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Puppy Training in Rhode Island

Our puppy training in Rhode Island turns a nippy, wild puppy into an obedient, well-mannered dog.

  • Listens and comes when called
  • No more biting, jumping or chewing
  • Potty and crate habits from day one
  • A calm, confident puppy in public

Click the button below and fill out a quick form to get started with a free consultation.

Bobby crouching with an Australian Shepherd puppy on a leash at an indoor dog show, early puppy training in Rhode Island
🐾Set Your Puppy Up for Success
🐶Training Built Around Your Puppy
🤝Lifetime Support & Guidance
🏠Results That Last at Home

Check Out Our Reviews

★★★★★
Rated 5.0 on Google
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Dianne D.September 2026
★★★★★

Bobby helped us with our three year old Bernadoodle Shelby. He was wonderful and helped to calm Shelby down. We also boarded Shelby with Bobby. I love the relationship he has with her.

R
Rachel H.September 2026
★★★★★

Bobby is truly the dog whisperer, and we highly recommend Grey Standard Canine Training. When we reached out to him, we were completely at a loss. We adopted Gogo as a 10-week-old Yorkie puppy, and he had always been joyful and energetic. Then, at 17 months old, he suddenly became aggressive. He fixated on our older dog, Lulu, and snapped without warning. I was bitten twice, and my husband was bitten once. These were not minor bites; Gogo would latch on and refuse to let go. Our vet ruled out any physical problems and said he was in perfect health. The hardest part was that our granddaughter, Alice, loved Gogo, but once his behavior changed, we could no longer allow her to be around him.
Gogo’s behavior became so serious that our vet said she would support euthanasia if it came to that. We considered every option—rehoming him, returning him to the breeder, or euthanasia. The final straw came when Gogo lunged at our daughter and her boyfriend, forcing them to jump onto the couch to get away. I immediately searched for trainers who boarded and worked with aggressive dogs. Bobby responded that same night, and I felt immediate relief.
After speaking with Bobby by phone the next day, I knew he was the right trainer for Gogo. Other trainers were not a good fit, but Bobby listened, explained that Gogo needed to learn how to be calm, and clearly cared about both dogs and their owners. He drove to our house to pick up Gogo, reassured us, and agreed to train and board him for three weeks while we were away. During Gogo’s stay, Bobby stayed in constant communication, and we knew we had made the right decision.
When Bobby brought Gogo home, he spent two hours teaching us how to continue the training. He walked with us and showed us what Gogo had learned. Before training, Gogo would often become scared on Thames Street, stop, and refuse to move. That day, he walked with confidence. Bobby also gave us practical suggestions for creating calm areas in our home, checked in the next day, answered every question, and even stopped by when he was in Newport. His support did not end when training ended.
Gogo has now been home for 12 days, and I recently realized that I am no longer afraid. Our house is calmer than it has ever been. When Alice visited, Gogo was calm and simply wanted to be by her side. Alice was thrilled to spend time with her dog again after more than three months apart.
The changes in Gogo have been remarkable. Before training, he did not eat consistently, pulled and stopped on walks, obeyed only when treats were offered, reacted to Lulu daily, and needed a Baskerville muzzle. Now he eats regularly, walks calmly, responds to verbal commands without treats, and settles quickly when redirected. Since coming home, he has only become upset three times, and each incident was brief because he responded to the tools Bobby taught us. I can now leave him home safely for longer periods without arranging my entire schedule around him.
While Gogo was training with Bobby, a close friend asked whether I thought I would ever trust Gogo again. At the time, I was not sure. Now my answer is yes. Bobby created an individualized training program that gave Gogo—and us—the skills we needed. The results have gone beyond our expectations. Whatever your dog’s training needs may be, look no further than Grey Standard Canine Training.

