Meet Megan

Megan, owner of Mainely Hounds, smiling in a knit hat.
Megan working with dogs sitting and watching her indoors.

I’m Megan, the owner of Mainely Hounds. I work with people who love their dogs and still sometimes find themselves thinking, “I have no idea what to do with you right now.” If that’s where you are, I’d like to hear what happened on your last walk, at your front door, or around the food bowl.

I offer private training in Windham, Maine, and the surrounding area and online canine nutrition consults. You can start with whichever part of daily life is giving you the hardest time.

Let's do this together

mission & values

  • ᨒ compassion first

    I want to understand what’s hard for your dog and for you. You can tell me what’s happening without feeling like you have to apologize for either of you.

  • ᨒ lifelong learning

    I keep studying, asking questions, and learning from different trainers. My education continues as I work with different dogs and the people who live with them.

  • ᨒ experience matters

    I became a trainer after struggling with my own dog. That experience still matters in how I coach: the plan has to make sense when you’re the one holding the leash.

  • ᨒ trust & partnerships

    You know your dog’s everyday life. I bring training guidance, and we work through it together. Ask questions, tell me what feels difficult, and let me know when something isn’t working.

A little more about me

I didn’t set out to become a dog trainer. I was trying to help my own dog. Three days after bringing home my first dog as an adult, we had our first bite. I watched the videos, googled the behaviors, worked with trainers, and still felt like I was failing. Loving dogs had always come easily. Understanding the dog in front of me took learning, practice, and help.

When COVID shut down the world, I had been working as a medical assistant for years. Being outside with my dog was what brought me joy, and I decided to build a life around it. Pet sitting and dog walking grew into day school, Lifestyle Immersion, and dog camp.

These days, I share my life with five dogs: my Vizslas Ruby, Milo, Mulligan, and Finnigan, and my Pitbull/GSP mix, Tallulah. They keep me learning, too.

How I work

My approach is relationship-based and centered on nervous system regulation. We work with the dog AND the human in front of us, starting with how your dog is feeling and coping. My teaching methods, including marker and cue communication, are informed by Stephanie Vichinsky’s work at Method K9. Clear communication, structure, boundaries, and useful skills support the regulation-first work. If I recommend a tool, we’ll talk about why, how I introduce it, and how to use it. Your questions belong in that conversation.

My own dog’s struggles with allergies led me to look more closely at nutrition. Today, I help people think about the whole dog: behavior, food, and the life you share.

Completed certifications

  • Feed Real Institute: CPCN, certified canine nutrition

  • AOPP: PEMF certification and Red Light Therapy certification

  • American Red Cross: CPR and first aid

  • Pet Partners: my dog and I are a registered therapy team, approved for complex locations

Currently in progress

  • Method K9 certification

  • Animal Behavior College: basic dog training, service dog training, grooming, and veterinary assistant certifications

Education & continuing learning

I’ve learned from different approaches because there is more than one way to help a dog. Here’s some of the education behind my work.

Courses, workshops & mentorships

  • Jay Jack: Play as the Way seminar

  • Cherri Lucas: Learn to Lead and Wellness Unleashed workshops

  • Samantha Johnson, Pack Life LA: multiple workshops and in-person shadows

  • Samantha Ewashko: mentorship and shadow program

  • Walking Dog and KANE9 Dog Training: The Trainer in You program

  • Off Leash K9 Training: three-week course

  • Rhonda Bilodeau: My Dog Camp

  • Rhonda Bilodeau and Jess Gorham: Enlightened Dog Trainer Academy

  • Melanie Udhe: Triple Helix

  • Jen Humphrey: Train the Trainer mentorship

  • Canine Clubhouse: Essentials of Dog Behavior and Psychology

Learning is an ongoing part of this work. I’ll keep updating this list as I complete more education.