Mirror Image K9

Mirror Image K9 offers a range of training programs tailored to different needs and learning styles. The Collar Connect Program focuses on enhancing connection and off-leash reliability through fair e-collar usage, available as a 6-week drop-off program or a 4-session in-person program. Puppy training includes a 4-week Group Puppy Class covering basics and socialization, and a Puppy 101 Package with four individualized sessions for new owners.

For ongoing practice, they offer Large Group classes for handling around distractions and Collar Connect Grads Class for alumni to maintain e-collar skills. The Canine Good Citizen Certification program prepares dogs and owners for the AKC ten-skill test.

Intensive options include the Day Train program, where dogs spend the day with a trainer for in-depth work, and the Stay & Train program, an immersive board-and-train-like experience where owners participate in video consultations and in-person day trains. They also provide specialized services like Veterinary Visit Support for anxious dogs and a Shadow Program for aspiring trainers.

Pricing Summary

Phone consultations are $25 for 15-20 minutes, while video consultations are $150 per hour. Individual training sessions at the center cost $200 for new clients (1.5 hours) and $150 for follow-up sessions (1 hour), with an additional $50 for multi-dog sessions. In-home sessions are $225 for new clients (1.5 hours) and $175 for follow-ups (1 hour), plus $50 for multi-dog sessions and a $25 travel fee if over an hour from the center. Custom packages are available after an initial session.

The Collar Connect Drop Off Program is $1350 without an e-collar or $1585 with an e-collar included, covering six day trains. The In Person Collar Connect Program is $825 without an e-collar or $1055 with an e-collar, including four individual sessions and one day train. Group Puppy Class is a four-week course for $300, and the Puppy 101 Package is $500 for four individual sessions.

Day Train program is $250 per day. Day Camp is $40 per dog per day, with the first day costing $75. Dogs classified as “Yellow” incur an additional $7 per day, and “Red” dogs an additional $12 per day. Boot Camp is $100 per day. Pet sitting is $70 per night, with an additional $20 per night for each housemate, not including Day Camp fees. Bathing services range from $15 for ear cleaning to $50 for trainer-assisted handling.

Policies

For the Puppy 101 Package, credits expire three months after the initial session, and partial refunds are granted on a case-by-case basis for emergency situations. Day Camp requires dogs to have completed prior training with MIK9, be spayed or neutered if over seven months old, and have proof of current Rabies, DHPP, Bordetella vaccines, and a negative fecal screening. New Day Camp evaluations are initially placed in the “Red” category for the first month, incurring an additional $12 per day charge, while “Yellow” dogs have a $7 per day additional charge.

The Day Train Program also requires proof of current Rabies, DHPP, Bordetella vaccines, and a negative fecal screening; an individual in-person session is mandatory if a dog struggles with crating. Pet sitting services are exclusively available to current or past MIK9 clients (those who have attended training, walking, day camp, or puppy classes) and are subject to limited availability, requiring dogs to either attend Day Camp with their pet sitter or live within 30 minutes of the center.

The Stay & Train program mandates the completion of all three video consultations before in-person services can begin. For Veterinary Visit Support, new clients must complete a phone consultation (at no additional charge) before scheduling, and clients are advised to await MIK9’s availability confirmation before booking vet appointments. The Shadow Program is observational only, with no hands-on work with dogs permitted for participants.

Mirror Image K9 aims to enhance the relationship between dog owners and their dogs by fostering understanding and balance. They believe that by understanding what dogs communicate, owners can become better leaders and humans, leading to a more balanced dog. Their mission is to help as many people as possible become the person their dogs need them to be, emphasizing that dogs change when their owners do.

They offer a variety of services beyond just training, including bathing, day camp, pet sitting, and therapeutic services like chiropractic and PEMF therapy. They focus on quality over quantity in their Day Camp, ensuring each dog learns something new daily through structured, learning-based activities.

Their training programs are customized to individual dog needs, covering skills like recall, off-leash follow, sit/down stay, and precision leash walking. They also provide support for specific behavioral challenges like reactivity and impulse control.

Accomplishments

Millie Braden, the Owner & Head Trainer, has been working with dogs since 2008, initially in kennels and as a veterinary technician before specializing in canine behavior and mental health. Sarah Tracy serves as the Director of Operations, holding a biology degree and prior experience in the veterinary field. Jillian Racicot, the Lead Assistant Trainer, began her career in the industry at age 15 as a kennel technician and veterinary assistant.

The team also includes Assistant Trainers Connor Howard, Easton Carver, and Brandon Ureke, all of whom possess a deep passion for dog psychology and behavior. Mallorie Burleson supports the team as the Administrative Assistant. The Mirror Image K9 team emphasizes their collective background in understanding dog psychology and their dedication to helping owners cultivate balanced relationships with their dogs.

How to Get Started!

To begin services with Mirror Image K9, new clients are typically advised to schedule an individual training session at the center. For the Collar Connect Program, an initial individual training session may be required to ensure program suitability. For Day Camp, prospective pack members must have completed prior training with MIK9 and are required to fill out an evaluation form, after which a trainer will contact them to schedule their dog’s first day.

For the Day Train program, an individual in-person session is a prerequisite if the dog struggles with crating. Pet sitting services are exclusively available to existing MIK9 clients. All services necessitate proof of current vaccinations, including Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella, and often a negative fecal screening, which must be uploaded to their Paw Partner platform.