The Best Dog Training in Washington, D.C.

From breweries and wineries to parks to kayaking to puppy pops and baked squirrels at Dairy Godmother, the capital of the United States is chock full of dog-friendly activities. Even though dogs are allowed at these types of locations, you likely won’t be having a lot of fun if you’re wrestling to control your dog the entire time you’re out.

Whether your dog is reactive or has terrible manners, without proper training, they can be a menace at home and while you’re out and about. Luckily, there are some amazing dog trainers servicing Washington, D.C. who can help with pretty much any dog problem.

If your dog is aggressive or if you just need to teach basic obedience, we’ve compiled a list of the best trainers in the area who can address any and all of your dog training needs. Keep reading to learn more about the best trainers in D.C. and what services they have to offer.

A Quick Look at the Best Dog Training in Washington, D.C.

Here’s a quick overview of the best dog trainers in Washington, D.C. We’ll share more in-depth information on each trainer later in the article, so keep reading.

Online Vs. In-Person Training in Washington, D.C.

Both online and in-person training are viable options for training your dog. Online training tends to be more convenient because you can train from anywhere with an internet connection. It’s usually the most cost-effective as well.

In-person training, however, is a great way for your dog to socialize and learn how to behave in a distracting environment. Neither in-person training nor online training is better than the other; it’s just a matter of preference.

Perks of Online and In-Person Training in Washington, D.C.

Here’s a quick chart outlining the perks of online vs. in-person training.

The Best Dog Training in Washington, D.C.

There are a lot of trainers offering their services in the D.C. area, so it can be difficult and time-consuming to sort through them all. Luckily, we’ve done that for you. Here’s a list of the best dog training available in Washington, D.C.

1). Dog Academy

• Online or In-Person: Online and In-Person
• Types of Training Courses: Obedience Classes, Behavioral Issues, Puppy Training, Psychiatric Service Dog Training, Emotional Support Animal Training, Specialty Classes (e.g., Canine Confidence, Separation Anxiety)
• Price Range: $49.99 – $349.99
• Link to Website: Dog Academy Basic Obedience Training Program
• Phone Number: (605) 223-1971

Dog Academy offers both online and in-person training. They have a dozen trainers servicing every city in the United States, including Washington, D.C. Their experienced trainers can come to your home for a private session, or you can attend a group class.

If you’re more interested in virtual dog training, then check out Dog Academy’s extensive catalog of online courses. You can find puppy training, basic obedience, psychiatric service dog training, emotional support dog training, leash manners, trick training, crate training, and more classes on Dog Academy’s website. There are even courses to address problem behaviors such as barking, separation anxiety, and reactivity.

Don’t just train your dog, train yourself! At Dog Academy, you can learn how to groom your pup at home or take a canine CPR and first aid class. All of Dog Academy’s courses have been designed by American Kennel Club-certified trainers with over 25 years of experience. If you’re taking an online class and need to contact a trainer, you can do so via phone, email, or the contact form on Dog Academy’s website.

2). District Dog Training

• Online or In-Person: In-person
• Types of Training Courses: Puppy Training, Obedience, Basic Training, Canine Good Citizen Training, Separation Anxiety, Urban Herding, Agility, Reactivity, Loose Leash Walking, Trick Training, Crate Training
• Price Range: Group classes $60 – $450; Play & Train $60; Board and Train $1,175 – $2,475; Boot Camp $1,050 – $1,750; Private Training $135 for a single session, or packages $420 – $1,150
• Link to Website: https://districtdogtraining.com/
• Address: 3210 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010
• Phone Number: (202) 813-3913

District Dog Training offers just about every type of dog training service you can imagine. They have group classes, private training, boarding and train, play and train, and boot camp. Play and train is when your dog attends daycare and receives a private training session while they are there. Boot camp is similar to boarding and train, except your dog won’t stay overnight.

Traditional one-on-one private training is also offered, and you can meet at a District Dog facility or in the comfort of your own home. District Dog states that their areas of expertise include separation anxiety, reactivity, puppy socialization, basic obedience, advanced training, Canine Good Citizen training, and canine agility.

Group classes offered include puppy training, obedience, manners/basic training, Canine Good Citizen training, leash walking, reactive dog training, recall training, urban herding, and agility. Some classes, like the basic skills or obedience classes,  are offered in levels so that you can work your pup from beginner to advanced.

District Dog’s training method uses positive reinforcement to motivate dogs. They also believe in a holistic approach that considers nutrition, exercise, and enrichment.

3). Well Done Charlie

• Online or In-Person: Both
• Types of Training Courses: Separation Anxiety, Obedience, Puppy Training, Behavior Modification, Aggression
• Price Range: $165 90-min consultation; $695 for 4-weeks of separation anxiety training
• Link to Website: https://welldonecharlie.com/
• Phone Number: Contact clarke@welldonecharlie.com for a phone consultation

Well Done Charlie specializes in dealing with separation anxiety; however, they also offer obedience training, puppy training, behavior modification, and training for aggression. Behavior modification can help with issues like jumping, leash pulling, counter surfing, barking, digging, and chewing. Depending on your circumstances, training is done one-on-one in your home or remotely via Zoom, Skype, or Facetime.

The owner-trainer of Well Done Charlie, Toni Clarke, prefers to handle separation anxiety sessions remotely. Many trainers feel remote training is actually the best option for separation anxiety cases because the dog will not be further stressed out by a stranger and because being remote mimics real-life absences. The website claims that Toni works with her clients 5 days per week, which makes $695 for four weeks of separation anxiety training a good deal. Other cases, such as aggression, may be worked with in-person.

