Canine Solutions Training Services Kittery, Maine

Excellent trainers with a incredible amount of knowledge with all breeds and temperaments.

The trail markings are messed up. We got lost with a beagle. Scary

Amazing trainer with over 30 years of experience. He does several seminars during the year. He helps you learn how the dog thinks. Many trainers consult with him whenever they have trouble. If he can't rehabilitate a dog, no one can.

The standards of practice agreement between the IAABC, APDT, and CCPDT (3 major dog training organizations) clearly states punishment (especially physical) should be eliminated while working with animals. K9 training solutions disagrees with this and employs punishment as a way to train your dogs. Even going as far as stating "We are not purely positive." "Remember, dogs cannot comprehend the human language, it is important to communicate with them on a level that they will fully understand." This is a gentle way of saying, they are going to hurt your dogs because they can't be bothered to spend the time learning new training techniques. If you care about your animals, take them somewhere that will care about them too.

Just finished a weekend seminar with Chris and Dylan. I am still processing everything I learned about myself, my dogs and how I can apply this to our rescue dogs. Chris is incredibly smart, funny & reads dogs better than anyone I have ever met. Dylan is an amazing handler & trainer. He is so talented! I can not wait until the next opportunity I have to learn more from both of them. I wish I could clone them & keep them here in Minnesota. I have so much respect for these guys and am so thankful I had the opportunity to learn from them.

Very helpful team, very knowledgable and very patient with me and my puppy!

Best in the business. 1st class facility and staff.

Highly recommend! The personal care and attention Chris and his team provide the dogs and dog owners is exceptional. Chris rehabilitated our 6 y.o. Cattle dog rescue, who was extremely anxious and dog aggressive. Even more important, he taught us how to provide her with all she needs to live happily in the community not just a fenced in yard. His team also taught our 8 m.o. pup manners and obedience. As well as rehabilitation and obedience training services we also now have the dogs attend day school to provide them with ongoing training, agility work, socialization and love from the team at CSTS. Hands down they have saved your adult dog from an unthinkable fate and us as well. I can say with full confidence this is the best place for humans and dogs to learn together for long term success and happiness. Chris and his team will train each dog as if they were their own. Superior knowledge and care from the entire staff. 10 stars!

Signed up for dog training lessons with Chris. This guy is amazing. Meet with him for 2hr, talking about my dog and how we could get him trained. I went in for my lesson and we as a family didn't get to see chris. They stuck us with a different trainer. I Don't really care for her methodology very much. She knows nothing about my dog or what issue we wanted to block on. You have to pay for a hr lesson. Even if they say the lesson is over after 20 min. Also you don't even get to pick what you are going to work on with your dog. They tell you what the lesson is going to be on. Will not be signing up for another month of lessons. The cost for each lesson is 100 and you have to pay for the month. Hope this helps.

Great place! Highly recommend, the whole staff is amazing. No BS or coddling just straight forward.

I just spent an entire day watching the owner train multiple dogs. A no point did I see any indication that he would condone abuse of an animal, as another reviewer commented. In fact, I was very impressed with his knowledge and skill with dogs, which ranged from timid to bold and assertive. There are many trainers out there who are not delivering on their promises, but the trainers at Canine Solutions are on a completely different level of expertise. If you're tired of luring your dog around with a cookie and getting no where, or you have a dog that no one can seem to help, then go to Canine Solutions and learn the real way to train your dog.

