Board and train near Swampscott, MA

Which program is right?

The one-week Foundation program suits puppies and young dogs: obedience, leash skills, place, stay, recall, impulse control and household manners, with one go-home lesson. The two-week Advanced program suits dogs who have the basics but lose them outdoors, adding distraction proofing, real-world outings, neutrality, confidence building and two go-home lessons.

For dogs with fear, guarding or a bite history, the assessment matters most. Gabby will say honestly when a dog would be better served by Dogtown’s six- to ten-week behavior-modification program, or when a vet should be involved.

A practice plan for Swampscott

Swampscott also has a fenced dog park behind the Swampscott Cemetery. It needs a Pooch Pass and a Swampscott license, and dogs stay leashed until they are inside the double gate. It is a useful halfway house between the yard and the open beach for practising recall away from play.

Build up in order: home, then your street, then the dog park at a quiet hour, then the beach in the off-season, on a long line first. Summer is a leash season on the sidewalks along Humphrey Street and near the station, which makes it a good time to work on loose-leash walking and calm passing. Our recall and off-leash page explains why the long line comes before freedom.

• October to May: beach recall practice, long line first, below the high-water mark
• Year-round: dog park at quiet hours, calling away from play
• Summer: loose-leash walks and calm passing on busy sidewalks
• Any time: a short settle at Swampscott station as trains come and go

Getting your dog to Gloucester

Take Route 1A north through Salem, over the bridge into Beverly, and then Route 128 north to its end in Gloucester. The Pup Van can also collect board-and-train dogs from Swampscott. The $10 flat fare covers only Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea, so ask for van pricing from Swampscott when you enquire.

Swampscott is also on the commuter rail, but the van or the car is the practical choice with a dog and a bag of food. Book the free evaluation for a weekday morning; the slots open at 6:30 and close at 9:30.

Licenses, vaccines and cost

Swampscott licenses dogs through the Town Clerk at 22 Monument Ave, on a calendar-year license due by January 31, with a late fee from February 1. Bring the license and records for Rabies, DHPP and Bordetella to the free evaluation.

Pack your dog’s food in daily portions, label any medication and add one comfort item. Each stay is quoted after the assessment, and our cost page explains how prices are built.