Look no further. James is your knight in shining armor. Seriously, we have a wonderful pure bred Mini Australian Shepherd that we adopted at ten weeks from a breeder of MAS show dogs. We hadn't had a dog in seventeen years and were very anxious to have a new puppy join our family. We were doing all the right things based on the breeder's recommendations including six one hour sessions with a personal trainer spanning six weeks to learn the basics (sit, stay, lay down, walking, etc.). The trainer did a good job teaching both Teddy and us the basics. While Teddy made much progress as the months went by, by the time he was ten months old we were still having some challenges with him such as jumping up on people when they visited our home, frequently pulling on his leash when walking, difficulty keeping him in one place in and out of the house for any length of time, getting distracted by everything and everyone when being walked, etc. We knew he needed additional obedience training so we began our search. I found several trainers in the Loudoun area and scheduled interviews. Without going into too much detail, when I first spoke to James on the phone to arrange his interview, I was struck by his knowledge, articulation, confidence, and perceived understanding of what we and Teddy needed. James was the first interview we conducted at our home. He spent nearly two hours with us listening and learning about Teddy's personality, his habits, his training thus far, and what our expectations were in terms of what we wanted the end result to look like, and went over in detail what his program entailed. We don't normally do this, but we hired him on the spot. Teddy lived with James and his family for three weeks. They made him part of his family and did everything with him, taking him to restaurants, malls, shopping, social events, while giving him dedicated training in his home where he has all the implements of a professional experienced K9 trainer. His regular almost daily communication with text updates, photos, videos, and occasional telephone call to explain something was superb. Teddy came home at the end of his training tour a totally different dog obedience-wise but the same wonderful pooch we left with James at the beginning. We were extremely satisfied with the final product and trust he would do the same with any other dog. read more

The team at Controlled K9 changed our dog's life and I'd recommend them to anyone. We have a 9-month old German Shepherd who we brought home as a puppy, but he started having a hard time adjusting to living in the city as he entered early adolescence. He was hyper reactive on leash with dogs, people, bikes, cars, etc. He also struggled with getting along with our two cats, obedience started to backslide as we entered the adolescent defiance stage, and he had some OCD behaviors like compulsive tail chasing and guarding the house from the window by barking at anyone who passed by on the sidewalk. We had been working with another trainer who came by the house a couple times a week, but we weren't making real progress. The trainer ultimately suggested we go to a behavioral specialist who recommended putting our then 5-month old puppy on prozac indefinitely. Skeptical of medicating a puppy and wanting to consider all options, we interviewed with several board and train companies, but Controlled K9 stood apart from our first conversation. After talking us through all of our preliminary questions on the phone, the team came out to to meet with us and see our dog at home. They put together a plan and gave us a sense of what to expect. Helpfully, they also suggested we wait a few months before sending him to training to allow him to mature out of puppy brain so he could better absorb training. Around 7-months old, we sent him to Controlled K9 for six weeks. During the course of training, you get regular updates, photos, and videos of how your dog is doing. The progress was remarkable, but the real result was when he came home a transformed dog. He came back the happy boy he's always been, but without any reactivity issues, happily cohabitating with our cats, and his OCD behaviors are gone. It's transformed his life, dramatically reduced our stress levels, and allowed us to enjoy our time with him and take him along on adventures without the stress of a reactive dog. Now when we're out on walks our dog gets complimented on his manners constantly. He can go with us on coffee runs, sit out on a restaurant patio, and go to parks off leash to play fetch and return when called. Controlled K9 is hands down the best investment you can make in both your dog's life and your own peace of mind. read more

We recently had the pleasure of working with Controlled K9 to train our dog, and we couldn't be happier with the results. From the very first meeting, it was clear that the trainers at Controlled K9 are highly skilled and genuinely passionate about what they do. Our dog had a few behavioral issues, like pulling on the leash and jumping, that we were struggling to manage, but the team at Controlled K9 provided us with the tools and techniques needed to address these problems effectively. They took the time to understand our dog's unique personality and tailored the training program to suit his specific needs. One of the standout aspects of our experience was how they welcomed our dog into their home. This gave us immense peace of mind, knowing that our dog was in a safe and loving environment while receiving top-notch training. The trainers were patient, knowledgeable, and always available to answer our questions. We were provided regular updates with pictures that made the board and train experience a little easier on us. They used positive reinforcement methods that not only helped our dog learn quickly but also strengthened the bond between us. We saw significant improvements in our dog's behavior after just a few sessions, and he continues to build on the foundations they provided every day. Thanks to Controlled K9, we are now able to take our dog with us on outings to busy places like wineries and breweries with everyone commenting on how well-behaved he is. It's such a joy to see how much he has improved and how confident he has become. One of the things we appreciated most about Controlled K9 was their commitment to ongoing support. Even after the initial training sessions were completed, they offered follow-up consultations to ensure that we were on the right track and to address any new challenges that arose. However, the first round of training was so successful, we haven't needed to reach out, but it is great to know that we can if needed. Overall, we highly recommend Controlled K9 to anyone looking for professional and effective dog training services. Their expertise, dedication, and personalized approach make them a standout choice for any dog owner. read more

