We have nothing but good things about Scott and the team at DC Dog Wizard. They are wonderful! A little background on Cody - he was a rescue from a kill shelter in South Carolina where he was found in a hunting trap. He practically had no socialization with other dogs or people before we got him and had obvious fear aggression (nipping, growling, lunging, you name it). Over time, it was just getting worse. Not only did he have fear aggression around other dogs and people, he was terrified of EVERYTHING. Even the shadows on the wall. It was awful. We reached out to Scott after Cody jumped the fence and bit the dog across the street who wasn't on a leash. After this incident, I honestly didn't have much hope. We knew the best program for Cody would be the home away program (that was not easy!) because he would have constant socialization with other dogs and people. We got updates on Facebook daily and progress reports regularly. Cody looked like he was having so much fun and was making such great progress, I almost felt guilty making him come home. The minute we got Cody back, we knew he was a different dog. We were glad to see that he was more confident, but his personality didn't change a bit. We did his first at home training in the front of the house, with no leash. He did perfectly! He didn't pay attention to the dogs walking by up the street, and didn't flinch at any cars that drove by. The next day, I took him running and while he normally would "stalk" other dogs, bark, and growl, he just heeled next to me the entire time. I took him to the park and he placed in the middle of the grass and just watched people play tennis. He paid no attention to the little kids running around and screaming, or the other dogs. I was so impressed! It's been a few months since we've had Cody back and we now take him to the dog park where he plays with new dogs and meets new people almost daily. We re-introduced him to the dog he originally bit, and he doesn't even pay attention to him anymore. They actually get together to play sometimes! We can leave the door open when we get the mail, because we know he's going to stay when we tell him to sit, and I'm no longer terrified of what's going to happen when I take him on runs or walks knowing we're going to encounter another dog. We're still working on the jumping the fence the problem, but it has been less and less of an issue, which is comforting. Not only has Scott helped us with Cody, but he's helped us with our other dog Jack. Jack has a disability (one of his legs is in a brace indefinitely), so training him traditionally is almost impossible. Scott taught us how to teach Jack place and help him build his confidence which will in turn help with the incessant barking. We just starting working on that, but with the outcome of Cody's training, I have no doubt it's going to work wonders. After putting Cody through the program, we now get unlimited training sessions for him with Scott and can join the group training on the weekend when we want. Just the fact that we know we can call Scott and have him come work with Cody when we need it is extremely comforting. It's not like it's two weeks away and then you're on your own. Scott really cares about Cody's progress and his well being. We recommend Scott and DC Dog Wizard to anyone we meet who is having trouble with their dog(s) and we hope our experience helps you too! read more

My expectations were hugely exceeded by Scott. He is a highly skilled and experienced trainer and is incredibly intuitive about dogs, their behavior, and the ways they communicate with each other and with us. He also, crucially, understands human behavior and the ways that we as dog owners and dog lovers actually can build ineffective and confusing communication and make it harder for our dogs to learn, perform to their potential, and enjoy themselves. With our dog Henry, the treat-based reinforcement training that we did on our own helped him learn basic commands but was not effective in moderate or high distraction settings. Even though his favorite things are to run, explore freely outside, play fetch, and most of all play with other dogs, he was not able to do these things on a regular basis because we didn't have an effective form of communication that was reliable and that I could trust in the case he needed to come back to me immediately or even simply listen when it's time to go. It was not worth the risk of him running away, getting in an altercation with another dog, or other problematic or dangerous consequences. Walking became a chore because he was constantly pulling to get to other dogs, squirrels, etc. I was frustrated and he wasn't getting to do the things he most loved. After the two week home front program, Henry's impulse control has improved tremendously. He is still his playful happy self, but has learned by working with Scott how to channel his intelligence and focus. He is far more receptive, even when we are not specifically training. He truly loves to work and use his mind, and we have fun practicing and reinforcing the training. When we saw Scott for our follow up lesson, Henry was SO excited to see him. All through the two week program I was able to follow Henry's progress and see him on Facebook having a blast getting to play and learn social skills with the pack. In addition to the stellar obedience, Henry is much more confident and calm when meeting other dogs, compared to the more insecure "in your face" greeting style he previously exhibited that would rub some dogs the wrong way. Henry now gets to run, play fetch, and play with other dogs off leash. He comes when called, even when he is in the middle of running towards other dogs playing or a squirrel. I am no longer afraid of him running away or getting into other stressful or dangerous situations because we are in sync with our communication and it works. Walks are no longer a struggle for us. And because he knows what he is supposed to do, he has more confidence and his anxiety-based behaviors are greatly decreased. This is also true because of the mental energy he uses up when we are working. He is overall much calmer and less reactive. In sum, we couldn't be happier with the results of Henry's training, and more importantly, the invaluable education and tools we have gained. We highly, and without reservation, recommend Scott Dancer, a.k.a DC Dog Wizard! read more