DO NOT SEND YOUR ANIMAL HERE!!! I held off on writing a review, but couldn't resist any longer. I brought my dog in for an assessment, and was immediately bullied and pushed around by the owner, Chris. He was incredibly condescending, but somehow talked me into sending my dog to him for 3 weeks. We met with someone weekly thereafter, while my dog stayed at the facility, and every time my wife and I were there, we left in tears because of how we saw Chris treating the animals. We unfortunately didn't know any better (and were incredibly torn), because this was our first dog, but we know better now-after finding better trainers. When we finally went to pick our dog up after the three weeks, we watched Chris violently yank him around the tile floor (he is a giant breed dog, so he was slipping all over, which Chris said was good and we should try to do at home!!) Our dog resisted one of his commands, Chris yanked violently on the PRONG COLLAR and then my dog snapped at him (obviously in pain), but made no contact. I THEN WATCHED CHRIS RAISE HIS FIST AT MY DOG TO PUNCH HIM!!!! He looked at us, then laughed and lowered his fist and made some crude comment about how you have to be dominant. Please, please, please-DO NOT BRING YOUR ANIMAL HERE!!!!

Did we get our $6000 worth? No, we do not feel we have $6000 dogs ($3000 each). We brought our dogs here because we began experiencing extreme aggression toward one another and knew a hospital visit or expensive vet bill was on the horizon, neither of which we wanted. When going to CST, you have to be prepared to be humbled as a dog owner and we understood fully where we were partially to blame for certain behaviors. One question we were asked at the evaluation was, "what is the one thing our dogs can do and do it every time"? at the time, not much. They only partially listened at best and we had to be assertive to get the response we wanted. At the end of eight weeks, asking the same question to Canine Solution. Answer: still NOTHING. We do not feel they were worked as ofter as we were led to believe, I feel the bedsores they came home with state that fact. During the past 5 weeks, they are still in crates and only let out when they are worked or bathroom. We have gone back to feeding them 2x a day as our bulldog was incredibly skinny after training. Could we have done with "obedience" training and worked with our boys ourselves with the assistance of Chirs? YES, absolutely, thats pretty much what we got and what we are doing. The issues that brought us to training HAVE NOT been resolved, nor do we feel that they were addressed and we do not feel that Chris and his staff worked to the goal that we paid for and anticipated receiving. Are we disappointed still, YES. One would think that after being accustomed to a crate, crated for 3 weeks and still crated for another 5 weeks, not to mention the continued daily training, issues would be resolved or at least improving, yet we still have a fearful, whiny barking mastiff and a food/dog aggressive bulldog. We get the approach and belief of CST but believe we could have received better training and results for half the price with them. We haven't even received a courtesy follow up telephone call to see how things were going or if we wish to continue. Extremely disappointed

I have been training here for about a year with my German Shepard. We started when he was about 5 months old. I was a little disheartened at first when I found out how tough it was going to be training the dog to be respectful at home (crating him when not training, no furniture, and always on leash). Even more so when it didn't seem like I was getting results or they were coming very slow. I started working with Dylan, doing private lessons once a week. He just kept reminding me that my dog was still a puppy, and it takes time. I'm glad I listened to him. About 3 months ago, I moved on to public lessons with my dog and he is doing well! Public lessons (usually taught by Chris) have given my dog the opportunity to work with lots of distractions around. Chris is very passionate about dogs and you can tell he loves to teach. His method of teaching focuses more on the human aspect of things and creating a respect and communication between you and your dog in a way the dog understands. He uses humor to teach but on the same note, he doesn't beat around the bush or sugar coat what you need to know as an owner. His direct approach might not appeal to some, but if you can take a joke and some constructive criticism without breaking down into a sobbing mess, you'll walk away with a bunch of knowledge. Overall, I could not be happier with my experience with the team at CSTS. They keep the classes fun and I always walk away with more tools to properly train my dog.

Great place, great people great results

I have a 3 year old JRT mix that was aggressive towards people and other dogs. I had taken her to two previous trainers (one who "specialized" in behavior modification and another in a group atmosphere). Both of the trainers gave me conflicting advice on what to do in regards to my dogs awful behavior (awful being an understatement).I left both trainers feeling defeated and more confused than I had been before. A friend referred me to K9 STS and I cannot say enough great things about them! They teach you how to make appropriate corrections and to become more confident in your dog handling skills. It’s all about YOU being educated in what you did wrong to cause the problem, along with what to do right in order to fix the problem. I am no longer nervous and anxious while taking my dog out in public! We are nowhere near done with her training but I could not be any more pleased with how far she (and I) has come from the beginning! I highly recommend K9 STS to any and all dog owners! Trust the process it truly does work, you just have to put in the effort!

