Operation Paws for Homes OPH

Training Partners

The OPH Training Partners below offer one free training session with your OPH adoption. After your adoption is finalized, you will receive an email with instructions on how to make an appointment. For questions about our training partner program, or to become a training partner, please contact mindy@ophrescue.org

District of Columbia

Patrick's Pet Care

Patrick's Pet Care
  • Contact: Patrick Flynn Owner and General Manager
  • Company Address: 3509 12th Street NE Washington DC 20017
  • Website: https://patrickspetcare.com
  • Phone: 202-630-7387
  • Email: pf@patrickspetcare.com
  • Membership: N/A
  • Experience: 1 Year
  • Session Type: 1-hour group or 1-hour private lesson Saturday AM

"We use what's called the balanced training philosophy. We incorporate the use of the 4 quadrants of operant conditioning which are positive and negative reinforcement as well as punishment. This allows us to adapt to dogs with a wide range of attitudes and personalities. It's the science of using just enough to get the job done and finding what really motivates the dog so we can use that to teach them to be well behaved as well as a few cool tricks all while having as much fun as possible."

Maryland

Creekside Canine Training

Creekside Canine Training
  • Contact: Sarah Shulman, Owner/Head Trainer
  • Company Address: 311 West 7th Street, Frederick, MD 21701
    • Training Address: 423 East Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701
  • Website: http://www.creeksidecanine.com
  • Phone: 301-606-8099
  • Email: creeksidecanineinfo@gmail.com
  • Membership: Sarah Shulman is a certified Canine Trainer and Behavior Specialist. She attended the internationally acclaimed Starmark Academy for Professional Dog Trainers (formerly Triple Crown Academy) in Central Texas.
  • Experience: 8 Years
  • Session Type: 45 minutes to an hour private, times will vary based on schedule.

"Creekside will work with you to design a custom-made training program that will give you the skills needed to have a positive relationship with your dog."

Dog Training with Lisa

Dog Training with Lisa
  • Company Address: Gaithersburg, MD 20878
  • Phone: 240-454-4045
  • Email: doglover35@yahoo.com
  • Experience: I’m a veterinary technician and a dog show handler. I have over 35 years of experience working with dogs.
  • Session Type: 1-hour private lesson at client’s home within a reasonable distance from me. Please schedule 1-2 weeks in advance.

"I do Positive Reinforcement Training, with a Behavioral Approach, and a Holistic Approach. I believe each dog must be trained as an individual, because no two dogs are alike. I have over 35 years of experience training and showing dogs, having started as a Junior Handler in dog shows at the age of 15. I'm also a Veterinary Technician with over 30 years of continuing education with Michigan State University, which enables me to spot behavioral problems that are caused by medical problem or genetics. I've worked with rescues for many years, and one of my specialties is training rescues with severe fears and anxieties caused by abuse, abandonment, or neglect. I've trained show dogs, therapy dogs, service dogs, blind dogs, rescue dogs, and dogs with severe emotional and behavioral problems. I do beginning and advanced obedience training for both puppies and adult dogs. I believe any dog can be trained, no matter what behavioral problems they're having, as long as you're willing to put the time and energy into it, and train with consistency and kindness."

Dogwood Elementary

Dogwood Elementary
  • Contact: Kathryn Boris
  • Company Address: 54 Bell Lane, Avondale, MD 20781
    • Training Address: Your Home
  • Phone: 484-356-4429
  • Email: kwboris@gmail.com
  • Membership: Animal Behavior College
  • Experience: 2 years
  • Session Type: Private, 1-Hour session on Saturday or Sunday morning or evenings. Please schedule with Kathryn two weeks in advance.

"Your dog truly wants to understand your family. They want to be part of it. Their antics and mischievous behavior maybe a cue to you they are really looking for some direction. Together we will create a positive, enriching, interactive environment; Happy at home."

K9 Koncepts World LLC

K9 Koncepts World LLC
  • Contact: Bill Campbell, Partner/Training Director
  • Company Address: 520 North Point Blvd., Sparrows Point, MD 21219
  • Website: http://K9koncepts.com
  • Phone: 410-477-2000
  • Email: bill@k9koncepts.com
  • Membership: International Association of Canine Professionals, USCA
  • Experience: 19 years
  • Session Type: Three-hour group session on Monday evenings

"We teach dog owners how to train their dogs and be responsible for them. Our experienced training staff will work with you and solve all the problems you’re having with your dog. These may include leash pulling, not coming when called, aggressive behavior towards people or other animals, and many more. No matter what your issue, we have seen it before and can help you to find a successful solution. "

