Training Resources
Read this prior to selecting a trainer
Noelle's Story: A Doggie Boot Camp Victim - Rescued By Training
In my previous post cautioning about aversive dog training " boot camps " I touched on the long-lasting negative effects that often happen. I wanted to share the story of a dog I worked with, named Noelle. I worked with Noelle after she was sent to a 6 week board and train shock trainer in NYC.
Free Training Programs
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Your Dog's Friend Trainer List
Veterinary Behaviorists
Dr. Meghan Connolly
Atlantic Veterinary Behavior LLC
Appointments at Gaithersburg, MD office
In Home Consultations (Maryland)
(240) 261-8677
AtlanticVeterinaryBehavior.com
Dr. Amy Pike, DVM, DACVB
Animal Behavior Wellness Center
Locations in Fairfax, VA and Richmond, VA
888-438-0788, info@abwellnesscenter.com
abwellnesscenter.com
Dr. Leslie Sinn, DVM, DACVB
(540) 454-9081, lsinndvm@gmail.com
behaviorsolutions.guru
Atlantic Veterinary Behavior LLC
Appointments at Gaithersburg, MD office
In Home Consultations (Maryland)
(240) 261-8677
AtlanticVeterinaryBehavior.com
Dr. Amy Pike, DVM, DACVB
Animal Behavior Wellness Center
Locations in Fairfax, VA and Richmond, VA
888-438-0788, info@abwellnesscenter.com
abwellnesscenter.com
Dr. Leslie Sinn, DVM, DACVB
(540) 454-9081, lsinndvm@gmail.com
behaviorsolutions.guru
Cat Behaviorists and Trainers
Dr. Amy Pike, DVM, DACVB
Animal Behavior Wellness Center
Locations in Fairfax, VA and Richmond, VA
888-438-0788, info@abwellnesscenter.com
abwellnesscenter.com
Lisa Stemcosky
pawliticallycorrect.com
Animal Behavior Wellness Center
Locations in Fairfax, VA and Richmond, VA
888-438-0788, info@abwellnesscenter.com
abwellnesscenter.com
Lisa Stemcosky
pawliticallycorrect.com
Dog Trainers & Classes
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DC
Canine Train Tracks
Serving DC, MD, VA 202-660-4694 Private training Capitol Area Dog Training and Behavior Consulting dianna@capitoltrainingandbehavior.com 240-780-8408 Dianna Stearns, CDPT-KA, CDBC Private, in-home training and individual behavior modification. Specializes in shy or fearful dogs. Treiball and Canine Good Citizen training. Serves the MD counties of Montgomery, Howard, Fredrick, Anne Arundel and Prince Georges, the DC metro area, plus Loudon and Fairfax counties in Virginia. Discount for recognized rescue group fosters and adopters. dogTRAINED DC & VA Classes: (DC location) Puppy, Manners, Reactive, Treibball, Nose work, Agility, Tricks and more. Private training 75 minute Meetups Jennifer Thomas, KPA-CTP jenniferjanethomas@gmail.com 202-631-6594 Private training and behavior modification in DC through WOOFS! Dog Training. Contact through WOOFS! in the Northern VA section below, or directly through her contact information. Phi Beta K-9 School for Dogs swamidogs@gmail.com 202-986-1147 Penelope Brown, CPDT-KA Private training in DC, parts of MD (Silver Spring, Takoma Park , some of Bethesda), and parts of VA. Pet dog training; behavior modification; reactive dogs, some aggression. Rewards Dog Training rewardsdogtraining@gmail.com 240-462-8045 In-home dog training, behavior consultations, and group classes for dogs and puppies of all ages. Spring Training & Behavior Consulting Info@SpringTrainingAndBehavior.com 202-664-4206 Serving the DC Metro area Private: Manners, Behavior modification, Aggression, Baby prep School of Dogs-Hedda Garland DC Metro Area info@schoolofdogs.com 202-363-2310 Classes: Manners, Kids, Summer Camp for Kids, Puppy Private: Manners, Behavior modification, Puppy Spot On Training Classes: Manners, Reactive, Specialty, Puppy socialization classes Private: Manners, Behavior modification, Aggression Urban Canine Training Private Sessions Board and Train for puppies Positive Dog Solutions Vivian Leven, CBCC-KA Jackie Maffucci, CPDT-KSA Alexandria, VA www.positivedogsolutions.com info@positivedogsolutions.com 202-630-0249 Dog behavior consulting, including serious cases; court evaluations and expert witness services; mediation over animal related disputes. Serving the DC metro area and beyond. 