You CAN teach an old dog new tricks! My husband and I have had a 7-year love-hate relationship with our dog. He's a mini Australian Shepherd. We had him since he was 6 weeks old and he was thoroughly socialized until he was neutered when the behavioral problems began to manifest (aggression, separation anxiety). Walking him was nearly impossible. He barked and lunged at other dogs and unsuspecting passersby. Strolling in parks was always a drama-filled affair with him protesting anyone or anything within a 3-foot radius. He also barked at any sound beyond our door to the annoyance and dismay of our neighbors. Leaving home for any reason invited snarling, barking and the occasional bite, which has only worsened during COVID-19 because we do not leave home nearly as often as before. We needed help. It was either the dog or our sanity. We tried another DC dog trainer 4 years ago and he said that our dog was the worst that he has ever seen, and that he was not trainable. For years, we just figured that this was our lot and nothing could be done. I found The Dog Wizard online and enrolled our pup in the 3 week intensive training/ boarding program. They were optimistic about helping us and our dog. Scott and his team sent us regular updates of our pup and his progress (though truth be told, I was so relieved and relaxed over the 21 days our dog was away that I would have happily paid The Dog Wizard staff to permanently keep him!) To say that the results were positive would be an understatement. I've always loved my dog, but now I actually LIKE him as well. Taking our pup for a walk is actually enjoyable and stress free. So much so, that I find myself spending much more time with him walking each day. No pulling, barking or drama--barely feels like he is there at all. When we took him to the closest park, he walked obediently by my side without distraction and then(!) sat quietly on a bench while six other dogs yapped and played nearby. That would have been unthinkable a month earlier. His separation anxiety has also dialed back considerably. Before The Dog Wizard, our dog was 70% unmanageable and 30% lovable. Now, he's 90% lovable and his crazy side rarely manifests; and when it does, it is no where near the intensity as before. Scott and his team are the real deal. They have given us training tips as well as tools to keep our pup on the right path. The Dog Wizard is worth every penny. My only regret is that we did not find and enroll Barnaby in The Dog Wizard years earlier. read more

We hired DC Dog Wizard for our one-year-old labradoodle to help with manners (on leash and in the house,) general impulse control, and with a noise phobia he'd developed that was making it hard to walk him. We had done a basic obedience class before somewhere else, but felt we needed a lot more support, so we signed up for the eight lesson package. Austin was super professional and patient with Bodie. We were so impressed with her gentle and positive approach. I learned so much just by observing how she worked with him. After three or four lessons we were able to cross busy streets and do longer walks, which of course helps so much with taming his puppy energy. He's SO much better behaved with guests in the house (not jumping,) and walks patiently on leash. As proof that it's not just my opinion: We take him with us when we walk our daughter to school, and a parent friend commented last week on how much calmer and more in control he is compared with last spring. She was really impressed! The best thing about the Dog Wizard-- they say training is as much for the humans as the dog. :) I totally agree, especially after our experience. The in-person sessions were super valuable. We learned so much and we're all happier and more bonded. We highly recommend the Dog Wizard; it was well worth the investment! read more

Scott was a great help for me with my pitt mix rescue. She had a lot of leash reactivity (mostly to other dogs and skateboarders) and some social anxieties. She was the sweetest pup once she trusted you, but it took a while for new people to gain that. I worked using the freedom program with Scott and she is really a new pup. Walks are enjoyable, she is much more confident and comfortable in new situations. I can walk her off leash and trust her completely that she will stay right by me and won't chase after anything without my say so. She can still be a little shy, but her recovery time is so much faster than it ever was, so no longer seems to hold grudges and can learn more quickly now to trust new situations. I also was hesitant about the price as first, but Scott is really responsive with any follow up questions I have, responding within 24 hours to any issue that comes up. When you think of how many training programs you can go through, its certainly a better investment. As for the collar, my dog never minded it and after a couple months I was hardly using the buttons any more (even when I was my dog responded at a very low level), now it serves a more of a reminder to her that she needs to behave well when we leave the apartment. Overall I can't recommend Scott highly enough. read more