I adopted a one year old dog that at first seemed to only need some basic leash and obedience training. Over time I discovered that my attempt at training him (with tips from a book I read) was just not working. Even worse, he started exhibiting new behaviors of unpredictable aggression with other dogs and with new people. While the aggression was rare, it created stress as I worried about when and where it would happen again. It was at this point I realized I didn’t want to spend the next 10 years worrying about whether I could put Ivan in certain situations. I needed professional help figuring out what I was doing wrong and how to develop the amazing family dog I knew he could be. Since working with the team at Canine Solutions, I’ve learned how to set the right rules and boundaries at home, which now sets the tone for how I confidently handle him in public environments. I absolutely love the hands-on nature of the classes and the opportunities to face situations in class that previously provoked bad behavior in Ivan. It is amazing the change in our family life now that I better understand Ivan’s motivations and how to communicate with him appropriately and consistently. It has relieved tremendous stress and I smile every time he heels next to me on our walks, it never gets old! ​- Heather

All that I can say is if you decide to go here be VERY aware. I truly wish that I had checked reviews first. I met with Chris for an assessment to see if he could help my wife and I to work on some behavior issues that we are having with our two year old Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Issues that I considered to be mild for a professional trainer; "A dog who pulls on his leash to get to play with any other dogs that we encounter, and is obedient only when he wants to be." I knew going in (through research) that the problems we were experiencing were as much due to our ineptitude and lack of canine knowledge, as they were our dog's disobedient behavior. So we were totally prepared for the hard work, and long road ahead of us going in. We did a lot of research (obviously not enough though) before deciding that Canine Solutions looked to be best training facility in the seacoast area. The $25 assessment period was supposed to last an hour, unfortunately after "15" minutes, our "assessment", that took place in a crowded office with 5 other people watching and listening (not very professional "IMHO") ended with Chris informing me that "we were not a good match" and he could not help me with our problems. He suggested that I would be better off seeking help elsewhere, he even recommended a couple of other trainers in the area. I'm not sure if our issues were too tough for him, or if it was the fact that I preferred "private" sessions (which seemed to disturb him) even though when I made the appointment I was told that it was my choice, or if we just had a personality clash, either way I walked away with a very "bad taste" in my mouth. The reason that I had requested "private" sessions was because we wanted to learn from Chris "directly" not from one of his student trainers who are still learning themselves. We were totally prepared to pay the $$ for the private time as well. Something was definitely amiss, Chris was no longer the soft spoken dog loving trainer that he "portrays" on youtube. We had so looked forward to learning from Chris, and in turn teaching our dog how to be the best dog that he could possibly be. We still look forward to learning and teaching our dog, but now have to begin our research over again and hopefully find a trainer that will be comfortable with correcting these types of issues. It was truly a disappointing experience, And besides the sour taste in my mouth, I was also a little disgusted with myself for paying $25, to be told after a 15 minute assessment (that was supposed to last an hour) what I already knew going in; "yeah, you have a problem" They told me when I made the appointment that the $25 would be waived if we decided to train with them. We weren't even offered a chance to train there and yet we were still charged! It really makes me think about the reviewer who called them scammers. My assessment time got cut by 75% because he had a class going n in the next room, then I'm told that they cannot help me, and on the way out the door, I'm reminded to pay. Be very careful and aware here, or you could end up wishing you had never gone there like I did.