Paw by Paw Dog Training

Paw by Paw Dog Training
  • Contact: Carmen Nixon or David Berlak, Master Dog Trainers
  • Company Address: 5405 Tuckerman Ln., North Bethesda, MD 20852
    • Training Address: 7723-7725 Tuckerman Ln., Potomac, MD 20854
  • Website: https://www.facebook.com/pawbypawtraining/
  • Phone: 240-630-2089
  • Email: pawbypawdogtraining@gmail.com
  • Membership: N/A
  • Experience: 8 Years
  • Session Type: 45 minutes to 1 hour private lesson at a mutually agreed upon time/day

"We believe in a balanced method of training. We don’t focus on a specific method of training; every dog is different and has their own personality. We try our best to help them and understand what is best for the dog. We want our dogs to be trained no matter what the distractions or environment they are exposed. We hold training sessions at Petvalu Cabin John, houses of the client, trails, etc. "

Olde Towne Pet Resort (Sterling, Operating in MD)

Olde Towne Pet Resort (Sterling, Operating in MD)

"I believe each dog is an individual. They are the ones that will tell us what motivates them to do or not to do a behavior. While their breed does play a role in their temperament, we all know that not all dogs are motivated by food/treats. Philosophy 1: I am not willing to do something to my dog that I'm not willing to try to do first myself. Philosophy 2: A behavior is not good or bad unless you think it is. "

Boomerang K9

Boomerang K9
  • Contact: Nikki Sheckells, Owner
  • Company Address: Mt. Airy, MD
  • Phone: 443-632-4480
  • Email: nlm.dogtraining@gmail.com
  • Membership: AKC CGC and Trick Dog Evaluator, Professional Member of International Association of Canine Professionals, graduate of Tony Ancheta's Koehler Method of Dog Training course, Blue K9 Pedestal Training Certification, Canine Conditioning and Fitness Coach Certification through Do More With Your Dog
  • Experience: 5 years professional, 10 years hobbyist/volunteer
  • Session Type: 1-hour private lesson in Mt Airy, MD; please contact to schedule

"Successful training comes down to the relationship with your dog. By pursuing a relationship first, we will have an easier time establishing the obedience that follows. Every dog and handler are an individual team with needs that differ from others; a "one size fits all" training approach isn't going to work for everyone. We train the dog in front of us, not the dog who fits into a mold. Our ultimate goal in teaching obedience is to build better decision making; if we can help a dog learn to make good choices, obedience becomes an easy, fun part of everyday life, not a grueling drill we are forced to practice."

Show Me Your Dog Training

Show Me Your Dog Training

Snorkle's Way Adaptive Dog Training

Snorkle's Way Adaptive Dog Training

"Snorkle's Way offers both private and group sessions that incorporate basic obedience, trick training, canine fitness and leashed hikes into our programs. I specialize in creating individualized programs for you and your dog, so that you get the most out of your training. I believe that the right training tool is my humane tool that helps you and your dog build a positive relationship."

Pennsylvania

Faithful Paws Dog Training

Faithful Paws Dog Training

"I have a passion for helping dogs and people which led me to complete my Diploma of Canine Behavior Science and Technology from Companion Animal Sciences Institute and am member of the Association of Animal Behavior Professionals to help my volunteer foster work with rescue dogs. I was involved with raising a 4-H Seeing Eye pup who after extensive training was released for a medical reason that is now our pet along with a KPets therapy dog. I believe in positive reinforcement training based on the behavioral problem. "

MCS Dog Training

MCS Dog Training
  • Contact: George Matheis Jr.
  • Company Address: 3629 E Market, York, PA 17402
  • Website: http://mcsdogtraining.net/
  • Phone: 717-693-2085
  • Email: mercop27@gmail.com
  • Membership: N/A
  • Experience: 18 months
  • Session Type: Group classes, based on my availability

"MCS uses a different approach to dog training, we don’t train them, we train you to understand them, so you can learn to modify their behavior. Some trainers try to get you to buy multiple sessions before they even know what's going on with your dog. Instead during the first session we show you how to hit the Ctrl/Alt/Delete button and start over again with an understanding of where you want to go and how to get there. Most of our calls are for getting a dog to stop doing something, not getting them to do something. Most bad behaviors stem from anxiety and once you understand that most problem behaviors are easy to modify."

Perfect Paws U

Perfect Paws U
  • Contact: Roseann LaVia, Owner
  • Company Address: 1040 Valley View Road, York, PA 17406
  • Website: http://perfectpawsu.com/
  • Phone: 717-840-0020
  • Email: roseannlavia@comcast.net
  • Membership: APDT/AKC, Treasurer of the Metro Baltimore Doberman Pinscher Club
  • Experience: 15 Years
  • Session Type: 1-Hour private or group training on week day evenings or weekend mornings

"I use positive re-enforcement training as my foundation. We start out praising the behavior we want and ignoring the behavior we do not want. I use a variety of tools including clickers, treats, touch stick, voice and hand commands. There is no 'one way' to train a dog. Like humans, dogs have different personalities and you must discover your dog’s personality to be able to choose the training discipline that will compliment your dog"

Ray's Canine Services

Ray's Canine Services
  • Contact: Raymond Weatherell
  • Company Address: York, PA 17406
    • Training Address: Your home in York County and surrounding areas in PA
  • Website: http://www.rayscanineservices.com/
  • Phone: 717-818-5765
  • Email: rayscanineservices@yahoo.com
  • Membership: Animal Behavior College
  • Experience: 6.5 Years
  • Session Type: Private; Please schedule a training session with Raymond directly.

