Brandi & Perry were amazing! Highly recommend working with them…read more We adopted a one year old mixed breed, Tuck, a few months ago. He's very sweet but started to get rambunctious to the point that my remote work felt challenging. He also started jumping or freezing when he saw other dogs on walks, and he occasionally barked or growled and men. We weren't sure if it was the start of aggressive behavior or just the result of a shelter dog that hasn't been exposed. After doing our research, we decided to do the 3 week behavior modification board and train program. We were really impressed from beginning to end. They shared a ton of information upfront, walked us through their facility (we opted to drop him off) and sent pictures and updates every evening. It became clear right away that they both have a very deep understanding of dogs, as well as a real respect and love for them. Tuck loved them! The best part was the "transition" day when Perry brought Tuck back and spent the day teaching us everything they've worked on together. We are first time dog owners so generally going in pretty blind. Perry gave us a 101 on dogs and the importance of clear and consistent communication. He talked through all of the layers of training and how/why it is effective. We felt this part was SO helpful for us to understand how to be better owners. Then we walked Tuck around the neighborhood with Perry guiding us and then spent time addressing indoor behaviors too. He was flexible and stayed until we felt comfortable with everything. This is a long review so the TLDR: finding a trainer is a big decision and investment so we wanted to get it right. Brandi & Perry were really incredible and beyond our expectations!! Truly worth every penny! Tuck has been doing really great at home and outside since being home. I've been able to work full days with him holding "place" on his cot, which would have been unheard of before!

I can't say enough good things about Brandi and Perry Bailey of RSK9. Their work has given my pup…read moreand I so much freedom and balance. Pebbles (blue heeler, 1.5 years old) would never listen to me, would not sit or lay still, and had a lot of other obedience issues that caused her to be stressed or confused. She was a TOUGH dog to train and I was concerned I couldn't find the solution for her to get basic concepts. This view has completely changed since working with RSK9's 3 week program. I would HIGHLY recommend them and their methods - you can tell they genuinely love working with dogs and it's made a huge difference in giving my dog the chance to find real rest at home. They send DAILY updates with photos and videos which was so nice. This isn't a regular class or something you just pay for; it's truly an investment that you and your dog will be using for the time you get to share together. Side note: it's worth doing 3 weeks versus 2 weeks. At the 2 week mark is when Pebbles really started to understand her marks and cues. From here there is so much more that can be refined and Brandi/Perry really capitalize on that threshold being crossed!

My experience with Lara and Shera was unfortunately not a good one…read more Lara, our assigned trainer, presented me with a prong collar at the initial assessment for our 35lb basset hound and told me that this was an "essential training tool" that is "very common". We found out later that this was not true - in fact, most people were horrified that we had allowed our dog to be trained this way. I'll front this by saying my husband and I did not do a whole lot of research on different training methods beforehand and are first-time dog owners, but looking back, we really wish we had pushed back on this. The combination of the collar and Lara's request to withhold all dry food except in training turned our formerly sweet and scared dog into an aggressive food guarder who was still scared to go on walks, but now growled and snapped at our cats. After 4 sessions, we consulted a behaviorist and told Lara and Shera we would be switching to another trainer on their recommendation. We received very defensive emails from both of them about the impropriety of seeing a behaviorist without their knowledge(!), but Shera agreed to refund our remaining sessions. When we still hadn't received a check five weeks later, I sent a follow-up and got back a reply complaining about my "combative" attitude (though she did then promptly issue a refund through PayPal.). Grateful to finally be done with them.

Shera at Pawfect Pups is the best!…read more We started training sessions for our dog Maggie when she was just 3 months old. I thought it was too early, but my husband convinced me that the earlier the better and he was right! We did a lot of research on yelp and other sources. The reviews we read about Pawfect Pups made us feel like there was something different about Pawfect Pups. Shera did such a great job addressing our problem areas at each session and worked with all of us to teach Maggie commands. Before we started, Maggie was a pretty stubborn little puppy and she was biting on pant legs, socks, blankets, and even my hair, snatching up any food that was dropped on the floor. Shera helped us work with Maggie to fix those habits and even taught us a variety of commands. Each session was focused on Maggie's concerns. I never felt like she was following a curriculum. Everything was very customized for our pup. We also really liked that we were an active part of each training session. People always compliment us on how well behaved Maggie is. My husband and I tell each other over and over again that finding Pawfect Pups was the best thing. Thanks Shera!