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Emily K.August 2026
★★★★★

I can’t even begin to express how thankful I am for Bobby and Grey Standard Canine Training! I’ve been training and breeding dogs for years, but I was completely stumped when it came to my dog’s herding drive around my horses. It was getting dangerous, she was constantly getting underfoot, and the confrontational behavior toward my horses was becoming a serious problem. Some horses could tolerate it, but others were more reactive, and honestly, it was a ticking time bomb. I couldn’t address it while on horseback myself, and it felt like a challenge I would never be able to overcome.

In just a few sessions, Bobby completely transformed the dynamic between my dog and horses. I never thought it was possible, but now my dog runs alongside me on horseback, and she doesn’t try to herd or nip at my horse’s legs. She’s calm, focused, and I can’t believe how smooth and natural everything feels now. The behavior that once felt uncontrollable and dangerous is gone.

What stands out most is Bobby’s intuitive understanding of both the dog’s natural instincts and the challenges I was facing with my horses. Bobby didn’t just apply basic training techniques; he tailored everything to fit my specific needs and the environment I was working in. It was clear that Bobby had a deep understanding of not just canine behavior, but how to adapt that understanding to real-life situations, like riding alongside horses.

I can finally ride with my dog by my side in a way I always dreamed of but thought was impossible. It’s such a relief to know that I can trust my dog around my horses, and the bond we’ve formed from this training is stronger than ever. I’m amazed by how quickly Bobby was able to address a situation that seemed so complicated. I never thought it would be possible to have a harmonious relationship between my dog and my horses, but Bobby proved me wrong.

If you're facing any kind of behavioral issues with your dog, I highly recommend Grey Standard Canine Training. Bobby is an expert, and the results speak for themselves. My heart is so full to be living this dream, and I can’t thank Bobby enough for making it a reality!

J
Joanne D.June 2026
★★★★★

Bobby trained both of our dogs, Skye and Luna, and we’re really happy with how they came home. They’re calmer, listening better, and just easier to manage day to day.

What we liked most was that Bobby didn’t just train them to follow commands. He helped us understand them better too, which made a big difference once they were back home.

Skye and Luna are still themselves, just with more structure and a lot more confidence. We’re really grateful for the work Bobby put into them and would definitely recommend Grey Standard.

M
Mickeal P.June 2026
★★★★★

Before taking him to Bobby, snoopy would be hyper and unable to relax. You take him for a walk and he’s walking you. Now after his training I can tell he’s learned a lot. He’s much easier to walk with and now can sit in a room without needing constant attention. He’s done a wonderful job with my dog and I would definitely recommend him to anyone else looking for a trainer!

C
Cristina M.May 2026
★★★★★

Where do I begin…I can’t thank Bobby enough. Since the first phone call I knew that he was the one for my Chuckie! The attention to detail, the knowledge, his personality, he made me feel comfortable and the worry and pressure came off my shoulders instantly!!! Pit bulls definitely get judged fast, and when you have one that has shown some aggression, it is really not easy finding a trainer who will even take that on. Most won’t. Bobby seriously blew us away with how good he was with my Chuckie. Honestly I didn’t know what we were going to do at that point. He stepped in, kept in touch with us the whole way through, and did everything he could to help. He ended up taking our dog for a board and train and the difference has been huge! He is doing so much better now. I really can’t recommend Bobby enough! He is not just a trainer, he’s family. He just has a natural feel for dogs and that is honestly rare. Bobby said that a piece of him stays with all the dogs he trains and I truly feel that…Thank you

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Emily H.May 2026
★★★★★

I can’t say enough good things about our experience with Bobby. We brought him a very challenging situation—a 3-year-old male Great Dane rescue with a traumatic past who was showing serious aggression toward our other dog and had begun resource guarding me. He came to us with no basic training or structure and with his intimidating size, and a young child in our home, we were facing the heartbreaking possibility of having to rehome him if things didn’t improve.
From the very beginning, Bobby approached the situation with confidence, honesty, and a level of realism that we truly appreciated. He didn’t sugarcoat anything, but instead gave us a clear understanding of what needed to be done and what to expect. His approach is unlike anything we’ve seen before—he takes the time to truly read each dog and works at a pace that’s appropriate for them, especially in high-stress, behavioral cases like ours.
We enrolled our dog in a two-week board and train program, and the transformation has been incredible. Bobby not only worked through the aggression issues, but also helped build a foundation of structure, communication, and trust that our dog had clearly never experienced before. Not to mention the additional tricks he learned along the way; sit, place, stay, heel. We are so impressed. The progress we’ve seen has given us real hope!

