Manners Matter Dog Training and Daycare, LLC

Manners Matter offers a variety of training programs. Their Board and Train program is a 4-week immersive experience where dogs live with a certified trainer, focusing on comprehensive training and positive experiences in a consistent, low-stress environment. It includes individual assessment, customized programs, positive reinforcement, and 90 days of post-program support for owners.

Day Training is a drop-off service allowing for immersive training while dogs return home in the evenings. Programs include Puppy Pre School (12-16 weeks, 3 days/week for 2 weeks) focusing on socialization, crate, and potty training; Well Mannered Dog (5 months+, 3 days/week for 4 weeks) covering basic manners like sit, down, settle, leash manners, and recall; and Community Canine (4 weeks, 3 days/week with 2 public field trips) focusing on real-world behaviors like leash manners, meeting people, and car manners. All day training packages include written homework, owner coaching sessions, and training equipment.

Private Lessons are available at their Nicholasville facility, suitable for owners with busy schedules, dogs with reactive personalities, new parents, or those needing help with specific behaviors. A 1-hour training consult is required to develop a customized training and enrichment plan.

Group Classes are offered most weekday evenings with small class sizes for individual attention. These include S.T.A.R Puppy (under 16 weeks, 5-week class) for age-appropriate manners and AKC S.T.A.R Puppy title, and Manners Matter (5 months+, open enrollment) covering polite greetings, leash manners, stay, recall, and working around distractions. A 90-minute Group Class Prep Course is required before enrolling in group classes.

Dog Daycare Enrichment Programs combine training, enrichment, and social interactions in monthly packages: Playcare (minimum 1 day/week, 5 days/month) for basic manners, tricks, and sensory enrichment; Mutt-essori (minimum 2 days/week, 8 days/month) for house manners, advanced sensory enrichment, and new skills; and Academy (minimum 3 days/week, 12 days/month) for elite social and advanced training, including field trips. A new student orientation is required for dogs not previously enrolled in their programs.

Pricing Summary

Prices for all services are listed on their scheduling or services pages. A 1-hour private training consult costs $95 plus tax. Day Training programs include Puppy Pre School for $325 plus tax, Well Mannered Dog for $950 plus tax, and Community Canine for $850 plus tax. Daycare enrichment programs are offered monthly: Playcare for $175/month plus tax, Mutt-essori for $320/month plus tax, and Academy for $725/month plus tax. Board and Train consultation fees are applied to the program fees.

Policies

Board and Train consultations are required and their fees are applied to the program fees. For Day Training, written homework, owner coaching sessions, and training equipment are included with every package. For Board and Train, trainers provide guidance and support to owners for 90 days after the program. Daycare packages are subject to expiration.

Manners Matter Dog Training and Daycare, LLC is Lexington, Kentucky’s premiere canine enrichment center, offering a full range of dog daycare and training services. It is the area’s only full-service facility owned and operated by a certified behavior consultant.

The business utilizes modern dog training techniques, focusing on positive reinforcement and teaching dogs what to do, rather than using correction collars, fear, or intimidation. They emphasize that training should be fun and engaging for both the dog and owner, viewing learning as a team sport.

The facility boasts over 5000 square feet of climate-controlled indoor training and play space, along with large turf play yards. They also have a second location at Reddog Farm, featuring a 41.5-foot pool with a dock for swimming and dock diving, and a 90×50 fenced turf yard on 23 acres.

Manners Matter exceeds industry standards in continuing education and certification, and is trusted by local veterinarians for client training and daycare needs. They prioritize veterinarian involvement in their dog care team.

Accomplishments

Manners Matter Dog Training and Daycare is owned and operated by Mandy Eakins, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. Mandy is also a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP), Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CDPT-KA), a Victoria Stilwell Dog Training Academy Faculty Advisor, an Association of Professional Dog Trainers Mentor, and a CGC Evaluator. She is also affiliated with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers.

Other team members include Andrea Breault, Becka Rossi, and Beck Armstrong, all Certified Professional Dog Trainers – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and CGC Evaluators. Beck Armstrong is also an AKC S.T.A.R Puppy Instructor.

The facility boasts over 5000 square feet of climate-controlled indoor training and play space with large turf play yards. Their Reddog Farm location features a 41.5-foot pool with a 41-foot dock and “puppy dock” for swimming and dock diving, set on 23 acres with a 90×50 fenced turf yard.

How to Get Started!

To get started with Board and Train, a consultation is required to assess the dog and discuss goals. For Day Training programs, a meet and greet can be scheduled. For daycare, a new student orientation is required for dogs not previously enrolled in their programs, which includes meeting trainers and touring the facility. For group classes, a 90-minute Group Class Prep Course is a required prerequisite. Private lessons begin with a 1-hour training consult. Clients can also schedule a brief phone call with a trainer for general questions.