Trainers

Trainer's List


This page is intended as an aid to pet families.  Make sure to ensure the safety and well being of your pets.  Never use, leave, or entrust your pet with anyone, or any place, that you have not visited and/or investigated the integrity of first. 

 

The best dog trainers out there are trainers willing to personally handle the dogs in their classes...if they do not, it is likely wise to consider other trainers.

We cannot stress enough how important training is with your new dog - any dog, but especially rescue dogs and especially working dogs like GSDs!  Not only does it teach your dog life saving commands and important good manners, but it also allows your dog to better bond with you.  Dogs who develop strong obedience with their owners, not just at home - but in outside situations (thus our insistence that you go to third-party training), develop a greater level of trust with their owners.  Dogs who trust their owners to take care of them don't feel the need to take the leadership role on themselves.  Dogs who don't feel the need to be in charge are far less likely to become aggressive or fearful.  They have far fewer behavior problems in general.  Rescue dogs long for stability and comfort; they need families who can give them that unconditionally.  This sometimes means setting strict limits for your new dog.  This should not be taken as punishment for adopting a rescue dog; it should be seen as the beginning of what will be the strongest bond you've ever had with a dog.  Dogs who are the most obedient are also the happiest dogs as well.  That is NO coincidence.  GSDs in particular, maybe more than most other breeds, thrive on desire to please and need to learn a job.  Obedience fulfills both of these needs for the GSD!  PLEASE - take the obedience classes seriously and go to a reputable trainer - not just a cheap class that fulfills the contractual agreement with MAGSR.  It's in the best interest of your family and your dog.  Training is time consuming, can be expensive, and certainly takes dedication, but the payoff is well worth it...and your dog will love you all the more for it!

 

Below is a trainer's list, containing names of trainers from around the area.  You as the owner must find the right trainer for both you and your dog.   Please visit our 'Choosing a Trainer' page to help you select the best trainer for your dog.

 

MAGSR assumes no responsibility in listing 'information' links or contacts.

 

 The International Association of Canine Professionals - http://www.dogpro.org - TO LOOK FOR DOG TRAINERS; GROOMERS; KENNEL OWNERS; VETERINARIANS; PET SITTERS; DOG HANDLERS; RETAILERS; DOG WALKERS; PET FIRST AID INSTRUCTORS; BOUNDARY FENCE INSTALLERS

 

For some general guidance on basic dog training and behavior, check out these sites:

 

  1. www.suzanneclothier.com - Articles by trainer Suzanne Clothier
  2. www.wonderpuppy.net
  3. PetPlace.com
  4. Separation Anxiety
  5. Introduce your new baby to your dogs
  6. ASPCA Training Info
  7. What to do about barking

For some fun, take the Canine Personality Profile Test by Volhard.

 

Your vet, pet supply store, and friends can also refer you to trainers they have used successfully. There are many books and videos available to help you learn some of the basics before you bring home the new addition to the family.  MAGSR only recommends positive training methods.

The Pet Lovers Companion www.petloverscompanion.com is a reference for pet supplies and services in Suburban Maryland, D.C., and Baltimore.

The Maryland Pet Gazette is also available as a reference www.mdpetgazette.com.

 

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON MORE SPECIALIZED TRAINING SUCH AS SEARCH AND RESCUE, AGILITY, TRAINING SUPPLIES, ETC.


To help understand the 'pack' mentality which will make your dog a better family member, and you a better dog owner, it is strongly suggested that you read, Nancy Baer and Steve Duno's,

 'LEADER OF THE PACK' 


 

 

A Breed Apart

Trainer-Ira Hartwell

301-252-2371

Serves Anne Arundel, PG, Calvert counties and DC metro area

American K9
Laurel, MD
240-294-6162
CustomerService@AmericanK9.com
http://americank9.com/

 

Apple Jacks K-9 Academy

14655 Charles Street

Charlotte Hall, MD 20622

301-884-7547

Serves Calvert, Charles, and St Mary's counties and DC metro area

http://ajk9.com

 

Arrowwood Shepherds

3101 Florence Rd

Woodbine, MD 21797

Trainer-Wes Jenson

410-804-2714

Serves Anne Arundel, Howard and surrounding counties

http://www.arrowwoodshepherds.org

 

Canine Training Association

3 locations in MD - Annapolis, Davidsonville, and Beltsville

410-573-6556

Serves Calvert, Anne Arundel, PG and surrounding counties

http://www.caninetrainingassociation.org

 

Capital Canine Services

Trainer-Ethan Hall

301-260-2275

http://www.capitolk9.com

 

Chesapeake Kennel Club

Owings, MD

email icknield@chesapeake.net

Serves Calvert, Anne Arundel and surrounding counties

http://chesapeakekennelclub.org/Classes.html

 

The Cultured Canine

Reston, VA 20190

Trainer-Lisa M Flynn, CMT

703-481-2561

Serves Northern Virginia

http://www.culturedcanine.com

 

Dog Training by Bob Maida

Falls Church, VA 21797

Trainer-Bob Maida

703-750-0080

Serves Northern Virginia

http://www.dogtrainingbybobmaida.com

 

K-9 Koncepts

4520 North Point Blvd

Baltimore, MD 21219

k9concepts2@verizon.net

410-447-2000

http://www.k9koncepts.com

 

Liberty K9

Serves DC metro area, Maryland and Northern VA

http://www.libertyk9.com

 

Lionheart K-9 Training

1443 Old Taneytown Rd

Westminster, MD 21158

Trainer-Linda Kaim

717-880-4751 (day)

410-857-0555 (evening)

http://www.lionheartk9.com

Mason Dixon K9

443-864-1704

http://www.masondixonk9.com

Mutt Magic Training Services

Baltimore, MD

Trainer-Aja Harris

410-889-9352

Serves Baltmore and surrounding area

http://muttmagic.com/index.html

OFFLEASH K9 Maryland
Howard, Frederick, Talbot counties

Perfect Pet Resort

840 West Bay Front Rd.
Lothian, Maryland 20711

p. 410-741-0000 | f. 410-741-1500

​Serving Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Washington, DC. northern Virginia and surrounding areas.​

PerfectPetResort.com

 

Premier Dog Training

Trainer-Rick Begun

410-461-5508

Serves Montgomery and Howard counties

http://www.thedogtrainingpro.com

 

P.U.P.S. Obedience

Ellicott City, MD

Trainer-Karen Decker

410-992-8410

Serves Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery counties and Northern VA

http://www.pupsdogobediencetraining.com

 

Shared Journeys Dog Training

Woodbine, MD

Trainer: Mary Pedersen

410-718-9752

Serves: Howard, Carroll, Frederick, Montgomery and Baltimore Counties

infosharedjourneys@gmail.com  

https://sharedjourneysdogtraining.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/sharedjourneysdogtraining/

Where your first session is FREE! 

Stateline Canine

Hanover, PA

717-632-1111

http://www.statelinecanine.com/index.html

 

Telca's K-9 Academy

3243 Bethany Lane

Ellicott City, MD 21042

Trainer-Tecla Walton

410-852-1001

Serves Anne Arundel, Howard, PG counties and DC metro area

http://www.teclask9academy.com

 

WOOFS

Dog Training Center - Ballston Campus

4241-A North Pershing Dr

Arlington, VA

703-536-7877

Serves Northern Virginia

http://www.woofsdogtraining.com