Dog Tranquility and it's owner Colleen Dermott have truly been life savers for our family. Over…read moremany years and multiple dog training experiences, I can honestly say that our experience with Dog Tranquility and Colleen is the best we have ever had. She is very passionate about what she does and cares very much about customers and their pets alike. We have adopted dogs for years but two of our current pups were getting along so badly that they were having fights that drew blood. Since we adopt for life, giving one or both up was not an option. Colleen worked closely with our dogs and educated us as owners to address the issues. It was not easy but within only a couple of sessions Colleen had our dogs starting to peacefully interact and over time they have now become good friends. On the rare occasion when we have an issue, we now know how best to address both in the heat of the moment and afterwards to bring the two back together. I am hoping to continue working with Colleen to focus on additional basic obedience and training and to continue to address some lingering behavioral issues. I don't write a ton of reviews, preferring to only write when I have extraordinary experiences and this is one such case. I highly recommend Dog Tranquility; Colleen's experience and training far exceeds usual obedience & training options and the outcomes have been far more meaningful & longer lasting than other options we have tried.

We went to our first group class today. It was only a puppy socialization but it was supervised by…read moretwo trainers who helped our puppies play safely. I know I will go back for more of these group classes and I will keep you posted if I try either the group basic training or private lessons.

Jennifer is a godsend! We went to another trainer and he made us feel like we were at a lost cause…read morewith our Goldendoodle, Winnie, who began developing aggressive and reactive behaviors over a span of a year. Through our initial consultation, Jennifer provided a positive, reinforcing way to assist us with training utilizing science, animal and human behaviorism with tons of analogies in between! She has a warm personality and I felt at ease with her. She really loves and understands dogs, and was very open minded! We decided to add another puppy to our family and setup another private training session with her after we realized that Winnie was having trouble adjusting to our Sheepadoodle, Linus. Jennifer helped us reading their body language and put them into situations where they would understand and respect each other. We also received homework which we worked on diligently, and now they're literally best friends! I was only hoping to have them co-exist with each other, but I'm so happy that they're getting along. I would highly recommend Jennifer and her team at Lead With Fun, as they really do understand dogs! They also have a variety of different classes as well outside of private training.

I've taken several group classes with Jennifer and had her over for individual sessions. She is…read morevery generous with her time and my dog has a blast with her! She's also really respectful of people who are immunocompromised, offering to wear a mask so I could still participate in group classes. I truly appreciate her kindness and thoughtfulness!

This was just the experience I want for my dog…read more James is awesome. He's so attentive to what you need or want from your dog. My dog, Koa is a year old Belgian Malinois but unfortunately was not trained. She was rehomed to me. I desperately needed obedience training. James shared pictures and videos with me of the whole journey since I lived 3 1/2 hours away. I had no reservations about leaving her with him. I doubt she wanted to leave him to come home! This will probably not be the only training she will get from James. He's very open to this being a great experience for you and your dog. I highly recommend him for any training you need for your dog.

My husband and I can't say enough good things about Controlled K9! We recently adopted a two year…read moreold German Shepherd who was well behaved in the house but a true terror to walk on leash (pulling and severe reactivity towards other dogs). Controlled K9 came to our home to evaluate her and recommended a four week board and train to work on basic obedience, leash manners, and off leash recall. We loved that she was taken in as a member of the family during her "boarding school," and they provided regular photos and updates on her progress throughout. She returned to us her same happy, sweet self in the house, but basically a new dog on leash! The Controlled K9 team trained us on how to continue her training, and remained super responsive to our follow up questions. It's incredible to see the transformation and we're so grateful to the Controlled K9 team for changing our lives - and Zoey's - for the better!

We should have listened to the lower ratings. This place is an absolute money grab…read more We spent over $200 for the first virtual appointment as an "intake", then another $500+ for a second "intake" with our dog. After an hour of "assessing" our dog's behavior and throwing 2 meals worth of treats, we were told our dog needs psych meds. We were very clear in the paper work and initial intake that we would like to consider training first before going to medication. But it wasn't until after the second appointment that we were told to monitor a "wait list" for reactive training (not an official waitlist; just first to sign up gets in when the email comes out). Now after shelling out $800 and waiting 8 weeks for these appointments, we are back to square one and feeling a lot of regret for going to this business.

This place was the worst! I have raised 5 puppies, fostered dogs for 30 years and volunteered at…read morethe Fairfax County Animal Shelter. I took my puppy here for socialization and basic skills group class. I knew something was off from the beginning when they said do not approach our front door under any circumstances. The three small puppies were separated off by 5 foot partitions. There was strategically no communication between pet owners and now I know why! After about two minutes of play time at the beginning of class, we were sent to our isolation sections. My puppy whimpered to play with one of the other pups. The staff immediately took the whimpering as a crisis and privately told me that my dog needs medications, has ADHD, and is interrupting class! We were put in a janitors closet for the rest of class. I was told if my vet won't give him Klonopin, their vet will. I was stunned and shocked. I should've walked out right then. My 5 month old puppy is the calmest, best behaved pup I've ever raised. This place is a scam and I would not recommend it to anyone! I hope we can get this sort of place out of our community. Please spread the word. Not to mention the exorbitant fees! if you want to spend hundreds of dollars for bad advice and total humiliation, this is your place!

