gooddogz training

What gooddogz training does

Gooddogz Training is a privately held, solo-operated dog training and behavior consulting practice based in Westbrook, Maine, founded by Nancy Freedman-Smith in 2001. The business delivers force-free, evidence-based, positive reinforcement training with a specialization in difficult behavioral cases — aggression, reactivity, fear-based behaviors, and separation anxiety — using Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) and other low-stress techniques. Service offerings include private sessions ($90/session or prepaid packages), behavior consultations ($125 initial / $100 follow-up), 3-week day training programs ($1,180–$1,195), group classes (AKC Star Puppy, Foundation 1/2, Tricks at $140–$220), service dog training, and remote cyber/Zoom sessions ($90/hour). The Board and Train program is currently paused due to demand for other services.

The business serves individual pet owners (SMB/consumer) primarily in the Greater Portland, Maine market, with a secondary remote channel serving worldwide clients. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via a Wix-based website with integrated online booking, supplemented by referral flow from veterinarians (notably Veterinary and Rehabilitation Center of Cape Elizabeth, where the principal is resident trainer) and from satisfied clients. Service delivery occurs at the Westbrook training studio, satellite locations in Cape Elizabeth, Windham, and Falmouth, client homes (with mileage fees), and via video/Zoom.

Revenue is generated entirely through pay-as-you-go professional services with mandatory prepayment, no refunds, and strict cancellation terms. The principal holds rare industry credentials — Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) from IAABC and Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor (CBATI, one of the first 20 certified) — which function as the primary competitive differentiator. The business has no external funding, no parent company, no app product, and no AI/ML components; intellectual property resides in human-expert methodology rather than technology.

Name

gooddogz training

Legal name

Gooddogz Training

Website

https://gooddogztraining.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Gooddogz Training is a solo-operated, Westbrook, Maine-based dog training and behavior consulting practice specializing in aggression, reactivity, and fear-based cases using force-free, BAT-based methods. It serves individual pet owners in Greater Portland and remote clients worldwide via in-person and Zoom sessions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pet Training Services

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Training-Integrated Dog Daycare (Day Training) (HSANAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Overnight Kennel Boarding (Dogs) (HSANADAA)

Keywords

• Dog obedience training
• Canine behavior modification
• Puppy socialization classes
• Service dog training
• Force-free dog training

Headquarters

HQ city

Westbrook

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Private Training Sessions: One-on-one training sessions at the studio or client locations covering basic obedience, puppy training, and behavior modification. Sold as individual sessions or prepaid packages of 3 or 5 sessions.
2. Behavior Consultations: Specialized consultations for dogs with aggression, reactivity, fear-based behaviors, and separation anxiety. Initial consultation plus follow-up sessions, available in-person or via cyber/Zoom.
3. Day Training Programs: 3-week day training packages where the trainer works with the dog while owners are away, including training sessions and owner transfer training sessions.
4. Board and Train: In-home board and train services where dogs stay with the trainer. Base price per night, typically serving service dogs in training and dogs needing intensive training.
5. Group Classes: Scheduled group training classes including AKC Star Puppy, Foundation 1, Foundation 2, and Tricks classes held at the training studio.
6. Cyber Training Sessions: Remote training consultations via video/Zoom for clients who prefer home comfort or are outside the service area.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Gooddogz Training is a dog training and behavior consulting practice that delivers in-person and remote services including group classes, private training sessions, 3-week day training programs, board-and-train programs, behavior consultations for aggression and reactivity, cyber/remote training, and service dog training. The business applies force-free, positive reinforcement and Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) methods, led by Certified Dog Behavior Consultant Nancy Freedman-Smith from a studio in Westbrook, Maine, serving the Greater Portland area and worldwide online clients.

