About Kittery K9

What they offer

Kittery K9 is a Kittery dog training business run by owner Scott Mace, who apprenticed with an experienced instructor, taught group classes for ten years at the Kittery Recreation Center and spent 20 years as a volunteer service dog puppy raiser.

Classes

Puppy and adult dog courses run for five weeks at the Kittery Lions Club on State Road. The first week is an orientation for owners only, then dogs and owners learn sit, down, stay, engagement, release cues and impulse control before adding duration, food and moving distractions, other dogs and noise. One-on-one private training is available on a schedule set with the client.

Approach

Training follows a ten-step process built on routine, luring, marking and rewarding correct behavior, then adding the verbal cue, a release, duration and distractions. Owners use part of the dog's meal as rewards so training fits into the daily routine.