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The Best Dog Trainers in Washington, DC of 2025

David Adams

July 10, 2024

Dog Trainers

This is a list of the top dog trainers in Washington, DC, based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public.

Liana Burgoyne
CPDT-KA, CCFT, CCFC, AKC CGC¬Æ Approved Evaluator, NASM-CPT
In home training
Washington DC, southern Maryland, northern Virginia
LianaFit Canine ConditioningLiana Burgoyne, CPDT-KANorthwest & Northeast DCwww.lianafit.comlianafitcanineconditioning@gmail.com757-773-4709Private lessons (in-person and virtually) plus group classes for manners, behavior modification, and canine fitness in the DC area. Also teaches classes for puppies and adult dogs at Colby's Dogcare in northeast DC. Also certified as Canine Fitness Coach and...

Joe Ryan
PMCT-1, CPDT-KA, FFCP (Trainer), VSA-CDT
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training
The DMV area
Joe specializes in behavior modification with a focus on reactive and aggressive behaviors. He's studied under Pat Miller at Peaceable Paws, Victoria Stilwell, and world-renowned aggression expert Michael Shikashio, and The College of Scent Dogs. His knowledge of canine behavior, mixed with his force- and fear-free training philosophies, puts him among the most sought-after trainers in the regi...

Kayleigh Sullivan
KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training, Puppy training
NW Washington D.C, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, McClean, Arlington
I have been training animals for over 10 years. For eight of those years I have trained elephants using positive reinforcement-based training. I graduated with a BA in Animal Sciences with a focus on Animal Behavior. I have experience working at veterinary clinics, animal shelters in behavior departments, and many years working with exotic animals in sanctuary and zoo/aquarium settings. I beli...

Avi Israeli
ABCDT
Reactive dog training, Agility training, Board and train, In home training, Puppy training
Washington, DC
I received my certification from Animal Behavior College in 2012, and have been training full time since then.

Sophia Turshen
AKC CGG evaluator, Positive Rewards certification
Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Agility training, Board and train, In home training, Puppy training
I service the Washington DC Metropolitan area! Central and Southern MD, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia
Sophia brings a wealth of experience in training well-behaved, well-adjusted dogs and equipping pet owners with the confidence, knowledge, and tools to maintain that training at home. Sophia is certified in Dog Training and Animal Nutrition and has worked in the field of pet care and training for over five years. In addition to running her own professional pet care and training business, Sophia...

Gwen Podulka
CPDT-KA
Deaf dog training, Puppy training
Puppies, Adolescent dogs, Senior dogs, Deaf dogs, Behavior Modification

Kimberly Agzigian
Puppy training, In home training, Board and train
Kimberly's dog training journey began as a result of volunteering for collie rescues. She was shocked to see so many young collies being surrendered or returned due to behavioral issues. Kimberly met Kelly when she and her collies became certified therapy dog teams with National Capital Therapy Dogs (NCTD).Kimberly is an AKC evaluator for S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Community CGC...

Janine Castorina
Puppy training, In home training, Board and train
Janine has been training and competing in the sport of agility for several years and training dogs for over 10 years. Agility and tricks are her favorite sports.Janine finds teaching agility, tricks and training in general to be a uniquely rewarding experience. She loves being together with the students and the dogs are great. She enjoys watching them progress in dog sports and grow as teams. I...

Joelle Cuprak
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Joelle has been training professionally since 2017, and has worked with dogs for far longer as a dog walker, assistant veterinary technician, shelter volunteer and as a foster home for rescued dogs. Like many trainers, Joelle originally became interested in behavior and training while helping her mixed breed dog Geronimo with his reactivity. Joelle enjoys teaching humans as much as teaching dog...

Missy Dilla
Puppy training, In home training, Board and train
Missy is a top Maryland trainer dedicated to positive reinforcement, force-free & free training methods. Driven by a lifelong interest in human and animal psychology, Missy's commitment to understanding the science, emotion, and feeling beneath the surface fuels her passion for dog training and behavior modification. She shares the 4 On The Floor belief that a strong foundation, built on mutual...

