Board and Train Programs in Maine

Yellow labrador learning off leash obedience during board and train program

Dog trainer working with labrador retriever puppies in board and train program

You're here because your dog needs professional training. You've probably looked at a few other places already.

Here's what you won't find anywhere else:

I train every dog myself. Not an assistant. Not a junior trainer. Me.

I've been doing this professionally for over 20 years, and I take a maximum of three dogs at a time. Your dog isn't a number here.

They'll train on a 15-acre working farm — sheep, chickens, ducks, wildlife, open fields, a confidence course, fenced and unfenced terrain. Your dog trains in the real world, not a parking lot. Not someone's spare bedroom. Not a basement with a treadmill. A working farm where the distractions are real, the terrain is varied, and the training has to hold — because there's a flock of sheep thirty yards away and your dog needs to listen anyway.

And when they're ready, we take field trips to towns, stores, and public spaces so the training holds everywhere your life takes you.

If your dog needs more time to meet my standard, I extend the program at no additional charge. The standard is the standard.

Now here's the part most trainers won't tell you: board and train works — but only if you follow through. I build the foundation. I give you the tools, the knowledge, and the protocols. What you provide is consistency.

I've been doing this long enough to know that when both sides do their part, the results speak for themselves. Our 50+ five-star reviews are proof.

If you're serious about training — not looking for a quick fix — we should talk.

Learn more about my background and training philosophy >>

What’s Included in Every
Board & Train Program

Garmin Delta SE e-collar training bundle included with King K9 Academy board and train

Professional Equipment

Dog trainer teaching golden retriever owners during private transfer lesson

Owner Transfer Lessons

Pick-up Service

An equipment package is required for all programs and is available for purchase at enrollment. Already own comparable equipment? We'll discuss your setup during your consultation.

Private one-on-one sessions where I teach you everything your dog learned — the commands, the timing, the handling. This is where the training transfers from me to you.

Complimentary within the Portland to Waterville corridor (approximately one hour each way). Arrangements outside this area may be available for an additional fee. You will pick up your dog from training, as I will be conducting your transfer lesson at our farm.

Training progress updates via phone and email during board and train program

Post-training email and phone support for board and train graduates

Communication Throughout the Stay

Updates via email, photos, and social media so you're never in the dark about how your dog is progressing.

Limited Lifetime Post-training Support

Email and phone support to troubleshoot and answer questions after your dog comes home. Because the first few weeks at home matter.

Siberian Husky puppy in puppy board and train program at King K9 Academy

The Puppy Head Start — Puppy Board & Train Program

For puppies 3-6 months old

The habits your puppy builds now determine the dog you'll live with for the next decade. This program establishes the foundation that prevents the problems other trainers charge thousands to fix later.

Your puppy will learn:

Core cues: Sit, down, kennel, place, recall, leave-it, potty on cue
Calming chant: You will learn a technique you can use at the vet, in the car, or any stressful moment
Foundational concepts: Heeling position, impulse control, stay, leash pressure response
Communication language: Yes, Good, No, Nope, and/or clicker (if desired)
Early behavior modification: Mouthing, jumping, demand barking, introduction to the concept of "No"

What makes this different: This isn't obedience drilling for a puppy. It's learn-to-earn — making training fun and fulfilling while building structured independence. Your puppy learns that you are the healthy center of their world without creating the dependency that causes problems later. You'll also receive personalized coaching tailored to your pup's breed and personality.

Most puppy programs are glorified socialization classes held in a pet store aisle. This is one-on-one professional training on a working farm, with a trainer who's been developing puppies for over two decades.

Includes: 1 private owner transfer lesson. Email troubleshooting support until your puppy is 6 months old. Pick-up and delivery service.

Duration: 1 week

Investment: $1,400

See The Complete Journey to save $600 when you plan ahead.

Australian Shepherd learning to heel during off-leash obedience board and train

The Complete Program — Off-Leash Obedience Board & Train

For dogs 6 months and older — Our flagship program

This is the full transformation. Your dog will learn to make the right choices — reliably, under distraction, in the real world.

Your dog will learn:

Commands: Recall (come), sit + stay, down + stay, heel, place, kennel, threshold manners
Behavioral understanding: "No" becomes a meaningful word your dog understands, knows how to avoid, and knows how to respond to
Communication language: Yes, Good, No (clicker if desired)
Behavior modification included: Leash reactivity, jumping, demand barking, counter-surfing, and other behavioral issues — included at no additional charge*

What makes this different: At most board and train operations, your dog lives in a crate in someone's basement and trains in their backyard. Maybe they go to a park. Maybe a parking lot.

