Your hunt for the best dog trainers in Washington D.C. has most likely brought you to this post. Take a look at the following 8 top dog trainers in the capital.
1. Pawz For Health In Home Dog Training
The team at Pawz For Health understands that your dog is not the same as everyone else’s. They create training programs that are specifically focused on what your dog needs to learn and what you are hoping to get out of the training experience. Trainer Janet is a certified, professional dog trainer and behavior consultant – she has many years of experience when it comes to dog training and always delivers a result you’ll be nothing but happy with.
Pawz For Health offers adult dog training covering basic commands, leash walking, and more, basic puppy training to prepare your pup for a life of success, dog aggression training, and board-and-train services for puppies. Behavior consultations are also available if your dog or puppy has a specific issue you would like to address, such as biting, specific fears, or separation anxiety. Contact Paws For Health for more information.
2. Dog’s Downtown
The master trainers at Dog’s Downtown use state of the art techniques and strict ethics to get the most out of your pup. They typically use positive reinforcement methods for training and will tailor their training program to meet the needs of your pup. Their training is always effective, affordable, and most importantly, humane.
Several group classes are offered including a 6-week AKC Puppy S.T.A.R course for $185, as well as a 6-week AKC Canine Good Citizen group class for $230. Basic and advanced obedience training is also available, as well as specialty training services including scent tracking, tricks, agility, and rally obedience. Contact Dog’s Downtown to meet the training team and learn more.
3. Spot on Training
Spot on Training offers positive-based training for dogs across the Washington D.C. area. Owner and trainer Toni studied Animal Sciences at graduate school and taught high school biology before following her passion and becoming a certified dog trainer. Toni is committed to improving the relationship between pets and their owners.
Group classes are available for puppy manners (six-week course for $225), family dog manners (six-week course for $225), and family manners II ($250). Reactive dog classes, canine good citizen classes, and dog agility classes are also available. In addition, private training and boarding services are also available. Contact the team at Spot on Training to learn more or schedule a consultation.
4. Monument Dog Training
Monument Dog Training offers reward-based training and behavior modification for pups across Washington D.C. Owner and head trainer Beth is a certified dog trainer and behavior specialist. She uses scientifically supported methods of training and strives to increase the confidence of your pup to improve their behavior.
Monument Dog Training offers in-home training for many different types of obedience and behavioral issues. In-home training can be used for aggression, separation anxiety, excessive barking/digging/chewing, jumping on guests, housebreaking, leash pulling/reactivity/aggression, leash biting, hyperactivity, and more. Puppy training is also available – just contact Monument Dog Training to learn more about what they can offer your pup.
5. Puptagon
The trainers at Puptagon will not only teach your dog how to behave, but they will also help you to communicate with your pup to reinforce good behaviors and nip unwanted behaviors in the bud. Trainer Eric is a graduate of the Karen Pryor Clicker Training Foundations Training School, as well as a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.
Puptagon offers either a one-week ($1400) or two-week ($2600) train-and-board program where your pup receives 4 x 30-minute training sessions, two training walks, and socializing playtime each day. You can also enroll your pup in daily training sessions – $900 for five days, or $1700 for ten days. Group manners classes, as well as in-home consultations, are also available – contact Puptagon for further details.
6. Well Done Charlie Dog Training
Well Done Charlie is a private dog training business located on Capitol Hill, offering puppy and dog training in your own home. Trainer Toni has a Certificate in Training and Counseling from the Academy for Dog Trainers and is also a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer – if your dog suffers from separation anxiety, Well Done Charlie is the training facility for you.
A ten-session puppy training package is available ($1100), which mainly addresses socialization, biting/nipping, handling, house training, and basic obedience. For older dogs, obedience training, fear and aggression training, and behavioral modification training are also available, as well as Toni’s famous separation anxiety training. Contact Well Done Charlie for further details.
7. Academy Dog Training
Academy Dog Training by Haywood is a top-quality location for dog training in the Washington D.C. area. Director of the academy, Haywood, has been training for over 40 years and also runs an organization that provides seminars for pet professionals in the area, allowing them to further their knowledge and skills in the various areas of pet care.
Puppy pre-school courses are available for basic obedience training, consisting of 3 x 1-hour classes for pups under 16 weeks of age. Basic obedience 101 and 201 courses are offered for older pups and cover a range of elements including verbal commands and leash walking. Behavioral consultations are also available if your pup has a specific issue you would like to address. For more information, contact the team at Academy Dog Training.
8. Happy Dogs on the Hill
Happy Dogs on the Hill is much more than your average training facility. They offer doggy daycare, walks in the park, photoshoots, dog walking, as well as a range of boarding and training services. Conveniently located on Capitol Hill, your dog will learn a lot from the training offered at Happy Dogs on the Hill.
Private obedience classes are available ($70/hour) and cover a range of verbal commands including sit, down, stay, roll over, heel, and more. Problem behaviors can also be addressed, including chewing, nipping, or biting. Daycare and training are also available ($65/day) and include socialization, play, obedience, and exercise for your pup. Overnight boarding and training packages are available too – contact Happy Dogs on the Hill to learn more.
“Emily is an avid writer and dog lover who usually prefers the company of pets over people. Based in Los Angeles, when not stuck in traffic she spends her days reading in the sunshine, relaxing at the beach, or planning her next adventure.”
