POSITIVELY - BALANCED - DOG DAYCARE, BOARDING & TRAINING!

A passion ignited by family members early in his life, breeders of German Shepherds and Rottweilers, led Taylor to develop a lifelong interest in dogs. This enthusiasm for dog training and understanding canine behavior always lingered in the back of his mind, regardless of the path he took growing up. After graduating high school in 2011, Taylor embarked on his college journey at the University of Maine, pursuing a degree in business management. However, after years of working for a corporate seafood export company, he grew weary of the corporate dream and set out on a mission to find his true purpose. With no longer being at home with his family pets, his thoughts frequently wandered to dogs, training them, and how he could transform this passion into a career. This marked the beginning of a meaningful journey. He started volunteering at various dog rescues and shelters, such as the Animal Refuge League and Midcoast Humane Society, as well as working at dog daycare facilities after hours. By absorbing as much knowledge as possible about dog training practices, he prepared himself for the eventual goal of opening his own dog training business. In 2016, Taylor began offering complimentary dog training to his family and friends while honing his dog handling skills. As he progressed, he realized that there was much more to learn in the dog training world, particularly in behavioral modification, which was essential for achieving his aspirations to become a well-known, reputable, and reliable professional dog trainer. To further his education, he packed his bags and traveled to Texas with his wife Terresa and their second rescue dog to attend and graduate from Starmark Academy, a school dedicated to professional dog trainers. During this time, A1K9 Academy was established, with renovations underway for new turf yards and indoor training spaces aimed at providing personalized dog training, engaging dog daycare, exceptional overnight boarding services, and more upon his return from Starmark. Understanding the importance of knowledge in dog training, since graduating, Taylor has earned his AKC CGC evaluator title, STSK9 Master view program certification, e-collar certifications, puppy programs, and more. Since 2018, he has built a stellar reputation for himself and A1K9 Academy as one of the top dog trainers in Maine, New England, and throughout the East Coast, catering to dogs of all breeds, ages, and behavioral cases. He has even won accolades for Maine's best dog daycare, boarding, and training facility in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026! His physical space expanded from 600 sqft to over 7,000 sqft of indoor and outdoor areas between 2018 and 2022. Moreover, he has taken the initiative to mentor aspiring trainers and behaviorists. Taylor has successfully trained numerous nationally ranked show dogs, including Grand Champions like Goldiva Goldens, Geti, Sizzle, Sake, and Angels Envy. Specializing in basic to advanced off-leash obedience, breed-specific training, and competitive sports, he has also become a highly regarded behavioral modification trainer, addressing the most challenging cases involving both rescue dogs and purebreds. His commitment to improving the lives of dogs and their owners continues to shine, year after year, as he helps those with troubled, reactive, fearful, and aggressive dogs find ways to better fulfill and care for their beloved pets.

Terresa, a USM graduate with a degree in business management and marketing, joined A1K9 Academy early in 2019. Her experience and confidence in management and marketing quickly established her vital role as the overall General Business Operations Manager and Pack Leader! 

When Terresa joined A1K9 Academy in 2019, we were caring for roughly 10-15 dogs a day for dog daycare, boarding, or training, all without any staff. Since her arrival, we have grown significantly, now averaging between 38-40 dogs daily for daycare and training, while successfully managing and training a full-time staff of 4-6 members! Along with Terresa's impressive management and marketing skills, she has developed tremendously as a dog behaviorist, pack manager, and even as a K9 Handler. She immerses herself in every aspect of the business, learning and improving her skills in areas like behavioral modification and AKC CGC testing. Her passion for dogs, love for people, and open-mindedness to learning new methods have been crucial to the success of everyone here at A1K9 Academy, including our overnight boarding services. Terresa truly is the best!

Growing up in Queens, New York, Jordan would walk past the local dog store every day on his way to and from school, pondering why dog owners were so invested in their dogs' well-being and happiness. As time went on and Jordan matured, his first family pet provided him with all the answers he had been wondering about. After graduating from Saint Joseph College of Maine and playing basketball for four years, Jordan learned valuable lessons both on and off the court that he now applies in his everyday life. He owns two *very large* Cane Corso’s; one, Pia, is two years old and attended the three-week A1K9 Academy board and train program, establishing an amazing foundation in dog training, obedience, and habits to ensure she is under control in all situations. His second Cane Corso, Peanut, who is soon to be three years old, was rescued from a difficult situation and has some unique reactive and aggressive behavioral issues that we are addressing and improving here at A1K9 Academy through behavioral modification techniques. Jordan joined A1K9 Academy and over the years has become a reputable and reliable professional dog trainer. He started as a daycare attendant, learning about dog behavior and dog pack behaviors, and quickly excelled within his first year. Now, as our daycare supervisor and dog pack behavior specialist, Jordan is also shadowing Taylor's training sessions with the end goal of mastering the A1K9 basic to off leash programs & preparing dogs for the AKC CGC testing as well overseeing our dog daycare operations. With his positive, can-do, open-minded attitude, Jordan has become a perfect fit for the A1K9 Academy family, and we are very excited for his future here, especially as we expand our overnight boarding services!