At SongDog Kennels, we believe dogs deserve better than quick fixes. Our scientifically grounded approach combines decades of behavioral expertise with individualized training programs designed to create lasting change for both dogs and their owners. Led by Applied Animal Behaviorist Jason Major, we specialize in board and train programs, behavioral therapy, aggression rehabilitation, puppy development, and advanced obedience. Every dog receives personalized attention through our small-scale, immersive programs, followed by comprehensive owner education to ensure success long after training is complete. Located in Northern Michigan, SongDog serves clients throughout Michigan and across the United States who are looking for expert dog traini
Training & services
Training goals
Behavior consultationProgram details
Meet with Applied Animal Behaviorist Jason Major for a comprehensive behavioral assessment and customized training plan designed to resolve behavior challenges and improve your dog's quality of life.
Meet with Applied Animal Behaviorist Jason Major to develop a customized training plan for your puppy. Learn how to build confidence, prevent behavior problems, and establish lifelong habits from the very beginning.
Crate trainingProgram details
House trainingProgram details
Leash trainingProgram details
Obedience trainingProgram details
Professional obedience training focused on reliable commands, loose-leash walking, impulse control, and everyday manners. Individualized programs create confident, well-behaved family companions.
Puppy trainingProgram details
Give your puppy the best start with early socialization, crate training, potty training, obedience, and confidence building. Our Puppy Program builds the foundation for lifelong success.
Recall trainingProgram details
SocializationProgram details
Behavior support
Aggression trainingProgram details
Specialized aggressive dog training in Michigan focused on understanding behavior, building confidence, and creating lasting change through individualized rehabilitation and proven behavioral science.
BarkingProgram details
Fear and confidenceProgram details
Reactivity trainingProgram details
Personalized behavioral dog training for reactive dogs. Reduce barking, lunging, and overstimulation while building confidence and improving focus in real-world environments.
How training happens
Board and trainProgram details
Premium Board & Train in Northern Michigan led by Applied Animal Behaviorist Jason Major. Personalized programs build obedience, off-leash reliability, confidence, and lasting results through science-based training and owner education.
Owner coachingProgram details
Private trainingProgram details
Personalized one-on-one dog training tailored to your dog's unique needs. Work directly with Applied Animal Behaviorist Jason Major to build obedience, improve behavior, and create lasting success through individualized coaching.
Dog age
PuppiesProgram details
Develop a confident, well-rounded puppy through structured socialization, environmental exposure, foundational obedience, and positive learning experiences during critical developmental stages.
British Labrador Retrievers bred for health, temperament, intelligence, and trainability. Carefully raised to become exceptional family companions, hunting dogs, and lifelong partners
Training level
Advanced obedienceProgram details
Advanced trainingProgram details
Beginner trainingCustomer-reportedProgram details
Support between sessions
Personalized training plansProgram details
Assistance and working dogs
Hunting dog trainingProgram details
Additional services
BoardingCustomer-reportedProgram details
Other listed services
View 4 additional details
Behavioral Dog TrainingProgram details
SongDog specializes in behavioral dog training for dogs experiencing fear, anxiety, reactivity, and difficult behaviors. Our scientifically grounded approach identifies the root cause of behavior rather than masking symptoms, creating lasting change through individualized training and owner edu.
Fear & Anxiety RehabilitationProgram details
We help fearful and anxious dogs build confidence through customized behavior modification. Our science-based approach addresses the root cause of unwanted behaviors for lasting success.
Off-Leash Dog TrainingProgram details
Build reliable off-leash obedience with advanced recall, distraction training, and real-world proofing. Personalized programs strengthen communication, confidence, and trust between you and your dog.
Safety TrainingProgram details
Our Safety Training program is a behavioral modification process that eliminates aggression by de-arousing your dog's nervous system, targeting the root emotional triggers rather than just blocking or suppressing them.
Confirm current programs and availability directly.
Questions & answers
From Google
What people have asked about this business.
If my dog goes away for training, will my dog remember me when they return?
This is probably our most commonly asked question. The answer is yes! It has been Jason Major’s experience that if you have known the dog for at least two weeks, the dog will remember you for life. Actually, if the dog did not remember you, it would make our job easier. We could simply remove the dog from your environment, complete the training and send the dog home, and that is how they would act from that point on. We know this would not work. Your dog will remember you and remember how they acted with you before the therapy and transfer of training.
