Canine Lifestyle Academy

Canine Lifestyle Academy is a dog training service in Camp Springs, MD. The business offers group classes in a drop-in format, small-scale boarding designed for sensitive dogs with private suites and no dog-dog contact, and private training. Their approach centers on positive reinforcement, teaching both dogs and their owners without the use of force, fear, or threat of violence. Canine Lifestyle Academy serves Central Maryland, including Frederick, New Market, Union Bridge, Mt. Airy, Libertytown, Sykesville, Eldersburg, and Westminster. The business is led by a two-woman team. Meghan Burton, the owner and head trainer, earned a B.A. in Psychology from McDaniel College in 2008 and began her dog training career at a national chain pet store. She later worked as an assistant to local trainer Laurie Luck of Smart Dog University starting in March 2009 before founding Canine Lifestyle Academy in 2010. Her continuing education has included coursework with Dr. Ken Ramirez on advanced training topics, Dr. Lore Haug on how health impacts behavior, the Mid-Atlantic Animal Behavior Conference, ClickerExpo in Washington, DC, seminars with Sue Sternberg on managing dog-dog interaction, Conference Unleashed, and Control Unleashed workshops focused on managing arousal and reactivity. Meghan was inspired to enter the profession after bringing home Kyra, a German Shepherd puppy who struggled with separation anxiety, leash reactivity, and noise sensitivity. Canine Lifestyle Academy holds a rating of 5.00 based on customer reviews, reflecting the experiences of the clients who have worked with the business. Meghan Burton's combination of formal education in psychology, ongoing continuing education with respected figures in animal behavior, and more than a decade of hands-on training experience in Central Maryland speaks to the depth behind Canine Lifestyle Academy's positive reinforcement work.