Sarah Hampel
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Sarah works with our Day School and Boarding School programs as well as assisting with several of our Basic Obedience classes.Sarah has a master's degree in Special Education and taught elementary school children with learning disabilities for more than 10 years. She has always had a love for animals and is delighted to be working with dogs and their people.She finds it immensely rewarding when...

Brittany Hassan
Puppy training, In home training, Board and train
Brittany has been working in the Professional Dog Care industry since 2021 when she first started as a dog walker for a fear-free company in Alexandria, VA. After moving back to MD in 2022, she started working at Patrick's Pet Care where she learned that she had a knack for not only dog walking, but also dog training and behavior, and decided to pursue a career in the field.

Britt...

Gabriela Hubbard
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
HFDT offers force-free, reward-based dog training from puppy I to adult "shy", "fearful" "reactive" "aggressive" dogs. I work with ALL ages, sizes and breeds and tailor classes to promote demonstrable learning, real life skills, and a happy dog.

Offering in-home training services. For those clients who prefer to use Zoom, virtual training is always an option.

Scheduling is f...

Paul Johns
In home training, Puppy training
Growing up, Paul enjoyed playing with his friends' and neighbors' dogs but wasn't able to have his own dog until later in life. On February 14, 2020, Paul drove to Stuart, VA to pick up his first dog: a 10-week-old border collie puppy named Ria. Some people would think that getting a highly intelligent and energetic border collie puppy would be a bit of a challenge for an apartment-dwelling, si...

Liya Lachovizer
Puppy training, In home training, Board and train
After adopting her dog, Phoebe, Liya became interested in dog training. Using her BSc in Psychology from Ithaca College, Liya started researching about dog training until she decided to pursue it as a career. She became a certified trainer through Marker Training Academy for Dog Behavior and Modification, a force-free training school using KPA techniques in Israel, in 2022. She started taking o...

Jenna Land
A Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Jenna is passionate about working with animals and seeing the ways that they can impact the lives of others. She holds a BS in psychology, and is an experienced puppy raiser and area coordinator with America's Vet Dogs and the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind. She has more than four years of service with those organizations.

Jenna's certification...

Tricia Lude
In home training, Puppy training
Tricia is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), a Pat Miller Certified Trainer level 2 (PMCT-2), a Certified Control Unleashed Instructor (CCUI), and has completed Susan Friedman's Behaviorworks Learning and Living with Animals behavior analysis course. Tricia has also been a positive reinforcement based trainer for over 25 years. She has trained and competed in Obedience, Conformat...

Heidi Meinzer
In home training, Puppy training
Heidi is a Cerified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI¬Æ) and trainer and teaches all levels of K-9 Nosework¬Æ, along with Levels Training, and other specialty classes in Northern Virginia. Her dog Boomer has his NW3 title in Nose Work, and he is also a Canine Good Citizen. When Heidi is not teaching people and their dogs, she focuses on animal law issues and helping companion animal owners and pet car...

Sandy Modell
In home training, Puppy training, Agility training
For over 25 years, Sandy has taught people how to train their dogs using rewards-based, positive reinforcement methods. She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), a licensed, certified Family Paws Parent Educator (FPPE), a member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG), and on the list of national...

jackie moyano
Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, In home training
Jackie Moyano transitioned careers from a respiratory therapist to dog training. In addition to caring for patients, she also taught both patients and respiratory therapy students. Jackie's medical teaching experience lends itself well to teaching people how to train their dogs. Pssst! Dog training is really people training! Jackie's dog training expertise and education comes from completing 3 ...

Dolores Murray
In home training, Puppy training
Dolores Murray is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and is a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) and the Pet Professional Guild (PPG.)

Dolores is committed to providing the most effective and results oriented solutions for our clients and their dogs, She helps them to build a solid foundation of life skills and a relationship base...

