If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
About
Active Paws Inc. specializes in force-free, positive reinforcement dog training that helps you build a better life with your dog.
Our certified trainers use evidence-based, reward-based methods to teach practical skills, address challenging behaviors, and build strong, trusting relationships between dogs and their people. We don't just train your dog—we teach you how to communicate effectively, reinforce the behaviors you want, and prevent and manage the behaviors you don't.
Whether you're raising a puppy, working through a behavior challenge, or simply want a better-behaved companion, we offer a variety of training options and price points to fit your needs.
Your dog's safety and well-being are always our priority. All Active Paws staff are certified in pet first aid and CPR, and we are fully insured and bonded. Our trainers have professional credentials and a reputation for providing knowledgeable, effective, and compassionate training.
We believe training should be fun—for both ends of the leash! We love helping people raise confident, happy, well-mannered dogs while giving them the skills they need to enjoy life together.
Force-free. Evidence-based. Effective. Fun.
or ask your friends and neighbors why they recommend Active Paws!
Overview
Hired 85 times
Serves Bolton, MA
Background checked
2 employees
23 years in business
Business hours
SunClosedMon9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Apple Pay, Cash, Check, Credit card, PayPal, Stripe, and Venmo.
Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.
2023
2022
2021
Services offered
Dog training package
Dog size
Extra Small (1 - 15 lbs)
Small (16 - 25 lbs)
Medium (26 - 40 lbs)
Large (41 - 70 lbs)
Dog training type
Private lessons
Projects and media
Projects and media
Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.
Excellent 4.9
43 reviews
5
98%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
2%
Your trust means everything to us. Learn about our review guidelines.
Read reviews that mention:
Bob B.
Aug 13, 2021
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Hired on Thumbtack
Where do I start. Let's just summarize. Cara is flat out AMAZING!!!! Here's some adjectives to describe Cara. Prompt, caring, energetic, smart, knowledgeable, well educated, and quite honestly THE BEST!! Thankfully we found Cara and Active Paws at the perfect time. We are first time dog owners and Cara is perfect at understanding us as well as our puppy Roxie. She trains us in a common sense manner teaching positive reinforcement through "clicker training". Because of her not only is Roxie thriving but our whole family is so enthusiastic about working and training with Roxie. When Cara comes it is the highlight of our week as well as Roxie's! Roxie just loves Cara. If you are looking for training and any help whatsoever with your dog get in touch with Cara and Active Paws!!!
Details: 0 - 6 months old • Extra Small (1 - 15 lbs) • Private lessons • Puppy training • Leash pulling • House training • Barking • Digging • Biting • Chewing • Destructive behavior • Crate training • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Yanira A.
Mar 3, 2021
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Hired on Thumbtack
Active paws is amazing! I wrote to them, they replied promptly and matched me PERFECT with the exact trainer I need for my out of control Miniature Pinscher. Not every trainer is for every dog and active paws knows this so they hook you up with who fits your needs!
Details: 1 - 2 years old • Small (16 - 25 lbs) • Private lessons • General obedience training • Leash pulling • Barking • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Hannah S.
Jan 28, 2021
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Hired on Thumbtack
I am so happy we found cara! Our French bulldog puppy koko was having many difficult behaviors like chewing, barking, being aggressive with my children and just overall not listening, having accidents in the house etc. I was ready to spend thousands to send her away to be trained but cara reassured me that after 2-3 sessions she would have a lot of improvement. To be honest I was skeptical but after 2 sessions and 2 weeks working with cara in our home koko is a different dog! We are all much happier and I am so impressed at how smart she is and how much we could teach her in a short time with the right tools. She is bonding with us and my kids and I am feeling so much less stress and am excited to see how much we can teach her! We had such a great experience with cara and look forward to working with her again when koko is ready to progress. She was always very quick to respond with any questions we had. Hire her you won’t regret it!
Details: 0 - 6 months old • Small (16 - 25 lbs) • Board and train at a facility • Puppy training • House training • Barking • Digging • Biting • Chewing • Destructive behavior • Crate training • At the pro’s location
Dog Training
Rachel E.
Jul 8, 2020
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Hired on Thumbtack
Cara did so much good for my mental health during her visit. I was losing my mind trying to train my smart, energetic puppy, and getting nowhere. Now it feels like he and I are on the same team, and I no longer panic when he “isn’t behaving”, which is somehow already MUCH less frequently, it’s freaking incredible. She made the core concepts of positive reinforcement training easy to understand and showed me how to apply them to my puppy in real time. He loved her SO MUCH. It was so constructive. She also gave me some great reference material to look at when I am not sure what to do. It just feels really good to be training my dog in a way that makes us BOTH feel happy and loved. If I could give a thousand stars instead of five, I would.
Details: 0 - 6 months old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • Private lessons • Puppy training • House training • Barking • Biting • Crate training • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.
Active Paws Inc.'s reply
You guys are SUCH A GREAT TEAM!! Keep up the awesome work, you know I’m here for support. Thanks for the amazing review!!
Dog Training
Molly C.
Apr 20, 2022
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Hired on Thumbtack
Thank you Cara!! I so appreciate you spending time with Maggie and our family. It was great working with you and all your training advice, can’t wait to see the results!
Details: 0 - 6 months old • Medium (26 - 40 lbs) • Private lessons • Puppy training • House training • Biting • Chewing • Leash pulling • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Credentials
Background Check
Cara Armour
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
We provide a premium service at a fair price, our initial training sessions all include an hour of private training at your house or other select location, packet of information, a clicker and 2 weeks of phone/email support.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
We have an initial form to fill out so that we can make certain that our training services will meet your needs.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
We have an on-staff certified dog trainer, Cara Armour, KPA-CTP, FFCP. All staff are certified in pet first aid & CPR, we have won a slew of accolades as well.
