My 6 month old puppy (Kimchi the pug) and I just finished the 10 week basic obedience class at their Davidsonville location located at 3789 Queen Anne Bridge Road, Davidsonville, MD. My cousin actually referred us who also completed the 10 week basic obedience class, but they took it in Beltsville, MD. (6826 Distribution Drive, Beltsville, MD). The location in Davidsonville offers a weekly 10am class, and for a night shift busy RN, that was the most convenient. This is my first time ever owning a dog, so it was just as much of a learning experience for me as it was for Kimchi. Karen Long, our instructor was great! She is very knowledgeable, and you can tell has a lot of experience working with canines. Kimchi was taught to sit, stay, recall, heal around obstacles, etc. This pup is so hyper, can't focus, and loves to socialize, that I was afraid he wasn't going to graduate lol. (He's so much like his owner!!!) There were probably around 6 of us that completed the course so the class was not big at all. I'm glad because if there were more, that's more dogs to distract Kimchi lol. He's definitely come a long way, and I plan on continuing the training with him at home. For 10 weeks of training at $100, that's a steal!!! Also, for those that have completed the Basic or Puppy class are also eligible to become an annual member of the Canine Training Association. The annual dues are $180 (includes all dogs in the household) and can register to any classes. I definitely look forward to more classes in the future! read more

See all

My 11 month old puppy, Remy and I just completed the Basic Obedience training class lead by Karen Long at the Davidsonville, MD location. There are two locations, Davidsonville, MD and Beltsville, MD. There were challenges during our class time - dealing with COVID, distancing, masking, and keeping things clean. We also delayed the class a few times due to adverse weather. During this class we learned to sit, down, and stand stay, heel around obstacles and by my side, tolerate being around other dogs without playing, recall and other basic but important behaviors. Karen was always enthusiastic and encouraging, and even provided a few tips and tricks, as well as some personal stories she has learned and experienced over the years. Her dog, Birdie, was quite an example to follow. The price was quite reasonable and the class size was small enough for us to maintain COVID recommendations for distancing. When possible, we had our class outside. Classes available include Obedience, Manners, Rally, Agility, Nose Work, among others. We are looking forward to our next course! read more

Canine Training Association - Pet Services Near Me - Beltsville, Maryland

I have been coming here with my dog Casper since he was 4 months old and we still go (he is 7 years old now). Casper is my first dog and CTA was really helpful in showing me how to work with him, especially since I knew he would be a large dog. Everyone is very friendly and helpful! Most of the instructors are volunteers so it's very affordable. read more

Heeeckkkk no. I signed two of my dogs up for basic obedience because I thought the price seemed reasonable. Last night, my husband and I brought out two dogs and were incredibly disappointed to find that a) the instructor was about nine million years old and almost inaudible which b) made it impossible to follow his vague "directions", c) no one told me that two dogs from the same house should not be trained together because, since they are a pack, they will only focus on each other and imitate each other v.s. focusing on their owners d) although they claim that they do not employ harsh techniques for training, they encourage dog owners to clamp their dogs mouths shut when they bark, spray water in their dogs faces when they bark, and push arthritic dogs into the desired position (I was actually told by the trainer "hold him down, force him down" for my 3 year old pom who has bad knees-- once my dog yelped, I was done). I am in the process of getting my money refunded and have disputed this charge on my card. Services are not as described. I am very upset. I will certainly not be attending the remaining classes and discourage anyone else who loves their dogs to skip these guys. Utter. Crap. read more

Overall, I've had an excellent experience with CTA. I recently enrolled in a basics class for my rowdy 7 year old lab beagle mix named Mina. She has been to training before, but her beagle nose distracts easily and I tend to forget what I have learned. On the first day of classes the trainer at CTA noticed that Mina goes crazy for treats and loses track of her task at hand. The trainer, Jeanette, suggested using praise instead of treats for Mina and, surprisingly, it worked! The trainer also helped us develop trust and build a solid relationship in just a few short weeks. Because of this, Mina and I were excited to attend every class. Unfortunately, I could not finish my class series because of an unexpected illness and CTA was great about that too! If you are looking for a solid training foundation or CGC for your puppy or older dog this is a great place to go! read more