We've only had Stanley back for a few days and it's already night and day for us. Stanley is a 1.5 year old rescue dog that simply would not listen to anything he didn't feel like listening to. We had trouble with visitors to the house, dogs, bikes, runners, men walking by, you name it. He means well but there was absolutely no way to get through to him once his mind was fixated on something else. We followed along with the picture updates and couldn't believe it was really our dog not running away the second the leash was dropped. Even in the few days we've had him back it's been absolutely amazing to us the amount he learned in two weeks. I can walk him confidently on a loose leash on heel past all kinds of distractions (which is a miracle compared to previous behaviors) and he has done so well with our daily off leash practices. Our biggest, and seemingly most far fetched, goal was to be able to bring Stanley along in all of our activities outside of the house without fear of major breakdowns or running away and we have never felt like we had the capability to do that until now. We still have lots of practice and work to do but for the first time we also have so much optimism about all of the fun things we can do with our pup. Thank you Scott!! read more

Review of Private Puppy Training with Autumn of The Dog Wizard We recently completed private puppy training with Autumn at The Dog Wizard, and it has been such a positive experience for both us and our pup, Betty! Autumn's approach was gentle yet effective, and we quickly saw improvements in Betty's behavior. One of the most notable outcomes has been Betty's leash walking. She now walks beautifully on the leash, with no pulling or tugging, which has made our daily walks so much more enjoyable. We learned several techniques during the sessions that we can easily incorporate into our routine, and the results have been fantastic. Autumn was very knowledgeable, patient, and great at explaining the training methods in a way that was easy for us to follow. Betty was able to progress at her own pace, and we felt supported every step of the way. I would highly recommend Autumn and The Dog Wizard to anyone looking to improve their dog's behavior and strengthen their bond with their pet. It was a wonderful experience, and we are so grateful for all the valuable skills we've gained! read more

My black lab, Kinley, completed the Board & Train program two months ago. Moving from a small town to a big city was an adjustment for both of us, and I quickly found that living in the middle of the city was going to be a challenge. Kinley was easily distracted by all of the other dogs and I was unable to regain her attention to gain control while she was pulling me and getting in other dog's faces on our walks. After the program and a few one-on-one lessons, Scott walked me through how to use the e-collar appropriately, which is key, and to understand why Kinley was acting the way she was in certain scenarios. Be patient during this part and realize it takes time for your dog and you to understand what each other wants. After a few short weeks of dedicated training time, one tune-up lesson, and a few phone calls, I'm happy to say that we both are stress-free around distractions on our walks and getting better every day. I would recommend the DC Dog Wizard programs to anyone! read more

Working with Scott and the team at DC Dog Wizard was great, I highly recommend them My 2.5 year old lab/pointer mix was having some issues adjusting to the city, barking and lunging at bicyclists. He went through the 2 week board and train program and came back pretty much "cured" of whatever it was that was setting him off about bicycles. He's much, much calmer on walks and is easier to get back under control when he does get riled up by a bike or squirrel. He listens to "stay" even next to busy streets, and we have lots of fun getting him to jump on benches or walls to practice "place" while out on walks. It was a big decision, but I'm very glad I sent him to training. He's still the same big, playful, energetic pup I sent away. He needs reminders and reinforcement, but now I look forward to walking him instead of dreading taking him out when it's busy. If you're on the fence about sending your four-legged pal to training, I'd recommend going for it. read more

We contacted Scott after I looked over all the trainers in the DMV area and I could not be happier with the result. Our one year old Dalmatian was super shy and leash reactive towards most dogs and he started getting super scared of people wearing masks after COVID started which made it very hard going on calm walks with him. After working on a 6 weeks private classes with Thomas and Scott I feel like I have a completely different dog. We can go on walks and Cooper will heel and listen to us a lot more, he even meets dogs on the leash with no problem. We never had problems at dog parks but the "come" command is life-changing since now I don't have to worry about calling him more than once to leave the park. Thomas and Scott did not only train Cooper but also us to know how to handle every situation we might encounter and know how to deal with it. Worth every cent. I would definitely recommend it. read more

