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Dog Trainers in the DC Area

This listing is intended as a resource only and does not endorse or guarantee the quality of services of trainers listed here.

Homeward Trails supports positive reinforcement training only. Research and experience has shown that aversive training techniques, such as electronic shock collars, have lasting, harmful effects on dogs including potentially increased aggression. 

Virginia

All About Dogs
Lake Ridge, VA
www.allaboutdogsinc.com
703-497-7878
Comments: Classes and private lessons in Lake Ridge, VA.

C&C Pals
McLean, VA
www.positivek9training.com
703-867-0284
Comments: Classes in McLean and Springfield, VA and private lessons in the DC area.

Cooperative Paws
Veronica Sanchez
Vienna, VA
www.cooperativepaws.com
703-489-6452
Comments: Service dog training

A Dog’s World Dog Training and Pet Care
Teresa Hanula, CPD 
 Northern VA
www.onedogatatime.com
703-304-3114
Comments: Offering private sessions, rescue dog discount available

Fur-Get Me Not 
Arlington, VA
www.furgetmenot.com
trainer@furgetmenot.com
703-933-1935
Comments: Individual training and group classes.  Highly recommended – a Homeward Trails partner!

Kinga’s K-9s
Kinga Niecko
Falls Church, VA
www.kk9s.com
703-505-5695
Comments: Specializing in dog behavioral rehabilitation and training. Offering private sessions held at the client’s home and other environments where the dog is exhibiting issues. HT rescue dog discount.

Lead With Fun 
Jennifer Pennington
Fairfax, VA
leadwithfun@gmail.com
www.leadwithfun.com
571-969-7297
Comments: Individual training and group classes.  Highly recommended – a Homeward Trails partner!

Positive Dog Solutions
Vivian Leven and Jackie Maffucci
Alexandria, VA
www.positivedogsolutions.com
202-630-0249
Comments: dog behavior consulting, people coaching, conflict resolution, legal support services. Highly recommended – a Homeward Trails partner!

PuppyK
Jutka Terris, CPDT-KA
Northern VA
www.puppyk.com
703-447-1500
Comments: puppy training, advanced puppy, private adult dog training, obedience, agility/rally. Highly recommended – a Homeward Trails partner!

PupStart
Kathy Callahan, CPDT-KA, FDM
Alexandria, VA
www.puppypicks.com
CallahanPack@mac.com
Comments: Private in-home lessons in Alexandria, VA; Zoom consults anywhere! Specializes in puppy training and socialization, raising puppies. Highly recommended – a Homeward Trails partner!

Treats and Triumphs
Kathleen Alvania, CTC, CPDT-KA, FFCP

Central Fairfax County
www.treatsandtriumphs.com
Comments: dog and puppy training

Unleashed Abilities
Falls Church, VA
www.unleashedabilities.com
703-486-0680
Comments: private in home training

West Wind Dog Training
Prince William County, VA
www.westwinddogtraining.com
703-730-8429
Comments: Classes and private lessons in Prince William County, VA.

Woofs! Dog Training Center
Arlington, VA
www.woofsdogtraining.com
703-536-7877
Comments: Has classes, including private classes.

Washington, DC

District Dogs 
Washington, DC
districtdogs.com
202-813-3913
Comments: Puppy school, group classes, private training and specialty classes.

School of Dogs
Hedda Garland 

Washington, DC
202-363-2310
www.schoolofdogs.com
Comments: Private in-home lessons, classes and workshops.

Maryland

Capital Working Dogs
Ralph Moores

https://ralphtrainsdogs.com/
301-306-0093
Comments: Private lessons in DC and MD.

Dog Latin Dog Training and Behavior Consulting, Tara Murtagh, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA
Garrett Park, MD
202-738-9876
doglatindogtraining.com
tara@doglatindogtraining.com
Comments: Classes, virtual and in home tutoring, behavior consulting

Laughing Dog Academy
Sarah Stoycos, KPA-CTP
Rockville, MD
240-498-9920
laughingdogacademy.com
sstoycos@gmail.com
Comments: Private training, behavior consultations, and day training, while you’re at work. Teaches at Your Dog’s Friend in Rockville. Serves Rockville & other parts of Montgomery County, northwest DC & parts of Northern VA.

Play & Train Dog Behavior, LLC
Jen Boyd-Morin, CPDT-KA, PMCT1
Laurel, MD (& surrounding areas)
www.playandtraindogs.com
info@playandtraindogs.com
240-583-1887

Heart’s Content Dog Training
Veronica Bemanvv
Rockville, MD
heartscontentdogtraining.com
heartscontentdogtraining@gmail.com
301-882-8028
Comments: Private training, behavior consultations, and day training. Teaches at Your Dog’s Friend in Rockville. Serves Montgomery County & some areas of NW DC.

