Welcome to the Sniffspot list of top-rated dog trainers for Reactive dog training in Washington, DC. Based on feedback and votes from our Reactive dog training community, we've curated a list of top-rated trainers in the Washington area.
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...
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...
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.
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...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy 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 develop a st...
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...
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...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy 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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Kayleigh (she/her) has been training animals for over 10 years. For eight of those years Kayleigh has been training elephants using positive reinforcement-based training. Kayleigh graduated with a BA in Animal Sciences with a focus on Animal Behavior. She has experience working at veterinary clinics, volunteering at animal shelters in behavior departments, and many years working with exotic ani...
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...
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...
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...
Sniffspot’s top-rated list of dog trainers for Reactive dog training in Washington, DC is based on rankings from our community of dog owners as well as the general public. For Reactive dog training, we received 190 total votes, resulting in 19 dog trainers who focus on Reactive dog training. Our top-ranked dog trainers are listed in order of votes, with the top-ranked trainer for Reactive dog training listed first.
Dog trainers for Reactive dog training on this list are certified by CPDT-KA, FDM, or another trusted organization. We're proud to feature Joe Ryan, who has been voted the top dog trainer for Reactive dog training in Washington, DC. Joe Ryan’s favorite part of their job is: Seeing the relief from the clients, and the ah-ha moment from the dog!
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At Sniffspot, we prioritize trust and expertise. Joe Ryan, as well as the other dog trainers on this Reactive dog training list, ensures they bring the highest standards of care and training to your dog. Joe Ryan encourages owners with this dog training tip: REWARD WANTED BEHAVIORS!
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because I love training animals! They light up my life, and watching the transformation between dog and handler is the most rewarding experience.
reward preferred behaviors and forget about the rest, which is crucial for successful Reactive dog training training. Additionally, Joe Ryan recommends:
REWARD WANTED BEHAVIORS!for improving your dog’s behavior in Washington.
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.