I left this facility and trainers after completing basic obedience classes last spring. Consider their trainers unqualified to teach and their facilities lacking. The Beltsville facility had two classes going at once - a puppy class and intermediate obedience - and the class sizes are ridiculous. Not the best atmosphere for learning. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. read more

Love the selections of classes that are available I trained my dogs in the agility, conformation , and rally classes and have had huge results in the ring read more

The trainers do their best but the owners must do their part and control their dogs. If the owner also continues the training process at home, results will be positive. This place is very reasonably priced as well. read more

I can't recommend CTA enough. I've been bringing my pups here since 1995 and they (we) are so well trained. Ken knows his stuff and it's amazing how quickly a dog quiets down with him. They are old school, so if you against choke collars, then this isn't the place for you. read more

I've just completed lessons with my 8 mo old lab/pit mix but took my Rottie through this program years ago. I was thrilled with the results the first time and it was a repeat yet again. What most may not understand is the instructors are instructing the handler how to train their pet. It's your responsibility to work with your dog in the ring and at home for success. I've seen reviews where they are bashing the class size(your dog is being socialized), holding the mouth when they bark(seriously, how else do you think you stop that behavior), training practices(once you show them by pushing their hind parts down the dog sits automatically when you stop walking, it's not mean), and the trainers. It's a great group of volunteer trainers who train dogs and are darn good at it. If you think you're going to go and not work, let your dog bark and act like a jerk, look else where. Canine Training Association earned my repeat business and we will continue to use them in the future. read more

I have trained many dogs through CTA since the 80s. Each trainer, whether it was at Beltsville, Davidsonville, or Annapolis SPCA was so thorough and gave excellent instructions. After my dogs and I went through these classes, both intermediate and advanced, they were so easy to take places and they behaved so nicely. I have recommended CTA to many people and they had wonderful results as well. They are a blessing and taught me so many ways to handle problems. I read some of the other reviews on this site and have to say having multiple classes going on at the same time only helped my dogs learn that I was the one to listen to and to ignore what was going on around them. It takes patience and time, which it doesn't appear these people had with their animals. read more

i have been training my service dog in here for obedience, agility , conformation and canine freestyle in CTA ever since he was 4 months old. Because he is my service dog, I heavily emphase on obedience and early socialization. My dog is two years old now, he has grew up and become a very balanced, social, friendly, and happy boy now, all and all I want to thank all the trainers and people who run the place! People here are very friendly; and trainers comes with various training styles and teaching experiences. If you are a true dog lover, you will find this place is very interesting, and you will learn many things from others, including bad experiences of others and their dogs , and how they deal with and live their lives strong and happy. I am a mentally disable veteran after a devastating event happened in my life that cause almost killed myself about 3 years ago. Yes, I am not shame about to talk about my problem, nor embarrassed to let others to know. My service dog has helped me so much, without him, I would not be how I am now, and without him be trained in CTA, he wouldn't be a good service dog for me! It took me a long time to get to where I am now, a lots of counselling seesions, a lots of effort, a lots of dog training sessions... I found dog training sessions are not chores, and I actually enjoy to be evolved like I am attending my favourite therapy sessions that I am looking forward to it each everyday. The best part of this is that I am not alone, there are other others service dog handlers take their dogs and train them in this facility as well. Every year, CTA hosting many AKC obedience, agility, rally obedience trials, matches, and canine freestyle competition. They are fun events to go to if you are training your dogs, true dog lovers, or be volunteers just because you love animals. Finally, I want to say that CTA is a excellent place to train your beloved canine friends. The trainers are very responsive and friendly to talk to. The facility offers various levels of training sessions seven days a week. Classes offered here are all taught by volunteered dog breeders, AKC event trials title holders , and even AKC event judges. This association is non-profit organization, which their goal is not to make profits off your payments for every single sessions of training, but to create a harmony environment and improve quality lifestyle between dogs and human. If you want your dogs to become the good manner, well behaved canine companions in your household, then come on in and give it a try.! read more