We adopted our good boy Buddie from a shelter in December. A sweet boy, but years in a shelter…read more(five!) has made him somewhat a sensitive pup prone to barking to loud noises and strangers approaching. Passing cars on walks yielded barking and lunging, doorbells ringing, more barking. We tried some "do-it-yourself" online things with zero success, and realized actual one-on-one training was the only option. Enter Tommy from Bark-Busters. His initial three-hour in-home training course was amazingly effective, so much so the change in Buddie was almost night and day to us. Upon meeting Buddie for the first time, Tommy immediately knew the kind of sensitive dog Buddie was and tailored his training to suit. His techniques were easy to understand and master and can be practiced anytime we're with Buddie. No more barking when the doorbell rings, or when a car passes, or a stranger approaches. Buddie's a lot calmer now which is more in keeping with his overall sweet nature. Highest recommendation!

When I first reached out to Tommy, I was in a pretty dark place with my 3-year-old English Bulldog…read more His behavior had taken a serious turn--aggression, constant overstimulation, and a total breakdown in how we communicated. I was heartbroken and honestly starting to feel like I'd failed him. What Tommy brought into our home was a complete shift in perspective. He didn't just train the dogs--he taught us how to create structure, set clear expectations, and restore calm. After just the first session, our house felt noticeably different. The tension was gone, the barking and toy-fighting stopped, and even our older dogs--who had been keeping their distance--seemed relieved. What really makes Tommy stand out is the continued support. He's incredibly responsive, provides real tools and a step-by-step plan, and genuinely checks in on your progress. The Lifetime Guarantee is a huge comfort--knowing we have ongoing access to help if new issues arise takes so much pressure off. We're still working through things, but the difference already feels like night and day. I can't recommend Tommy highly enough--he gave us back peace and hope.

I am very late in writing this review, but I wanted to share how meaningful my experience was. I…read moreenrolled my puppy, a red standard poodle, in her classes, and very quickly realized she was exactly the kind of trainer I had been searching for. She is clearly knowledgeable and skilled, but what truly sets her apart is her holistic approach and genuine care for animals. She treats every dog as an individual and tailors her training to meet each one's specific needs. That same thoughtful approach extends to her human clients. During this time, I was dealing with significant health challenges and was not able to attend every class. She kindly offered makeup sessions, which I deeply appreciated. When she learned that my absences were due to my health, she checked in on me personally and even asked if it was okay to call me at home to see how I was doing. Her compassion meant more to me than I can easily express. She showed more care and concern than many people I have known for decades. Anyone looking for a dog trainer should go to her, not only for her expertise, but because she is genuinely kind, attentive, and deeply invested in both her clients and their dogs.

April was great! Really helped us with our new rescue! 10/10!!!! Super sweet and knowledgeable…read more.. definitely recommend!

For some background, Mamba was my first ever dog I got, who was a puppy. He was originally a rescue…read morebefore being fostered before I adopted him. He had very fearful characteristics at first, "grring" and barking at new comers in the home, aggressively barking and lunging at people on walks. I had taken him to Petco for individual sessions only for my pup to get kicked out and get recommended to a "behaviorist" for his behavior. I was looking around and found Keri, and right after the consultation session I knew she was the right fit for Mamba. Mamba has gotten much better around dogs and and other people, and not only that, now I understand his behaviors and what to do in specific situations, She not only trains the dogs, but also emphasizes training the handler (me). After the 6 sessions (I am actually only 5 sessions in) -- I can confidently take Mamba around other people in crowded areas knowing in advance how he will react. Keri is not a trainer, she is a coach and I swear also a dog whisperer. She is very flexible when scheduling and even brought me homemade cookies when my dad passed away. I would 100% recommend Unleashed Abilities and Keri for anyone who genuinely wants to train their dog.

I highly recommend Unleashed Abilities for dog training. My husband and I have always had pets but…read morenever sought expert training advice. We decided to go for it with our rescue dog Mabel and we are so happy we did! From the minute we met Keri, we knew it was going to be an excellent experience. Mabel loved her instantly and we started learning immediately, no exaggeration. Keri is fantastic at providing clear, achievable goals and things to work on between lessons. I am confident that Unleashed Abilities can make a world of difference for dogs with any training needs, big or small. Life is so fun with a happy, well-balanced dog!

l like it a lot because they attend to my puppy promptly and do keep him caged like in other places…read more they are very professional

The trainers are really nice and understand dog and human behaviors! Walking our dog is much more…read morepleasant and we've learned a lot of tricks to practice at home. Highly recommend Dog Sense for your pups training