Mountainside Mutts is a premier, female-owned small business in Rutland County, Vermont, specializing in modern, rewards-based dog training and behavior consultation. We offer both private coaching sessions and group classes to meet all your dog training needs. Our passion is helping dedicated pet parents set their new dogs up for success. Our signature Puppy Start Right program provides foundational training and socialization for puppies aged 8 to 16 weeks. As the only certified dog behavior consultant in Rutland County, we address common behavior problems like nuisance jumping, leash-pulling, and fear of strangers using humane methods, without resorting to aversive tools like prong, choke, or shock collars.
Training & services
Training goals
Behavior consultationProgram details
This meeting is designed for us to get to know each other, determine your objectives, and to provide you with advice and recommendations so you can implement behavior change at home. · Listed price: From $150.00
You consider your dog well-trained but he does one or two things that drive you nuts. Perhaps he barks incessantly or lunges on leash. Behavior modification will involve training but is more often concerned with changing your dog's emotions about something. · Listed price: From $150.00
House training
Leash training
Puppy trainingCustomer-reported
Recall training
Socialization
Behavior support
Aggression training
Fear and confidence
Jumping up
Reactivity training
How training happens
Group classes
Owner coachingCustomer-reported
Private trainingProgram details
Package includes: 75 minute initial consultation, four 1 hour training sessions at our facility, 2 (1 hour) training field trips, and a 2 Hounds Design Freedom Harness. This basic manners package is designed for the adolescent dog who hasn't had any formal training. We'll introduce marker training, build attention, name recognition, sit, down, stay, relax on a mat, teach polite walking and greetings, and set the foundation for a fabulous recall. · Listed price: From $795.00
Dog age
Adolescent dogs
Adult dogs
Training level
Beginner training
Training approach
Force-free training
Positive reinforcement
Additional services
DaycareProgram details
Dog daycare at Mountainside Mutts offers a safe, enriching space for dogs to enjoy companionship, gentle play, and rest all under the guidance of professionals who understand canine behavior. Perfect for pet parents who want peace of mind and pups who thrive on company and routine. · Listed price: From $50.00
Dog daycare at Mountainside Mutts offers a safe, enriching space for dogs to enjoy companionship, gentle play, and rest all under the guidance of professionals who understand canine behavior. Perfect for pet parents who want peace of mind and pups who thrive on company and routine.
A negative fecal taken with 7 days of first attendance and proof of vaccinations (Distemper, Parvovirus, DHPP, Rabies, Bordetella) will be required before attending. · Listed price: From $50.00
Other listed services
View 17 additional details
Basic Manners For Real LifeProgram details
Designed for dog parents navigating the challenges of adolescence, this course helps address common nuisance behaviors such as jumping on guests, pulling on the leash, and unreliable recall. Ideally suited for graduates of Puppy Start Right, this program builds on foundational skills to promote better behavior in everyday situations.
The course includes five group sessions plus one private 30-minute coaching session to provide personalized guidance. New students must schedule their private session at the time of registration.
Proof of vaccinations (Distemper, Parvovirus, DHPP, Rabies) will be required before attending. No aggressive, reactive, or overly fearful dogs. No females in heat. · Listed price: From $200.00
Puppy Start Right (Mondays)Program details
Puppy Start Right is a fun, hands-on group class designed for puppies aged 8 to 16 weeks. Each weekly session focuses on introducing your pup to new experiences, people, and the foundations of training using positive, force-free methods. While social play is included, its a small part of the curriculum and only takes place when puppy temperaments are a good match.
Our open-enrollment format means you can start anytime your schedule allows or soon after bringing your puppy home. With a maximum of 5 puppies per class, youll receive plenty of individual attention. Theres no minimum enrollment, so if no other puppies are registered, youll enjoy the bonus of private instruction at a group rate!
Classes are informal, supportive, and engagingcome ready to learn, laugh, and participate!
To attend, puppies must be 12 weeks or younger at their first class. We require proof of Distemper, Parvovirus, DHPP vaccinations, and a negative fecal test dated within 7 days of the first session. · Listed price: From $165.00
Initial Strategy SessionProgram details
With the exception of puppy programs, all of our private training services start with an initial 75-minute meeting. This is a chance for us to get to know each other, determine your objectives, design a training plan, and start some foundation work with your pup. You will be able to upgrade to one of our training programs within 7 days of the initial meeting. · Listed price: From $165.00
Puppy Start Right PlusProgram details
Everything you need to get your pup off to an extraordinary start. This package is designed to provide the fun and support of our popular Puppy Start Right class but with the benefit of private fine-tuning for crate & potty training, and dedicated targeting for your unique puppy problems. · Listed price: From $340.00
Real Life Manners CoachingProgram details
Package includes: 75 minute initial consultation, four 1 hour sessions at our facility, & 1 customized training field trip. If your pup has completed some basic training already, but appears to have forgotten everything, this is the package for you. We'll refresh pup's memory of basic manners such as sit, down, and place, and build their loose leash walking and recall skills against distractions. · Listed price: From $625.00
Behavior CoachingProgram details
A comprehensive, supportive program for dogs struggling with fear, reactivity, aggression or other complex behavior challenges. · Listed price: From $650.00
Puppy JumpstartProgram details
Set your puppy up for success from day one.
