Salty Dogs Obedience and Adventure

09/09/2025

Many many dogs come to Maine Canine Academy with underdeveloped, inappropriate, or no social skills. They come to us having been kicked out of daycare, barking on leash, or never having played with another dog. One of the things that’s so unique (and honestly impressive) about what our trainers do is we use stable social groups, intense understanding of micro communication and body language, management, relationship, and LOTS of training to help these dogs. Yes dogs in our care are learning to recall and how to walk on leash, but they’re also learning how to be a dog. Seeing a dog like Barney, who came to us with no play skills or experience, scared of other dogs, initiate play for the first time, is one of the most rewarding things I’ve experienced. This work is so worth it.

09/07/2025

It's workshop season! We have new learning opportunities for everyone:

⭐️⭐️ PUPPY PARENT WORKSHOP
Thursday, September 25th at 5:30pm
Living with puppies is hard! We're here to help! This workshop is for you to attend without your puppy to get answers to your questions concerning: house training, crate training, play biting, jumping, socialization, exercise and nutrition, equipment, mental stimulation, play biting (really, we know it sucks), chewing and destruction, resource guarding, training basics, stealing, PLAY BITING, and whatever other puppy shenanigans you're dealing with. In addition to the workshop you'll leave with our full workbook which includes all of our puppy training handouts.

⭐️⭐️ WOOFERS ANONYMOUS MONTHLY MEETING
Friday, September 26th at 6:00pm
Salty Dogs free humans-only meeting for folks who are dealing with reactivity in their dogs. This could be reactivity that stems from fear, from frustration, from lack of socialization. It could be directed towards unfamiliar dogs in the world, new people on the street, cars, bikes, etc. If your dog is lunging, pulling, barking, growling, panicking, escalating, embarrassing you, this meeting is for you!

We've been training dogs for over a decade and one thing that is more clear to me now than ever is 1. how many dogs and owners struggle with this but how at the same time 2. everyone feels so isolated, embarrassed, frustrated, and ashamed. We're hoping that by coming together for support, discussion, troubleshooting, and guidance, we can make some progress with our individual dogs and as a community. We need to look at the bigger picture of our dogs' lives, their wellness, their environment and learning. And we need to talk with others who get it.

⭐️⭐️ BREWERY DOGS
Sunday, September 28th at 2:00pm
We're teaming up with our friends at Naiad Country Brewery in Orland to teach a Brewery Dog Workshop! This 2 hour class is only for folks who have completed a level 1 or above class with us, or by instructor permission. It is an advanced class to work on real life skills and help your dog succeed in a distracting environment like a brewery or other real-life hangout spot. This class is great for folks working towards CGC/CGCA, Therapy Dog, or just want to broaden their dog's world and give them guided practice in a challenging environment.

We'll be practicing: How to greet others, how to *not* greet others, and how to tell which is appropriate, Settling in a spot, Leash walking and heel around distractions (and with items in your hands!), Ignoring distractions like other dogs, food, people coming and going, Stay with distance from you with distractions, Equipment you need to be successful, How to gauge how your dog is feeling

⭐️⭐️ LONG LINE HANDLING
Sunday, October 5th at 1:30pm
Long lines are great tools for training, enrichment, and safety, helping keep your dog attached to you while giving them more freedom and choice on your walk. We believe in helping owners achieve high levels of off-leash success and learning to use a long line as a stepping stone is a great way to build skills towards your goals.

Join us for this fun educational workshop where you can learn about the benefits of using a long line with your dogs. We will discuss pros and cons to using a long line, demonstrate how to use one and teach you:

What to avoid, Human and dog safety, How to handle the leash, What your body should be doing, Different ways to communicate while using the leash, Emergency procedures. You'll get hands on practice handling a line and learn the skills needed to give your dog more freedom safely *while there will be demo dogs at this workshop for you to practice with, this is humans only workshop and we ask you to leave your dogs at home so you can focus on handling skills for your end of the leash*

⭐️⭐️ TREATS 4 TRICKS
Tuesday, October 21st at 6:00pm

Halloween isn't just for humans!
Join us for our upcoming trick training workshop to celebrate fall and get your dog ready to entertain all your guests this holiday season!

The workshop will run for 1.5 hours and tricks taught will depend on the group and what they'd like to learn but could include: Take a bow, Sit pretty, Wave, Crawl, Hoop jump, Play dead! You'll leave with instructions on teaching more tricks and reminders on how to continue the work you've started. Costumes optional but encouraged!

Message us or head to our website for sign up!

09/05/2025

Raising toddlers and dogs? be aware of what you’re modeling. Your children are paying attention all. the. time.

