Services Directory
Yess Dog
Certified dog trainer handles your dog's entire wedding day
Lake Hiawatha, NJ, New Jersey
About
Brian Merrill founded Yess Dog LLC in Lake Hiawatha, NJ after leaving a 25-year corporate career and discovering a genuine calling in dog training. He completed the Master Program for Dog Training at CATCH Canine Trainers Academy, earned AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator credentials across five programs, and is CPR/First Aid certified for dogs and cats — all backed by a fully insured LLC. He has trained hundreds of dogs over six-plus years in New Jersey, from puppies to seniors to reactive dogs, and brings that same calm competence to every wedding day.
How It Works
Start with a wedding consultation to walk Brian through your dog's personality, your ceremony timeline, and any special roles — ring bearer, portrait subject, or just a happy guest. On the wedding day, Brian handles the morning routine so your dog is exercised, fed, and calm before the ceremony, then transports them to the venue for photos and the aisle walk. After the event, your dog can head directly to Yess Dog's luxury boarding studio if you need overnight care, keeping the entire day in one set of trusted hands.
Based in Lake Hiawatha, NJ. Serves Morris County and beyond. Additional $25 per training session for locations more than 25 miles from Lake Hiawatha, NJ.
Services & Capabilities
What Sets Them Apart
- Brian is a certified dog trainer — meaning he can work with dogs of any temperament and energy level on your wedding day, not just the easy ones. If your dog tends to get excited or distracted, he already has the tools to handle it.
- Yess Dog LLC is fully insured for dog training, walking, and boarding — so your venue, your guests, and your pet are all covered by a real business entity, not just a handshake agreement.
- Luxury boarding before or after your wedding is available at the Yess Dog Studio, giving you a single trusted provider for drop-off, the big day, and pick-up — no handoffs between strangers.
- Brian has earned over 100 five-star Google reviews and carries AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator credentials across five program levels — that's a level of formal recognition you won't find with most wedding pet attendants.
- He's handled every part of the wedding day experience: morning walks and feeding while you get ready, transportation to the venue, ring bearer duties, portrait sessions, and dressing your dog in their tuxedo.
Certifications
Pricing
Get in Touch ↓Wedding ceremony dog handling starts at $500 for up to 2.5 hours, with additional fees available for transport, rehearsal attendance, formal attire, and boarding before or after the event. Couples who book multiple days of care including the wedding day receive a one-day-of-care boarding discount.
Wedding Ceremony Dog Handling
starting at $500.00Includes handling with Certified Dog Trainer Brian Merrill, aisle escorting, photo shoots (candid shots throughout the event), feeding and snacks, potty breaks, on-leash exercise, venue coordination. Additional fees may apply for boarding, chauffeur service to/from venue, formal attire for dog, special attire for trainer, rehearsal handling, travel time and distance, and other special requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does Yess Dog handle on our wedding day?
Brian Merrill — a certified dog trainer and AKC CGC evaluator — personally handles your dog from start to finish. That includes morning exercise, feeding, and transport to your venue, followed by aisle escorting, ring bearer duties if needed, and candid photo assistance throughout the event. After the ceremony, he can take your dog directly to Yess Dog's luxury boarding studio if you need overnight care.
Is Yess Dog available for the rehearsal dinner as well as the wedding?
Yes. Rehearsal handling is available as an add-on to the wedding day package. Reach out through a wedding consultation to discuss pricing and timing — additional fees apply for rehearsal attendance, travel distance beyond the Lake Hiawatha area, and extended hours beyond the base 2.5-hour package.
We're getting married outside Morris County — can Yess Dog still help?
Yess Dog is based in Lake Hiawatha, NJ and primarily serves Morris County (Parsippany, Boonton, Montville, Livingston, Denville, and more), but Brian does work with clients beyond the immediate area. Travel time and distance fees may apply. Contact him at the inquiry form on their listing page or the vendor directly through this listing to discuss your specific venue location.
Service Areas
Find other vendors in these areas
Get in Touch with Yess Dog
Most vendors respond within one business day.