Sykesville Resident Helps Locals With ‘Canine Lifestyle’

Barking, pulling on the leash, incessant begging, and biting are often things that dog owners have to put up with.

Sykesville resident Meghan Longhurst is attempting to change these behaviors one dog at a time.

Longhurst recently started a business titled “Canine Lifestyle Academy,” a dog training service that helps your dog to “want to behave.”

“I saw a real need for a training business that was focused on what dog owners really want, a dog that just behaves without too much hassle,” said Longhurst.

“Dog owners don't want to have to learn how to be a trainer, they don't have time for a ton of ‘homework,’ and they don't need competition obedience behaviors, they want a dog that doesn't knock over Grandma, that doesn't pull like a freight train on a walk, and doesn't make their life miserable.”

Longhurst has a degree in Psychology with a focus on learning theory and has been training professionally for four years.

In college, she participated in multiple semesters of independent research in her school’s pigeon lab studying behavior and after graduating, she took a job at a national pet store chain as a dog trainer, and found her calling.

Currently with her academy, Longhurst visit clients in their homes, providing training where the dog spends its time and even providing longer term assistance through future correspondence with the pet’s owner.

Her services range from $90 to $110 per hour and include one to nine in-home lessons, training plans, and e-mail support for six months, depending on the plan.

“With Canine Lifestyle Academy I let dog owners be as hands-on as they want to be, if that means I do all of the training, and just teach them how to maintain it when I'm gone, that is absolutely fine,” said Longhurst. “A dog should make your life better.”

For more information on the Canine Lifestyle Academy, visit Longhurst’s website here.