Tara Murtagh
CBCC, CPDT-KA, Fear Fear Certified Animal Trainer
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training, Puppy training
Washington DC, Potomac, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Alexandria, Arlington
Tara has a bachelor of science degree from Suffolk University in Boston, MA. She is a Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA) and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA), from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. She is also a certified Fear Free Animal Trainer.

Tara comes to Dog Latin from Homeward Trails A...

Caelyn O'Neill
Puppy training, In home training, Board and train
Caelyn has had a lifelong connection with animals with a special interest in canine psychology and behavior. She is a handler for her multipurpose service dog, Tobias, and has over 7 years of experience working with dogs.

She is excited about dog sitting for 4 on the Floor and hopes to become a professional dog trainer in the future. Caelyn has previously worked as a dog daycare attend...

Brett Peer
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training
Growing up with dogs, Brett was enamored at an early age. By age 12, he began tagging along his father (Dog Coach Michael Peer), to training appointments. This passion naturally evolved into a career, and in 2019, Brett officially joined our team.In just a few years, Brett has established himself as a skilled trainer with a dedicated following. Clients consistently return for personalized one-o...

Mark Platenberg
Puppy training
Mark Platenberg is a certified professional dog trainer, born and raised in Northern Virginia, with a passion for improving communication between dog owners and their pets. For over 15 years, Mark has worked with dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes, honing his talent for understanding the unique needs and dispositions of each dog he trains. Mark's passion for dogs dates back to his childhood, w...

Hayley Richardson
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training
A committed advocate for holistic, positive reinforcement training, Hayley is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Behavior Consultant (CDBC) and Dog Bite Safety Consultant with more than a decade of professional experience.

Throughout her extensive international career, Hayley has supported clients with puppy foundations and manners training through to modification of compl...

Eryn Rolison
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
I've had dogs my entire adult life and wanted dogs my entire childhood. A likely story of a dog trainer, right? But it was after adopting a severely leash-reactive dog, Hossa, that I sought professional training help and changed the course of my relationship with dogs forever.I use positive reinforcement to create a fun and cooperative relationship between pet guardians and their four-legged fa...

Laura Sharkey
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Laura opened WOOFS! in 2002 with the aim to improve the lives of dogs and their people in and around Arlington. A puppy development specialist, Laura brings nearly two decades of experience to helping dogs and dog owners, having taught hundreds of public dog training classes and worked one-on-one with dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. Laura's strong scientific background she has a Ph...

Jen Shearer
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Jen (she/her) was a devoted cat person until she rescued her first dog, Della Rae. The two quickly became inseparable, and as a first-time dog owner, Jen failed to recognize that Della's reactivity, fear of novel experiences, and hypervigilance foretold a lengthy training journey ahead.Together, they plunged into the confusing and unregulated dog training industry and experienced both highs and...

Morgan Stroup
Puppy training, In home training, Board and train
Morgan's goal is to help foster a better relationship between dogs and their owners using positive training methods and activities that are both fun and practical. She puts a high emphasis on a solid foundation between teams utilizing pattern and engagement games. She participates in a wide variety of canine sports, including but not limited to: Agility, BarnHunt, AKC Conformation, Trick Dog, F...

Mimi Tello
Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, In home training, Board and train
Mimi adopted an Alaskan Malamute from CHAAMP.org and volunteered so much that she became Vice President Treat Giver. CHAAMP was having trouble finding rewards-based R+ trainers and needed support. So, she started her dog training journey and met Kelly who became her mentor and friend.Her focus is building healthy relationships based on two-way communication with kindness. Positive reinforcement...

Jutka Terris
In home training, Puppy training, Agility training
Jutka (yoot-ka) Terris trained her first German Shepherd Dog at age 11 in her native Hungary. Today Jutka is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed by CCPDT, the only organization that actually tests and certifies dog trainers and screens them for using positive methods only. Jutka is also an approved trainer for the American Kennel Club's S.T.A.R. Puppy Program and a certif...