There is still work ahead, but thanks to Bobby, we now have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to continue moving forward safely and successfully as a family. Quite honestly, we believe he saved our dog’s life, without this intervention, he would not have been able to thrive in a home environment.

What sets Bobby apart is the support he provides even after the training is complete. He takes the time to work closely with you to make sure you feel comfortable, confident, and fully prepared to maintain the progress at home. He genuinely cares about both the dogs and their families!!

We feel incredibly lucky to have found Bobby. For anyone dealing with a difficult or aggressive dog, especially in a high-stakes situation, we cannot recommend him highly enough!!

N
Natasha S.May 2026
★★★★★

We got our Golden Retriever puppy and reached out to Bobby early on to help get him on the right track. We started with puppy lessons and later did a board and train, and it made such a difference. Our dog is calmer, more confident, listens really well, and is not jumping all over us like he used to. We’re super happy with how it all went and really glad we found Bobby. Would definitely recommend him.

L
Lynn F.April 2026
★★★★★

Bobby did a great job with our dog. The board and train program was tailored to our dog’s specific needs, and it was clear from the start how much thought and care went into everything. He was professional, thorough, and focused on getting real results. We saw a big improvement in behavior, and he made everything easy for us to understand on our end too. Highly recommend.

The Puppy You Were Hoping For

Puppy training isn’t about tricks. Here’s what our puppy training in Rhode Island gives your family.

A puppy who listens

Coming when called, walking on a loose leash and lying down to settle, with sit, down and place as the shared language between you and your puppy.

Nights you sleep through

The crate becomes your puppy’s calm place to rest, so bedtime is quiet and everyone wakes up rested instead of counting the hours until morning.

A clean house

A potty schedule your puppy follows, so you stop checking the rug every time you walk into the living room.

A gentle mouth

No more sharp teeth on your hands, sleeves and ankles. Your puppy knows what is for chewing, and playtime stays calm.

Polite hellos

Four paws on the floor when guests, kids and grandparents come through the door, instead of a puppy launching at their faces.

A confident young dog

Relaxed around strangers, traffic, other dogs and new places, so your puppy can join you on errands, outings and family trips.

From Nipping and Puddles to Good Manners

These are the struggles new puppy owners in Rhode Island describe most, next to what daily life looks like once the foundation is in place.

Your puppy right now

  • Bites your hands and pant legs
  • Pees on the rug the minute you look away
  • Cries all night in the crate
  • Jumps on guests, kids and the counter
  • Chews shoes, cords and table legs
  • Pulls and zig-zags on every walk
  • Tunes you out once something is exciting
  • Nervous of strangers, trucks and noise

After puppy training

  • Gentle play and the right chew toys
  • Potty breaks outside, on schedule
  • Quiet, settled nights in the crate
  • Four paws down for every greeting
  • Shoes and cords left alone
  • Loose-leash walks right beside you
  • Comes back when called, even at the park
  • Relaxed and curious in new places

Puppy Training in Rhode Island, Start to Finish

1

Free Consultation

Bobby meets you and your puppy, shares a few training tips you can use right away and designs a custom training plan built around your puppy and your goals.

2

Structure from the first day

House rules, a daily routine, crate and potty habits and clear expectations go in place right away. Your puppy learns how your home works instead of guessing.

3

Manners out in the real world

Once the basics stick, practice moves to sidewalks, stores and busy places, so your puppy stays calm and listens anywhere.