Metropolitan Dog
Melissa Dilla, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA
Potomac, MD
metropolitandog.com
melissadilla@gmail.com
301-842-8042
Comments: Private training, behavior consultations, day training, and service dog task training. Fear-Free Certified and Certified Service Dog Coach. Can help with many dog sports and therapy dog prep. Teaches at Your Dog’s Friend in Rockville. Privates in Potomac, Rockville, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Kensington, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg and surrounding areas.

Rewards Dog Training
Joyce Loebig, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA
Takoma Park, MD
rewardsdogtraining.com
rewardsdogtraining@gmail.com
240-462-8045
Comments: Private training, behavior consultations, and day training in Takoma Park & other parts of Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and Washington, DC. Teaches at Your Dog’s Friend.

Small & Tall Dog Training
Lisa Arant, CPDT-KA
Rockville, MD
smallandtalldogtraining.com
301-704-0352
Comments: Private in-home training for dogs of all ages and behavior consultations in Rockville and other parts of Montgomery County. Special interest in fearful dogs and therapy dog training. Classes at Canine Prep School in Damascus.

Your Dog’s Friend
administrator@yourdogsfriend.info
www.yourdogsfriend.org
301-983-5913
Comments: Classes, free workshops and tons of free training resources.

Infinite-Dog
Robin Shepherd, CPDT-KA
Rockville, MD
infinite-dog.com
robindogtraining@gmail.com
301-580-6654
Comments: Private in-home & virtual training, behavior consultations, and board & train. Teaches at Your Dog’s Friend in Rockville. Serves Rockville, Derwood, Gaithersburg & other parts of Montgomery County.

Rollins Family Dog Training
Rachel Rollins, KPA-CTP
Bethesda, MD
rollinsdogtraining.com
rrollinsp@gmail.com
301-821-2288
Comments: In-home private training for individuals and families in Bethesda, Rockville & Chevy Chase and parts of northwest DC.

Behavior United
Jackie Moyano, CPDT-KA, PMCT
Silver Spring, MD
behaviorunited.com
jackie@behaviorunited.com
Comments: In-home and day training in Silver Spring & other parts of MD, Northern VA, and DC. Certified separation anxiety trainer (SaPro). Group classes at Your Dog’s Friend and Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, DC.

Good Pets
Debbie Nathanson, CPDT-KA
Rockville, MD
goodpets.biz
goodpets2021@gmail.com
818-326-6855
Comments: In-home private training for puppies and dogs of all ages (and their people) in Rockville, Potomac, North Bethesda and surrounding areas.

Paw Prints University
Lindsey Paige, CPDT-KA
Silver Spring, MD
pawprintsaroundtown.com
info@pawprintsuniversity.com
202-489-5278
Comments: In-home and walk & train day training programs in Montgomery County and DC. On-demand videos and digital courses available. Specializes in loose-leash walking, nutrition’s effect on behavior, and families with young children. Fear-free certified, dog and cat nutrition consultant, Family Paws Parent Educator.

Come When Called Dog Training
Alfhild Winder, CPDT-KA
Bethesda, MD
www.comewhencalled.com
comewhencalled@verizon.net
301-928-6606 or 301-229-2302
Comments: Private training for behavior issues in Bethesda & within 25 miles of Bethesda. Puppy and basic classes in Olney.

4 On the Floor Dog Training
Kelly Citrin, CPDT-KA
Julie Davidson

Bethesda, MD
4onthefloor.dog
info@4onthefloor.dog
301-529-6206 or 301-664-4434
Comments: Private at-home training, behavior consultations, and day training in Potomac, Rockville, Bethesda, Kensington & throughout Montgomery County. Group classes for puppies through adults in Kensington, Potomac, Rockville & Gaithersburg – CGC and Therapy Dog Prep, Agility, Growly 2.0, Cultured & Confident. Teaches Montgomery County classes for National Capital Therapy Dogs.

High Five Dog Training
Gabriela Hubbard, CBCC-KA CPDT-KA
Silver Spring, MD
highfivedogtraining.com
gabriela@highfivedogtraining.com
301-683-7770
Comments: In-home training from puppy to adult in Silver Spring & other parts of Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and DC. Special interest in reactive “aggressive” dogs. Education for expectant parents and family focused training. Licensed Family Paws Educator & SAPro (Separation Anxiety) Trainer.

Dances with Dogs
Brittany Fulton, CTC
Silver Spring, MD
dancesdogs.com
fulton@dancesdogs.com
458-205-5714
Comments: Private in-home training, behavior consultations, and in-home day training in Silver Spring & other parts of Montgomery County and northwest DC. Specialty in reactivity and aggression. Teaches Basic Manners and Reactive Dog at Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, DC.

Urban Canine
Jessica Remi Lamb, CPDT-KA
Gaithersburg, MD
urbancaninetraining.com
urbancaninetraining@gmail.com
571-338-2009
Comments: Training and behavior consultations in Gaithersburg and other parts of MD and DC. Sleep Away and Day Camp for puppies 8 weeks – 18 months old.

