When should I begin training my puppy?
Now! The sooner you begin working with your puppy, the easier it will be to make good manners a part of his life.

My dog is 3 years old. Can older dogs learn new tricks?
Of course. It's never too late to learn something new!

Can you housetrain my puppy?
Only if you let me move in! Housetraining your new puppy is a 24-hour a day job, so I can’t actually help you with potty training. However, I have limitless tips and tricks that will make the process much less painful for both you and your dog.

What areas do you cover?
I work primarily in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. Areas I currently cover include: Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, McLean, Oakton, Reston, Springfield, Vienna, as well as Washington, DC and Potomac Maryland.

Do you hold group classes?
No, I work with you and your dog in and around your home. While there are advantages to attending group classes, I feel that it's important for a dog to learn good manners on his home turf. Private classes progress at a pace that you are comfortable with, so there's no risk of falling behind.

What kind of results will I have at the end of 6 weeks?
That depends on you. If you dedicate a few minutes each day to practice with your dog, you can expect a dog that has a firm grasp of the basic obedience commands, plus a few fun exercises. I don’t guarantee results because I can’t guarantee how much (or how little) you’ll do outside the “classroom.” The good news? EVERY dog, from Basset Hound to Weimaraner, has the ability to master the basics and be a well-mannered dog.

Do you do “board and train”? Will you train my dog when I’m not home?
Nope. Obedience training is based on the relationship between dog and handler - it cements the bond between you, and helps your dog to understand that you're in charge. Any decent dog trainer can train your dog, it’s more important that you learn how to interact with him.

About this “clicker” stuff…. will I have to carry around a clicker forever?
No. The clicker is a behavior-building tool, and once the behavior is “built” we don’t need to use it. The clicker functions in much the same way as a carpenter’s hammer; when a house is being constructed the builder uses the hammer constantly, but once the house is completed the hammer is put back in the tool chest. We start getting rid of the clicker by the fifth or sixth session.