About Rampant Canine Dog Training and Rehabilitation

Who they are

Rampant Canine was founded by Hayley Smith, who signs the site as "Trainer/Founder" and gives her own email as the business contact. The site says the business "was originally established in Kittery, Maine in 2008" and calls itself "this female owned business". Her background is given in her own words: she started as a kennel technician at 13, moved into "rehabilitation and training of shelter dogs and American Pitbull Terriers", and has been a "Member of PSA (Protection Sports Association) for over 15 years". She is also described as a "certified tester and evaluator for aKC and cgc".

Where they work

This is a home-based kennel rather than a commercial facility, and the site treats that as the point: "Our family home in a country setting allows for dogs to acclimate quickly as opposed to a more crowded space or giant facility". Dogs get "secure, covered outside kennels as well as indoor crates located in a temperature controlled boarding and training space", with "24 hour supervision".

What they offer

The published service directory lists in-kennel board and trains, on/off leash training, socialization and integration, in-home training, behavior modification and rehabilitation. Board-and-train packages can include puppy foundation, formal obedience, advanced obedience, off leash, protection, behavior modification and public training. In-home work is offered "in the comfort of your home" and can cover obedience, house manners, integration and public training. Personal-protection and sport work is listed separately, alongside a weekend Bite Club.

How they train

Balanced, with e-collar conditioning used openly for off-leash reliability: "We use the most humane e-collars on the market." Rehabilitation is the distinguishing part of the business — the site claims "We have been rehabilitating dogs for over 25 years" and takes shelter pulls, abuse cases, severe anxiety, and dogs whose aggression has put them at risk of being euthanized. A dedicated decompression space is claimed: "Our rehabilitation room provides a safe, quiet place for dogs to decompress which helps us build a trusting relationship." Behavior cases listed include "Human Aggression/Dog Aggression" and "Reactivity".

Worth knowing

Ask about prices when you call. The business also breeds and sells dogs and offers stud services, which is a separate line from the training. The site says a veterinarian can come on site to collaborate as part of the initial consultation.