Your Dog’s Favorite Classroom
Trusted by families since 2013 — expert training, positive methods, and a place dogs love to learn.
Home of Trickovation ™
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Where Clever Dogs Come to Train
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Home of Trickovation ™ ★ Where Clever Dogs Come to Train ★
Explore Our Services
From new puppies to complex behaviors, MJ’s Pet Training Academy® offers personalized support to help every dog and their person thrive.
Puppy Training
Build confidence and essential life skills with programs for puppies under 6 months.
Explore Puppy Programs →Behavior Support
We help dogs with reactivity, fear, and anxiety with individualized plans built on compassion.
Get Behavior Help →Manners & Obedience
From sit-stays to polite leash walking, our Manners Quest program offers real-life training with results.
View Manners Quest →Lost Item Retrieval
Teach your dog how to search for and retrieve missing items using fun and focused training games.
Learn Retrieval Skills →Virtual Training
Access expert coaching from anywhere with flexible Zoom-based options for behavior and obedience.
Start Virtual Training →Grooming
Our professional grooming services focus on comfort, coat health, and creating a positive experience for your dog.
Book Grooming →Our Services
MJ’s Pet Training Academy is an indoor facility for dog training and grooming. We provide various training services, including private sessions, puppy training, classes, workshops, special themed events, and scent detection. Our grooming services cater to all dog breeds, and pets do not need to be in training to use our grooming salon. MJ’s also offer virtual services so you can train with us no matter where you are.
Expert Advice You Can Trust
From training tips to behavior insights, the MJ’s blog is packed with professional advice to inspire your training journey.
Visit the Blog
More Than Dog Training
At MJ’s Pet Training Academy®, we don’t just teach obedience — we help you and your dog become a team. Our programs are designed with purpose and a deep respect for the human-animal bond.
Evidence-Based Methods
We use proven training principles that support learning and reduce stress — for both dogs and humans.
Customized Coaching
No two dogs are alike. We tailor training to match your dog’s needs and your real-world goals.
Community Impact
We’re passionate about helping dogs succeed with their families, and thrive in everyday life.
Daily Dog Training Tips
Simple, insightful, and actionable tips to help you build better habits with your dog. Updated daily — and always rooted in MJ’s expert approach.
Read Today’s TipCertified
Expert Dog Trainers
MJ’s trainers are certified and experienced across multiple areas of dog training. Learn more about our certifications here.
10+
Years Serving the community
MJ’s has been serving SouthCoast MA for 10 years, providing pet grooming, puppy classes, dog training, and workshops.
Welcome Call
Not sure where to begin?
Schedule a time to discuss training options with an MJ’s Pet Training Academy team member. For in person and distance clients, a welcome call is a great way to learn more about all of our services. Contact us to learn more.
Classes
Puppy Skills and Puppy Gym
Puppy classes at MJ’s Pet Training Academy are designed to offer flexibility and support to new puppy owners. Whether you want to take your puppy through all of the topics to earn the Puppy Skills Achievement or drop in for some extra training practice in combination with other programs, we invite you to join our classes and gym sessions designed exclusively for puppies. Practice important skills such as leash walking, coming when called, greeting without jumping, stay, toy search and more.
In addition to our regular Puppy Skills classes, MJ’s also offers private training for puppies in Acushnet as well as puppy training workshops.
If your puppy is 5 months or under, you can get started right away without the need for an evaluation.
Canine Manners Certificate
Our comprehensive obedience and manners track will take you from the foundational basics all the way to advanced techniques, including off-leash obedience. Begin with our Training Foundations program and steadily progress through the various levels towards achieving Real-World Obedience. Are you ready to join the exciting Manners Quest adventure?
Learn more about the Canine Manners Certificate here.
Scent Detection
Scent detection is for every dog! When dogs are provided with opportunities to problem solve using their strongest sense, it gives them an outlet like no other. If your dog loves to sniff, the class will provide your dog with an opportunity to. Scent League is for all dogs. Your dog does not have to have any prior training, nor do you have to be a competitor. In Scent League, dogs learn to search for target odors and alert their handlers. A variety of challenges are offered, and teams can earn points for prizes. Your dog can play too!
The prerequisite for this class is attending our Intro to Scent Detection Workshop.
What Other Experts Have to Say
Kelly Gorman Dunbar
“I’ve been lucky enough to collaborate with MJ several times over the past few years and I am so glad we met. MJ has the perfect blend of technical training skills, enthusiasm, creativity, and compassion. She’s one of my very favorite trainers to follow, the joy she brings to both dogs and handlers is such a pleasure to behold, she really knows how to make dog training fun! I’ve been a dog trainer for 30 years and I still learn new tips and tricks by watching her train!”
Private Dog Training
The possibilities are endless with personalized private training.
Book Private Dog Training with Melissa “MJ” Viera, CPDT-KA
Dog Grooming at MJ’s Pet Training Academy
MJ’s Pet Training Academy offers grooming services for all breeds. Bath packages include a nail trim and nail shaping, ear cleaning, a bath with a premium shampoo, and fluff drying and brushing. Add trimming, clipping, and styling with a Full Grooming Package. Our expert groomers will provide your dog with well-deserved pampering. In addition to our regular grooming packages, specialty add-ons are available. Treat your very good dog to luxury grooming and coat & skin care.
Training and Enrichment
MJ’s is proud to offer enriching activities that keep your dog engaged and happy as well as obedience training, behavioral modification as well as professional consultations for professional trainers. In addition, Melissa “MJ” Viera, CPDT-KA also presents on a number of dog training and behavior topics. If the service you are interested in is not listed on our website, please don’t hesitate to contact us.