4

A session in your home, then lifetime support

Every program finishes at your house with the whole family. Bobby shows you everything your puppy learned and sets up the crate and the daily rhythm with you. After that, you have support and guidance from Bobby for the life of your dog.

Three Ways to Start Your Puppy

Each option gives your puppy the same solid foundation. At your free consultation, Bobby builds your custom plan around the one that suits your puppy, your schedule and how hands-on you want to be.

Puppy Foundations

One extended foundation session sets your house rules, routines and expectations, then follow-up lessons carry those manners into real-world situations and daily life. Best for families who want to learn alongside their puppy, and the gateway into the Grey Standard Canine Training system.

Puppy board and train

Your puppy lives and trains with Bobby, with structure around the clock that covers potty and crate habits, manners and calm exposure to the world. Pickup and drop-off at your home are included anywhere in Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts. Best for busy households who want the routine built for them.

In-home lessons near East Greenwich

One-on-one coaching at your home and around your neighborhood for families near our East Greenwich base, such as Warwick and North Kingstown. Best for owners who will practice between sessions; check on your call whether your town is within reach.

Early Structure, Lifelong Calm

Reyna, Bobby’s own Australian Shepherd, comes from working lines bred in Newport, Rhode Island. A high-drive herding puppy is not an easy start, and she was not a naturally easy puppy. Her structure began at four months old.

Before she turned six months, she was traveling internationally with Bobby, holding a calm down in busy airport terminals and staying neutral around wildlife and crowds. It wasn’t luck. It was structure, applied early and consistently.

That word, neutral, is what most owners miss about socialization. It isn’t a race to meet every dog at the park and every stranger on the sidewalk. A puppy who learns that each new face means a wild greeting grows into a dog who drags you toward people and barks when it can’t reach them. Bobby’s goal is a puppy who sees people, dogs, bikes and traffic, takes it all in and stays relaxed next to you.

Our puppy training in Rhode Island follows the same approach, adjusted to your puppy and your family.

Young Australian Shepherd Reyna lying calmly next to swans on a busy promenade, showing the neutrality early puppy training builds

Puppies Mirror the Home They Live In

Puppies copy the energy around them. If one person lets the puppy on the couch and another pushes it off, or every arrival at the front door turns into a party, your puppy learns that the rules change depending on who is home.

Bobby marries psychology with dog training. He looks at how your household really runs, then gives every person the same simple rules and words, so your puppy hears one clear message. That’s also why every Grey Standard Canine Training puppy program is one-on-one.

Ready to give your puppy the right start? Click the button below and fill out a short form for your free consultation. Bobby will ask what you want your puppy to do, share a few tips you can try this week and build a custom training plan around your puppy and your household.

In-home training session in a family living room with a small dog on a leash, like the home session that ends our puppy training in Rhode Island

The Puppy Stage Is Hard on Everyone

You pictured cuddles on the couch. Instead you’re up at 2 a.m. cleaning the crate, your forearms are covered in tiny scratches and there’s another puddle on the rug you cleaned an hour ago. Some days you wonder if getting a puppy was a mistake.

It wasn’t. Almost every new puppy owner hits this wall, usually in the first few weeks. Puppies bite, cry, chew and have accidents because they’re babies, not because you did something wrong or picked the wrong dog.

What’s missing is rarely love or effort. It’s a clear plan the whole household can follow.

Most owners tell Bobby on the first call that they just want a puppy who listens and is easy to live with. That’s a very reasonable goal, and puppyhood is the best time to start on it.

Why Puppies Bite, Cry and Have Accidents

Puppies explore the world with their mouths. Biting is how they play, test things and soothe sore gums while adult teeth come in. Without direction, nipping turns into a game, and a game with sharp teeth gets rougher as your puppy grows.

Accidents come from a small bladder and a brain that hasn’t yet linked the outdoors with the bathroom. Young puppies usually need to go after waking, eating, drinking and playing, often with very little warning. A puppy with the run of the house and no schedule simply picks the nearest quiet corner.

