About Riverside Canine Center

Training and day care on Bridge Street

Riverside Canine Center is a dog training and day care facility at 48 Bridge Street in Nashua, founded in 1998. It is owned and operated by Joan Lawson, who competes in agility and has experience in competition obedience, the conformation ring and sheep herding. Joan has been teaching pet obedience, competition obedience and agility for over 20 years, in private sessions and group classes.

Classes and facility

During the week the center offers doggie day care, private lessons and group evening classes in obedience and agility, including obedience for real life and a group class for reactive dogs. Weekends bring agility trials and seminars with national and international competitors. The 7000 square-foot heated training floor is covered with Great Mats and holds a full set of agility equipment, and day care dogs also use three shaded outdoor kennels. Puppy preschool instructor Kristy Williams, a certified veterinary technician, trained under a veterinary behaviorist and has run weekly puppy classes for the past 14 years. Canine massage, Reiki and ring rental round out the services.

What owners say

One student wrote: "Joan gets it, dog training is always fun with Joan." Another called her "a very patient and consistent instructor."

What to ask

Ask about upcoming class start dates and pricing for classes and day care.