My husband and I brought our 10-month-old puppy, Lucy, to canine solutions in late August for an evaluation. We got her just at the beginning of June and brought her everywhere, including dog parks. After a few times a the dog park, she non-aggressively attacked another dog. We think it started because she was overwhelmed by so many dogs greeting her at the parks and she just wanted them to go away. These attacks happened more and more and even though they weren't harmful (more just bullying), we stopped bringing her around dogs all together. She was also really hard to control in any new environment, doing whatever she wanted when she wanted. We had 2 lessons with a previous organization and they did absolutely nothing. It was your typical treat training and redirection training that was really only covering up the problem, not solving. That's when we became desperate and found canine solutions. I saw the great reviews and scheduled an evaluation. At our evaluation, Chris was super blunt and honest and told us that we were spoiling the crap out of her. I was overwhelmed after the evaluation because he had recommended the 3 week rehab, which we agreed to, and gave up our Lucy to them right then and there. I cried almost every night for the first week because I wasn't so sure this was the best choice for her. Their training methods are not delicate and they are always 100% honest with you, even if it is something you don't want to hear. After going in weekly and seeing her change so quickly, my attitude began to change also. The criticism at the evaluation was hard to hear but it was absolutely true. My husband and I took that criticism and embraced it, ready to give this training every bit of our effort so we could have a happy, disciplined dog. We are now about a month out of rehab and we could not be happier with Lucy and our progress! We originally were doing the continuing rehab classes after her rehab but Chris recognized quickly that we didn't belong in there so we were moved to the Junior Class (3rd level obedience class). Lucy wasn't an aggressive dog compared to the extremes Chris and his team deal with so the obedience class is perfect for us. We learned so much and we've only been to one class so far. We will most certainly be continuing our lessons and can't wait to see more progression from our Lucy. She continues to impress us everyday with how quickly she learns and we are so grateful to Chris, Dylon, and the canine solutions team for giving us our dream dog. Now I know that we are on the right path to having a happy, healthy, obedient dog that doesn't add stress to our lives like so many others do. Both my husband and I feel very confident in ourselves to handle our Lucy properly now and can't wait to learn even more. Thank you Canine Solutions!!

Canine Solutions Training Services has changed my dog’s life. Theo and I have been clients for about a year, and I will never go anywhere else again. Chris and his staff are patient, kind, and completely knowledgeable about all things dog. Theo has taken advantage of the behavior rehab program, day school and weekly group lessons. As a result his behavior has improved dramatically, and I now have much more confidence and way less anxiety. Before I went to CSTS I was genuinely at my lowest. Although I loved my dog more then anything, I had given up hope that I could manage him and was worried that I could not keep him, or others, safe. Chris and his trainers changed all that. Lessons are taught in a friendly, fun environment and give participants tools for managing problem behavior while practicing obedience. CSTS staff’s personal attention to their client’s individual needs encourages and calms even the most frustrated and stressed dog owner. It’s absolutely impossible to not laugh and smile while working with them. Not only have I experienced their miracle working firsthand, I’ve seen it time and time again for other people in situations like mine. Theo’s and my journey is far from over, but thanks to Chris it has become a (mostly) fun and positive one! I’m so grateful to everyone at CSTS and know that Theo and I have made friends for life.

In August, 2014, I adopted a 4 month old puppy that I quickly realized had some severe dog aggression issues. The traditional 'puppy/dog training' was not helping, it was actually exacerbating the issue. I took Daisy to CSTS in Sept. She spent 3 weeks there in a rehabilitation program and we have been training with them since. They have not only helped Daisy overcome her dog aggression, they have taught me how to manage her in any situation that we may encounter. This past week, we had to travel for a funeral service and took Daisy with us. I was able to safely and confidently manage my dog at service plazas while she did potty breaks and in a relatives home where they have two quite badly behaved dogs of their own and she behaved like the star pupil that CSTS has helped her become. Not only do they train your dog, they give you all the support that you may need in your journey to having a dog that is a safe member of society. If I had not found them, I have no doubt that my Daisy would eventually have had to be euthanized due to the aggression that was escalating out of control. I highly recommend their services.