Product overview

Gooddogz Training is a service-based dog training business operated by Certified Dog Behavior Consultant Nancy Freedman-Smith in Westbrook, Maine. The company offers a portfolio of training services including Day Training (3-week intensive packages), Private Training (individual sessions), Behavior Consultations (for aggression, reactivity, and fear-based behaviors), Group Classes (AKC Star Puppy, Foundation 1/2, Tricks), Board and Train (in-home overnight program), Cyber Training (remote sessions via Zoom), and Service Dog Training. Services are delivered at their training studio, client homes, satellite locations, and online. The business uses positive, force-free, evidence-based training methods and specializes in difficult and reactive dogs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Day Training
• Private Training One-on-one training sessions covering puppy basics, obedience, and behavior modification, delivered at the studio, client homes, or satellite locations. Available as single sessions at $90, 3-session prepaid packages at $255, or 5-session prepaid packages at $400.
• Behavior Consultations Specialized private sessions for aggression, reactivity, fear, and anxiety, led by Certified Dog Behavior Consultant Nancy Freedman-Smith. Initial consultation $125; follow-up behavior sessions $100 each; cyber consults $125/hour with additional mileage charges over 10 miles.
• Group Classes In-studio group training classes including AKC Star Puppy (6 sessions, $220), Foundation 1 (5 sessions, $180), Foundation 2 ($180), and Tricks (4 sessions with AKC testing, $140). Class sizes limited to 5 teams.
• Board and Train (Camp Gooddogz) In-home board and train program where dogs stay in the trainer's home and receive 2 daily training sessions, field trips, and daily photo/video reports plus a follow-up transfer session. Base price $200-$250 per night; currently paused due to high demand for other services.
• Cyber Training Remote training consultations via video, email, phone, and Zoom for clients with busy schedules or in areas where positive training is unavailable. Priced at $90 per hour with half-hour sessions available on request.
• Service Dog Training Specialized training for owner-trained service dogs including Balance dogs, PTSD dogs, Home helper dogs, Autism Assist dogs, and Hearing Assist dogs. Therapy dog classes are also offered, with pricing varying based on training needs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Dogs with reactivity and aggression can be rehabilitated to compete in dog sports and pass CGC certification
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Veterinary and Rehabilitation Center of Cape ElizabethcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2016Nancy joined the staff of Veterinary and Rehabilitation Center of Cape Elizabeth as resident trainer and Behavior Consultant starting July 2016. This partnership provides satellite training location for private sessions and integrates training services with veterinary rehabilitation care.
• Pet Quarters (Windham)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSatellite training location used for some private training sessions, providing convenient access for clients in the Windham area.
• Poetic Gold FarmminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining location used for group classes and field trips, particularly for clients traveling from distance for specialized training.
• Canine Companions for IndependenceminorOthersRecommended service dog organization for clients seeking professionally trained service dogs. Canine Companions provides free service dogs and has a 2-year waitlist.
• NEADS (National Education for Assistance Dog Services)minorOthersRecommended service dog organization based in Massachusetts for clients seeking professionally trained service dogs.
• A.C.T.S. (Assistance Dog Certified Training Schools)minorOthersRecommended service dog organization based in New Hampshire for clients seeking professionally trained service dogs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT): Industry membership organization that vets and credentializes professional dog trainers — adjacent ecosystem participant relevant to Gooddogz's IAABC/CDBC credentialing strategy and continuing education path.

Direct peers

• Bark Busters Home Dog Training: National in-home dog training franchise specializing in behavior issues (aggression, reactivity, separation anxiety) using force-free methods — directly comparable to Gooddogz's behavior-consult and private in-home offerings.
• Dogtopia: Franchised dog daycare with integrated training add-ons (daycare + enrichment/training packages) — the closest scaled analog to Gooddogz's day-training program.
• Zoom Room Dog Training: Franchised group-class and private dog training concept with a similar portfolio of obedience, agility, and puppy classes delivered in a studio format — the closest scaled analog to Gooddogz's in-studio class business.
• Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training: Force-free positive-reinforcement dog training brand with a global network of certified trainers and online courses — mirrors Gooddogz's force-free philosophy and behavior specialization at much larger scale.
• Camp Bow Wow: Franchised dog boarding and daycare with training add-ons; relevant to Gooddogz's paused board-and-train line and day-training concept as a scaled substitute.

Emerging players

• K9 Training Institute: Online dog training programs including reactivity and aggression courses taught by certified behavior consultants — competes with Gooddogz's cyber channel for owner-trained behavior cases globally.
• SpiritDog Training: Online subscription and 1:1 video dog training platform — the most direct competitor to Gooddogz's cyber/remote training line, with structured curriculum and lower price points.

Broad incumbents

• Petco Dog Training: National pet retailer offering positive-method group classes, private sessions, and behavior consultations at store locations; broad incumbent across the same service categories Gooddogz serves.
• PetSmart Dog Training: Largest US pet retailer operating group dog training classes (puppy, basic, intermediate, advanced) inside its stores — competes for the same general-pet-owner segment though without Gooddogz's behavior-consult specialization.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/gooddogz
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/gooddogz/videos?app=desktop
• Facebookfacebook.com/GooddogzTraining
• Instagraminstagram.com/gooddogz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gooddogz-training

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about gooddogz training