Constellation K9 is located in Maryland. We provide exceptional dog training at competitive rates, custom-tailored to your dog or puppy!
At Constellation K9, we embarked on a mission to empower dog owners with the necessary skills to ensure their canine companions remain well-behaved throughout their lives. Unlike other dog trainers who take charge of training your dog on your behalf, only for you to discover that your furry friend reverts to old habits upon their return, leaving you clueless on how to rectify them, we offer a different approach. With us, you won't find yourself back at square one. We will be by your side throughout the entire journey, providing unwavering support and comprehensive instruction to help you achieve the dog you have always desired.
We use methods that have consistently been proven over decades to yield results. Dogs trained through Constellation K9 have won obedience competitions, starred in television commercials, and become lifelong reliable and loyal companions. Throughout the entire process, you can be assured that you will have all the information you need to handle whatever challenge your dog throws at you. You won't be a passive bystander in your dog's training; you'll be an active participant, teaching your dog expert obedience and forging an unbreakable bond between you.
Meet the trainers!
Mariah Johnston
Mariah is an Air Force veteran based out of Glen Burnie, Maryland. She has been working with dogs for over seven years, starting as a part-time trainer during her active-duty military service.
She has since transitioned from the military to focus on dog training full time, running her own business since 2018.
Her initial area of expertise lay in training aggressive and reactive dogs, fostering rescue dogs, and rehabilitating dogs considered to be unadoptable. Since then, she has expanded her skillset to include advanced training and early puppy obedience. Mariah has sought out every opportunity to improve, both through attending out of state seminars and apprenticing with some of the best dog trainers in the country. She has studied in multiple disciplines, allowing her to tailor her methods to whichever is most appropriate and effective for the dog.
Mariah has worked extensively with and currently breeds dalmatians. The first dog she competed with ranked sixth in the country for obedience in 2018. She has thoroughly studied the health, genetics and body structure of dogs in an effort to both preserve and improve the breed.
She has often worked with local businesses, to include pet photographers, veterinarians, and dog walkers. She has found a love for participating in dog sports such as bike jorring, barn hunting, canicross, scent work, FASTCAT, French ring and Mandioring, weight pull, obedience, and conformation. Dogs that she has trained have also appeared in several ad campaigns and commercials for international companies.
Kirsti LaVoy
Kirsti joined Constellation K9 officially in 2022. Though she is new for us, she has been training dogs for several years. Kirsti mushes with her pack of Alaskan Malamutes. She breeds and raises her Malamutes to be incredible working dogs and very social, obedient pets.
Kirsti is passionate about everything she jumps into, and training is no exception! She even competes in agility, rally and conformation. We are happy to have her join the team.
Kirsti runs classes, hiking adventure, puppy raises and takes on the occasional board and train pup!
Meet the pack!
Lyra is Mariah's first dalmatian and is the leader of the pack. She's a hardworking partner who often helps out with training. She was ranked sixth in the country for obedience in 2018. When not at work, she enjoys playing ball and being adored by everyone.
Corvus (or Cory) is a dalmatian from show-bred lines who excels in the conformation ring. He has a calm and sweet demeanor, and is a very handsome boy that is happiest when he's asleep on a lap.
Arson is a very fluffy Belgian Malinois! He has been working very hard, traveling all the way to California, to begin competing in Mondioring. Mondioring is a bite sport (if you haven't heard of it, you should look it up)!
Gustaf (Gus/Goose) is a Portuguese Podengo Pequeno, a natural model that loves to play and run around. He's a goofy boy that enjoys sports like barn hunt and being in front of the camera.
Vega & Bones are two of Lyra's children, owned by Mariah's apprentice, Imani. Vega is following in her mother's footsteps to become a superb partner. Bones is deaf, a common dalmatian trait that has not impeded his training in any way. Both are well-tempered, affectionate, and wonderful dogs.
Todd & Copper are ragdoll brothers. They've been around dogs their entire life and have become very effective at helping any dogs with issues being around cats. They enjoy stealing food and harassing their owners at every opportunity.