A1K9 Academy

Sophia Zidow

2024-04

Brandon and I decided to send our new Golden puppy, Buddy, to training! A1K9 was our first choice based on all the reviews we had heard from friends. Even from the start Taylor and Teressa were super flexible on scheduling dates that worked for us and great about listening to our wants and needs for Buddy’s training goals. From the morning we dropped him off to the day we picked him up, two weeks later, they kept us updated on Buddy’s progress and growth. Half way through Buddy’s training he unfortunately had an accident in the yard. Both Teressa and Taylor called me right away and explained the whole situation. They asked our wishes on how to proceed with treating him. In caution we asked for him to go to vet to make sure all the boxes were checked. They instantly took him in and updated us every step of the way. Buddy was completely cleared by the Vet and ready to get back to training the next day! A1K9 has been a game changer for us. The day Buddy was picked up Taylor went over every goal we had previously talked about and showed how well Buddy can do all of them. Buddy’s skills from just two weeks of training are incredible. We can’t wait for him to go back in April to learn even more 😊 thank you to all the staff at A1K9 for keep our pup safe and happy!

Chad Halfaker

2024-04

I recently had the opportunity to send my male golden retriever to A1K9 academy for three weeks of boarding and training from Boston. He is an energetic 16-month-old who is definitely trainable, but has a very independent streak at times. I asked A1 to work on certain areas where he knows the command/behavior, but can be stubborn and at times decides not to listen (e.g., recall, leave-it, counter-surfing, etc.).A1 took exceptional care of him during his training. I received frequent, detailed written updates on his progress. In addition, A1 posts frequent videos on IG so that I could see his progress in training, and also just having a great time playing with the other dogs at A1. Watching all the happy dogs in their videos demonstrates how devoted they are to all the dogs in their care. Being able to see my dog's progress in training and just to know he is having a great time brought me peace of mind.When it came time to pick-up my pup from A1, Taylor spent substantial time to go over all the notes from his training. Moreover, Taylor took time to "train" me in all the techniques to continue with my dog at home. Although it was very difficult to be without him for three weeks, it was definitely worth it in the end. I know I will be able to rely on A1 for training advice in the future and will always have confidence that they will take great care of my golden when boarding him. I highly recommend their services to anyone looking to train and/or board their dog.

Jessica Schulte

2024-04

Taylor and A1K9 have changed our lives!!! I cannot say enough good things about our experience! We started working with Taylor a little over a month ago on behavior modification.My dog, Kane, is a 5-year-old rescue pittie with big emotions and reactivity issues. Over the last several years we have gone to multiple trainers with little to no results and “advice” that left us feeling defeated. One trainer even suggested surrendering Kane because of his reactivity! Obviously, that was not an option. We knew Kane was an incredible dog who just needed help that was beyond my capabilities.After meeting Kane, Sam at Timberline Treks referred us to Taylor and it was game on! We entered into an intense 30 days consisting of all-day training 3 days a week coupled with 1-1 sessions at the A1K9 facility and out in the world. Taylor worked literal magic with Kane, today he is a different dog in the best way possible. He is less stressed, happier, barely reacting on walks, and truly looks carefree. Even people in our neighborhood have commented on his change!! Previously people could not speak to me without Kane lunging and reacting and now we can have nice calm conversations with our neighbors.Taylor and Terresa both took the time to bond with Kane outside of training moments and they have become two of his favorite people. When we pull up to A1K9 Kane can’t get out of the car fast enough and runs straight to Taylor barely giving me a second glance goodbye. Kane previously would not leave my side unless he was on anxiety medication and now he acts like A1K9 is his second home!Taylor also has been a great coach to me. So many trainers I talked to or attempted to work with shamed me for not knowing how to handle Kane’s reactivity. Taylor did the exact opposite he took the time to coach not just me, but my boyfriend as well. He educated us on the best ways to engage with Kane and took all factors of Kane’s life into account when working with us.We still have work to do and are going to continue to work with Taylor and his team, but where we are today after just 30 days of work is truly unbelievable! Taylor and A1K9 have given Kane the life I always hoped he would have! We are endlessly grateful and are just in absolute awe at this transformation!!! #TeamKane🐾

