Dog Training Maryland

Create an everlasting bond with your dog through a positive training approach.

We offer a gentle and positive training approach to enhance the special bond between you and your furry companion. By teaching you ways to communicate, your dog will know what is expected of them creating a more enjoyable and stress-free relationship. Whether it’s greeting appropriately or walking well on a leash, we have many options to help you achieve your training goals. Select from one of the sessions below or contact one of our professionally trained staff to discuss the best option for you and your dog.

For each of our classes and workshops please note you will need to bring the following

A hungry dog
Their 3 favorite treats
Treat pouch
4-6 foot leash (for Recall and Walking
classes, need long-line lead)

Martingale collar
Front-clip harness
Water (FAI can provide also)
Kongs or something to keep dog busy
during instruction
Towel or mat for dog to sit on

We have partnered with Nedra Woodard, owner of Nedra's Wagz

Nedra is the owner and trainer of Nedra’s WAGZ LLC located in Annapolis. She is passionate about helping dog guardians to better understand how to interpret their dog’s signals and partner with them for better communication in order to achieve the ultimate goal: a happy and cooperative canine companion. Nedra uses positive reinforcement and reward-based techniques. These techniques are grounded in modern science and supported by force-free organizations and professionals worldwide. No force, choke chains, prong collars or shock collars. Just humane fun for humans and canines alike. She is committed to research-based methods and continuing education as the field of dog training, dog behavior and applied ethology continue to evolve.

Nedra believes in the importance of continuing education and certification in the dog training field. She currently holds CPDT-KA and PMCT1 certifications as well as Fear Free Certified. Nedra is a supporting member of the IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants), a professional member of PPG (The Pet Professional Guild, and member of Animal Positive Coalition.

Training Foundations Workshop (1 hour)

The Training Foundations Workshop will help you understand how your dog learns and how to motivate them. It also provides important strategies to create the partnership you envisioned with your dog.

Fine Print:
- This is a humans-only class and serves as the prerequisite for several other group classes.
- Class is available to all adults and well-behaved children over 12 years.

Puppy Class

Puppy pre-school is designed to provide positive experiences during a critical socialization period during your puppy’s development. You will learn what your puppy needs to be successful and how they learn. Your puppy will be exposed to a variety of situations that will help build their confidence and coping skills later in life. We will even work in a few basic manners and cues like “sit” as well as troubleshoot any house training challenges..

Prerequisite: NONE
All this…delivered in a fun and supportive environment with small class sizes. We use positive reinforcement, reward-based techniques and real-world scenarios. Clickers encouraged but not required (and provided).
Fine Print: Class is available to all puppies between 8-16 weeks of age. Proof of core vaccines is required. Minimum class size is 2 puppies. Maximum class size is 8 puppies. Children and humans of all ages are encouraged. Given drop-in flexibility, attendance must be confirmed 48 hrs prior to class

Basic Manners Class (7 weeks, includes Training Foundations Workshop)

Basic Dog Manners class will give you the tools and education to work with your dog on practical behaviors such as attention, leash walking, polite greetings, settling on a mat, coming when called, leaving items alone, sit and down. You will also learn what your dog needs to be successful and how they learn.

Prerequisite: Training Foundations Workshop
All this…delivered in a fun and supportive environment with small class sizes. We use positive reinforcement, reward-based techniques and real-world scenarios. Clickers encouraged but not required (and provided).
Fine Print: Class is available to non-reactive, non-aggressive puppies or dogs over 16 weeks of age. Proof of core vaccines is required. All handlers are encouraged to attend but only 1 handler per exercise is recommended during class. Each dog must have their own handler. Bonded canine siblings should not come to class together. No children under 12.

“Understanding Reactivity” Workshop (1 hour)

Are you constantly dodging other people, dogs, cars, bicycles or even the garbage truck when on walks so your dog doesn’t act out? Embarrassing and frustrating, isn’t it? There’s HOPE! This humans-only workshop will help you understand why this happens, techniques to triage and what it takes to achieve a calm and peaceful walk.

Prerequisite: NONE
Fine Print: This is a humans-only class available to all adults and well-behaved children over 12 years.

Reliable Recall (4 weeks after Basics)

Tired of those frustrating moments calling and calling your dog to no avail? This class focuses specifically on calling your dog to come to you. We will practice in a variety of distractions including calling dogs from food, people and other dogs to give you more confidence when calling your dog outside. This class consists of a series of 4 sessions, one hour each in length with the final

Prerequisite: Basic Manners
Fine Print: Class is available to non-reactive, non-aggressive puppies or dogs over 16 weeks of age. Proof of core vaccines is required. All handlers are encouraged to attend but only 1 handler per exercise is recommended during class. Each dog must have its own handler. Bonded canine siblings should not come together. No children under 12.

Impulse Control Workshop (90 minutes)

Wednesday evenings - please contact us for more details

Does your dog grab food, dash out the door, jump on people or lose focus in the face of distraction? Frustrated by your new addition and don’t know where to start? This workshop will offer quick relief for out of control pooch impulses. We will work on the basics of “sit” in a variety of challenging situations and with distractions.

Prerequisite: NONE
Fine Print: Class is available to non-reactive, non-aggressive puppies or dogs over 16 weeks of age. Proof of core vaccines is required. All handlers are encouraged to attend but only 1 handler per exercise is recommended during class. Each dog must have its own handler. Bonded canine siblings should not come together. No children under 12.

Perfecting the Walk (4 weeks after Basics)

Walks are an important opportunity for you to bond with your canine companion, providing physical exercise and mental stimulation. This class focuses specifically on polite walking on leash, adding more distractions throughout. This class consists of a series of 4 sessions, one hour each in length with the final session as a field trip nearby. We will cover multiple techniques to tackle pulling, grabbing items or simply being overly stimulated.

Prerequisite: Training Foundations Workshop
Fine Print: Class is available to non-reactive, non-aggressive puppies or dogs over 16 weeks of age. Proof of core vaccines is required. Minimum class size is 3 dogs. Maximum class size is 6 registrants. All handlers are encouraged to attend but only 1 handler per exercise is recommended during class. Each dog must have its own handler. Bonded canine siblings should not come together. No children under 12.

Request Training Information

Classes require owner to do homework every day. All dogs must be up to date on Rabies, Bordetella, Distemper, Parvo, and Canine Influenza. Limited to eight dogs or less in each class. No refunds after first class.