SERVICES
Below is a list of services offered by Merrill's K9 Academy including Day School, Private Lessons, and Group Classes.
If you are planning on attending any group classes (including day school, or agility), please sign up online or send us a message. If you do not sign up and it fills up, you may not be able to attend.
Deposits for private lessons & group classes are required after booking - once you book online we will reach out to you for a deposit, or if you reach out to us to book we will discuss it then. Any no-call no-shows will be charged a cancellation fee.
Day School
Our Day School program is completely booked! If interested in joining, please fill out waitlist form (button below) or reach out for more information.
At day school, your dogs will get structured socialization with other dogs, while focusing specifically on training. Your dogs will learn that training comes first, even when in the presence of other dogs. With place beds around the training facility, your dogs won't be in kennels when they are not participating in play time, they will be on their place bed, working their minds, while other dogs are training around them in a very structured socialization environment! Consider day school the private school for your dogs!
Due to high demand, we have started accepted recurring bookings under a separate "Honors Students" Program. If you are interesting in booking on any of the below dates long term, please reach out and we can place you in the Honor's Class so your spot is held every week for the foreseeable future. Classes book up fast, so be sure to book ASAP or you will be placed on a waitlist!
Day school runs on Monday, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays
Drop-off is between 7AM and 9AM
Pickup is between 3PM and 5PM
1 Day per week: $55 per day
2 Days per week: $50 per day
We are currently completely booked for Day School. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please click the button above and fill out the waitlist form.
NOTE: Pricing is based on payment via cash, check, or venmo. Cancellations less than 48 hours in advance (unless due to injury or illness) will result in a 50% charge for the day.
GROUP cLASSES
NEW POLICY UPDATE:
50% deposit is required after booking. If you book online, we will reach out to you for payment. Pricing varies based on payment method. A no-call, no-show for class will forfeit your deposit.
Manners 1
Basic Obedience
Manners 1: Basic Obedience
Our Basic Obedience group class allows your dog to learn in an environment with other dogs and a lot of distractions!
Over the course of 5 weeks, your dog will learn how to walk on a loose leash, heel, recall/come, place/stay, sit/stay, and down/stay. We use a positive approach to training and trouble-shoot any issues that arise during training your dogs. Each class is 1 hour long with 10 minutes at the end of each class saved for socialization.
This class is perfect for puppies 12 weeks and older, as well as older dogs that just need a refresher!
Number of Weeks: 5
Course Total: $160 OR $150 if you pay via cash, check, or venmo
*If you think your dog can pass our test and skip to intermediate obedience classes, please reach out for a consultation*
Manners 2: In-Home Manners
Our Manners 2 class is all about extending our commands from basic classes and adding in-home manners! group class allows your dog to learn in an environment with other dogs and a lot of distractions!
Over the course of 6 weeks, your dog will continue to practice the basic commands we learned in Manners 1, with a lot more distractions. We also add the addition of leave it, sitting and heeling through doorways, go to place / kennel, heeling in a crowd, and introductions to greetings.
Each class is 1 hour long with 10 minutes at the end of every other class saved for socialization. The focus of this class is not playing, so we limit play groups to every other class to encourage dogs to work for you instead of playing with other dogs.
Number of Weeks: 6
Course Total: $190 OR $180 if you pay via cash, check, or venmo
*If you think your dog can skip to Manners 3, please reach out for a consultation or we can discuss it after Manners 1 class*
Manners 2
In-Home Obedience
Manners 3
AKC Canine Good Citizen
Manners 3: AKC Canine Good Citizen
Our Manners 3 class is aimed at training for and the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test, with the test being administered the last week of class!
Over the course of 6 weeks, your dog will grow on basic commands such as sit, down, and recall, as well as applying heeling through crowds. We also expand on Manners 2 class and start focusing on greeting other dogs and multiple people in different environments. We also take the class to really taper back the use of treats.
During week 5 of this class, we take a trip out in public to practice all that we have learned in real life!
Each class is 1 hour long with the possibility of play group socialization at the end of class. The focus of this class is not playing, so we limit play time to encourage dogs to work for you instead of playing with other dogs.
Number of Weeks: 6
Course Total: $275 OR $250 if you pay via cash, check, or venmo
*If you think your dog can skip to this class or Manners 4, please reach out for a consultation or we can discuss it after Manners 1 class*
Manners 4: AKC Advanced Community Canine
Our Manners 4 class is the most advanced AKC class we have to offer! Advanced Community Canine Course adds additional commands along with the final class administering the AKC CGCA test.
Over the course of 6 weeks, your dog will use all of the commands that we have worked on over the course of the last 3 classes and push their community behaviors. We work on adding more commands used in public and more distractions you would see in home and in public. The goal of this class is to be able to pass the AKC CGCA test.
2 weeks of this class will be spent out in public as well as 1 week of this class spent doing some sort of activity either in public or at our facility (reading to people / kids, or hosting some type of event).
The focus of this class is not playing, so we limit play time to encourage dogs to work for you instead of playing with other dogs.
Number of Weeks: 6
Course Total: $275 OR $250 if you pay via cash, check, or venmo
*You must have passed your AKC CGC test in order to take and complete this class - this is a requirement through AKC and cannot be changed*
Manners 4
AKC Advanced Community Canine
Private LESSONS
Merrill's K9 Academy offers private lessons for dog owners who want to work on specific training with their dogs. Our trainers work with you and your dog to come up with the best training option to create a healthy lifestyle and clear communication in your household!
Our training facility provides the ability to train in a neutral training environment. As training advances, we have the ability to easily introduce distractions in a controlled manner to as successfully work through every-day problems.
MK9A Trainers are knowledgeable on a variety of issues such as nipping / biting, jumping, counter surfing, and barging through the door, as well as common basic obedience commands.
Our training focuses more on proper greetings and socialization. While our trainers are not taking on behavior modification clients at this time, our private lessons do cover teaching your dog to be neutral around other dogs instead of barking, jumping, and pulling at the end of the leash when they see other dogs.
Our private lessons are great for families to all get involved in training. The flexibility of our private lessons allow us to focus on any commands from basic, intermediate, or advanced levels.
Why Choose us:
Classes are individual, allowing for a tailored training experience
Focus on creating calm behaviors around people and other dogs
A controlled environment to add as many / as few distractions as necessary
One-on-one lessons with our professional trainers include your entire family
Specific training styles are chosen to fit your lifestyle.
Pricing
1 Hour Private Lesson:
$80
OR
$75 if you pay cash, check, or venmo
For questions, please reach out via our website chat or text/call
207-530-7141
NOTE: Due to high demand, we are only taking very limited behavior modification clients. Behavior modification includes dogs who have past bites and/or show aggression towards people / other dogs. If you are unsure whether you qualify as behavior modification, please reach out and we can discuss!