Nina Flight

2024-04

A1K9 is truly the best dog boarding facility in Maine. We couldn't be happier with our experience. The owners are simply incredible—they genuinely care for every dog as if they were their own. Their passion and dedication shine through in every interaction, making it easy to entrust our dog to their care. I was so anxious leaving our dog for the first time and they were so understanding/supportive. Now we drop him off and don’t stress at all while away because we know that he is in such capable and loving hands. It's clear that he's treated to endless fun and attention during his stays by the trainers/owners. I wouldn’t send him anywhere else. He absolutely loves it there and runs for the door when we arrive. It's SO clean, they have plenty of outdoor space with lots of activities and the trainers are always in the yard with the dogs. They also always post stories on their instagram daily of the dogs playing so you can check in on your dog.A1K9 has created something truly special here, and we're grateful to have found them!!!!

Lindsay Tretter

2024-03

My 9 month old golden spent 4 weeks at A1K9 and definitely loved every second! I found A1 through my breeder and after following them for a short period of time I was already planning on eventually sending him there for training. Everyone there is so thorough and clearly so passionate about what they do. I was confident in my decision as I was seeing posts of what goes on behind the scenes (cleaning, training, good and not so good moments, improvements and running a small business realness etc). I loved seeing posts of him while he was there and was in contact with Taylor about how things were going- the original plan was for 3 weeks but he needed a little extra time to work on a few of our goals further and it was so worth it. The desire to truly understand and then educate is awesome. The love and energy they put into each dog is so apparent. We were sent home with a bunch of goodies and a thorough follow up email with a plan for continued success. I brought him from CT and already have plans for him to return for training and would/will even use them for boarding when feasible. I’m recommending them to anyone I can!

Lauren Symochko

2024-05

My husband and I are first time dog owners and we wanted to set ourselves and our puppy up for success. We researched many places as we reside in Connecticut, but were willing to make the trip to Maine for A1K9. We enrolled in A1K9 Academy's puppy program and it FAR exceeded our expectations! From the moment we met the owners, Taylor and Terresa, we were confident that our puppy, Abby, was in the right hands. Taylor and Terresa are incredibly passionate, honest, hardworking, and will care for your dog just as if it were their own. As Abby went through the program, Taylor gave consistent detailed updates about her progress, notes about her sweet personality, as well as pictures and videos of her time at A1K9. When we went to pick Abby up from the program, Taylor spent hours with us detailing everything Abby learned, how to continue training, and answered any and every question we had (and as new dog owners, we had a ton of questions!). Since we've brought Abby home, we've received countless compliments on how well-trained and well-behaved she is. If you're looking to train, socialize, or send your dog to daycare, A1K9 is 100% worth the time and investment!

Katie Lambert

2023-12

A1K9 has been a lifesaver for our family. We have a very energetic lab who is very stubborn when it comes to manners. He started out with a three week board and training program. They were so informative on what they were providing as far as training with our dog. We received weekly updates that were detailed and easy to understand. Cam, who was our dogs trainer, was nothing short of amazing. He not only trained our dog but showed a genuine love for him. Our dog is now obedient, but remains his silly self. We now have our dog in their daycare program as well as personal training sessions while in daycare. He comes home happy and exhausted. Their social media posts allow us to see him throughout the day, which is great! If I could give them a million stars I would. Board and train, day care, personal training… I reccomend them all, and I highly reccomend Cam. Our dogs smile says it all! Thank you guys so much!!

