SumDog K9 Training & Boarding

SumDog K9 offers private lessons for individualized training goals, group classes for socialization and basic obedience, and an intensive board and train program where dogs stay at the facility for 1–4 weeks with daily training in obedience, tracking, and protection (when appropriate). Behavior consulting is available for specific issues like reactivity, separation anxiety, and biting. Tracking lessons focus on scent work and mental stimulation. Sport protection training (IGP) is offered only to qualified handlers with suitable dogs, following strict safety and ethical guidelines. All programs include transfer sessions to help owners maintain progress at home.

Pricing Summary

Pricing details are not publicly listed on the website. Clients are encouraged to contact directly for quotes on private lessons, group classes, and board and train programs. Board and train programs are intensive and customized based on the dog’s needs and duration of stay.

Policies

No cancellation or rescheduling policies are explicitly stated on the website. Clients are encouraged to contact directly for details regarding scheduling, deposits, or program changes.

SumDog K9 Training & Boarding is a dog training and boarding business run by Summer Melillo, an active-duty Air Force member and certified dog trainer with extensive experience in IGP (formerly Schutzhund), agility, nosework, and obedience sports. She offers private lessons, group classes, board and train programs, and behavior consulting, all tailored to individual dogs and their owners. Summer specializes in protection sports training with strict safety protocols and is the first female helper qualified to test dogs at a regional level for USCA and DVG. She has trained and competed with multiple champion dogs, including Aiko, who won America’s Top Dog Season 3 Episode 1. Her training approach emphasizes positive reinforcement, clear communication, and personalized guidance for dogs of all ages and breeds, from puppies to seniors. She also provides pet boarding services in a structured, safe environment with daily enrichment activities. Summer has successfully rehabilitated reactive, anxious, and high-drive dogs, and her clients report significant improvements in behavior, leash manners, and confidence. Her facility is equipped for a variety of training disciplines including tracking, obedience, and protection work.

She is passionate about ethical training and responsible ownership, especially in protection sports, and educates clients on the importance of safety and consistency. Her training philosophy is rooted in understanding each dog’s unique needs and building strong human-dog partnerships.

In addition to training, she offers boarding services that include daily training sessions, socialization, and enrichment, with photos and updates provided to owners. She also supports clients with nosework classes and behavior modification during boarding.

Summer has trained dogs for competition, working roles, and as family companions, and her methods are used to help dogs overcome fear, reactivity, biting, and separation anxiety.

Her dogs have earned numerous titles in IGP, agility, nosework, and obedience, and she maintains high health standards for her breeding and training stock, with OFA certifications and genetic testing available for her dogs.

Accomplishments

Summer Melillo is the first female helper qualified and selected to test dogs at a regional level for USCA and DVG in IGP. She competed on America’s Top Dog with her dog Aiko and won Episode 1 of Season 3. Aiko holds multiple titles including IGP3, FH1, CGC, NW3, and more. Summer has trained multiple dogs to earn IGP, obedience, agility, and nosework titles. She has successfully laid foundational training for dogs that later earned BH and other titles under other handlers. Her dogs have passed extensive health screenings including OFA hips, elbows, thyroid, and genetic testing for DCM1, vWD, and more.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients are encouraged to contact Summer directly via phone or email to discuss their dog’s needs. An initial consultation is required to assess the dog’s behavior, goals, and suitability for private lessons, group classes, or board and train programs. Training for protection sports requires a pre-qualification discussion to ensure safety and appropriate match.