Pawz for Health
Janet Oquendo, CPDT-KA, CDBC
Silver Spring, MD
pawzforhealth.net
janet@pawzforhealth.net
240-424-5984
Comments: In-home dog and puppy training and behavior modification. Serves Silver Spring, Rockville, Kensington, Chevy Chase, and surrounding areas. One or two week puppy camps for 10 week to 5 month old puppies.

Foley’s Dog Training
E. Foley, CPDT-KA
Burtonsville, MD
foleysdogtraining.com
info@foleysdogtraining.com
407-760-0645 (text preferred)
Comments: Private beginner-friendly Agility training, even for reactive or fearful dogs, at E’s home in Burtonsville and Agility classes with Your Dog’s Friend.

Woodside TTouch
Pam Wanveer, Certified Advanced Tellington TTouch® Practitioner
Silver Spring, MD
woodsideTTouch.com
woodsidettouch@mac.com
301-585-5675
Comments: TTouch involves body work, wraps, and movement exercises. These methods can help dogs calm down, feel less anxious, or have greater mobility. Private sessions at Pam’s home in Silver Spring. Group classes at YDF in Rockville to learn and practice methods with your dog.

For a list of other  positive trainers in the are and some great resources, visit:

https://yourdogsfriend.org/we-recommend/positive-trainers/

More News from the Trail!

  • Come See Us at the Washington Auto Show

    We are thrilled to be joining our friends at Subaru of America, Inc. at the The Washington Auto Show again this year from January 19-28. We had a blast showing off our dogs and puppies the last two year! We love the opportunity to introduce Homeward Trails to lots of new people and see so many old friends and adopters. Come out and meet and adopt some great dogs at the Subaru booth. We are also still in need of volunteers are needed for many shift to help handle dogs and transport dogs to and from the Adoption Center and foster homes. The convention center is metro and bus accessible if you are not transporting dogs. You can enjoy the auto show for free before or after your shift. Volunteers must be 18 years and older. Sign up and come join us! https://www.signupgenius.com/…/20F084EA8AE2DA5F49…

  • Helping Happy Hounds – Fee Waived Hound Adoptions

    As you may or may not know, Virginia animal shelters are filled with Hounds. These amazing dogs are most often discarded by callous hunters, found starving wandering the countryside. Many never make it as hunters and are then tied up to chains or left along the side of the road like old furniture. A good number of them do not make it out of shelters alive.But these dogs – like all dogs – are amazing and worthy of families. We just cannot get them families fast enough to stop them from dying in our shelters when there is no more space.And so we are trying something new here. ALL HOUND DOGS ADOPTED FROM HOMEWARD TRAILS WILL BE FREE. Yes, we are WAIVING ADOPTION FEES for Hounds for the foreseeable future.We hope that will entice well-matched applicants to consider a Hound now. Use the money you save on training, treats, toys.We think all dogs are worthy. But the reality is that some take extra incentives. Some have more barriers to getting adopted. And the result is well, more end up dying. And no – this does NOT mean we are just giving dogs away. All applicants will still go through our application/screening process to ensure good homes. This is just us trying to save more dogs by eliminating one more barrier to adoption. And hey, Hound lovers can use all the extra money they can get to buy treats, right?Help us help these Hounds. Our program Helping Happy Hounds is live NOW. Let’s save some lives!

  • Our Current Supply Needs – Can You Help?

    Each year Homeward Trail spends thousands and thousands of dollars on supplies to care for our animals and support the general operations of our organization. We always strive to keep our costs as low as possible so that we can spend every extra dollar saving more lives.  One simple way you can help is by donating these supplies – everything from postage stamps, to cleaning supplies, to ink cartridges and paper, to dog and cat food and litter. Our wish lists are updated regularly so you can always find our most current needs. Please consider donating supplies to help us cover the cost of these items. The more we are able to get donated, the more animals we can help. Thank you! Adoption Center Wishlist Meow Palace Wishlist Dog Enrichment Wishlist Trails Home Farm Wishlist Farmhouse Wishlist Trails UP Wishlist  Puerto Rico Wishlist

More News from the Trail!

  • Come See Us at the Washington Auto Show

    We are thrilled to be joining our friends at Subaru of America, Inc. at the The Washington Auto Show again this year from January 19-28. We had a blast showing off our dogs and puppies the last two year! We love the opportunity to introduce Homeward Trails to lots of new people and see so many old friends and adopters. Come out and meet and adopt some great dogs at the Subaru booth. We are also still in need of volunteers are needed for many shift to help handle dogs and transport dogs to and from the Adoption Center and foster homes. The convention center is metro and bus accessible if you are not transporting dogs. You can enjoy the auto show for free before or after your shift. Volunteers must be 18 years and older. Sign up and come join us! https://www.signupgenius.com/…/20F084EA8AE2DA5F49…