Nancy Kalbfell

2024-04

I highly recommend A1K9 for your pet training needs. I had my golden retriever Zoey attend a three week board & train with Taylor in the fall of 2022 when she was 10 months old and more recently my golden retriever puppy Chelsie was with Taylor for an eight week puppy board & train program (from 8 weeks old until 16 weeks old). What both of my puppy girls learned and experienced, at very different stages of their development, was phenomenal and has set each of them up to have full, happy and successful lives!During Chelsie’s eight week puppy board & train program she learned and is very responsive to the following commands: SIT, DOWN, PLACE, RECALL RELEASE and KENNEL and she also understands YES & NO and OFF. She also learned HEEL/LOOSE WALKING and walks very well. Chelsie’s response to the kennel command is amazing…. if I tell her to go to kennel, she will go running at warp speed to go into her crate. She also does a nice job of waiting patiently to come out of her crate and will sit and wait patiently for her food and has great door manners and will sit waiting patiently for her release word before stepping thru a doorway. Chelsie is a joy to our lives!Additionally, and equally as important, was the imprinting and socialization aspect of the puppy program that exposed Chelsie to many things during her critical learning stage (up thru 16 weeks of age) including:- Flooring & Surfaces: Chelsie was exposed to a variety of flooring & surfaces to help build her confidence and positive experiences on surfaces.- Toys: Chelsie learned what she can and can’t have with the word “NO” and with a redirection.- People: Chelsie was exposed to people, familiar and unfamiliar but always safe and friendly people. The goal was to teach her to do her best to remain calm and not get too excited, jumping, pawing, or nipping at the people she greets.- Locations / Outings: for a young puppy like Chelsie, this primarily entailed potty training. She learned to potty outside.- Dogs: with safety and caution in mind, Chelsie was exposed to other dogs (primarily Taylor’s own lovely pack of 4) so she could gain confidence and experience around dogs and be polite as well as comfortable around other dogs in the future.- Feeding Location: Chelsie became familiar with one feeding location (in the crate) for an easier understanding and transition once at home.- Species: Chelsie was exposed to seeing birds and squirrels etc. while on property and when she went off property to pet stores, she would also see birds, lizards, fish etc. to help get her familiar with other species and to teach her to not charge and chase.Zoey is and has always been a sweet puppy girl but after her board & train with Taylor she came back home to us as a phenomenally trained dog excelling at life enriching commands that have been a benefit to Zoey and a benefit to ourselves as her owners, including RECALL, HEEL/LOOSE LEASH WALKING and PLACE to name a few. Also, with the recent addition to our family of Chelsie, Zoey’s training has once again proven to be an asset as we work thru integrating two very high energy golden retrievers into our home and lives.I fully understand and embrace that the training did not end when my puppy girls left A1K9 and Taylor. They both came home with a good foundation, which I as their owner continue to reinforce on a daily basis and with ongoing training. I truly value Taylor’s knowledge and expertise and I appreciate that he is now a resource for life. Taylor & Terresa welcomed both of my puppy girls into their home and loved them as though they were their own. As a loving pet parent, I couldn’t have hoped or asked for anything better than this!

Jamie Parker

2024-04

I can't say enough good things about A1k9, Taylor & Terresa are amazing with Floyd. Floyd has been attending daycare here for 4 years now. The upgrades they have done to the building and play area are great. I believe they have a true passion for what they do and love each and every dog that attends as if they were their own.Floyd has had health and behavior issues throughout the past few years and they have worked with me and came up with plans and schedules that work for Floyd to continue attending daycare.I have 100% trust that when Floyd is there he is in great hands, I won't even leave him with friends or family, I'd rather spend money to have him with Taylor & the team for that peace of mind.I have used other large daycares and have not like the experience. I highly recommend supporting small local owner operated business's!!!Go A1K9!!!!!!!!

Linda Brady

2023-12

I have had my golden at A1K9 Academy for about 1.5 years it has been nothing but exemplaryHiggs spent days with Taylor on the beach working on recall. He’s still a puppy maniac when it comes to the beach but he is well behaved and listens to his commandsBoth Teressa and Taylor are top notch. Customer Service is beyond what I would have ever expected from a kennel. They both make you feel like you truly matter and are part of their own family. Higgs loves going there and all employees are very respectful and kind. I feel very fortunate to be included in this very special family. Thank you both for your continued service and mostly for your friendshipHiggs and I are very lucky!Linda B