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Maryland
All American Dog School-Banu Qureshi
Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. banubanu@msn.com 240-401-9018 Private training Baltimore Area Force Free Trainers Force-free training in the Baltimore area Canine Character Frederick, MD Classes: Manners, Social skills, Tricks Private: Manners, Puppy, Expecting families, Behavior modification Canine Lifestyle Academy Carroll County, Howard County, and Baltimore County Group classes, Private Sessions, Board and Train, Specialty Classes, Puppy Play Capitol Area Dog Training and Behavior Consulting Dianna Stearns, CDPT-KA, CDBC dianna@capitoltrainingandbehavior.com 240-780-8408 Private, in-home training and individual behavior modification. Specializes in shy or fearful dogs. Treiball and Canine Good Citizen training. Serves the MD counties of Montgomery, Howard, Fredrick, Anne Arundel and Prince Georges, the DC metro area, plus Loudon and Fairfax counties in Virginia. Discount for recognized rescue group fosters and adopters. Dog Crazy Lady Baltimore Co, MD and surrounding areas tanzi@dogcrazylady.com 443-613-1994 Private: Phone consults, Puppy, Behavior modification Dog Latin Dog Training Bethesda, MD and surrounding areas doglatinbeth@gmail.com, juliana@doglatindogtraining.com 202.412.0708 or 301.512.5063 Private training, problem solving, dog walks, puppy. Green Grover Greenbelt, MD Classes, in-home consultations, & workshops Foley's Dog Training Montgomery and Howard County. Contact through their contact form. Positive, rewards-based. Group classes in Agility and Rally-O. Private lessons in basic manners and obedience. Advice & training for fearful dog owners or fosters. K-9 Divine k9divine@k-9divine.com 202-769-5359 Basic training, behavior modification. Offers both sessions and board and train. Laughing Dog Academy Private In-Home Training Leash Walking 101 Puppy Classes Puppy group socialization Classes for Dogs and Older Puppies Next Best Pet Montgomery, Queen Anne, Prince Georges Counties info@nextbestpet.net 240-297-0887 Classes: Offered through the Animal Resource Foundation at their training facility in Chester, MD. Private, Semi-Private Multipet households Discounts: Good Start discount for adopters Adopted discount: 10% lifetime discount American University discount: 5% Student discount: 5% Military discount: 5% Pawsitive Fit Talbot, Dorchester, Caroline, Kent, & Queene Anne Counties pawsitivefit@aol.com 410-200-0091 Private training Susan Sarubin Pawsitive Paws Dog Training Private training: Manners, Clicker training, Problem Behaviors Special Rates for Seniors and Military Families and Those Currently Suffering Economic Hardship Pop Star Dogs Frederick, MD area heather@ popstardogs.com 240-578-8937 One-on-one training Adoption counseling Board and train Preparing your dog for kids Rewards Dog Training rewardsdogtraining@gmail.com 240-462-8045 In-home dog training, behavior consultations, and group classes for dogs and puppies of all ages. School of Dogs-Hedda Garland Montgomery Co info@schoolofdogs.com 202-363-2310 Classes: Manners, Kids, Summer Camp for Kids, Puppy Private: Manners, Behavior modification, Puppy Small and Tall Dog Training-Lisa Arant Montgomery and southern Frederick counties Private training Specializes in small dogs Smart Dog University Frederick, Montgomery, Carroll, Howard Counties Classes: Puppy, Manners, and more Spring Training & Behavior Consulting Serving the DC Metro area Info@SpringTrainingAndBehavior.com 202-664-4206 Private: Manners, Behavior modification, Aggression, Baby prep Train Your Best Friend- Jeni Grant Our mission is to help dogs with serious behavior issues such as fear, anxiety and reactivity. Unleashed Joy Beth Joy, Lead Trainer 410-404-6492 