FirstBarkOh our Stanley! Our sweet GSD puppy was “perfect” except… he wasn’t. We thought it was so cute watching him grow and wanting to help with everything. Yard work was his particular “strong suit”. Not to mention he was a land shark herding us via pant legs, ankles etc. Jason not only helped to turn our sweet Stanley into a dog that everyone loves, but has helped us become better dog parents!
SongDog Kennels
Vanderbilt, Michigan
About SongDog Kennels
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 consultation
Program 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 training
- House training
- Leash training
- Obedience training
Program 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 training
Program 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 training
- Socialization
Behavior support
- Aggression training
Program details
Specialized aggressive dog training in Michigan focused on understanding behavior, building confidence, and creating lasting change through individualized rehabilitation and proven behavioral science.
- Barking
- Fear and confidence
- Reactivity training
Program 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 train
Program 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 coaching
- Private training
Program 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
- Puppies
Program 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 obedience
- Advanced training
- Beginner training Customer-reported
Support between sessions
- Personalized training plans
Assistance and working dogs
- Hunting dog training
Additional services
- Boarding Customer-reported
Other listed services
View 4 additional details
- Behavioral Dog Training
Program 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 Rehabilitation
Program 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 Training
Program 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 Training
Program 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 GoogleWhat 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.
Community answer · SongDog Kennels · 2021-09-21
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!
Community answer · SongDog Kennels · 2021-09-21
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.
Community answer · SongDog Kennels · 2021-09-21
Public community answers. Authors are not verified as business representatives; details may have changed.
Customer reviews
Google listing4.9
84 Google reviews
Mentioned in reviews
- Leash pulling 10
- Obedience training 6
- Listening to commands 4
- Therapy dog training 3
- Foundation program 2
- Obedient dogs 2
All 10 topics
- Off leash recall 2
- Older dog training 2
- Responsive to questions 2
- Weekly updates 2
Google review topics, not confirmed services.
Awful! I called about a belgian malinois. The guy not only had no idea what rage syndrome is in dogs, but also was very condescending and antagonistic. He barely let me talk, questioned me like I made up a commonly known dog neuro problem, then asked me if my dog was aggressive. Forget it. I'll find another way.
We just returned from a trip down south - 1200 miles away by car, stopping twice at hotels before reaching the Airbnb where we stayed. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined being able to do this with our 8 month old border collie. Before SongDog, we couldn’t take Sky…Read full reviewClose full review
We just returned from a trip down south - 1200 miles away by car, stopping twice at hotels before reaching the Airbnb where we stayed. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined being able to do this with our 8 month old border collie. Before SongDog, we couldn’t take Skye down the road in the car without her being frantic. She was perfectly behaved in the hotels, airbnb, car. She always comes when told EVEN if she sees a wild animal. Thank you so very much much. SongDog for giving us our dream dog
There was a thought that our puppy would have to be put down, but I searched, and thankfully, found SongDog and the miracle worker owners. It has been beyond the investment and a true blessing to have entrusted my little fur boy to them. Thanks, Jason and Tiffany! You folks are the best!
Jason and Tiffany were GREAT with our Bouvier Des Flanders puppy, Jagger. She was 24 weeks old when we enrolled her in the 4 week training program. Since we have picked her up, she has been listening to all of the commands she learned. My husband and I would highly recommend Songdog Northern Michigan Dog Training. 🐾❤️🐾 Paulette & Eric Kosorski
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.