Private In-Home Training
In-home private training
We offer private in-home training for dogs and puppies. The benefit of private training is that you will be given one-on-one instruction on how to implement a customized training plan, taking into consideration your dog's particular issues and the set-up of your home. Private lessons can address basic manners as well as more complicated behavioral problems. Lessons may be paid for one at a time or multiple lessons at a discount may be paid for at the end of the first lesson. Appointments are arranged directly with the trainer to take place at a mutually convenient time. Saturday and some evening times are available.
$165 One hour-long lesson
$440 Three hour-long lessons (paid at the time of the first lesson)
We offer private in-home training for dogs and puppies. The benefit of private training is that you will be given one-on-one instruction on how to implement a customized training plan, taking into consideration your dog's particular issues and the set-up of your home. Private lessons can address basic manners as well as more complicated behavioral problems. Lessons may be paid for one at a time or multiple lessons at a discount may be paid for at the end of the first lesson. Appointments are arranged directly with the trainer to take place at a mutually convenient time. Saturday and some evening times are available.
$165 One hour-long lesson
$440 Three hour-long lessons (paid at the time of the first lesson)
Online Private Training
Get help with your dog online with our video conference dog training sessions. Work with a trainer one-on-one and implement a customized training plan. Clients do not need to be local to the Washington, D.C. area to take advantage of online private training.
$145 One hour-long lesson
$72 One half hour-long lesson
(Fee is negotiable for those struggling financially. Please contact us for details.)
$145 One hour-long lesson
$72 One half hour-long lesson
(Fee is negotiable for those struggling financially. Please contact us for details.)
Leash Walking 101 Private Training
For many people, having their dog walk nicely on a leash is an enormous challenge. Dogs naturally tend to pull on the leash and become easily distracted on a walk. But teaching your dog good leash-walking manners isn't impossible. It just takes a little know-how and consistent practice. Even older dogs can who have been pulling for years can be taught to walk nicely on a leash. Our Dog Walking 101 package of three sessions will give you the tools you need to motivate your dog to want to walk with you. We never use prong collars, choke collars, or electric collars to achieve our goals. We will help you teach your dog to be a great walking buddy using only positive reinforcement methods.
$440 Three hour-long sessions
$440 Three hour-long sessions
Puppy Classes
Laughing Dog Academy trainer Sarah Stoycos offers classes for puppies at the Your Dog's Friend training center in Rockville, MD.
Puppy Kindergarten: This class is for younger puppies. Any puppy who has had his/her first round of shots is encouraged to begin right away. It is important for puppies to begin a well-managed socialization process as early as possible to prevent problems that may crop up later without that proper socialization. The class uses a rolling enrollment process, so you may begin in any of the classes as long as there is room. Sarah teaches Puppy Kindergarten classes on Sunday evenings, and Monday evenings as well as Monday and Wednesday mornings. Puppy Kindergarten consists of six classes. Please register on the Your Dog's Friend website.
Puppy Kindergarten: This class is for younger puppies. Any puppy who has had his/her first round of shots is encouraged to begin right away. It is important for puppies to begin a well-managed socialization process as early as possible to prevent problems that may crop up later without that proper socialization. The class uses a rolling enrollment process, so you may begin in any of the classes as long as there is room. Sarah teaches Puppy Kindergarten classes on Sunday evenings, and Monday evenings as well as Monday and Wednesday mornings. Puppy Kindergarten consists of six classes. Please register on the Your Dog's Friend website.
Puppy First Grade: For puppies who have completed Puppy Kindergarten, this class reinforces skills learned in Kindergarten, gives puppies a chance to try out agility games, and helps parents to teach their puppies how to maintain focus in the face of life's many distractions. Your puppy will even get a chance to try out a skateboard! Classes are six weeks long. Unlike Kindergarten, First Grade does not use a rolling enrollment process. Classes are usually held on Monday evenings and Wednesday mornings, but check the Your Dog's Friend website for details as these times sometimes change.
Puppy Party: On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. and Saturdays at 12:30 p.m., you may bring your puppy to a session of organized and well-supervised play with other puppies that is good for both outgoing and shy puppies. The class gives your puppy more opportunities to meet new puppies and people, and helps them hone their socialization skills and build confidence. Once you are registered, you may attend on a drop-in basis. The cost is $20 for each 45-minute class. Sign up at Your Dog's Friend.
Puppy Party: On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. and Saturdays at 12:30 p.m., you may bring your puppy to a session of organized and well-supervised play with other puppies that is good for both outgoing and shy puppies. The class gives your puppy more opportunities to meet new puppies and people, and helps them hone their socialization skills and build confidence. Once you are registered, you may attend on a drop-in basis. The cost is $20 for each 45-minute class. Sign up at Your Dog's Friend.
Classes for Dogs and Older Puppies
Basic Manners: Working as a team, you will help your dog learn basic skills and practice training exercises while working around other dogs. