About DogMore Academy
Headquartered in Allegan, MI, DogMore Academy was founded by professional dog trainer, Manda Ballard.
Learn more about our company, our story, and what sets DogMore Academy apart from other trainers in the industry.
Our Company
Based in Allegan, MI, DogMore Academy is owned and operated by professional dog trainer, Manda Ballard.
At DogMore Academy, we believe that dog training is about more than just getting your dog to perform simple obedience commands. It is about building a bond with your dog, based on a foundation of mutual trust and respect. We firmly believe that creating this solid relationship is the best way for you and your dog to enjoy each other’s company.
We offer a mixture of in-person and online dog training programs to fulfill the needs of every dog owner. There is no training problem that is too big, and no dog breed that is too difficult to work with. We help dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds.
DogMore Academy’s in-person, private lesson programs are perfect for dog owners in the following areas of Michigan:
- Grand Rapids
- Kalamazoo
- Holland
- Battle Creek
- Saugatuck
- Allegan
For dog owners outside of these areas, DogMore Academy offers an online subscription program for dog training. This option is perfect for laying the vital, initial foundation with new puppies – in addition to getting any dog up-to-speed with basic obedience.
Through our specialized dog training programs, DogMore Academy aims to continually improve the relationship between humans and dogs. Our homes, families and communities are improved when our pets are happy and well-behaved.
We remain fully committed to helping our clients, even after our programs have finished. With ongoing support and lifetime access to our WalkMore program – our weekly socialization session, hosted especially for clients (past and present) – we will always be here for you, not just for a few sessions.
PLAY MORE. TRAIN MORE. DOGMORE.
Learn more about our services!
A note from our founder
My name is Manda Ballard, and I am the head trainer and owner here at DogMore Academy.
My whole life has been focused around animals. As a child, I always thought I wanted to be a veterinarian, and then later, a veterinary technician like my mom. Much of my life was spent on my family’s small hobby farm, with everything from horses and goats to chickens and an iguana. Nowadays, the farm is mostly populated by alpacas and, of course, plenty of dogs!
Growing up on the farm and showing horses with my high school equestrian team taught me from a young age what it means to work hard and accomplish a goal. In high school, I joined the local FFA chapter and later became president. The National FFA Organization gave me confidence and leadership skills I never thought I possessed before, as well as expanding on my animal handling skills and knowledge.
My focused interest in dogs – and dog training – started when I was 16. I got my first job, which was at a dog daycare and boarding facility. Simply observing the dogs every day taught me more than I ever could have imagined. As I would speak to the owners about their dogs, it inspired me to pursue dog training as a career. Hearing about the things dog owners struggle with on a day-to-day basis motivated me to try and find a way to help.
When I was 20, I attended the School for Dog Trainers in Harmony, North Carolina. I got my certification in Obedience and Behavior Modification. My time in school was truly unforgettable. I had opportunities to work with all types of dogs, from bomb sniffing dogs in training, to service dogs training to help autistic children. My favorite memory by far was getting to ‘decoy’ a fully trained K9 Unit Police Dog who returned with his handler for a refresher course. With training and guidance from my instructor, I donned the protective gear necessary and proceeded to eat dirt…twice. It was exhilarating! Getting hit by 90 lbs of German Shepherd coming teeth first may not be for everyone, but I’d happily do it again!
Since graduating, I have been devoted to helping anyone seeking help with their dogs. DogMore Academy exists to help build strong bonds between owners and their pets. This is my passion, and I love making a positive difference to families in Allegan, Grand Rapids and the surrounding areas.
Whether you’re having a problem with your dog’s behavior – or you simply want to build the strong relationship with your dog that you’ve always craved – I can’t wait to help you!
Manda Ballard
Owner and Head Trainer
Our Dog Training Philosophy
Our unique philosophy at DogMore Academy creates reliable and repeatable results for our clients.
Our professional dog training services are designed to fit your schedule, and work with you and your dog on a personal level. We believe every dog deserves a happy, healthy home environment where they can learn and thrive, with people who understand their behavior and learning needs. We believe in applying experience and education to every family we work with. We strive to remain informed about the most up-to-date dog training methods,
Reading, understanding, and interpreting all forms of dog communication is a skill. Our aim is to help you understand why your dog behaves in a certain way, providing you with effective solutions that will last a lifetime.