Jennifer Thomas
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Jen works with our Day School and Boarding School dogs, teaches many of our group classes and also meets with private training clients to solve behavioral challenges. Jen is a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior.

Jen is a recovering lawyer who is delighted to now be working with dogs full time. Though she has dabbled in agility and trick training, her f...

Nina Tingley
In home training, Puppy training
Born and raised in Stuttgart, Germany Nina grew up with a family dog since the age of 12. In 2014, her and her husband adopted a one year old German Shepard-Collie Mix named Mickey, who had prior lived on the streets of Romania. Overwhelmed by all the triggers in Mickey's new environment, his behavioral challenges soon made it necessary for Nina to reach out to the helping hands of a dog train...

Carrie Williams
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
In addition to her role as Director of Operations, Carrie is involved in all three of our training programs at WOOFS!. She teaches a number of group classes from Basic through Canine Good Citizen, trains pups directly in our Day School and Boarding School program, and works one-on-one with you and your dog to solve challenging behavioral issues.

Carrie also volunteers with a non-profit...

Sam Wolfman
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Sam WolfmanSam (she/her) specializes in reactivity and adolescent dogs. Her dog, Nola, is highly dog reactive. On Sam and Nola's training journey there were a lot of mistakes made along the way. Once Sam discovered the power of positive reinforcement, Nola began to progress in a way that Sam never thought would be possible.Sam is the former Director of Behavior and Pathway Planning at the Anima...

Christine Yeannakis
In home training, Puppy training
Chris interest in dog training began in early 2010 when she adopted two young adult rescued dogs. Both needed training and help with behavior challenges. After lots of reading, viewing videos and volunteering for Homeward Trails Animal Rescue, Chris decided she wanted to become a certified dog trainer. In January 2014, she entered the apprentice trainer program at a local training center. Many ...

Griselda Zelaya
Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, In home training, Board and train
Her first job was at a small retail shop where they offered training. She slowly became more and more amazed with dog psychology and behavior.

Griselda earned her dog training certificate CDTK through Catch! Dog Trainer academy and first aid/CPR certification.

She wanted to work with all kinds of behavior challenges, so Griselda also received her dog aggression certification t...

Welcome to Washington’s list of top dog trainers. The Washington, District of Columbia list is based on 323 votes from the District of Columbia Sniffspot community. Only the Washington dog trainers with the top number of votes made this list. Trainers are ordered by number of votes, with Liana Burgoyne at the top of this list with 130 votes. We also counted 323 votes for District of Columbia, with the remaining trainers listed outside of Washington.

Our rankings include trainers certified by CPDT-KA and CPDT-KA. They also specialize in Puppy training, In home training amongst other training programs.

Washington dog trainer services include:

Puppy training
In home training
Reactive dog training
Aggressive dog training
Board and train
Agility training
Deaf dog training
Herding training

Behind every successful Washington training session lies a passionate professional. Liana Burgoyne shares why they chose this path: because I love training animals! They light up my life, and watching the transformation between dog and handler is the most rewarding experience. All 38 trainers on this Washington list are committed to positive reinforcement. Trusted Washington trainer, Joe Ryan, uses the following methods: R+ only! Using counterconditioning to modify emotional responses, then using DRA to modify behavioral responses..

Explore the top dog trainers in Washington as voted by our community:

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See The Best Dog Trainers By Type In Washington

FAQ: Top Dog Training Services in Washington, District of Columbia

How were the best dog trainers in Washington, District of Columbia selected?

We gathered 323 votes from local dog owners to identify the top trainers in Washington. These trainers, including Liana Burgoyne, are experts in In home training, and other diverse areas of training and offer tailored services in Washington to meet your dog’s needs.

What services does Liana Burgoyne provide in Washington?

In Washington, Liana Burgoyne specializes in offering In home training. Their services are designed to address a variety of behavioral issues, including: reactivity, confidence building, puppy behaviors.

What are the qualifications of Washington’s top dog trainers?

