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 training
House training
Leash training
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 training
Socialization
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.
Barking
Fear and confidence
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 coaching
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 obedience
Advanced training
Beginner trainingCustomer-reported
Support between sessions
Personalized training plans
Assistance and working dogs
Hunting dog training
Additional services
BoardingCustomer-reported
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.
5/5I was looking for the 10th star to rate Songdog Kennels. Jason and Tiffany are amazing!!! Luna came home last Friday with the exact same happy cheerful personality but was now a perfectly trained dog. She stays, comes, places, no jumping and walks on a lead like she’s in the s…Read full reviewClose full review
I was looking for the 10th star to rate Songdog Kennels. Jason and Tiffany are amazing!!! Luna came home last Friday with the exact same happy cheerful personality but was now a perfectly trained dog. She stays, comes, places, no jumping and walks on a lead like she’s in the show ring. Jason has trained several of my dogs over the past 15 years and I think my return business is proof that his training program produces results. Oh and they’re wonderful at the owner training part too!
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Lyndsay Sloan
5/5We sent our 5 month old boxer to SongDog for training and are beyond thrilled with the outcome. Our dog, Capone, is excellent on a leash now, obeys commands consistently and just passed his AKC Good Citizen training on the first try without any “do overs” needed. He is going to b…Read full reviewClose full review
We sent our 5 month old boxer to SongDog for training and are beyond thrilled with the outcome. Our dog, Capone, is excellent on a leash now, obeys commands consistently and just passed his AKC Good Citizen training on the first try without any “do overs” needed. He is going to be a very big boy and I have no worries about always being able to handle him. Any dog we ever have will go through this training with Jason and Tiffany!
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Victoria Row
5/5
I brought my overstimulated skittish border collie to Jason and he changed our lives. Luca was there for four weeks and came back a new dog. I was taught consistent training for positive behaviors. I cannot thank Jason enough for showing my dog love and his hard work with Lucas’s training.
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Katie Parris
5/5Jason and Tiffany are miracle workers. We have a very spirited English setter puppy, Goose (1 year old). I was worried that training would change her goofy energy, but she came back with the same personality AND she listens. It is so refreshing having a well trained dog and its i…Read full reviewClose full review
Jason and Tiffany are miracle workers. We have a very spirited English setter puppy, Goose (1 year old). I was worried that training would change her goofy energy, but she came back with the same personality AND she listens. It is so refreshing having a well trained dog and its improved our relationship with her. She is happy knowing what’s expected of her and receiving positive reinforcement for responding to her cues. If you are constantly frustrated/disappointed with your dog’s behavior but don’t have the time to train them - send them to Tiffany and Jason. Her recall is excellent and they make it easy for both dog and owner to enforce training and good behavior. Bonus; I think goose loved being at Songdog and would happily go to “camp” every year. It is worth every penny.
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Julanne Eberhart
5/5Jason and Tiffany were a godsend! I was struggling with my dog Winnie who resource guards EVERYTHING. The couch, the stove, her crate.... she will even guard a piece of paper on the floor if she decides it's something of high value. She was a bite risk to say the least. I can now…Read full reviewClose full review
Jason and Tiffany were a godsend! I was struggling with my dog Winnie who resource guards EVERYTHING. The couch, the stove, her crate.... she will even guard a piece of paper on the floor if she decides it's something of high value. She was a bite risk to say the least. I can now "call her off" when she guards. I never would have thought this possible. WOW!
I was "iffy" to leave my dog with strangers, but Songdog treated my pup like family. She was taken care of the entire time she was away and when I picked her up, she was so much more obedient than I would have ever thought.
I have to add, I have a disabled son who's personality clashed with Winnie's. Since we've brought her home, that concern has been a thing of the past. They are starting to get along great by consistently implementing the "work through" techniques Jason has helped us with.
I highly recommend Songdog. If I could give 10 stars I would!! Thank you Jason and Tiffany for all you do. We greatly appreciate you helping us build a better bond and relationship with our Pooh Bear!
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.
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