Here, your dog trains around livestock on open acreage. They work through a confidence course. They navigate fenced and unfenced terrain where the consequences of not listening are real. They go on field trips to Bath, Freeport, and pet-friendly stores. By the time your dog comes home, the training isn't theoretical — it's been pressure-tested in environments most trainers can't replicate because they don't have them.

I train three dogs at a time. Not ten. Not twenty. Three. And if your dog needs additional time to meet my standard, I extend the program at no extra charge.

Includes: 2 private owner transfer lessons. Limited lifetime email and phone support for the training provided.** Pick-up service.

Duration: Approximately 3 weeks

Investment: $4,200

Payment plans available — ask during your consultation.

*Serious behavioral cases are assessed individually. We don't take serious human aggression cases. See Specialized Programs below.

**Lifetime support does not cover new or emergent behavioral issues or any additional training not included in the original training plan / agreement.

Dog practicing down-stay on sidewalk during board and train field trip

The Complete Journey — Puppy to Fully Trained Companion

Puppy Head Start → The Complete Program

For owners who want to do it right from the beginning.

This is how serious dog owners set their puppy up for life. Your puppy enters The Puppy Head Start at the right age, builds the foundation, and then returns for The Complete Program when they're developmentally ready. One relationship, one trainer, one path from puppy to fully trained companion.

The client who books this isn't hoping for the best. They're planning for it.

How it works:

Phase 1 — The Puppy Head Start at 3–6 months. Your puppy builds foundational skills, communication, and the right habits early.
You practice at home with coaching support from me during the gap between programs.
Phase 2 — The Complete Program when your dog is mature enough (timing based on breed, development, and individual readiness — we'll decide together).

Everything from both programs is included. All lessons, all support, pick-up included for both stays. You will come to the farm for your lesson and to pick up your dog at the end of each program.

Investment: $5,000 (save $600 vs. booking separately)

A deposit secures both phases. One contract, one commitment, one price.

Payment plans available — ask during your consultation.

Nicholas Sirios

"Our St. Bernard was becoming completely unruly and due to his size, a danger to our children. He was beginning to realize his sheer size and strength [...] He was a constant stressor on our family. We decided to do the board and stay, this was a bit of a leap of faith due to the significant investment. I can say now that this was some of the best money we have ever spent.

Specialized Dog Training Programs in Maine

Some dogs need something beyond our core programs — and some owners want something more.

Customized programs are available for:

Serious behavioral issues (not currently accepting human aggression cases)

High-level obedience: off-leash heeling, focused heeling, complete verbal discrimination, silent commands via e-collar

Custom trained behaviors: directed retrieves, task work, scent imprinting, search patterning, tracking

Public access foundations: for owner-trained service dogs, therapy dogs, or emotional support animals

These programs are built around your specific goals. Duration, scope, and investment are determined after a consultation.

Frequently asked questions

General

Puppies can begin The Puppy Head Start as early as 3 months old. This program builds the foundation that prevents the behavioral problems most owners face later. For The Complete Program, dogs should be at least 6 months old and developmentally ready for the physical and mental demands of full off-leash obedience training. When in doubt, call me — I’ll help you figure out the right timing for your dog.

Yes, when used by an experienced professional. I use only professional-grade e-collars from Garmin and E-Collar Technologies — precision tools, not punishment devices. E-collar conditioning is introduced gradually as part of a communication system that includes rewards, verbal markers, leash work, and environmental exposure. Many dogs respond to levels so low they’re imperceptible to humans. The e-collar is one tool in a comprehensive training approach, not the entire method.

I work with dogs displaying a range of behavioral issues including leash reactivity, resource guarding, and some dog-directed aggression. However, I do not currently accept cases of serious human-directed aggression. If you’re unsure whether your dog’s behavior qualifies, call me. We’ll discuss the specifics during a free phone consultation and I’ll be straightforward about whether I can help.

Three things. First, I personally train every dog — no assistants, no hand-offs. Second, your dog trains on a 15-acre working farm with real distractions: livestock, wildlife, varied terrain, plus field trips to towns and stores. Most programs train in a backyard, a parking lot, or a kennel run. Third, I take a maximum of three dogs at a time. That’s not a marketing line — it’s a capacity limit I maintain to ensure quality.

Every program includes owner transfer lessons where I teach you everything your dog learned: commands, timing, handling, and how to maintain the training. You also receive a complete equipment package to take home, and limited lifetime email and phone support. The training doesn’t end when your dog leaves the farm — I’m available to troubleshoot and answer questions as you transition into your routine at home.

Schedule Your Free Dog Training Consultation

Fill out a short form and receive an email scheduler to set up a phone call with me that works for your schedule. In this no-commitment free call, we'll go over everything — your dog, your goals, any issues — and figure out which program is the right fit.

Or call me directly at (207) 248-7900.

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Board and Train Programs in Maine