The Capable Canine

Group training includes foundational (puppy, beginner), continuing education (intermediate to advanced), and enrichment/specialty classes. Private training is available for behavior modification and in-home sessions. Programs are structured weekly with homework and progress tracking. Day school is offered. Training uses clicker and reward-based methods with small class sizes. All classes are held at their Arundel studio; in-home sessions available within 15-mile radius.

Pricing Summary

Private training is $110/hr at facility (Jessica), $100/hr (Lauren); in-home sessions are $150/hr (Jessica), $130/hr (Lauren). Packages of 4 or 6 weeks save $10. Group classes cost $170 for 5-week puppy training, which includes materials. All prices subject to change; 2025 classes will increase by $5. Payments must be made in advance via Venmo, PayPal, cash, or check; no payments accepted on first class day.

Policies

Classes may be postponed due to holidays, illness, or weather; alternative class placement offered. Full refund if canceled two weeks before start; 50% refund if canceled one week before; no refunds after class begins or with less than one week’s notice. Payment required in advance; no payments accepted on first day of class.

The Capable Canine is a professional dog training business in Southern Maine that offers group and private training using 100% reward-based, force-free methods. They specialize in clicker training and focus on empowering dogs to make choices that strengthen the human-animal bond. Their services include puppy training, beginner to advanced obedience, Canine Good Citizen preparation, therapy and limited service dog training, behavior modification for issues like reactivity, resource guarding, fearfulness, leash pulling, and potty training, as well as enrichment and specialty classes. They also offer day school and private in-home training. All instructors are certified CPDT-KAs and the facility is a member of The Pet Professional Guild and The Association of Force Free Trainers. Shock, prong, choke collars, and e-collars are never used. They provide training at their studio in Arundel, ME, and offer in-home sessions within a 15-mile radius.

They use a digital client portal called Gingr for class sign-ups, booking, and payments. They do not accept payment on the first day of class and require payment in advance via Venmo, PayPal, cash, or check. They do not take cases involving extreme aggression or severe separation anxiety, instead referring clients to veterinary behaviorists.

The business emphasizes science-backed, humane training and offers small group classes with individual attention. They celebrate client progress with graduation events and provide training packets and clickers with classes.

Accomplishments

All instructors are certified CPDT-KAs through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. The facility is a member of The Pet Professional Guild and The Association of Force Free Trainers. They are one of the few facilities in York County with PPG membership. Training methods are grounded in scientific, reward-based principles.

How to Get Started!

Client must create an account on the Gingr portal to sign up for classes or book private sessions. Initial private training session required before purchasing packages. In-home sessions require location verification within 15-mile radius of Arundel. Clients with extreme behavioral issues may be referred to veterinary behaviorists.