At Mason Dixon K9, we understand that every dog is unique, with their own learning pace and style. That’s why we offer a free evaluation to assess your dog’s behaviors and discuss your goals. Our expert trainers will then recommend the best training plan or package that suits your needs.

We specialize in balanced training, a proven method that combines positive reinforcement with fair and appropriate corrections. This approach ensures clear communication with your dog, helping them understand expectations while fostering trust and a strong bond. By incorporating balanced training, we create a well-rounded program tailored to your dog’s specific needs and personality.

Let’s work together to build a personalized training journey that sets your canine companion up for success!

Balanced training is a comprehensive method designed to foster clear and effective communication between you and your dog. This approach focuses on addressing undesirable behaviors through thoughtful correction, while simultaneously enhancing your dog’s confidence and sense of security. By prioritizing the needs of both the dog and the owner, balanced training establishes a harmonious partnership built on mutual understanding and trust. The result is a lasting, positive relationship and a well-behaved, confident canine companion.

At Mason Dixon K9, we specialize in offering a diverse range of training programs grounded in balanced training methods. Our approach emphasizes clear and effective communication, addressing unwanted behaviors with precision while building your dog’s confidence and trust. Each program is thoughtfully tailored to meet your dog’s unique needs, ensuring a personalized path to a well-behaved, confident, and happy companion. Experience the difference of training designed for lasting results and a stronger bond between you and your furry companion:

• In-Home & On-Site Private Lessons: Personalized sessions conducted in the comfort of your home or on-site at Mason Dixon K9 Training Facility.
• Boot Camp: Intensive training programs designed to address specific behavioral issues.
• Board-and-Train: Your dog stays with us for a comprehensive training experience.
• Off-Leash Training: Teaches your dog to follow commands without the need for a leash.
• Service Dog Training: Specialized training for service dogs to assist with specific tasks.
• Group classes
• Behavior Modification Training

We offer a free evaluation to assess your dog’s behaviors and discuss your goals, ensuring you choose the best training plan or package that suits both your needs and budget.

At Mason Dixon K9, our certified trainers craft personalized 1:1 balanced training programs tailored to your dog’s unique needs. With decades of experience and a philosophy rooted in individualized care, we ensure effective, lasting results for every dog. Our climate-controlled facility is staff-monitored for safety, and during Board & Train programs, we meticulously track your dog’s weight, food intake, and potty habits. Discover the Mason Dixon K9 difference—where expertise meets exceptional care.

At Mason Dixon K9, unmatched experience drives our success. Since 2003, founders Ryan and Sandy Bulson have transformed countless lives by rescuing, re-homing, tracking, and training dogs of all ages, abilities, and behavioral challenges. With over 20 years of expertise, their proven techniques form the foundation of our team’s excellence.

Our certified trainers possess deep knowledge of canine behavior, combining hands-on experience with personalized, balanced training regimens tailored to each dog’s unique needs. This approach ensures effective communication, lasting results, and countless success stories—even in the most complex cases.

Choose Mason Dixon K9 for unparalleled care, transformative results, and your dog’s safety and well-being as our top priority.

At Mason Dixon K9, we like to keep things simple. All you need to bring are your dog’s food, any necessary medications, and, of course, your furry friend. That’s it! We’ll handle everything else to ensure your dog feels safe, happy, and well cared for during their stay with us.

Unfortunately, we cannot allow items like beds, toys, or blankets. Safety is our top priority, and soft materials can present choking hazards. To create a secure and stress-free environment for your dog, we focus on providing a carefully controlled and safe setting. Thank you for your understanding and support in ensuring your dog’s well-being.

In order to optimize balanced training and teach the dog acceptable behaviors, it’s best not to interrupt the learning process.  Dogs do not rationalize time like humans do, therefore, it is difficult for them to understand. To ensure effective training and teach your dog acceptable behaviors, we avoid interrupting the learning process.  Since dogs do not perceive time like humans, it’s best not to visit your dog after drop-off.

No! You’ve made a lasting impression on your dog. Even after time away for training, they will remember you. It might take a moment for them to adjust and understand that you weren’t part of their routine on the farm. It’s crucial to reinforce their training and maintain their routine in your home. This is all part of the adjustment phase and is key to a successful transition.

At Mason Dixon K9, we ensure a structured and enriching routine for all dogs. Each day includes:

• Feeding: A balanced diet to keep your dog healthy and energetic.
• Training: Tailored sessions to address specific behaviors and skills.
• Decompression Time: Moments for your dog to relax and unwind.
• Physical Stimulation: Activities like play yard time, long walks, and enrichment exercises.

Daily assessments are conducted to monitor progress and ensure optimal success. If any behavior or health concerns arise, our staff takes appropriate measures to address them promptly. We prioritize the safety and well-being of all animals and staff, ensuring no situation compromises the health or safety of anyone at Mason Dixon K9.

Your dog’s journey with us is not just about training but also about creating a positive and supportive environment for lasting transformation.

Physical stimulation focuses on keeping your dog active and healthy through activities like play yard sessions, long walks, and enriching exercises. These activities help maintain your dog’s physical fitness and overall well-being.

Mental stimulation, on the other hand, engages your dog’s mind with problem-solving and learning tasks. Through training sessions and interactive challenges like puzzle toys, mental stimulation reduces boredom, alleviates anxiety, and fosters a calm, balanced demeanor.