Crying at night is usually a young animal alone for the first time, without its littermates. A predictable bedtime and a calm crate routine turn the crate into somewhere to rest.

Then comes the teenage phase, often somewhere after six months, when many puppies test every rule. Puppies with a solid foundation still test, but they come back to the routine quickly.

Every puppy learns at its own pace, so the plan is customized to yours. The skills come in small steps, and the payoff is a well-mannered dog who listens and knows the house rules long before the teenage months arrive.

Golden retriever puppy chewing a sneaker on a living room rug, the kind of habit puppy training in Rhode Island fixes early

When Puppy Training Can’t Wait

Every puppy is a handful. These signs tell you the habits are starting to set, and the sooner a routine goes in place, the easier the fix.

✓ Biting that draws blood or scares the kids
✓ Accidents every day, even after outings
✓ Crying in the crate for hours each night
✓ Jumping that knocks over kids or guests
✓ Chewing furniture, walls or cords
✓ Pulling so hard that walks aren’t fun
✓ Growling over food, toys or the couch
✓ Everyone at home using different rules

If this sounds like your dog, you’re in the right place. Bobby has helped hundreds of dogs with problems just like these. Click the button below and fill out a quick form to get started with a free consultation.

Puppy Training Questions

How young can my puppy start training with you?

Structure starts the day your puppy comes home, since where they sleep, when they eat and where they go potty are all lessons from day one. Puppy Foundations and puppy board and train are one-on-one, so there’s no need to wait for a certain birthday or a class start date. At your free consultation, Bobby asks about your puppy’s age, temperament and what your vet has said about outings, then tells you when and how to begin.

Do you run group puppy classes?

No. Every Grey Standard Canine Training puppy program is one-on-one, so the whole session goes to your puppy and your household. That’s how Bobby gives every person at home the same simple rules and words, and your puppy hears one clear message.

Can you help with puppy biting?

Yes, biting is one of the first things families bring up. Puppies bite because they’re babies, not because you did something wrong. Bobby shows your family a short, calm signal everyone uses the same way, then how to show your puppy what to do instead, like a chew toy in place of your hand, and reward that.

Should my puppy do Puppy Foundations or puppy board and train?

Puppy Foundations suits families who want to be hands-on and learn the routines alongside their puppy. Puppy board and train suits families who want Bobby to build the routines first, around the clock, and hand them over in a session at home. At your free consultation, Bobby builds a custom plan around your puppy and your week, using whichever format fits best.

How long does puppy training take with you?

There’s no fixed number of sessions, because it depends on your puppy, your goals and how consistently the routine is followed at home. If your puppy reaches the standard sooner, great; if it needs more time, Bobby takes the time.

How much do you charge for puppy training?

That comes down to your puppy, your household and what you want your puppy to do. A mostly easygoing puppy who needs a few house rules and a puppy with a long list of struggles need different amounts of work, so every program is tailored and there’s no single flat rate. At your free consultation, Bobby gets to know your puppy, builds a custom training plan around your goals and gives you an exact quote, with no pressure to sign up.

Do you pick up puppies in Warwick, Providence and the rest of RI?

For puppy board and train, yes. Bobby collects your puppy at your front door and brings them home again anywhere in Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts, from Warwick and Cranston to Bristol, Wakefield and Newport. We’re based in East Greenwich. Puppy Foundations lessons and private lessons are for families closer to our base, so mention your town on the call.

Why choose Grey Standard Canine Training for puppy training?

Bobby sets up your whole household rather than teaching a few commands, and he coaches you as much as your puppy. He is the only trainer, holds a 5.0-star Google rating and gives you lifetime support and guidance for the life of your dog. Every puppy program finishes with a session in your home.

Get Started Today

Claim your free consultation for puppy training in Rhode Island. Tell Bobby about your new puppy, pick up a few tips for the week ahead and get a custom training plan built around your goals.