Well cover the foundations that make life easier including focus, calm, behavior, handling, and preventing common issues like biting, jumping, and pulling. Youll learn how to communicate clearly with your puppy, using modern, reward based training.
Perfect for young puppies and first time puppy owners.
This is a 5 session private coaching package designed for pups first few weeks at home. Well start with a (1 hour) strategy session and then schedule 4 (45 minute) sessions.
This package if for puppies under 6 months old. · Listed price: From $495.00
New Dog JumpstartProgram details
Help your new dog settle in and start off on the right foot.
This program is designed for newly adopted or rehomed dogs. Well focus on building structure, understanding your dogs behavior, and establishing good habits right from the beginning.
Whether your dog is a rescue, rehome, or simply adjusting to a big life change, New Dog Jumpstart helps you create clarity, structure, and a calmer start from the beginning.
Includes one 90 minute initial strategy session and three 1 hour coaching sessions at our facility.
This package is for dogs 6 months of age and older. · Listed price: From $495.00
Muttessori (Thurs)Program details
Listed price: From $35.00
Basic MannersProgram details
A 6 session course for dogs between 16 weeks and 6 months of age. No aggressive, reactive or overly fearful dogs.
This class is intended for new dog parents who may not have attended a training school before. This is a foundational course and will cover basic training principles and core pet dog manners. The first class will be for people only - no dogs in attendance until week 2. One of the 6 sessions will be a private 40 minute training class - to be scheduled with the instructor.
Proof of vaccinations (Distemper, Parvovirus, DHPP, Rabies) will be required before attending. · Listed price: From $200.00
Bmod single sessionProgram details
Stand alone behavior modification sessions. Mileage fees will apply for appointments held elsewhere than our facility. · Listed price: From $135.00
Muttessori (Fri)Program details
Listed price: From $35.00
Muttessori (Tues)Program details
Listed price: From $35.00
Muttessori Meet & GreetProgram details
This is a 1-hour pre-attendance session where we:
1) Get to know you and your dog
2)Review any training youve already done
3)Discuss your goals
4)Determine whether Muttessori is likely to be a good fit
5)Decide whether to move forward to a try-out · Listed price: From $100.00
Dog School 3xProgram details
A subscription to Muttessori (our "day care plus" program) provides a 10% discount on weekly bookings. · Listed price: From $420.00
Indoor Dog GymProgram details
An all-weather exercise option for you and your dog. Youll have exclusive use of our gym, Fit Paws equipment and obstacles for 30 minutes. · Listed price: From $30.00
Private Dog ParkProgram details
Tired of off-leash dogs? Fed up with a dirty dog park? Looking for some fun with your dog without having to worry about other people and their out of control dogs? Our private and fully-fenced play area is available for your exclusive use. · Listed price: From $15.00
Confirm current programs and availability directly.
Business-stated qualifications
Qualifications stated by the business, not independently verified.
5/5We cannot speak highly enough about Als, she is incredibly patient and kind with both our dog and us! She's a true expert in her field, guiding us through the training process to polish some 'unwanted' behaviors with our 3 year old pupper. You can tell she loves what she does. Ou…Read full reviewClose full review
We cannot speak highly enough about Als, she is incredibly patient and kind with both our dog and us! She's a true expert in her field, guiding us through the training process to polish some 'unwanted' behaviors with our 3 year old pupper. You can tell she loves what she does. Our dog goes to her 'day school' every Tuesday and comes home exhausted from all the learning and playing with the other dogs and takes all the training that she learns in school and applies it at home. Als and her side-kick Nikki are the best in town !
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Leslie Carpenter
5/5I am so happy Ginger and I came to Mountainside Mutts for puppy training. It was extremely helpful for both of us to get a foundation for training and a good bond between us. We had several private classes and learned a lot. Als also provided handouts for everything we learned in…Read full reviewClose full review
I am so happy Ginger and I came to Mountainside Mutts for puppy training. It was extremely helpful for both of us to get a foundation for training and a good bond between us. We had several private classes and learned a lot. Als also provided handouts for everything we learned in that session to refer back to which was great. I highly recommend her. Positive reinforcement with constant training. I will be looking forward to more classes soon. Ginger absolutely loved Als and I can't say enough about her positivity and care for my little pup!
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Judith Godzik
5/5
Als and Nicki are fantastic! My dog Ellie just loves going there. They are patient and kind to both owner and pup❤️. Would not hesitate to recommend Mountainside Mutts.
P
Paula Gagnon
5/5
Very knowledgable trainer. We learned a lot to help train our pup.
K
Katherine Stiles
5/5
I took the group basic manners course and learned a lot! Als was so patient and informative. Even though it was a group class, we got lots of individual attention. Als did a great job addressing specific behaviors for each dog in the class. My dog and I had a great time. I'm looking forward to taking some of the advanced classes in the future!
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.