We have a 2 and a half year old pitbull named Willow. We scheduled an evaluation with Chris because she was exhibiting dog aggression which was spilling over into posturing and jumping at humans as well. We live at the beach and really want to be able to walk her through town without worrying about bites and fights. We had 2 previous trainers, but their methods weren't working for Willow. I must admit Chris has a tough approach initially. My impression is he wants to test owners as much as he tests the dogs. Our one hour evaluation lasted almost 2 hours and I believe he not only answered all of questions honestly.... even if I didn't want to like all the answers...... He also spent time handling her and and was able to demonstrate her behaviors and explain solutions with us. I don't think this is going to be easy, but I do finally feel like we are on the right track and with a lot of work, we'll have a better dog in the end. Willow will be going to spend 3 weeks with Chris and his team and we will be joining them twice a week for our own training. I will be sure to do a follow up review as we begin our journey!

Thanks to CSTS, my Wife and jerk of a dog (presa canario) are now living at peace again and his resource guarding is non existent. Not your average compliant pup.He is a Strong animal with a pushy temperament. Chris helped me fix his issues in a very short time. Knowledgeable, Thorough, and professional! Thanks again for your help Chris.

SCAM SCAM SCAM!!! STAY AWAY!!! Chris and April Fraize are just straight up scam artists which is probably why they moved their shop from Maine to NH Here's how they scammed my fiance and I to which we fell for hook link and sinker. We have a troubled pitbull adoption that we wanted to get on the straight and narrow. I had heard Chris do an interview on the Morning Buzz so I decided to give him a shot. We were stressed and worried, we did not want our dog to bite anyone, we did not want the legal ramifications and we did not want to see her get put down so we were in a desperate place. Apparently Chris could smell it on us. Here's how the scam works. -Chris would ask us a question, i.e. How old is the dog now? we answered 3, Chris then responded 'Oooo 3, yeah that's when a switch flips in their brain and something changes. The intake continued like this, he'd ask the question then gave us the answer that was the worse case for anything we responded to like our dog was in the worse place possible. If you go there, your dog will be to no matter what the scenario. -Next Chris then told us we were lucky a new class was starting soon but he would really need to take our dog into custody for 2 weeks for intense training for the low cost of $1200. When we flinched at the price he laid it on thick. The class only had a spot or two left, if we didn't lock it in and pay now we could be left out of luck for 8 weeks, this is a matter of life and death for our dog and so on. We love our dog so naturally we took the bait -Chris then arraigned for us to drop our dog off the next day with the promise that our dog would be living at his house to be trained intensely to prepare for the classes to come. he would also teach our dog to run on a treadmill and start working her out to release energy. None of this happened. Our dog was kept in a crate at the shop the entire time, at first we thought she was just being dropped off on class nights so we can work with her but then staff mentioned they had to cover her crate in the day because she was getting too worked up when the cleaning ladies were there. We inquired what the intense training was as our dog still did not know how to sit on command and showed no signs of anything else changing but we never got a straight answer. We also supplied a brand new $60 40# bag of dog food for the two weeks as well as a leash and collar, all of which we never got bak even after asking for it a dozen or so times. -When we first signed up for classes Chris gave the impression we would train with him in classes . In a six month time we NEVER had Chris as a trainer. It was always a student of Chris' who was a nice kid but had no structure to any class and couldn't remember what he assigned us to do with our dogs from week to week. He's test our dog on verbal commands he never asked us to teach the dog. -April was a joke as well. April is the one who we kept asking for the food collar and leash back from, in theory there should have been at least 20# of food to return. After a few months They changed class structure to all private lessons instead of groups and you had to book with April. On more than one occasion we booked, drove an hour from Salem MA to Rye NH and no one would be there. April would just respond to an email saying they forgot and offer nothing to make it up to us. These people are Scam artists looking to leverage your dog against you to get as much money as possible out of you. Stay far far away from them if you value your dog and your money.