I cannot recommend Controlled K9 enough! I have two dogs, Remmy (5 years old) and Hank (4 years old), who had some significant challenges. Remmy is extremely anxious, and Hank's constant barking was a major problem for me, especially when working from home. After contacting Kenzie and James, they came to my home for an evaluation and were incredible from the start. During the consultation, Kenzie and James took the time to ask detailed questions about my concerns and my end goals for both dogs. They thoroughly explained their observations and outlined realistic, attainable goals for each dog, along with their training approach. A huge plus for me was that they accommodated my request to keep Remmy and Hank together during training, unlike other places that couldn't promise they'd stay with one trainer. Kenzie kept me updated throughout the entire process with regular progress reports and pictures of Remmy and Hank on adventures or playing with other dogs. It was so reassuring to see my pups happy and thriving. On drop-off day, Kenzie walked me through everything she had taught my dogs, providing a detailed explanation of not only what they were trained to do but also why. She patiently answered all my questions and gave clear instructions for continuing their training at home. We even went on a walk together so I could see the changes firsthand and the difference was astounding. Hank, who used to pull and weave while on a leash, walked calmly by my side. Both dogs' barking tendencies had drastically reduced, making my work-from-home days much more peaceful. The very next day after drop-off, I took Remmy and Hank to Petsmart, a trip that used to be stressful and chaotic. This time, they didn't react to other dogs or pull towards the door to leave. It was a completely different experience! Thanks to Kenzie and James, my dogs are happier, calmer, and better-behaved, and I'm looking forward to more adventures with them. I'm so grateful for what they've done for my pups and highly recommend Controlled K9 to anyone looking for professional, compassionate, and effective dog training. read more

My wife and I had reached a point of desperation with our (now) 3 year old English Shepherd/Golden Retriever/Labrador mix. When we rescued him, we realized he suffered from many anxieties, fears, and general behavioral issues. His triggers were other dogs, cars, random people, and children. He'd bark, lunge, and "Tasmanian devil" spin. His reactive behavior made it hard to take him outside. There were a couple of times he spun so much that he got off leash and ran off, almost getting hit by a car. We tried one-on-one training sessions with other trainers (while we were still living in Alabama), but we realized it wasn't enough. We made the decision to send him to a 4-week board and train at a local (to us in Maryland) training facility. Overall, it wasn't the best experience. They didn't address many of the concerns or reactive behavior. Not long after we got him back, he started regressing into some of the same behaviors. We didn't feel equipped with the necessary strategies to help our dog work through his fears. It doesn't help that our apartment complex is extremely busy, making it difficult to take him out. In desperation, we went searching for a solution to give us all a better quality of life. Fortunately, that's when we found Controlled K9 through reviews online where other dog owners shared very similar experiences to ours for their own dogs. Throughout the 6 weeks that our pup was in Kenzie's care, she provided regular updates with photos and videos. It was encouraging to see him improving! When our dog came home, it was truly a night and day difference. Kenzie also spent time teaching us how to handle stressful situations. We can now take him on walks with us around this very same busy apartment complex and surrounding streets! We can't recommend Controlled K9 enough; the entire process from start to finish was excellent! They truly are the best! read more

We have been raising a Great Pyrenees mix puppy (who rather looks like a Border Collie) since she was 9 weeks old. She is (too) smart, friendly, playful, easy to teach but very stubborn. And this last personality trait caused several issues. She grew used to the freedom of a large property and was very resistant to being on a leash. Pulling and too excited to walk nicely. She loves playing with our 7-year-old but was too rough, jumping and nipping. She had an electric fence collar that she respected when she wanted to, and would recall when she felt like it. Our home training was ineffective as she grew older and as she started to develop new bad habits, we were looking for training options. Finding Controlled K9 for Board and Train was the best scenario as we had an upcoming month-long family trip planned. Lexie was so confident with her from the first moment that we didn't question that we were leaving her in the best hands. We regularly received pictures and videos showing her progress and we could see how our puppy was doing. It was unbelievable. After 4 weeks we got back an almost different dog. At first we were concerned that she might have lost her puppy spirit, but she returned to her cute silliness and endless affection very quickly. Meanwhile she had learned great manners. Walks on the leash without pulling. Stops when we stop. She stays at the property line and waits until we return. Runs with our child without jumping. She recalls reliably despite distractions. And no longer chases the cats. And a bonus, we can now even take her out in public easily. She calmly stays next to our table without bothering other people or dogs. She learned Respect. And while not perfectly, we have been able to maintain the learning. Thank you Lexie! And thank you Controlled K9! read more