What types of dog behaviors can Songdog help me control?
Aggression, unruliness, separation anxiety, inappropriate elimination, barking, digging, running away, jumping, spinning and just about anything else your dog can think of!
Will training or therapy break my dog’s spirit or change their personality?
Many people are concerned about this. This is where science meets art. It is possible for the trainer to become so overbearing that the dog simply shuts down. We have all seen dogs that, while they responded to the handler, do so without drive and motivation.
5/5My wife and I were staying at our new Motorhome Resort lot in Petoskey, MI this summer with our two golden doodles, Ranger and Rusty.
We were having concerns as to how our dogs reacted with other dogs and people on walks. We researched and found Song Dog Kennels and actually dr…Read full reviewClose full review
My wife and I were staying at our new Motorhome Resort lot in Petoskey, MI this summer with our two golden doodles, Ranger and Rusty.
We were having concerns as to how our dogs reacted with other dogs and people on walks. We researched and found Song Dog Kennels and actually drove out on a scouting mission to see the facility as well as discussing with our veterinarian in the area. We decided have our two dogs boarded and trained with Jason for 4 weeks. To say the least, when we picked the boys up we were very impressed with the changes in our dogs and we were trained as “parents” as well. Our walks have become much more enjoyable, much more relaxing and I believe that the boys enjoy the walks as well. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Jason and Tiffany for dog training.
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Pat K
5/5We boarded our 2 goldendoodles for 4 weeks (one was 8 yrs old and the other 2 yrs old). We were so happy to get great reports each week but were even more thrilled when we were reunited with the dogs (after being trained ourselves with Jason) and saw a huge difference in their be…Read full reviewClose full review
We boarded our 2 goldendoodles for 4 weeks (one was 8 yrs old and the other 2 yrs old). We were so happy to get great reports each week but were even more thrilled when we were reunited with the dogs (after being trained ourselves with Jason) and saw a huge difference in their behavior. That was 6 weeks ago and their good behavior has continued! People that knew our dogs before and see them now are amazed! Thank you, Jason and Tiffany, for helping our dogs to be well behaved around family, friends, on walks and around other dogs! Song Dog was a game changer for us!
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Jessica Kelly
5/5I am beyond thrilled with the behavior change in my 11 month old GSD. He had some major anxiety, stubbornness, and fear that I was concerned would lead to more and more reactivity. He is now facing his fears head on with us, learning to greet people appropriately, and living a st…Read full reviewClose full review
I am beyond thrilled with the behavior change in my 11 month old GSD. He had some major anxiety, stubbornness, and fear that I was concerned would lead to more and more reactivity. He is now facing his fears head on with us, learning to greet people appropriately, and living a stress free life (well, as much as a Shepherd can)! My husband and I now enjoy taking him everywhere. He has excellent recall and enjoys obeying the chain of command. Would recommend Songdog to EVERYONE. Thank you, Jason and Tiffany!!
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Teri Derkacz
5/5We adopted our dog, Bea, 4 years ago. She had been a stray and was estimated to be 10 months old, at the time. We realized fairly quickly that she must have a a traumatic past. She was very reactive, making it nearly impossible to enjoy her outside of our home. We didn’t feel saf…Read full reviewClose full review
We adopted our dog, Bea, 4 years ago. She had been a stray and was estimated to be 10 months old, at the time. We realized fairly quickly that she must have a a traumatic past. She was very reactive, making it nearly impossible to enjoy her outside of our home. We didn’t feel safe with her off leash. She was very loving with us, but not strangers. We retired and really wanted to be able to travel. There was no way she could go camping. We made the decision to send her to SongDog for a month of boarding and training. We came back to a different dog. Bea is a very smart border collie mix and she learned so much about listening and trusting. Jason and Tiffany showed us how to maintain and improve on their results. We now take her camping, to breweries and other public places. We can stop reactions with one word. It has brought us great joy in our retirement. We couldn’t recommend them more. It’s not an inexpensive experience, but worth every penny!
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Kimberly Bails
5/5
Jason and Tiffany are amazing, kind people. Our “untrainable” husky is such a delight now! Has recall, doesn’t jump and an excellent walker. He is such a happier and less anxious dog now that we are all on the same page with commands and expectations. Thank you for helping our rescued guy become the ultimate companion!!
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.
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