At Mason Dixon K9, we seamlessly integrate both forms of stimulation into our balanced training programs. By combining physical activity with mental engagement, we tackle behavioral challenges, boost your dog’s confidence, and nurture their natural potential. This holistic approach not only creates a well-rounded, happy dog but also strengthens the bond between you and your furry companion for a lifetime of harmony.

No, not every dog needs a prong collar. These collars are designed to mimic the natural corrections a mother gives her puppies, providing clear communication in a way dogs instinctively understand. Every dog is unique, with different learning styles, so we carefully choose the most suitable training tool for your dog’s individual needs—whether that’s a prong collar, a slip collar, or another option entirely.

Our top priority is always your dog’s safety, comfort, and success. We are committed to using training methods that are both effective and compassionate, ensuring a positive and nurturing experience for your beloved companion.

The terminology surrounding these collars can sometimes be confusing, but they all function on the same core principle: inducing an involuntary contraction in the dog’s neck muscles. The intensity of this contraction is adjustable via a remote control.

Our collar offers three distinct settings:

• Tone: An audible signal to get the dog’s attention.

• Vibrate: A gentle vibration to alert the dog.

• Nic: A stimulation causing the muscle contraction, comparable to a therapeutic TENS unit (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation).

We are committed to using these collars responsibly and compassionately to ensure effective training while prioritizing the well-being of your dog.

Yes—but only if the trainer moves in with you! While your dog will learn expectations and acceptable behaviors during training, the real key to long-term success lies with you and your family. Consistency, reinforcement, and active participation are essential to maintaining and solidifying what your dog has learned.

Training lays the foundation for transformation, but building on that foundation requires ongoing effort and commitment. With your dedication, your dog will thrive as a well-mannered and happy companion!

Learned behavior refers to actions, whether good or bad, that a dog has adopted over time with its owners. Often, these behaviors develop because the owners lacked the tools, means, or knowledge to address or correct them. Even after training, these behaviors may still appear as owners continue to learn how to effectively correct and curb them. The goal is to equip both the dog and the owners with the necessary skills for long-term success.Learned behaviors, both positive and negative, are often developed due to a lack of owner knowledge. Even after training, these behaviors may persist. The goal is to provide both dog and owner with the skills needed for long-term success.

Expectations of behavior are the clear, consistent standards you set for your dog’s actions. They serve as the foundation for a well-mannered and balanced companion. However, for these expectations to truly take hold, it’s essential that all family members consistently enforce them. Dogs thrive on unity and clarity, so a team effort ensures your dog understands and embraces the desired behaviors.

By reinforcing these standards together, you create an environment where your dog feels confident, secure, and eager to meet your expectations. This shared commitment sets the stage for a harmonious and happy relationship with your dog.

POST-TRAINING FAQ

Congratulations on taking a monumental step in building a lifelong bond with your canine companion through training! Training isn’t just a one-time achievement—it’s an ongoing journey of growth, reinforcement, and connection. Consistency is the key to maintaining and expanding on everything your dog has learned. To help you along the way, here are some essential tips for continued success:

• Regular Practice: Make training a part of your dog’s daily routine. Short, frequent sessions are often more effective and engaging than long, sporadic ones.
• Positive Reinforcement: Keep celebrating good behavior with rewards such as treats, praise, or playtime. This strengthens their understanding and keeps the experience enjoyable.
• Variety: Challenge your dog by practicing commands in new environments and situations. This reinforces their ability to follow commands wherever they are.
• Stay Patient: Just like us, dogs can have “off days.” Patience and consistency will keep you on track, even during challenging moments.
• Socialization: Introduce your dog to new people, animals, and environments regularly. This helps sharpen their social skills and builds their confidence.
• Refresh Training: Periodically revisit and reinforce commands to keep their skills sharp and prevent regression.
• Advanced Training: Consider exploring advanced training programs or fun activities like agility, scent work, or obedience competitions to keep your dog mentally and physically engaged.

Your dedication to ongoing training sets the stage for a confident, well-behaved, and happy companion. Here’s to the unbreakable bond you’re creating—one that lasts a lifetime!

All individuals who will be responsible for handling the dog should attend this critical session. This ensures that everyone has the opportunity to ask questions, receive personalized guidance, and learn the techniques necessary to interact with the dog in a consistent and effective way.

Consistency is the cornerstone of successful training, and having all handlers on the same page is vital for reinforcing the behaviors your dog has learned. This collaborative approach sets the entire family up for long-term success and strengthens the bond with your canine companion.

Dedicating 20-30 minutes daily to working with your dog is highly recommended. The effort you invest will directly influence your dog’s behavior and long-term success. Regular, consistent practice reinforces positive habits and helps prevent the reemergence of undesired behaviors, ensuring lasting results and a well-mannered companion.

Welcome to the MDK9 family! At Mason Dixon K9, your journey with us doesn’t end after training—it’s just the beginning. Once you’re part of the MDK9 family, we’re here to support you and your canine companion every step of the way.

Ready to take your dog’s skills to the next level? Or perhaps you’re looking for reliable boarding and training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services? Whatever your needs, we’ve got you covered. Our comprehensive services are designed to ensure your dog’s happiness, growth, and well-being at every stage of their life.

Our state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated team provide exceptional care, giving you peace of mind and your dog the best possible experience. Let Mason Dixon K9 continue to be your trusted partner in your dog’s journey. We look forward to helping your companion thrive and being a part of your dog’s incredible story!