Exceptional Training Results at Controlled K9! I recently entrusted my dog, Brooklyn, to Controlled K9 for a board and train program, and the results have been nothing short of remarkable. James, the trainer, demonstrated a deep understanding of canine behavior and worked diligently on Brooklyn's behavioral modification. Brooklyn, due to a past attack has shown signs of aggression and reactivity to dogs in different situations, she now has a completely transformed demeanor. James effectively taught her to navigate social situations without overreacting and even ignore other dogs when necessary. This has been a game-changer for our daily interactions. What sets Controlled K9 apart is not just addressing behavioral issues but also helping touch up on Brooklyn's sport work obedience. James has boosted Brooklyn's confidence in this area, giving me peace of mind in the process. I now feel confident pursuing her sport dog BH title. The ongoing support from James is commendable. We're working together on advocacy strategies when dealing with other dogs, and our sport work training continues to progress, laying the groundwork for future titles. Overall, my experience with Controlled K9 has been outstanding. James's expertise, commitment, and results-oriented approach make this training programs stand out. I highly recommend Controlled K9 for anyone seeking effective and comprehensive dog training. read more

I can't say enough great things about my experience with Isis the dog trainer from Controlled K9! Bringing King and Baron here was one of the best decisions I've made for them. From day one, it was clear how knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely passionate Isis is about what she does. She took the time to understand each of my dogs' personalities and tailored the training to fit their individual needs. The transformation in both King and Baron has been incredible--not just in obedience, but in confidence and overall behavior. What really stood out to me was the communication and support throughout the process. I always felt informed, involved, and empowered to continue reinforcing the training at home. It never felt like a one-size-fits-all program--everything was thoughtful and intentional. King and Baron are now more responsive, calmer, and honestly just happier dogs. I'm beyond grateful for the care and dedication that went into helping them succeed. If you're looking for a trainer who truly cares about your dogs and delivers real results, I highly recommend Isis at Controlled K9! read more

James and Kenzie worked with our Hound/Pit mix dog Toby. We adopted Toby at 8 weeks and he became progressively more difficult to manage within a year. Toby exhibited biting, jumping and leash pulling. He basically turned our lives upside down and made it impossible to live our normal lives in our home. We have had dogs most of our lives and never experienced the craziness that Toby was creating. We contacted Controlled K9 and spoke with James and Kenzie. They laid out a plan to board and train Toby for 3 weeks. Kenzie provided almost daily updates with pictures and video of Toby's progress, which was greatly appreciated. When Toby came home, Kenzie spent almost 3 hours going over the training and the reinforcement training that would be needed to keep Toby manageable. Toby has transformed into a wonderful dog. So well behaved and wanting to please his family. This has been life changing for us, as we did not want to give up on Toby! We highly recommend Controlled K9. Carey N. read more

We highly recommend this training program. In four weeks, Julie turned our impulsive pit-bull puppy who jumped on people and lunged on the leash -- despite puppy training classes -- into a well-behaved, well-mannered young dog. Given the stereotypes some people have of pit bulls, this was really important to us. We are delighted with her progress and will continue to consult with Julie to make sure that Abbey retains all she has learned. It might seem expensive, but we were away for a 2 week vacation, and just boarding a dog for that length of time isn't cheap. Our vacation turned out to be beneficial for Abbey as well as ourselves. read more

When I first talked with James of Controlled K9, I appreciated the fact that the training would be personalized, instead of " one size fits all". My pit mix, Kacey, was leash reactive with other dogs to the point that I avoided taking her places, and our walks were limited. Kelia had Kacey for 5 weeks. In that time Kacey learned how to behave on leash, how to behave with other dogs, and is a much better listener. It was obvious to me that Kacey adored Kelia, and has learned to want to please. I am very pleased with the " new Kacey", and highly recommend Controlled K9 and Kelia. read more