fleeing something that frightened them. The body geometry is unmistakable. The tail tucks or drops. The back rounds. The movement is quick and scurrying, often with that characteristic low posture that says don't notice me, I'm making myself small, I need to get away from that right now. There's nothing relaxed about it. The dog's entire body is organized around escape.

That is FEAR running the show. And it looks a certain way.

Read more on the blog:
https://suzanneclothier.com/treat-toss-seeking-mode-not-fear/

Brenna and I attended Camp & Train on Saturday for water training. Despite the weather it was a great day. She was a roc...
05/25/2026

Brenna and I attended Camp & Train on Saturday for water training. Despite the weather it was a great day. She was a rockstar in a big environment with a lot of distractions. She had her first experience acclimating to the boat. Although she didn't want to get on the boat, she very willingly towed the boat which was so fun to see. Most importantly we had an excellent instructor, Erica Etchason, for the Intermediate Water Session. It was refreshing to have someone who was a science based trainer and used terms like cueing, clicker training, & shaping instead of the outdated methods we often see in dog sports. She met the dogs where they were in the process of learning a behavior and didn't just run the same exercise for everyone. I learned how to build drive when needed and how to improve on exercises that weren't solid. My performance anxiety is something I need to overcome and my timing and mechanics suffer because of it.
Thank you to Land & Sea Training for organizing an amazing event!

Brenna is ready for Camp & Train this weekend! Hoping to get her comfortable with the boat.
05/20/2026

Brenna is ready for Camp & Train this weekend! Hoping to get her comfortable with the boat.

05/07/2026

First swim of the year for Brenna! Off leash hike for Luce with her friends (forgot to get a picture). Happy to finally have some good weather!

How do you feel when you hear words like command, obedience, correction? What does that say about your relationship with...
04/27/2026

How do you feel when you hear words like command, obedience, correction? What does that say about your relationship with your dog if that is your language? Words matter!

Getting a beach walk in before the beaches close to dogs for the summer. Sniff walks provide mental stimulation as well ...
04/20/2026

Getting a beach walk in before the beaches close to dogs for the summer. Sniff walks provide mental stimulation as well as exercise. Let your dogs sniff!

Mine! To help prevent resource guarding, stop taking things from puppies (unless it's a life threatening item). Practice...
04/14/2026

Mine! To help prevent resource guarding, stop taking things from puppies (unless it's a life threatening item). Practice trading up. If your dog has a toy, trade for a more valuable item. Seamus was not a guarder and you can see that in his body language.

Looks like it's National Puppy Day! Here are some puppy pictures to brighten you day. Some of ours and some fosters over...
03/23/2026

Looks like it's National Puppy Day! Here are some puppy pictures to brighten you day. Some of ours and some fosters over the years.

After some long line sniff walks and recall practice, we did some pattern games. Pattern games, developed by Leslie McDe...
03/22/2026

After some long line sniff walks and recall practice, we did some pattern games. Pattern games, developed by Leslie McDevitt, build confidence, improve focus, and create predictability. Brenna and Luce love the 1-2-3 pattern which has helped with their loose leash walking. The 1-2-3 Pattern Game involves counting “1, 2, 3” out loud. On the count of “3,” the dog receives a treat no matter what. I start by conditioning it, teaching them that the "3" means treat, before I add movement. Once they understand we start walking. It's great for dogs that may be uncomfortable walking into the vet or walking by another dog on the street. Next time we practice I will get some video. Make learning fun!

This is Seamus working with Linda. She was a gift to us, helping to ease his anxiety and pain from IBD. Giving Seamus ag...
03/17/2026

This is Seamus working with Linda. She was a gift to us, helping to ease his anxiety and pain from IBD. Giving Seamus agency was important to me and she provided that for him.

"Wait...you don't have to touch the animal to help them?" 🐾

This question pops up more than any other. While in human Reiki, hands-on is the typical method, in the Let Animals Lead® Animal Reiki method, we follow the animal’s lead. We create a meditative space of peace, calm, and compassion, allowing the animal to choose the level of physical connection that feels safe for them.

❓Why no hands-on?

🐾It honors their agency: We let the animal choose if, when, and how they want to connect.

🌿It removes stress: For many rescue or nervous animals, initiating hands-on contact may feel like a threat. A meditative presence feels like an invitation.

🧎‍♀️‍It’s about 'Being,' not 'Doing': When we let go of the need to 'fix' them, the animal can move into a parasympathetic state of rest and digest and relax, supporting their innate ability to heal.

If you’ve ever wanted to help animals but felt like you didn't want to "intrude" on their space, this approach is for you.

Join me in 5 weeks for my Level 1 Let Animals Lead® Class! We’ll spend two days diving into how to build this beautiful, consent-based bond. https://circleofpeace.com/classes

Address

Grafton, MA
01519

Telephone

+17742871398

Website

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