jennifer welch

2024-04

We absolutely love A1K9! I would give more than 5 stars if I could. The owners are amazing! They are dedicated and truly care about every aspect of their business and it shows! They are both hands on and go above and beyond for the dogs and their clients. We struggled to find the right fit for our very high energy, quirky Vizsla but then we were introduced to A1K9 by a friend and that changed everything. Our dog loves going to doggie day care now and I know I don’t have to worry about a thing. He is thriving! Some days he requires some special love, and attention but they make sure he gets it. Taylor is extremely knowledgeable. He knows how to handle every type of dog situation and he expertly guides their staff. Also, if there is ever any type of issue at all the owners and the head trainer are very communicative, easy to talk to and understanding. They always put the wellbeing and happiness of the dogs first. Even when that may not be the most convenient thing for them to do or it requires a hard look and a difficult decision. I know I can count on them! They make sure to have the right staff in place and they are all absolutely wonderful! I love interacting with the owners and the staff at pick up/drop off which they make so easy and convenient! Thank you A1K9 for being the absolute best!

Chris Berard

2024-02

How to start.... just amazing! We dropped off our 11 mo lab Moose with Taylor, and it was clear he was in good hands at A1. Taylor was great with communication and provided thorough and thoughtful updates on Moose's progress.When it was time to pick Moose up we were met with a different dog. Although his training will continue at home in order to transition to a solid, well behaved dog at home, Taylor spent significant time detailing what he trained and how. He provided us with a follow up email afterwards, again, a detailed and thoughtful follow up.Would I hesitate to go back.... no. I intend to bring Moose back for day care, and additional training soon. Taylor -- thank you again and thanks for the swag. Awesome!!!!!

Stephanie Hardison

2023-12

I cannot say enough wonderful things about A1K9! For the past year, our dog has been attending daycare twice a week, and you can tell he has an absolute blast while he’s there because he’s fast asleep before we even exit their driveway! This serves as a true testament to the fun and enriching experiences he enjoys with his doggy friends.I’ve never once had concerns about his well-being and safety while at A1K9; the staff’s dedication is palpable, and it’s clear they genuinely care for each dog that enters their facility. And knowing that the owner, Taylor, is a professional dog trainer just adds that extra layer of comfort, as his understanding of dog behaviors and temperaments ensures proper handling.Beyond daycare, our dog has completed both the basic and intermediate obedience training programs and working with trainers Taylor and Cam has been wonderful. Their exceptional guidance extends not only to my dog but also to me. Their patience and thorough explanations, not just on the mechanics of each command but also on their significance, has been invaluable. If you’re considering obedience training for your dog, I wholeheartedly endorse A1K9.Overall, having A1K9 as part of our lives brings immense joy, and I cannot thank Taylor, Terresa, Cam and the rest of the A1K9 staff enough for their excellent care and love for our dog!

Anna Gardenier

2023-06

I send my Italian greyhound to A1 K9 for daycare on the days that I work. He is a very high energy and social dog, so daycare has been an amazing outlet for him. He gets so excited the minute we pull in the parking lot! The staff cares deeply for all the dogs which makes it easy to relax and know my pup is well cared for. Whether it is putting on his jackets so he stays warm, or responding to emails, they are so accommodating and I would recommend them to anyone!

Paiton Harris

2023-05

A1K9 is simply the best. You'd be hard-pressed to find another facility that cares so much about the dogs, owners, and services they provide. Our 1 year old chocolate lab, Moose, absolutely loves his daycare days at A1K9. No amount of tug, fetch, or walks can tire him out the way a single day at daycare does. A1K9 provides a clean, safe, and engaging environment for dogs to socialize and exhaust each other in the best way possible. When it comes to training, they offer a judgment free space for owners to learn how to best handle their dogs. I truly cannot say enough great things about A1K9 and am so happy that we have the opportunity to bring our dog to such a great place.

Peter D. Hicks

2024-02

THE BEST!!! Not only are they very professional and knowledgeable about their training techniques but Taylor and Terresa are also a lot of FUN! Our dog LOVED being at the board/train and not only learned a lot but also came back to us just a happier, more confident and more enjoyable companion. Highly recommended if you need a lot of skills training, a tune-up on correcting unwanted behaviors or just a great vacation for your dog.