If you yell at your dogs, they will yell. If you hit or otherwise abuse them, they will too.

Or, if you live at my house you’ll hear one of your 4 year olds outside “hey you can’t run in the woods Lana Kane it’s not acceptable” 🤷🏻‍♀️😂

09/03/2025

Tessa after spending time with her BFFs at Pleasantly Pampered Grooming

09/02/2025

Nine years ago I quit my job to do Salty Dogs full time. Maybe craziest decision I’ve made but definitely one of the best. Love all you Salty Dogs 😘

08/26/2025

We had so much fun with the Ellsworth Public Library this summer! We're working on expanding free programing and learning opportunities for folks of all ages this fall and winter. If you want to work with us or share an idea, please reach out!

Salty Dogs Obedience and Adventure brought Junior Dog Trainers to the library this summer, which was a howling good time for everyone!

08/24/2025

Finally our Fall class schedule is up! We have something for everyone: Basic Obedience, Wild Things, Canine Good Citizen, Woofers Reactive Dog class, Agility, Circus Dog, Conditioning and Fitness, and Holiday Hounds

Send us a message or head to our website for sign ups!

08/20/2025

A personal note here: I (Whitney) have been, and will likely remain for a while, out of work with a concussion. I’m doing what I can when I can but I guess hurting your brain is serious? 🤷🏻‍♀️

I have many, many unanswered messages, many clients waiting for notes or more appointments, and new fall schedules to make. I am truly sorry for the delays, I certainly don’t want to be going through this either. I appreciate so much everyone who has been patient, I hope to not keep you all waiting much longer!

08/20/2025

READ BEFORE RESPONDING:

This is a common thought in dog training and animal welfare circles, and is something I shared myself in 2019 (notably, before children) in which I agreed. Like any reasonable person I’m happy to say I’ve been able to take in new information, had new personal and professional experiences, and changed my mind.

It’s important to teach children how to be around dogs. I am proud to say my four year old twins are excellent at ignoring all dogs in public, have appropriate interactions with my two senior dogs, and have a deeper understanding of body language and social cues from dogs than I could have imagined. And my dogs tolerate living with my children incredibly well. But I’ve also spent the past four years training training training (my kids and dogs), managing whoever is easiest at the moment ( #1 dog training hack), and providing ample space, time outside, and opportunities to decompress for everyone. Are my kids and dogs best friends? Absolutely not. Do they live together safely and comfortably? Thankfully, yes.

So it’s not all on the children to learn how to behave. We can (and should) give dogs skills to properly interact and feel safe around folks of all ages. And if you’re struggling with that, we can absolutely help.

2025 update: READ BEFORE RESPONDING:

This is a common thought in dog training and animal welfare circles, and is something I shared myself in 2019 (notably, before children) in which I agreed. Like any reasonable person I’m happy to say I’ve been able to take in new information, had new personal and professional experiences, and changed my mind.

It’s important to teach children how to be around dogs. I am proud to say my four year old twins are excellent at ignoring all dogs in public, have appropriate interactions with my two senior dogs, and have a deeper understanding of body language and social cues from dogs than I could have imagined. And my dogs tolerate living with my children incredibly well. But I’ve also spent the past four years training training training (my kids and dogs), managing whoever is easiest at the moment ( #1 dog training hack), and providing ample space, time outside, and opportunities to decompress for everyone. Are my kids and dogs best friends? Absolutely not. Do they live together safely and comfortably? Thankfully, yes.

So it’s not all on the children to learn how to behave. We can (and should) give dogs skills to properly interact and feel safe around folks of all ages. And if you’re struggling with that, we can absolutely help.

08/19/2025

Anna, Jasmine, and Whitney had a fantastic time today working with the staff at the SPCA of Hancock County working on some long line handling skills! We’re so grateful to work with shelter staff who care so much about the quality of life of the dogs in their care ❤️

08/15/2025

Hey, humans? Try not to be so hard on yourselves. Training plans and management plans sometimes fail. Progress isn’t a straight line. Sometimes we just mess up, or forget, or don’t anticipate problems. Especially those of you who live with fearful dogs: it can be tough and it’s easy to be tough on yourself when things don’t go quite right. Be gentle with yourself and (try to) stop caring what it looks like from the outside. You’re not a failure. Your dog is not bad. You don’t need to “get control”. We’re only human and we’re all doing the best we can for these dogs. And they’re lucky to have you 😘

08/11/2025

A good day to cool off with our MCA big dog group! Featuring Monkey, Sedge, Tilly, CJ, Cassie, Pip, and Gracie ☀️