A1K9 Academy

A1K9 Academy Everything your dog needs and YOU want! A1K9 Academy officially began in 2018 offering a variety of

I take su***de and su***de prevention very seriously because this is part of my own story. For Su***de Prevention Month,...
09/01/2026

I take su***de and su***de prevention very seriously because this is part of my own story. For Su***de Prevention Month, I want you to understand who Milly was—and why A1K9 Academy exists because of her.

The day I seeked & found Milly, I was seriously considering ending my life. I was at the age where “I should have my s**t together” and I didn’t 😔. When I say this dog saved me, I mean it literally.

There were people trying to help me. I knew they cared, and their efforts mattered. But ultimately, Milly was the one who gave me purpose. She gave me a reason to keep going when I was struggling to find one.

I used to think it was a mental thing but really it was a disappointment thing. A battle with myself when it came to how dark I was getting. This is why I say, God willing, Milly blessed my life in tremendously impactful ways.

Over those next few years, raising her changed the direction of my life. The connection we had sparked a passion that led me to go to school, become a dog trainer, and eventually create A1K9 Academy. That entire path began with her.

I lost Milly this year. My soul dog. My heart and soul. And I want every person looking at these pictures to understand that her impact reaches far beyond my life.

If your dog has learned with us, gained confidence with us, or benefited from the care and training we provide, Milly is part of your dog’s story, too. Without her, there would be no A1K9 Academy. The work my teammates and I put our hearts into every day grew from the purpose she gave me.

That is why this means so much to me. When you see my passion for your dogs, you are seeing something that started with her.

Milly, you gave me a reason to stay and a purpose that became my life’s work. I will always make sure people know where it began. I love & miss you more than ever right now 🤍.

If you’re struggling, please tell someone you trust & know you’re wanted & loved.

09/01/2026

Almost 12 weeks old, and Griffin is learning fast. Even better, these sessions are sticking. 👏💙

One of my favorite moments in puppy training is asking for something and seeing that recognition: “I know what you mean.” Griffin is giving me more and more of those moments throughout my two-month puppy program.

Working with these Goldiva Goldens is fascinating. I get to work with both male and female puppies from a variety of litters, with different mothers and fathers. The breeding is exceptional, and even puppies with similar bloodlines and nearly identical looks can approach learning very differently.

Some pick things up incredibly quickly, and it makes me wonder whether that quick understanding comes from their mom, their dad, or something unique to that individual puppy. Spend enough time with them, and you start noticing what comes easily to each one—and what takes a little more explanation or repetition.

My program follows a consistent foundation, with the same goals from beginning to end. Some puppies transition to verbal commands within a month. Others need closer to the full two months. I make adjustments along the way based on what each puppy understands and where they need more practice.

That’s a big part of why I love this work. Years of experience give you plenty to teach the next puppy, and that puppy still gives you something to learn.

Griffin has been a whole lot of fun to teach. 🐾

09/01/2026

Your dog has a whole social life while you’re at work. We just happen to have the footage. 😂

There’s the pool crew, the playground regulars, and the dogs convinced we came to work exclusively to pet them.

Getting to know these personalities is one of the best parts of our job. Knowing who plays well together, who needs encouragement, and when someone needs a breather is how we care for them.

At A1K9 Academy, that attention goes into every day. Through play, guidance, and consistent expectations, we help these dogs build confidence, develop friendships, and practice good manners right in the middle of the fun.

A little glimpse into the days they can’t tell you about when they get home. 💙🐾

08/19/2026

They call them bull herders for a reason 🤷‍♂️.

08/19/2026

THIS is what real dog daycare should look like.. 👏🐾

Play and obedience shouldn’t exist in two separate worlds. In a properly structured daycare, dogs can be right in the middle of playing, hear their name, disengage from the excitement, complete a little obedience—and then be released right back into the fun.

That isn’t just impressive. It teaches impulse control, responsiveness, emotional regulation and how to make better decisions even when distractions are everywhere.

Dog daycare should never be an unsupervised free-for-all run by inexperienced staff standing around on their phones. It requires knowledgeable handlers, clear expectations and consistency—day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year.

Structure doesn’t take the fun away. Structure is what keeps the fun safe, productive and sustainable.

Training mixed with healthy play is the ultimate daycare combination—and in my opinion, it’s the only way dog daycare should be done.

This is not something we stage for a video. This is the standard we maintain every single day at A1K9 Academy. 💙🐕

08/14/2026

A snarl is information—not the whole story… 💭.

When Pretzel joined our pack Wednesday, we slowed everything down and introduced her one dog at a time, beginning with two small, friendly doodles who had no interest in crowding or pressuring her.

Even then, Pretzel was unsure. At one point, Stella simply walked past without even acknowledging her—and Pretzel snarled and snapped.

It would have been easy to label her “aggressive” based on that one moment. Instead, we read the dog in front of us. Pretzel wasn’t looking for a fight—she was overwhelmed, uncertain, and reacting from a lack of confidence.

With a different approach, clear guidance, and leadership, she quickly adapted. Pretzel began to understand that we—and this environment—were safe. She didn’t need to carry that tension or react defensively every time another dog came near.

What she truly needed was the opportunity to build confidence around other dogs, learn the expectations of the environment, and realize that she didn’t have to handle every uncomfortable moment on her own. 🐾

Address

630 County Road
Westbrook, ME
04092

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Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm

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+12078088001

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