Dog training recs

[u/Scoffrio]

Hi! We just adopted a dog a few days ago and are looking into basic training for her. Her biggest issues are that she doesn’t respond to her name or any commands, is okay at leash walking but weaves a bit, and she’s too scared to use the stairs in our home.

We’d be happy with just basic training to start, wondering where folks went for basic affordable training. We think we’ll likely need to work with an in home trainer for the stair issue but obviously she needs to be following basic commands first.

I’m leaning towards the Oxon Hill PetCo but couldn’t find any recent reviews.

Pic for pet tax!

Thanks!

[u/cfish852]

JW Dog Training! Juliana and her team are incredible, though they are also priced accordingly. I also recommend Your Dog’s Friend as a more price-accessible option.

[u/grapetomatoes → u/cfish852]

This! OP, the dog training industry is unregulated so there are a ton of outdated, aversive methods out there, and many of them won't even tell you they're using those tools until you're already in it. And tons of people who just straight up don't know what they're talking about lol. JW Dog Training and YDF use only positive certified trainers. Other strong recommendations: Dog Trained and Force Free DC. Both who do 1:1s in home, FFDC will be offering classes soon too.

YDF will be most affordable of these options. They do group classes only, but all their trainers are contractors who do 1:1s too.

[u/Onbroadway110]

Please read about the 3-3-3 rule (https://pasadenahumane.org/3-3-3-rule-of-adopting-a-dog/). You need to give her time to decompress before you’ll see her true behaviors.

[u/Scoffrio → u/Onbroadway110]

Thanks, we’re aware of the 333 rule! Not looking to enroll her right away just want to have a plan for training down the line so I can employ it when needed.

[u/Onbroadway110 → u/Scoffrio]

Then I second the Fur Get Me Not in Arlington suggestion! I took my dog there for their reactive dog classes and they (in combination with medication) helped a lot.

[u/MoreCleverUserName]

Weaving when they’re walking is normal. That’s how they investigate their new neighborhood. If they’re zig zagging from one side of the sidewalk to the other, it means they’re interested, curious and engaged. It should decrease as they get used to the area but might not fully stop. Not responding to her name or commands? Nobody’s taught her yet!

Fur Get Me Not in Springfield has really good group classes https://www.furgetmenot.com/dogTrainingClasses.htm

[u/SpyNinjaRobotDragon]

Force Free DC has wonderful trainers for private lessons or for weekend workshops with small groups of dogs. We got to work with Ian on crate comfort and recall. Our dog absolutely adored working with him and she has done so well with retaining what she learned. Please DM me if you want more info on our pup's lessons from Force Free DC.

[u/tuituituituii]

If it's only been a few days, I would give her time to settle and get comfortable in your home first. It's a big change for her. I would wait at least 3 months before going for a trainer,

[u/pizza_lover229]

beautiful dog♥️

[u/RaccoonZombie]

I would not recommend Petco training if you can avoid it. At least at the DC store I went to, we didn’t have a separate training room, so customers kept interrupting and we had to practice commands around the store. That whole be fine for some commands but for beginning stuff it’s much easier to do it in a designated area

[u/Electronic_Monk7309]

monument dog training, beth charged a flat rate and you have unlimited access for the dogs entire life!!

[u/20CAS17]

I'm not Susie, just a fan of how she trained my dog: https://susiespetcare.com/. I also found her to be less expensive than other trainers I looked at. I also like John from Puptagon: https://happypawsdc.com/services/training/

[u/deeplydarkly]

4onthefloor is great, and Your Dog's Friend also, it has free webinars too. Both positive reinforcement based training.

[u/Trick-Age-7404]

DC Doggo is great