Hemlock K9 Training

Board & Train: 4-week intensive program where dogs live with the trainer, learning obedience, recall, loose leash walking, and behavior modification for reactivity, anxiety, and aggression. Includes owner lessons during and after the program. Day Train: 2-, 4-, or 6-week programs with daily training and drop-off/pick-up; includes off-leash skills, e-collar introduction (4+ weeks), and field trips (6 weeks). Group Classes: Currently on hold for winter. Owner Pack Walks: Monthly group walks for practicing obedience and socialization. All programs include owner homework and follow-up support.

Pricing Summary

Board & Train: $5,400 plus tax (4 weeks, includes follow-up lessons; financing through Affirm available). Day Train: $1,500 (2 weeks), $2,750 (4 weeks), $4,000 (6 weeks). Owner Pack Walks: $25 per walk. Day Train Drop-Ins: $50 per day. All programs include owner lessons and training tools.

Policies

Board & Train stays longer than 4 weeks are offered at no extra cost if needed. Financing available through Affirm. Drop-in spots for Day Train are limited and require booking via Pet Pocketbook portal. No explicit cancellation or rescheduling policy stated.

Hemlock K9 Training is a professional dog training business based in Avon, CT, serving the Farmington Valley area and beyond. Owned and operated by Melissa, a certified dog trainer with extensive experience under renowned mentors including Chris Byrne and Ches Pickering, the business offers personalized training solutions tailored to dogs with behavioral challenges such as reactivity, anxiety, fear, and aggression. Services include Board & Train, Day Train, Group Classes, and Owner Pack Walks, all designed to improve communication between dogs and their owners while addressing the dog’s mental and physical wellbeing. Melissa emphasizes owner education, ensuring clients are equipped to maintain progress after training. The business also provides ongoing support through follow-up lessons and a strong community focus, with many clients returning for continued guidance or bringing additional dogs. Melissa’s personal journey, shaped by rescuing and training her own dogs—including her late German Shepherd Bear—adds a heartfelt, experienced perspective to her training philosophy.

Hemlock K9 specializes in intensive, hands-on programs that immerse dogs in real-world environments, including off-site field trips and structured socialization. Their Board & Train program is their most popular offering, allowing dogs to live with Melissa and learn in daily life situations, while the Day Train program offers a local alternative for owners who prefer their dogs to return home each night. Owner Pack Walks provide ongoing practice in distraction-rich settings. All programs include owner lessons and homework to ensure long-term success.

Melissa’s team includes her own dogs—Kaya, Shark, Simba, and Goose—who serve as living examples of her training methods and the transformative results possible with consistent, compassionate training. Her background includes work with high-level working dogs, including police and protection breeds, and she regularly attends seminars with top trainers worldwide. The business is deeply rooted in positive, science-based methods with a balanced approach that includes e-collar use when appropriate, always prioritizing the dog’s emotional state and the owner’s ability to sustain progress.

Accomplishments

Melissa trained under Chris Byrne, former K-9 Bomb Detection supervisor for the World Trade Center recovery mission with over 30 years of experience. She completed a 6-month mentorship with UK trainer Ches Pickering from Phoenix K9 and regularly attends seminars with top trainers including Ivan Balaban, Jay Jack, and Justin Rigney. She has trained dogs ranging from 8-week-old puppies to 120-lb Cane Corsos with severe aggression and 12-year-old Coonhounds with anxiety. Her personal dogs, including Bear (rescue German Shepherd), Kaya (European protection dog), and Simba (current service dog in training), exemplify her expertise across diverse behavioral cases.

How to Get Started!

Interested clients must contact Hemlock K9 via the online contact form or phone to discuss their dog’s needs and schedule a consultation. Start dates for Board & Train require signing an agreement. Group classes are on hold until spring. Pack Walks require newsletter subscription for scheduling updates.