Dog Lady of Forest Grove, Hillsboro & Portland Oregon. LLC

Training begins with clients texting their name, dog’s name, photo, and goals. Sessions are 2.5 hours weekly for 3–4 weeks, with in-home or public location training. Clients receive a goal list of 5 items, training booklets, and some equipment. Board and Train Camp lasts 7–14 days, with dogs living in Justine’s home, receiving 24/7 training, and attending public outings. A 30-minute “meet the dog” session precedes camp, and a 2-hour pick-up lesson follows. Ongoing text/phone support is provided between sessions.

Pricing Summary

Private lessons are offered in packages of 3–4 sessions, each 2.5 hours long, scheduled weekly. Board and Train Camp costs $1,700–$3,000 depending on duration and dog’s needs. Prices are not listed publicly; clients must text to discuss. No pricing is provided until after initial text inquiry.

Policies

Justine does not accept phone calls or voicemails—communication must be via text. She does not train puppies under 6 months or dogs with a bite history. Board and Train dogs must have up-to-date vet records, be neutered, housebroken, crate-trained, and attend doggie daycare. She offers flexibility in Board and Train duration if a client’s personal emergency arises, as demonstrated when she extended a dog’s stay during a client’s hospitalization.

Justine Merrill, known as the Dog Lady of Forest Grove, Hillsboro, and Portland, Oregon, offers private, one-on-one dog training services tailored to dog owners seeking practical, effective results. With over 30 years of hands-on experience, Justine specializes in training teenage dogs (6 months and older) in leash manners, off-leash recall, house manners, and public behavior. Her approach focuses on teaching owners how to communicate clearly with their dogs, emphasizing calm, consistent leadership. She provides in-home private lessons, weekly 2.5-hour sessions over 3–4 weeks, and a unique in-home Board and Train program where dogs live with her family for 7–14 days. Justine supplies training booklets and some equipment, and clients receive ongoing text/phone support between lessons. She does not work with aggressive dogs, puppies under 6 months, or dogs with a bite history. Her methods prioritize real-world application, with training conducted in public settings like stores, parks, and beaches to ensure transferability to the home environment.

Justine’s training philosophy centers on “training you to train your dog,” helping owners regain control and restore domestic harmony. She has trained over 2,000 dogs and their handlers, with many clients coming to her after unsuccessful experiences with other trainers. Her background includes 20+ years in competitive dog agility, and she holds multiple master titles on her own dogs. Justine’s home, called “Zen Happy Camp,” is a safe, structured environment where dogs thrive under her direct supervision.

She also offers a Board and Train program with round-the-clock training, daily updates, and a 2-hour pick-up lesson for handlers. Dogs stay in her home, not a kennel, and sleep within earshot. Clients must provide up-to-date vet records, neuter status, crate training, and daycare attendance for Board and Train eligibility. Justine emphasizes that her services are not a franchise—she is the sole trainer, with no subcontractors or outside kenneling.

Accomplishments

Justine Merrill has over 30 years of dog training experience and has trained over 2,000 dogs and their handlers. She has competed in dog agility for over 20 years as a member of the Columbia Agility Team and has earned multiple master titles and championships on her own dogs. She began training at age 12 and has developed her own customized training system through decades of hands-on work.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must text their name, their dog’s name, a photo of the dog, and their training goals to (503) 359-1676. Justine responds via text and does not provide pricing over text. No phone calls or voicemails are accepted. A “meet the dog” session is required before boarding for Board and Train programs.