Well Done Charlie has received many rave reviews from owners whose dogs have completely changed from scared, reactive, or downright aggressive to happy, well-behaved, and calm. Best of all, Well Done Charlie achieves these results using humane, force-free methods.

4). Patrick’s Pet Care

• Online or In-Person: In-person
• Types of Training Courses: Puppy Training, Basic Skills, Manners, Loose Leash Walking, Tricks, Crate Training, Leash Reactivity, Separation Anxiety, Aggression
• Price Range: Private Training $135 – $1,150; Group Classes $350 – $600; Training Walks $85
• Link to Website: https://patrickspetcare.com/
• Address: 3509 12th St NE, Washington, DC 20017
• Phone Number: (202) 630-7387

Patrick’s Pet Care offers private training (both at home and their facility), group classes, drop-off training, and training walks. They teach basic skills, manners, loose leash walking, tricks, and crate training. Patrick’s Pet Care can also address issues such as leash reactivity, separation anxiety, and aggression.

If you’re interested in taking the Canine Good Citizen test, Patrick’s Pet Care can help you prepare for that as well. They can train any dog, regardless of age, and have puppy classes available. Patrick’s Pet Care uses force-free techniques so you can trust that your dog is being treated respectfully.

5). Dreamy Skies Dog Training

• Online or In-Person: In-person
• Types of Training Courses: Puppy Training, Obedience, Manners, Aggression, Separation Anxiety, Reactivity, Behavior Modification
• Price Range: Contact for details
• Link to Website: https://dreamyskiesdogtraining.com/
• Address: 26330 Mullinix Mill Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771
• Phone Number: (202) 255-8569

Dreamy Skies Dog Training is owned and operated by Karen Krieg. Dreamy Skies offers in-home training around D.C. or training on their ranch in Mt. Airy, Maryland (about 30 miles away). The ranch includes 5 acres of farmland and woods, complete with agility equipment, a spring pole, and even doggy-safe treadmills.

The ranch is where dogs go for boarding and train or day training services. Some dog sports events and meetups are also held at the ranch. Regardless of whether you want in-home training or would like to visit the ranch, Dreamy Skies Dog Training is able to solve a variety of training issues and problem behaviors.

These include aggression, separation anxiety, reactivity, barking, marking, biting and nipping, destructive behaviors, resource guarding, hyperactivity, and much more. If your dog is driving you crazy with unwanted behaviors, then Dreamy Skies Dog Training can definitely help.

Dreamy Skies is fantastic for solving problem behaviors, but it can also help with puppy training, basic obedience, and manners. They can pretty much address any dog-training need under the sun. Not only that, but they do so using positive reinforcement methods that are safe for your dog.

6). LianaFit Canine Conditioning

• Online or In-Person: Both
• Types of Training Courses: Puppy Training, Basic Skills, Obedience, Reactivity, Fear, Behavior Modification
• Price Range: Monthly Membership $310; 2-5 Virtual Lessons $200 – $400; 2 -5 In-person Private Lessons $400 – $925; 1-3 60-Minute Day Training $200 – $550
• Link to Website: https://www.lianafit.com/
• Phone Number: (757) 773-4709

LianaFit is run by head trainer Liana, who uses force-free methods to train dogs. She has received numerous rave reviews for her ability to transform scared or reactive dogs. Even dogs who won’t let people touch them or who bark and lash out during walks turn into confident, calm dogs who no longer fear strangers and can enjoy normal doggy activities.

Liana’s training is always customized to your needs, so whether you need help with a behavioral issue or want to start a puppy off on the right foot, she will make the best training plan for your situation. She can even help with fitness, dog sports, injury prevention, and the fundamentals of service dog training.

LianaFit offers private lessons virtually or in-home, day training, and group classes. A monthly membership service also provides one private session (your choice of in-person or virtual) and unlimited group classes.

7). Frolick Dogs Canine Sports Club

• Online or In-Person: In-person
• Types of Training Courses: Puppy Training, Obedience, Agility, Rally, Canine Good Citizen
• Price Range: $45 for 30 min one-on-one session; $195 for 6 one-hour group classes
• Link to Website: http://www.frolickdogs.com/
• Address: 3208 Colvin St, Alexandria, VA 22314
• Phone Number: (703) 957-8946

Frolick Dogs Canine Sports Club is located in Alexandria, Virginia, about a 20-minute drive from D.C. However, the drive may be worth it when you see what they have to offer. Frolick Dogs Canine Sports Club is essentially a dog gym.

Membership allows you to use the facility and all of its equipment during gym hours with no time limit. If there’s a piece of equipment you don’t know how to use, staff will show you how to work with your dog with the equipment. As you can guess, this is a great place to go if you’re interested in self-training your dog. Not only is there a lot of equipment for canine fitness or sports like agility, but the environment is a great place to work on obedience around distractions.

Additionally, Frolick Dogs offers training courses. Classes offered include obedience, agility, rally, Canine Good Citizen test prep, and more. You can take classes with a group or purchase private one-on-one sessions.

Find the Right Dog Training for You

As you can see, there are some great dog trainers in the D.C. area. All of the trainers on our list can help with a variety of behavioral issues as well as basic skills and manners. Because any one of them would be a great choice, we think you should consider other factors to help you choose which would be best for you.

For example, how far do you want to travel to get to a trainer? Would you prefer in-home or online training instead? It’s also important to think about your budget. While all of these trainers are great for general dog training and behavior modification, if you’re looking for dog sports, you’ll want to choose between District Dog Training and Frolick Dogs Canine Sports Club.

Whichever trainer you choose, you’re on your way to a better-behaved dog. With love, patience, and consistency, your pup will become an even “gooder” boy or girl than they already are!