Group Classes Private Training Board and Train Urban Canine Training Private Sessions Board and Train for puppies Positive Dog Solutions Vivian Leven, CBCC-KA Jackie Maffucci, CPDT-KSA Alexandria, VA www.positivedogsolutions.com info@positivedogsolutions.com 202-630-0249 Dog behavior consulting, including serious cases; court evaluations and expert witness services; mediation over animal related disputes. Serving the DC metro area and beyond. You Silly Dog Baltimore area http://www.yousillydog.com/about.php Private training Your Dog's Friend Montgomery County, MD. A 501c3 non-profit organization whose goal is to help keep dogs out of shelters by educating and supporting their humans. We believe that fewer dogs will be given up to shelters if we can help people understand what their dogs need and how their dogs learn. Classes: Various group classes and workshops Class list 
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Virginia
Affectionate Pet Care Dog Training Academy
Fairfax Co trainer@affectionatepetcare.com 703-250-5233 Classes: Puppy, Manners, CGC, Therapy, Obedience, Rally, Agility, Seminars Private: (In-Facility and/or At-Home) Daycare Boot Camp Animal Behavior Wellness Center Fairfax, VA and Richmond, VA 888-438-0788 info@abwellnesscenter.com Classes: Separation Anxiety, Leash Reactivity, Puppy Socialization and more. All About Dogs Annandale, Springfield, Woodbridge Group: Puppy, Manners, Family dogs, CGC, Shy dogs, Tricks Private training Behavior United Jackie Monyano, CPDT-KA, PMCT Silver Spring, MD jackie@behaviorunited.com 301-244-9808 In-home, teletraining and day training in the Northwest DC and Montgomery County, MD areas. C&C Pals McLean 703-876-0284 Group: Obedience, Manners, Nose Work, CGC, Tricks, and more Private training Day Training Capitol Area Dog Training and Behavior Consulting Dianna Stearns, CDPT-KA, CDBC dianna@capitoltrainingandbehavior.com 240-780-8408 Private, in-home training and individual behavior modification. Specializes in shy or fearful dogs. Treiball and Canine Good Citizen training. Serves the MD counties of Montgomery, Howard, Fredrick, Anne Arundel and Prince Georges, the DC metro area, plus Loudon and Fairfax counties in Virginia. Discount for recognized rescue group fosters and adopters. Christine Michaud-Family Dog Training Fairfax Station, Fairfax, Lorton, Springfield, Burke, Clifton, Centreville and surrounding areas. Classes available Private training Come When Called Dog Training Alfhild Winder, CPDT-KA Bethesda, MD comewhencalled@verizon.net 301-928-6606 or 301-229-2302 Private training for behavior issues within 25 miles of Bethesda. Puppy and basic classes in Olney. Teaches Distracted Dog Class, weekday Reactive Dog Class, and Obedience Skills at YDF. Core Canine Alexandria, VA April@CoreCanine.com 571-488-9004 Group classes Private training Dog Latin Dog Training Beth Mullen, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA, CBCC & Juliana Willems, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA Bethesda, MD doglatindogtraining@verizon.net 202-412-0708 Private, in-home training and behavior modification in Northwest DC, Montgomery County and close-in VA. Puppy and Basic classes at Kenwood Animal Hospital. dogTRAINED DC & VA Classes: (DC location) Puppy, Manners, Reactive, Treibball, Nose work, Agility, Tricks and more. Private training 75 minute Meetups Dog Tranquility Springfield Classes: Puppy, Manners, CGC, Agility, Rally, Treibbal Custom training Service Dog Training Cat Training Fur-Get Me Not Arlington, VA trainer@furgetmenot.com 703-229-4960 Classes: Puppy, Manners, Socials, Workshops, Nose work, CGC, Specialty Private training Day Training Joyful Dog Bluemont, Fredricksburg, Great Falls, Hamilton, VA marniem@joyfuldogllc.com 