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Monday 8am - 6pm Tuesday 8am - 6pm Wednesday 8am - 6pm Thursday 8am - 6pm Friday 8am - 6pm

A1K9 Academy

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Everything your dog needs and YOU want! A1K9 Academy officially began in 2018 offering a variety of

10/28/2026

🚨 An open car window can become an exit in a split second 💭…

**THIS IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY‼️**

This pup was so excited to arrive at daycare that, as soon as the car pulled in, he jumped right out through the wide-open window—before the door was even open.

Thankfully, he was okay. But this could have ended very differently. If a dog will jump through an open window while the car is parked, imagine the danger if the vehicle is moving. A sudden sight, sound, or burst of excitement can trigger a leap before anyone has time to react.

We love that Otis was thrilled to see his trainer Jordan and get to daycare. We want dogs to feel that joy. But excitement doesn’t keep them safe, and a wide-open window gives them a way out 💭. Here are a few tips we recommend when traveling with your four legged bestie.

Help your dog arrive safely:

🐾 Use a properly fitted car harness and seat-belt restraint, or a secured travel crate.

🐾 Keep windows closed enough that your dog can’t climb or jump through.

🐾 Secure your dog before opening the car door.

This was an important moment for the owner to see just how quickly things can happen—and a reminder for all of us to set our dogs up to succeed.

At A1K9 Academy, we want every dog excited to get here but safely getting here. Be careful & Stay safe out there 🐾🙏.

10/27/2026

Playful chase can change in a heartbeat. A little female Frenchie takes off, a large black dog follows, and then the brindle German Shepherd mix comes in and goes straight at him. His herding instinct and prey drive kicked in too intensely—and in a busy pack, that kind of moment can escalate fast.

Our team responded immediately with calm, neutral verbal control. One teammate moved the black dog out of the situation while the other recalled and addressed the brindle dog.

That response is built long before a moment like this. Verbal control comes from consistent structure and follow-through: making our presence known, giving clear direction, leashing dogs when needed, and bringing certain dogs in for a break when that’s the right call. Our dogs know the rules, boundaries, and expectations—and they know our team will step in to guide them and keep them safe... that’s what makes us, A1K9 Academy one of the best pack oriented dog daycares in the world 🌎!

10/21/2026

Do you hit the trails with your dog & train… or do you let it be a free for all? 🤔

10/16/2026

We’re coming up on nearly three years with zero fights and zero emergency vet visits in our structured daycare. That’s something we’re incredibly proud of.

From 2021 to close to 2024… A1K9 went through a difficult stretch. I realized no matter how hard you try to motivate, educate and instruct, you can’t force people to do things, even if it’s their literal job 🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️.. We had to take a hard look at our team, our standards, and the kind of environment we wanted to provide. There were days when I couldn’t focus on training because I was worried about what might be happening in the yard—whether the team wasn’t noticing trouble early, preventing it, or responding well if tensions rose… since these days, I’ve become one to quickly let folks go if it’s not working out. We wasted too much time… you live and you learn.

Rebuilding the team changed everything. We focused on bringing in people who fit A1K9’s expectations, take responsibility for the dogs in their care, and value the relationships we’ve built with our clients. A structured daycare takes more than putting dogs together. It takes awareness, communication, consistency, and a team that works together every day.

Nearly three years in with the new team & we’re very proud of the culture we’ve built. We are also grateful for the years w/ the previous team that helped us learn & grow. Most importantly our clients who have stuck with us & help us get here.

10/16/2026

A smaller show-line Golden, with the health and genetics to match? That’d be one million-dollar teddy bear 🧸!!

Address

630 County Road
Westbrook, ME
04092

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 6pm
Tuesday	8am - 6pm
Wednesday	8am - 6pm
Thursday	8am - 6pm
Friday	8am - 6pm

Telephone

+12078088001

Website

https://a1k9s.com/

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