Liana Burgoyne and other leading trainers in Washington hold certifications such as CPDT-KA, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, ABCDT, FFCP (Trainer), which demonstrate their commitment to excellence in Washington dog training.

What is the most important tip from Liana Burgoyne?

According to Liana Burgoyne, the key to successful training is reward preferred behaviors and forget about the rest.

Why are these trainers the best choice for dog owners in Washington?

Liana Burgoyne and others in Washington are the best choice for dog owners because of their specialized services, including Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training and Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training, Puppy training. Their methods are effective in helping dogs overcome behavioral challenges.

How do Washington dog trainers stay up-to-date with training techniques?

Trainers in Washington regularly participate in continuing education and certification programs, such as CPDT-KA, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, ABCDT, FFCP (Trainer), to ensure they are providing the most effective and current training methods. Liana Burgoyne and their colleagues also frequently work with animals at Washington shelters, rescues, and so on.

Get your dog the safe enrichment they need by renting a Sniffspot

David Adams

July 10, 2024

Dog Trainers

David Adams

About the author

David Adams is a man of many passions, but his love for dogs stands above all. He is not only a dog lover, but also the founder of an innovative platform called Sniffspot. This unique platform connects dog owners with private property owners who are willing to rent out their space for off-leash playtime. While the idea of Sniffspot was initially conceived by his wife, Rebecca, David has been the driving force behind its remarkable success, tirelessly overseeing its growth and development. David's dedication to providing safe and enjoyable spaces for dogs to play, explore, and socialize is evident in his unwavering commitment to Sniffspot. He strongly believes that dogs need ample space and opportunities to stretch their legs and have fun. As a result, he has worked tirelessly to build a network of private property owners across the country who share his vision and are willing to offer their space for the benefit of dogs and their owners. Despite his busy schedule, David always finds time to indulge in his passion for the great outdoors. He loves nothing more than exploring new hiking trails and embarking on thrilling outdoor adventures. Whenever he is not working on Sniffspot, he can often be found hiking or visiting multi-acre fenced sniffspots with his two beloved dogs, Soba and Toshii. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys the fresh air, breathtaking scenery, and the sense of freedom that comes with being in nature. David is based in Salem, MA.

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Sniffspot is a community marketplace that enables anyone to rent land by-the-hour as a safe and private dog park.

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Sniffspot provides the best experiences and fun for you and your dog. Our dog parks are designed for the ultimate dog exercise. Our private spaces help you minimize distractions or triggers and maximize time with your dog. We provide off leash enrichment - exploration and activities you can't get anywhere else; wear your dog out for days. We make it easy to have playdates. Socialize your pup in a controlled, private spot - it's great exercise and it's fun for you and your dog.

The Best Dog Trainers in Washington, DC of 2025

Liana Burgoyne

Joe Ryan

Kayleigh Sullivan

Avi Israeli

Sophia Turshen

Gwen Podulka

Kimberly Agzigian

Janine Castorina

Joelle Cuprak

Missy Dilla

Sarah Hampel

Brittany Hassan

Gabriela Hubbard

Paul Johns

Liya Lachovizer

Jenna Land

Tricia Lude

Heidi Meinzer

Sandy Modell

jackie moyano

Dolores Murray

Tara Murtagh

Caelyn O'Neill

Brett Peer

Mark Platenberg

Hayley Richardson

Eryn Rolison

Laura Sharkey

Jen Shearer

Morgan Stroup

Mimi Tello

Jutka Terris

Jennifer Thomas

Nina Tingley

Carrie Williams

Sam Wolfman

Christine Yeannakis

Griselda Zelaya

See The Best Dog Trainers By Type In Washington

FAQ: Top Dog Training Services in Washington, District of Columbia

How were the best dog trainers in Washington, District of Columbia selected?

What services does Liana Burgoyne provide in Washington?

What are the qualifications of Washington’s top dog trainers?

What is the most important tip from Liana Burgoyne?

Why are these trainers the best choice for dog owners in Washington?

How do Washington dog trainers stay up-to-date with training techniques?

David Adams

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