"We provide in-home training, which means the trainer comes to you, on your schedule! An Animal Behavioral College certified trainer will guide you during the training process using scientifically proven training techniques. Training sessions curtail problem behaviors such as excessive barking, house breaking, aggression, digging, separation anxiety, and fear."

Virginia

Einstein K9

Einstein K9
  • Contact: Chelsea Comstock, Trainer
  • Company Address: 500 13th St., Virginia Beach, VA 23451
  • Website: http://www.einsteink9training.com/
  • Phone: 757-773-9283
  • Email: Chelsea.einsteink9@yahoo.com
  • Membership: AKC CGC (pending)
  • Experience: 4.5 Years
  • Session Type: 1-Hour private or group session Monday- Friday 9:30 am to 6:30 pm by appointment only.

"At Einsteink9 dog training we use a variety of training methods to accommodate each and every dog. We use positive reinforcement, creating a happy and fun obedience training experience bringing only the best out in your dog. "

K9 Harmony

K9 Harmony
  • Contact: Leila Shiekhy, Owner and Head Trainer
  • Company Address: 3405 N. 15th Street, Arlington, VA 22201
  • Website: http://www.k9harmony.us
  • Phone: 571-317-1036
  • Email: leila@k9harmony.us
  • Membership: International Association of Canine Professionals
  • Experience: 6 Years
  • Session Type: 1-Hour group session on Saturday mornings

"Our business utilizes the most important tool out there - your relationship with your dog! We help our clients achieve balance and increase the amount of trust their dog has in them. We use a variety of methods depending on the dog and behavior."

Olde Towne Pet Resort (Springfield)

Olde Towne Pet Resort (Springfield)

"I practice a balanced method of training that begins with positive reinforcement and guidance. As dogs become proficient in their training and develop a better understanding of new behaviors and commands, discipline is instilled to maintain reliability and consistency in their performance. "

Olde Towne Pet Resort (Sterling)

Olde Towne Pet Resort (Sterling)

"I believe each dog is an individual. They are the ones that will tell us what motivates them to do or not to do a behavior. While their breed does play a role in their temperament, we all know that not all dogs are motivated by food/treats. Philosophy 1: I am not willing to do something to my dog that I'm not willing to try to do first myself. Philosophy 2: A behavior is not good or bad unless you think it is. "

Walking with a Friend, LLC

Walking with a Friend, LLC
  • Contact: Roni Campbell, KPA-CPT, CPDT-KA
  • Company Address: 7913 Ontario Rd., Gainesville, VA 20155
  • Website: http://www.walkingwithafriend.com/
  • Phone: 703-975-9055
  • Email: ronicampbell@yahoo.com
  • Membership: Pet Professional Guild, Association of Professional Dog Trainers, International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Middle Atlantic Association of Positive Professional Trainers.
  • Experience:
  • Session Type: 90 min. M-F PM or Sat-Sun AM

"I am a force-free, reward and bond based trainer. I teach dogs and their human family members a common language so that communication is clear and learning can happen. My training tools are food, toys and praise. The equipment that I use is a buckle collar, a leash and a harness. My training is focused on building a secure attachment between the dog and his new family and teaching the family how to enrich their new dog’s life through play, games and puzzles."

Wholistic Hound Academy

Wholistic Hound Academy
  • Contact: Sandy Modell, Founder and Head Trainer
  • Company Address: 18 Roth St., Alexandria, VA 22314
  • Website: http://www.wholistichound.com
  • Phone: 703-962-6335
  • Email: Info@wholistichound.com
  • Membership: Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), Family Paws Parent Educator (FPPE), Pet Professional Guild (PPG), and Truly Dog-Friendly Trainers.
  • Experience: 20 Years
  • Session Type: Please schedule a training session with Sandy within 30 days of adoption.

"Our mission is simple: to help people enjoy an easier, fun, and positive relationship with their dogs, while experiencing the results and rewards of positive training. Positive training builds trusting partnerships between dogs and people. Our humane methods include clicker training, an approach that not only gets results, but is motivating, fast, and fun. Positive reinforcement techniques can help you to teach new behaviors quickly, effectively communicate with your dog, and increase your dog’s problem-solving skills."