About Maine Trail Dogs

What they offer

Maine Trail Dogs is a play-based dog training business serving Bangor and the surrounding towns. Its trainer came to dog training through a career in biology, worked through several training philosophies and mentors, and is certified in the Training Without Conflict methodology.

How it works

Every program starts with a free phone consultation, followed by an in-person evaluation of about an hour and a half, after which the trainer recommends a program. Private lesson packages cover household manners, leash walking, recall, off-leash reliability and crate training, and can include play skills such as possession games and chase and catch, plus scent work. Extended packages are used for behavior modification with dogs showing anxiety, fear, reactivity, guarding or aggression, and a hybrid program mixes lessons with solo sessions for fearful dogs or dogs wary of strangers.

Puppies

A puppy package of four lessons spread over the first months covers household manners, crate and potty training, socialization, play development and puppy biting. In-home lessons are available across the greater Bangor area, with a travel fee for some locations.

Approach

Training uses positive and negative reinforcement, and the site notes it may suggest the use of aversive tools.