Maizie Lee

2023-05

We recently attended A1K9s first group class and it was incredible. We were so Impressed with the whole weekend and Baxter. From inside group conversations to outside hands on, everything we learned we will take with us and carry on with him and Stella. It’s amazing what dedication from the owners and trainers can do to a dog within a day! I was not only impressed with Baxter, but also all of the dogs at the class. It was so fun to watch the dogs and owners improve just within two days. Taylors knowledge and expertise with the pups and owners is like no other and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Taylor and the business in the future. Professional, efficient, and expertise are all aspects that a dog trainer should possess and Taylor goes above and beyond all of those qualities. The effort that Taylor and Terresa put into each of the dogs in the class was like no other and you can tell how much joy it brings them to see the dogs succeeding and having fun all at once. I HIGHLY recommend signing up for the next group class as soon as it comes out if you want to learn from the best of the best.I cant wait to motivate our little happy man and keep up with his skills and practice daily with stella bear! We are so excited to continue our education and skills as owners with our pups.THANK YOU A1K9! Much love from us and the fur babies 😊

Charles Judge Jr

2024-04

Our Golden Retriever named Cali went to A1K9 for almost a year before we recently moved to California. We were fortunate to have Cali attend daycare and also board at A1K9. The staff was exceptional. When we asked about training they also helped us with that. Cameron Arsenault was Cali’s trainer. He did a magnificent job and my wife and I could see how much he loved working with Cali. The way Cali responded to Cameron was very apparent from the start. The skills Cali learned and more important what we learned has proven to be very helpful when being with Cali every day. Thank you Cameron for your dedication and passion to your profession. My wife and I along with Cali are the beneficiaries.

Arielle Singh

2023-12

**Edit to add that Enzo has just completed his basic obedience training and we cannot rave enough about the training we received from Taylor and Cam. From the very first session we saw immediate improvement in Enzo's listening capabilities and his leash walking. With a new baby at home it was important for Enzo to learn to listen and we were able to start utilizing the place command in just a couple of weeks. It's Enzo's favorite! He only progressed from there and passed his basic obedience test with flying colors!Our dog Enzo has been attending A1K9 for daycare for about a month and a half now and to say we are impressed with the level of care he receives would be an understatement. As he is a puppy and this is his first daycare experience we were very selective on choosing a place. We love that A1K9 has a very structured day, with scheduled break times and drop off/pick ups. Enzo get's very cranky if he doesn't get naps and we personally love that he has a chance to rest and recharge between play sets , creating a more positive and safe environment for all. Even with the mid day rests, he comes home exhausted and ready to nap at the end of the day! We have also seen a positive behavior change here at home. After spending just one day at daycare, Enzo changed his behavior on going into his crate. He readily ran into his crate when he realized he was being asked to go in. The day before we had to help coax him in with lots of treats. We love seeing how excited he is to go to daycare. He is always greeted with a belly rub and pets. Taylor, Terresa and the entire staff absolutely love dogs and you can tell they are passionate and excited about being at work every day! We look forward to using them for training in the future as well. Thank you for taking such great care of our boy!

Tiffany M.

2024-01

I have ordered paddles from A1K9 Academy twice now. Both times I have received my orders very quickly, with a personalized note inside. My dog absolutely loves them and starts dancing as soon as she smells the package. Thank you for such great customer service and such a wonderful product that keeps my dog entertained and happy.

Jennifer Bates

2022-05

Our family absolutely LOVES A1K9 Academy!! Our Cane Corso, Judge, was blessed to do his basic obedience and training with Taylor beginning around 6 months old. We know with a breed such as this, early training and socialization are of the utmost importance. Taylor and Terresa not only welcomed this large (sometimes intimidating) breed with open arms, they treated him like one of their own. He was given all the basic training skills, taken into the public for socialization and they worked with us to continue his training at home. Judge has also been boarded overnight with A1K9 and we were so confident in the care he would receive, we never worried while gone. Seriously, I think he was disappointed when we would come pick him up...haha!!We now have 2 Cane Corsos, and the training we got from A1K9 with Judge has helped us train our puppy Jury in record time!!! If you are looking for AMAZING training and care for your dog (OF ANY BREED), A1K9 Academy is the place to go!!!

