Top-Rated Dog Training in Providence, RI: Transforming
Canine Behavior with Crossbones

Training for your best friend

Do you need help with your dog’s behavior?

Does your dog have “selective hearing,” only responding to you occasionally? Or is your dog showing signs of fear, anxiety, or aggression? Our dog trainers and behavior consultants can help!

Crossbones Dog Academy offers a variety of dog training solutions depending on your budget, how quickly you want to see results, and how much of the work you’d like us to do for you.

These programs are for dogs over 6 months old.

Do you have a young puppy under 6 months old? Visit our Puppy Training page instead!

Learn more about our certified dog trainers

We are driven by the belief that early socialization, consistent training, and regular physical & mental enrichment are the keys to bringing out the best in any dog. We teach dog owners like you how to fulfill these needs, and provide services and products to set you up for success.

Crossbones Academy trainers with dogs at show

What Our Students Say

“A beautiful and easy-to-access facility. I’ve attended multiple workshops and learned so much each time. It’s clean; parking is free, and right next to the building. Kat and the rest of the staff are so helpful and super passionate about an entirely positive experience both for dog and human. We are lucky to have them in RI!”

Bethany McGuire

“If you want a well-behaved dog, this is the place. They’re expert trainers who not only give you the tools to train, but also the “why” behind it. Their policies can be a little difficult to navigate, and the prices can make your jaw drop. However, once you get over the initial shock, the policies make sense and you absolutely get a good return on the investment. The people are super nice. The training is quality.”

Jim Rizzo

“Our Bentley is 4-1/2 years old and spent almost the first 2 years of his training and daycare with crossbones. They were an intricate part of his development. He is the most well behaved boy! He’s a joy to walk, take to public places and social gatherings. I highly recommend them.”

Elvira Tahajian

Mastering Your First Dog Training
Class: Avoid These Common Mistakes

Here at Crossbones, our goal is that you hit the ground running and start making progress in your very first dog training class.

Positive Training Education

AKC Dog Agility Classes

Getting Started in Our Dog Agility Classes

Dog agility is a fast-paced sport that requires our dogs to focus and pay attention. A well-trained agility dog listens closely to its handler and absorbs a lot of information. As a result, it’s imperative that your dog can listen to you in a distracting environment, like a dog training class.

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Dog treats and clicker for dog training

The “Don’t Do It” List: Common Dog Training Mistakes

Even though we focus on the positive here at Crossbones, there are some behaviors (performed by both people & dogs) we recommend you avoid. Here are a few mistakes we see frequently enough to complain about!

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Dog treats for sensitive stomach

Sensitive Stomachs: How to Select Dog Training Treats

Does your dog experience loose stools after training class? While frustrating to deal with, the good news is with some prep work and support for your dog, you can reduce the likelihood it will happen again.

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Dog Training FAQs

Yes! Trained dogs are generally happier because they understand expectations, feel secure, and build a stronger bond with their owners. Well-trained dogs are a pleasure to be around. As a result, they get to enjoy day trips, vacations, invites to friends’ homes, and outdoor dining experiences while poorly-trained dogs are left home.

Barking is communication, so the first step is to identify the cause of the barking. Then it can be addressed through a combination of training, management, and enrichment. Our certified dog trainers and behavior consultants can help you determine why your dog is barking and how to humanely address it.

We recommend practicing at least once a day, for three to five minutes at a time. The more frequently you practice, the faster you’ll see progress. If you struggle to find the time to work with your dog yourself, our Intensive Training Programs can jumpstart the process for you!

Raising a dog is much like building a home. Depending on your expertise and time available, there are lots of DIY projects you can complete yourself, but the best way to ensure success is to work with an independently certified dog trainer or behavior consultant. Professional training avoids common errors, can address specific behavior issues, ensures proper socialization, and provides a safe, structured learning environment around distractions like other dogs and people. Our classroom experience and decades of professional experience can’t be replicated at home.

We do not offer service dog training at Crossbones. 

Typically, basic obedience training for dogs spans 4 to 6 weeks, requiring daily sessions. More complex skills or targeted behavioral modifications may prolong the training period.

Consistency is the number one rule in dog training. Consistent commands, routines, and reinforcement help dogs learn and retain behaviors effectively.

Yes, trained dogs are generally happier because they understand expectations, feel secure, and build a stronger bond with their owners.

To stop unnecessary barking, identify the cause (e.g., boredom, anxiety), and address it through training, enrichment activities, or behavior modification techniques.

Training frequency can vary based on your goals. For intensive progress, programs at our facility run Monday through Thursday, with additional private lessons. For a more flexible approach, our “From Basic to Brilliant” program involves one-on-one coaching every 1-2 weeks, supplemented by group classes to practice around distractions. Regular, consistent training sessions, whether daily or weekly, help reinforce good behavior and skills.

All of our appointments take place at our 8000 square foot dog training facility in Providence, RI.

All of our crew members use positive reinforcement based dog training methods. Our dog trainers and behavior consultants are independently certified through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers, and abide by a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice that call for using a “least invasive, minimally aversive” (LIMA) approach to training and behavior modification. 

In practice, this looks like rewarding dogs with food, toys, and praise when they engage in desirable behavior, and gently interrupting or redirecting unwanted behavior. Our goal is always to teach your dog what TO do, rather than set them up to make mistakes and punish them when they get it wrong. We do not use prong collars, ecollars (electric shock collars), or citronella spray collars. We teach owners to use a clicker to accelerate the training process, but its use is not mandatory. Our training system is enjoyable for dogs AND owners!

Yes! We have trained many dogs who are deaf or partially deaf. While they can’t hear the sound of the clicker, much of the training process is still the same. 

Absolutely! Your entire family is welcome to attend and participate in all private training appointments. We can provide age-appropriate coaching to children and involve them in the training process. In group training classes, for the safety of all of the participants, children under the age of 10 need to be supervised by an adult who is not training a dog.

The three C’s of dog training are Criteria, Consequence, and Consistency. By applying these principles, your dog will learn faster and the training process will be more enjoyable for both of you. With various training methods available, focusing on these core elements ensures effective learning and fun.

Start with basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come,” then progress to more advanced commands and tricks as your dog masters the basics.

Yes, professional training can address specific behavior issues, ensure proper socialization, and provide a structured learning environment, leading to a well-behaved and happy dog. At Crossbones Academy, we use the most effective, modern, and dog-friendly training techniques possible. We believe training should be enjoyable for dogs and owners.

The first thing to train a dog is basic obedience commands like “sit” and “stay,” along with house training and socialization skills.

Ready to
Start Training?