703-554-2384 Classes: Puppy, Manners, TTouch, Leash, Reactive dog, Private: Manners, Behavior modfications, TTouch, Board & Train Kissable Canine Northern VA info@kissablecanine.com 703-574-3383 Group: Manners, Reactive dog, Therapy dog, Nose work, Agility, Trick, Treibball, Workshops, Puppy, Private: Manners, Behavior modification, and more Laughing Dog Academy Sarah Stoycos, KPA-CTP Rockville, MD sstoycos@gmail.com 240-498-9920 Private training, behavior consultations, and day training, Montgomery County, NW DC, and parts of Northern VA. Co-teaches the online Reactive Dog Class. Lead With Fun Dog Training Fairfax Co & surrounding areas jennifer@leadwithfun.com 571-969-7297 Group: Puppy, Manners, Specialty Private: Manners, Behavior modification MJ Seemann jcliles@comcast.net 301-986-4918 Private training and behavior modification in Bethesda and surrounding area. Paws of Change Fredericksburg, VA Melissa@Pawsofchange.com 703-586-2615 Classes: Manners, Puppy, Seminars Private: Behavior evaluations and modification, Day Training, New Baby Prep Pawsitive Paws Jean Robertson Germantown, MD jerliz5656@gmail.com 301-524-3385 Private in-home training and behavior modification. All areas within a 50 mile radius of Germantown. Pender Vet Training Chantilly & Fairfax 703-591-3304 Classes: Puppy, Obedience, Specialty Playful Pandemonium McLean, VA 415-646-5129 Private Training Positive Perspectives Dog Training Gainesville, Manassas, Brentsville, Warrenton, Centreville, Clifton, Chantilly ppdtllc@gmail.com 703-403-4074 Private: Puppy, Basic obedience, Behavior modification Rewards Dog Training Joyce Loebig, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA Takoma Park, MD rewardsdogtraining@gmail.com 240-462-8045 Private training, behavior consultations, and day training in Montgomery County, Prince Georges County, and Washington, DC. Puppy, Basic, “around town”, and reactive classes in Takoma Park, MD. Right Start Maryland Michelle Mange Rockville & Germantown, MD tmange@msn.com 301-526-6285 Private training & behavior advice in Montgomery & Frederick counties. Group classes at YDF include Basic Manners, Agility, and Reactive Dog Class. School of Dogs-Hedda Garland Montgomery Co, MD info@schoolofdogs.com 202-363-2310 Classes: Manners, Kids, Summer Camp for Kids, Puppy Private: Manners, Behavior modification, Puppy Small & Tall Dog Training Lisa Arant Rockville, MD lisa@smallandtalldogtraining.com 301-704-0352 Private training in Montgomery and southern Frederick counties. Discounts available for recently adopted dogs. Special interest in therapy dog training. Special Paws Gaithersburg, Rockville, Germantown & Bethesda. info@specialpawstraining.com 301-655-2678 Katalin Kerekes Private training and behavior modification Spring Training & Behavior Consulting Info@SpringTrainingAndBehavior.com 202-664-4206 Serving the DC Metro area Private: Manners, Behavior modification, Aggression, Baby prep. Sundogs Canine Consultation and Training Alexandria, VA Classes: Walks, Puppy Private: Manners, Behavior modification, Puppy Totally Happy Dog Training Tony Henline, KPA-CTP Silver Spring, MD tonyhenline@totallyhappydogtraining.net 202-568-2509 In-home, private training and behavioral advice in Montgomery County. Urban Canine Jessica Lamb, CPDT-KA Silver Spring, MD Montgomery County and parts of NW, DC. urbancaninetraining@gmail.com 571-338-2009 Training and behavior consultations in lower WOOFS! Dog Training Center 703-536-7877 Shirlington & Ballston Campuses Classes: Puppy, Basic, Agility Private training Board & train Day school |
For more training recommendations or if your area is not listed, check out this list of trainers, https://yourdogsfriend.org/we-recommend/positive-trainers/
For training tips, please visit our Resources page.