When we started with our toy poodle, he would cry and whine constantly. He was incredibly stubborn and anxious, and he couldn't be left home alone in his crate. After working with Austin, he loves his crate and willingly goes into the crate during the day and when we have to go out for a few hours. Austin helped us learn how to channel his nervous energy into training and learning new tricks! After 5 weeks, he had already learned stay, come, heel, and place. Not only that, he learned how to do fun tricks like jumping onto a variety of blocks and jumping across them. Austin helped us give Finn the calm state of mind he needed to thrive. Now he his crate, is comfortable meeting new dogs and loves to play, and loves to learn new tricks! He has since learned shake a paw, down, spin, and roll over all in just a month after his training ended. Thank you Austin! read more

Our German Shepherd, Kodiak, went through The Dog Wizard's puppy preschool and training programs in order to establish a language where we could better communicate with him, as well as to figure out what makes him tick so we can work his brain. As a high energy dog, Kodiak needs the mental stimulation and that's just what Scott has provided him. He loves when we go out of town because he knows he gets to go stay with Scott and work and play until he's dead tired, just to get up the next morning and repeat it. He always comes home happy, exhausted, and with a sense of confidence that makes that consistent training so much easier - a lot less frustrating to work with a dog who is eager to learn! Scott and The Dog Wizard are absolutely awesome, and we'd recommend them time and time again; and I know Kodiak would, too! read more

I have a ~5 month old puppy who needed help with basic obedience and confidence building. I worked with Austin for 5 private puppy training sessions and I felt like she was able to effectively tune into my puppy's needs to effectively coach me on how to adjust/modify training as needed. She was helpful in walking me through the training in a way that built on the previous week's lesson. She was super approachable and I felt comfortable asking how to deal with other behavior issues (e.g. barking at the food bowl, begging for food, etc.) I'm so glad I went with DC Dog Wizard because I feel like I have the tools I need to help my puppy be the best she can be. She has a lot more confidence and has gone from being glued to my hip to being able to play independently, which is a huge win :) read more

I am always skeptical about businesses that have only 5 star reviews and all they do is praise them, sounds too good to be true. But I have to admit that with DC Dog Wizard and Scott, you get nothing but amazingness (is that even a word?) We have two pups with very different needs; one that is very anxious and is always wary of people and other pups, and another one that's full of energy and just wants to use all his energy on people and other pups. After training with Scott, they're both so much better. No it's not magic and it's not overnight. We still have work to do. But had it not been for the decision to have Scott training our two beloved pups, we would've never been able to help them be more relaxed, happy and well behaved. read more

I cannot speak enough great things about this dog training company. I have a two year old English bulldog that was a little rough around the edges but after a few weeks with Scott and friends at DC dog wizard, he's come back the same dog but much more refined. We've got a little homework to do, but with the effort made by both my dog and myself, I have no worries that the investment in dog training has paid off greatly. The follow up lesson once he came home did wonders. Honestly my dog was bummed leaving his group of friends he was away from but he's come back much more relaxed and disciplined. Highly recommend this company! read more

Austin helped me with my puppy both when she was a baby (with the basics) and a young adult (with some behavioral issues). My relationship with my dog completely transformed thanks to Austin - we've become so much closer and in tune with each other's needs and cues. Austin has been helpful with one off questions and issues through texts and support classes even after our private sessions ended. Both my dog and I love Austin and would 100% recommend her training classes to anyone struggling with bringing out the best in their dog! read more

My experience with DC Dog Wizard and especially with Austin was nothing short of fantastic! Austin was a phenomenal trainer and not only did my dog absolutely love her, but he respected her and wanted to learn from her. I would never have made the progress I made in our 8 weeks of sessions if I hadn't enlisted DC Dog Wizard and Austin's help, and I know the progress we will continue to make will be because of the tools she provided us during our lessons. I would recommend DC Dog Wizard to anyone and everyone...thank you so much! read more

Austin is legitimately a dog wizard!!! She worked with us after we adopted our dog Roxy. Roxy is very rambunctious and can be a handful but Austin was so patient the whole time. She did a great job building up Roxy's confidence (and mine) and really strengthened our bond as a result. Separation anxiety was a big issue for us before, and Austin's training really helped alleviate it which has been life changing for all of us. I would absolutely recommend working with Austin and DC Dog Wizard! read more

We completely resonate with the person who said that their dog returned from Scott's training as the lovable companion they were hoping for without the very unpleasant behaviors. We were on the verge of returning our puppy to the shelter, and DC Dog Wizard was our last hope. We now have a different dog in our house. He's happy. We're happy. We have more work to do, but we are reminded every day of what we were hoping for when we adopted Zion. Thank you, Scott! read more