Sadie Kalicky

2022-05

My Fiancé and I, and most importantly.. our dog, LOVE A1K9!! This is his happy place! We started our journey here with basic obedience training and daycare. Taylor took our stubborn French Bulldog puppy and worked his magic!I can not thank Taylor & Teressa enough for all their hard work + dedication they put into making sure these dogs have and live their best lives at daycare. They also offer boarding services which we have utilized many times and they go above and beyond with that as well.We have tried other daycares and our dog has never responded with such excitement as he does at A1K9. I love that Taylor & Teressa record a majority of the day and post to Instagram so I can watch my dog having fun! Having a peace of mind that you’re leaving your pet in great hands is so important and they just nail that.

Brittney Chapman

2023-05

I can not say enough amazing things about A1K9 Academy! Starting at the initial meet and greet, we knew this was the place for our puppy! Their whole entire crew truly cares about the well being, safety and fun for all the dogs in their care. I would highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for an incredible place to send their dog! I’ll let the picture speak for itself, that’s one happy pup!

Hayden Rolfe

2021-05

A1K9 has been the best experience for my pup, Berkley and I. As a new dog owner, Taylor has helped greatly by teaching me how to correctly train and handle a very energetic puppy. Berkley needed work on his listening skills and within a month I could already see a difference in knowing his basic commands and recall skills. I would highly recommend A1K9 LLC. Both Berkley and I are very happy with the results.

Nicole Nesman

2021-05

I can’t speak highly enough of Taylor and A1K9! We started bringing our four month old golden retriever for 1x1 training and immediately saw an improvement in our basic commands. Taylor was careful to explain how to practice with him at home in between sessions and provided regular feedback on his progress. Our boy is so excited to attend daycare at A1K9 twice a week now- it’s the perfect blend of socialization and training!

Joshua Mokarzel

2020-05

The owner, Taylor is passionate and knowledgeable about dog training. His dedication is evident and the results show in the dogs he has trained. I highly recommend A1K9 training. Give him a try, it will be one of the best decisions you and your dog could make.

Sara Trouillot

2023-10

If you live in Maine and don’t take your dog to A1K9 Academy you’re missing out! You have the best trainer and daycare right in your backyard.Taylor has trained my dog Remi in the past down in South Florida but my husband and I were finally able to make it up to Maine for the summer to have Remi trained consistently with Taylor. This has been the best decision we’ve ever made. Our Remi girl is trained, thriving and blessed. We were able to see the difference within seconds of reuniting with her. Not only did Taylor and Terresa pour their soul into training our little girl but they also followed up with an extensively detailed email that sets us all up for future success.A1K9 Academy is truly the best. Trust me, we wouldn’t have drove from Miami to Maine if it wasn’t.

Brittany Wassick

2023-06

Pemi joined A1k9 in 2022 and we could not be happier with the care and love he receives there. After some scary experiences at other daycares we came to Taylor and Terresa pretty defeated and nervous. They were so warm and comforting and we quickly realized our timid boy would be safe and insanely happy here. They took the time to get to know Pemi’s quirks and they work with us and our training style to ensure he has fun with his pals while also having structure. We know he is safe and happy here and that means so much to us.

Kristi McCarthy

2023-05

A1K9 is absolutely amazing. So thankful for them! This past weekend at their first ever group class I was able to learn SO much and get so much help with leash obedience. My dog is already walking like a brand new dog. And Taylor was so helpful in explaining the tools to use and how to use them correctly so you’re communicating with your dog! I plan on staying very connected to them in hopes to one day send Luna to their daycare but I will for sure will be attending other classes in the future🙂

Susie G

2023-05

A1K9 is the BEST! Taylor, Terresa, and the whole team really care about your dog. We've done boarding, board and train, and daycare care there and everything has been exceptional. I wouldn't bring my dogs anywhere else and I recommend them to everyone.Also want to make a special mention for dog grooming/baths! Really, reasonably priced and Sandy came back looking like a show dog. They even got her comfortable with the blow dryer, which she was always nervous about before. Thanks, guys!