Marigold Canine Coaching

Marigold Canine Coaching offers several training programs. The Board & Train program involves dogs staying at the trainer’s home on a securely fenced property, following an individualized structured plan that includes training, strategic interactions, hikes, dog sports, and enrichment activities. This program concludes with a private session for the owner to learn how to continue the training. Puppies under 8 months do not require an evaluation for this program.

Group courses for adult dogs and puppies are 1-hour classes held once per week at the trainer’s small dog training studio in rural Hollidaysburg, PA. These classes encourage immediate family members to attend and focus on foundational and intermediate skills like handler engagement, distraction management, recall, leash training, and tricks. Reactive or extremely fearful dogs are not permitted in group classes but are directed to private sessions.

Field Trips are a 4-hour drop-off service providing enrichment and light training, including long line walks at Canoe Creek State Park, focusing on recall, impulse control, and self-regulation. The Holistic Foundations program consists of three 1.5-hour private sessions designed to help owners find balance with their dog by focusing on meeting needs, self-regulation, understanding behaviors, and evaluating diet and environment for a comprehensive wellness plan. This program is suitable for behavior management/modification and fundamental training for new dogs. Single private training sessions are available for refreshers, building on behaviors, or addressing simple issues like house training, and can include puppy socialization.

Pricing Summary

Board & Train programs are $900 for 1 week or $1500 for 2 weeks. The Holistic Foundations program, consisting of three 1.5-hour private sessions, costs $375. Field trips are priced at $65. A single 1.5-hour private training session is $145. Pricing for group courses for puppies and adult dogs is not specified.

Policies

Group classes are not suitable for reactive or extremely fearful dogs; private sessions are recommended for these cases. Puppies under 8 months do not need to book an evaluation session for the Board & Train program. No other specific cancellation or rescheduling policies are provided.

Marigold Canine Coaching, led by Meg Mills, is a dog training business that focuses on building a trusting and working relationship between dogs and their owners. Meg has been a professional dog trainer since 2011 and applies LIMA (Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive) principles in her training philosophy. She believes in an individualized approach for each dog and owner, recognizing that every situation is unique.

The business offers a variety of services including Board & Train programs where dogs stay in Meg’s home for intensive training, private sessions for specific issues or refreshers, and group courses for puppies and adult dogs. They also provide “Field Trips” for enrichment and light training in outdoor environments.

Marigold Canine Coaching emphasizes a holistic approach, as seen in their “Holistic Foundations” program, which addresses a dog’s overall wellness, including diet and environment, alongside behavior modification. Meg is also an adjunct instructor for the Canine Behavior and Learning class at Saint Francis University, where she works with students and shelter dogs on Animal Assisted Therapy and AKC Canine Good Citizen Certification. She also serves as a mentor trainer for dog training students.

Accomplishments

Meg Mills has been a professional dog trainer since 2011, graduating with honors from ABC’s dog training course in the same year. She serves as an adjunct instructor for the Canine Behavior and Learning class at Saint Francis University since 2016, where she helps students and shelter dogs achieve AKC Canine Good Citizen Certification with a focus on Animal Assisted Therapy. Meg is also a mentor trainer, guiding dog training students in basic obedience cues and common behavior issues, and evaluating their teaching performance.

How to Get Started!

To enroll in the Board & Train program, clients must first book an evaluation session, unless their puppy is under 8 months old. For those experiencing multiple or complex training struggles, booking the Holistic Foundations program is recommended. Single private sessions can be scheduled directly. For group courses, clients are advised to contact the trainer for current dates.