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The Best Dog Trainers in District of Columbia of 2024

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David Adams

July 10, 2024

Dog Trainers

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

  • Liana Burgoyne Photo

    Liana Burgoyne

    CPDT-KA, CCFT, CCFC, AKC CGC® Approved Evaluator, NASM-CPT

    Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Agility dog 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 Photo

    Joe Ryan

    PMCT-1, CPDT-KA, FFCP (Trainer), VSA-CDT

    Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, In home dog 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 Photo

    Kayleigh Sullivan

    KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA

    Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog 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 Photo

    Avi Israeli

    ABCDT

    Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Board and train dog training, Agility dog training

    Washington, DC

    I received my certification from Animal Behavior College in 2012, and have been training full time since then.


  • Sophia Turshen Photo

    Sophia Turshen

    AKC CGG evaluator, Positive Rewards certification

    Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Board and train dog training, Agility dog 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 Photo

    Gwen Podulka

    CPDT-KA

    Deaf dog training, Puppy dog training

    Puppies, Adolescent dogs, Senior dogs, Deaf dogs, Behavior Modification


  • Kimberly Agzigian Photo

    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 (C...


  • Yasmin Baylor Photo

    Yasmin Baylor

    Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, In home training

    Yasmin (she/her) became interested in dog training and behavior when she adopted a behaviorally complex dog 8 years ago. Yasmin dove into the field of animal behavior first as a board member and training consultant for a local animal rescue and shelter, and then decided to become a professional dog trainer and fully pivot her career in 2020.

    Years of experience have helped Yasmin to de...


  • Liana Burgoyne Photo

    Liana Burgoyne

    Puppy training

    As the head trainer of LianaFit‚Ñ¢, Liana is passionate about strengthening the bond between pet parents and their canine companions using positive reinforcement and canine fitness. She enjoys enriching the lives of dogs by improving their health and fitness while empowering clients to train with confidence, empathy, and evidence-based practices. In addition to holding multiple certifications, ...


  • Janine Castorina Photo

    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 a...


  • April Chillari Photo

    April Chillari

    Puppy training, In home training

    My name is April and I am the owner and operator of Core Canine. I obtained my dog training certification through Animal Behavior College. My love of dogs brought me to volunteer with rescues and shelters. I realized, through these volunteer efforts, that behavior is the #1 reason owners surrender their dogs. I decided the best way to prevent dogs from being surrendered was to become a trainer ...


  • Kelly Citrin Photo

    Kelly Citrin

    Puppy training, In home training, Board and train

    Kelly’s background in rescue is what drives her to make changes in the lives of the dogs and humans she interacts with. Her training philosophy is

    “Patience, Persistence, Positive Reinforcement, Praise & Play."

    She believes an integration of these concepts is key to a successful and happy human and pup. In addition to serving as the trainer for Capitol Canines Animal Rescu...


  • Joelle Cuprak Photo

    Joelle Cuprak

    Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, In home 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...


  • Juliana DeWillems Photo

    Juliana DeWillems

    Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, In home training

    Juliana (she/her) is the Owner and Head Trainer at JW Dog Training. She has been training dogs since 2014 after she graduated with distinction from the Karen Pryor Academy.

    Juliana enjoys applying her knowledge of canine behavior and the science of learning when working closely with pet parents to improve their dog's behavior. Watching the training plan strengthen the bond between owne...


  • Missy Dilla Photo

    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...


  • Brittany Fulton Photo

    Brittany Fulton

    Aggressive dog training, Herding training

    Hello! I am Brittany Fulton, owner of Dances with Dogs. Thanks for taking the time to learn more about my business and me. My life experiences with animals have contributed to the highly motivated dog trainer that I am today. I have a degree from the University of Oregon in psychology with an emphasis on animal behavior. I also have Certification in Training and Counseling from the Academy f...


  • Sarah Hampel Photo

    Sarah Hampel

    Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, In home 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 im...


  • Brittany Hassan Photo

    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...


  • Kat Heckert Photo

    Kat Heckert

    Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, In home training

    Kat (she/her) became interested in behavior and training when she entered the animal shelter world. Kat has worked in the behavior department of two animal shelters and has provided training services to shelter volunteers, fosters, and adopters. In 2020, she decided to take the leap from animal sheltering to private training and discovered how rewarding it is to work so closely with owners and ...


  • Gabriela Hubbard Photo

    Gabriela Hubbard

    Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, In home 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...


The Best Washington, DC Dog Trainers In 2024

  • Liana Burgoyne Photo

    Liana Burgoyne

    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...

    View profile

  • Joe Ryan Photo

    Joe Ryan

    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...

    View profile

  • Kayleigh Sullivan Photo

    Kayleigh Sullivan

    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...

    View profile


Welcome to District of Columbia’s list of top dog trainers. The District of Columbia list is based on 323 votes from the Sniffspot community. Only the District of Columbia 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.

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

District of Columbia dog trainer services include:

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

Dog trainers in District of Columbia selflessly set pets up for success. 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 50 trainers on this District of Columbia list are committed to positive reinforcement. Trusted District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia as voted by our community:

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See The Best Dog Trainers By City In District of Columbia


FAQ: About the Top Puppy dog training Dog Trainer in District of Columbia

Who is the leading Aggressive dog training dog trainer in District of Columbia?

Liana Burgoyne has been recognized as the top Aggressive dog training dog trainer in District of Columbia with an impressive 130 votes in our annual contest. They specialize in Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Agility dog training, helping countless District of Columbia dogs and owners reach their goals.

What qualifications does Liana Burgoyne hold?

District of Columbia’s Liana Burgoyne is certified by CPDT-KA, CCFT, CCFC, AKC CGC¬Æ Approved Evaluator, NASM-CPT, ensuring a high level of expertise in Aggressive dog training. Their approach is grounded in years of experience with Aggressive dog training and a deep understanding of canine behavior.

What is Liana Burgoyne’s #1 dog training tip for owners in District of Columbia?

When asked for their best piece of advice for District of Columbia dog owners, Liana Burgoyne shared: reward preferred behaviors and forget about the rest.

Why did Liana Burgoyne become a dog trainer?

Driven by a passion for animals and a desire to make a difference, Liana Burgoyne of District of Columbia embarked on a career in dog training because because I love training animals! They light up my life, and watching the transformation between dog and handler is the most rewarding experience.

What is Liana Burgoyne’s favorite part of being a dog trainer?

For Liana Burgoyne, the most rewarding aspect of their work is witnessing my clients beginning to think like dog trainers.

Who are other notable District of Columbia dog trainers?

Who else excels in District of Columbia dog training? Besides Liana Burgoyne, other top-rated trainers include Joe Ryanand Kayleigh Sullivan, who specialize in Aggressive dog training and Aggressive dog training. These District of Columbia dog trainers received 102 and 48 votes respectively.

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David Adams photo

David Adams

July 10, 2024

Dog Trainers

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