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.
5/5Jason and Tiffany have extreme knowledge in their field and are extremely effective, our lab pup Darla completed their 3 week foundation training program and came back having achieved everything we could’ve asked for and more. We consistently get compliments on how well behaved s…Read full reviewClose full review
Jason and Tiffany have extreme knowledge in their field and are extremely effective, our lab pup Darla completed their 3 week foundation training program and came back having achieved everything we could’ve asked for and more. We consistently get compliments on how well behaved she is and how well she immediately listens to her commands. Jason is always available for questions or follow ups and shows a true investment in the lives of the doggos they care for.
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Kaylee Mondrella
5/5Jason really knows his stuff. He’s the first person I’d go to for advice about my dog’s behavior or training. I am very impressed with how much progress dogs in his care make. My husband and I were considering adopting a deaf dog, initially this intimidated me. I got ahold of Jas…Read full reviewClose full review
Jason really knows his stuff. He’s the first person I’d go to for advice about my dog’s behavior or training. I am very impressed with how much progress dogs in his care make. My husband and I were considering adopting a deaf dog, initially this intimidated me. I got ahold of Jason and he reassured me that a deaf dog is no more difficult than any other dog. 3 years later our boy is absolutely a joy to have. Not only is Jason a brilliant dog trainer, he’s also a great guy. Song Dog Kennels is an excellent choice.
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Brooke Kuczka (Brooke K)
5/5So happy with song dog! We moved up here and our old dog was not adjusting well. We were in a vicious cycle of her needing exercise but being aggressive from fear / anxiety every time we were outside. She is back to being our sweet family dog and she is able to go on walks/ hang…Read full reviewClose full review
So happy with song dog! We moved up here and our old dog was not adjusting well. We were in a vicious cycle of her needing exercise but being aggressive from fear / anxiety every time we were outside. She is back to being our sweet family dog and she is able to go on walks/ hang out with us now and when she isn’t with us - we aren’t stuck just pretending like we can’t hear her “Cujo-ing” when we step out of her eye site.
They saved her senior years because she was definitely a last chance case after repeatedly lunging at the neighbors / their pets/ just getting on my very last nerve.
We really can not thank them enough for giving us the Sasha we knew and loved before the move. We left feeling like we had support and resources to keep up with her training and looking forward Sasha being part of more family memories.
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Michael Hinz
5/5We adopted a standard Poodle pup during the Thanksgiving COVID lockdown. Petey responded well to home training, but because of the isolation from other people and winter weather, he was lacking in social skills. Jason and Tiffany worked wonders transforming him into a much calmer…Read full reviewClose full review
We adopted a standard Poodle pup during the Thanksgiving COVID lockdown. Petey responded well to home training, but because of the isolation from other people and winter weather, he was lacking in social skills. Jason and Tiffany worked wonders transforming him into a much calmer dog. He’s still a work in progress, but wow, what a difference. We highly recommend SongDog Training. Jason and Tiffany form a special bond with the dogs. The end training results reflect that.
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Amy Maguire
5/5
Jason saved my relationship with Sadie, my giant Alaskan Malamute. She wanted to be alpha. I didn’t know what to do. But we have the best relationship now. She is my best girl!
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.
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