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The Importance of Training & Finding a Trainer

DC PAWS Rescue is committed to supporting adopters on their journey with their newly adopted dog or cat, and helping more pets stay in their forever homes.

Since our goal is to help both our adopters and rescued animals succeed, we devote a lot of time and effort – both before and after adoption – to ensure the animals we save receive the behavioral support they need.

Minor behavior concerns are one of the most common reasons we see for dog and cat returns, even though these behaviors are quite manageable with a little work and consistency.  These smaller, nuisance behaviors can escalate into larger behavioral problems if professional training support is not engaged. Punishment based training methods can result in worsening of many problem behaviors, or even the creation of severe behavior concerns such as fear, anxiety, and aggression. This is why DC PAWS only partners with and promotes trainers committed to force-free and fear-free training methods and continuing education in their understanding of animal behavior and how companion animals learn.

Even in the absence of behavioral issues, most dogs can benefit from some training, either with a trainer 1:1 or through a class.  Training not only teaches your dog useful things like how to walk well on leash and how to greet visitors politely, but it also builds mutual trust between you and your dog and enables you to form a deeper bond.  Training is as much about teaching YOU as it is about teaching your dog!

All trainers listed here practice humane, force-free training methods and continued education and development, and that they do not use choke collars, pinch collars, shock collars, and other methods of physical punishment in their training practices. If at any time DC PAWS Rescue finds a trainer to be in violation of our rescue’s guiding principles and positions about humane training and behavior modification practices, their listing will be removed.

We’re also huge fans of the Free Webinars and Classes offered by Your Dog’s Friend, as well as the Fee-Based Training classes they offer.  They offer training for new adopters, as well as other useful trainings ranging from topics such as enrich your dog’s life all the way to addressing serious behavioral issues, taught by the DC area’s best trainers and behavioral veterinarians.

DC Area (and beyond) Trainers

Mary Crawford at The Board Hound
Alexandria and surrounding areas
www.theboardhound.com/dog-training
info@theboardhound.com
703-382-9143

All About Dogs, LLC
Annandale, Springfield and Woodbridge
www.allaboutdogsinc.com
info@allaboutdogsinc.com
703-497-7878

Professional dog training and behavior consultations and modification for family pets. We offer group classes in Annandale, Springfield and Woodbridge and private lessons in all areas of Northern Virginia including Prince William County.

Services offered: Behavior assessments, Dog behavior support, Family dog support (dogs and children), Group classes, Multi-pet household support, Private lessons, Puppy training/socialization, Reactive dog training/consultations, Separation Anxiety support, Shy and Fearful dogs

Positive Dog Solutions
Vivian Leven, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KSA
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.

Wholistic Hound Academy
Sandy Modell, CPDT-KA
Alexandria, VA
www.wholistichound.com
info@wholistichound.com
703-962-6335

Group classes, including puppy & basic manners, dog sports, advanced training, and more. Private lessons in Northern VA, either in-home or at their training center.

Hedda Garland School of Dogs, LLC
Washington DC, Maryland (Montgomery County), Virginia (Alexandria, Arlington)
www.schoolofdogs.com

Hedda offers private sessions in your home with you and your dog, or day training with your dog, in your home.

Services offered: Behavior assessments, Dog behavior support, Family dog support (dogs and children), Multi-pet household support, Private lessons, Puppy training/socialization, Reactive dog training/consultations, Separation Anxiety support, Shy and Fearful dogs, Preparation for baby’s arrival or adoption of child

Dog Latin Dog Training
Beth Mullen, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA
Christina Folkers, KPA-CTP
Cynthia Robertson, KPA-CTP
Bethesda, MD
www.doglatindogtraining.com
doglatinbeth@gmail.com
202-412-0708

Private, in-home training and behavior modification in Northwest DC, Montgomery County and Northern VA. Puppy classes at Kenwood Animal Hospital in Bethesda, MD.

Unleashed Joy
Baltimore, Howard and Carroll Counties, MD
www.unleashedjoy.com

Unleashed Joy uses only positive dog training methods that are well-documented and proven to work more effectively and efficiently. Through the use of a combination of classical and operant conditioning, we help your dog learn desired behaviors by positively reinforcing them, and decrease undesired behaviors by eliminating reinforcement of them. We now also provide doggy day care services!

Services offered: Behavior assessments, Cat behavior support, Dog behavior support, Family dog support (dogs and children), Multi-pet household support, Private lessons, Puppy training/socialization, Reactive dog training/consultations, Shy and Fearful dogs

Dog Tranquility, LLC
Most of Fairfax County, VA
www.DogTranquility.com

Services offered: Behavior assessments, Cat behavior support, Dog behavior support, Family dog support (dogs and children), Group classes, Multi-pet household support, Private lessons, Puppy training/socialization, Reactive dog training/consultations, Separation Anxiety support, Shy and Fearful dogs

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Although this list provides a reference point for trainers DC PAWS can confidently recommend, there are a number of other trainers who commit to force-free practices who may not be listed here. We encourage individuals in need of a trainer to refer to the Pet Professional Guild’s article, “Ten Questions to Ask Your Dog Training Professional – Before You Hire Them!” and the following search resources when seeking a professional trainer:

DC PAWS is happy to provide support and guidance through the training resources on our website, as well as resource referrals for adopters via email and regularly scheduled new adopter and topic workshops, open to the community at large.

If you are considering a trainer and would like our insights, or if you are experiencing behavior concerns with your adopted pet, please contact us at training@dcpawsrescue.org.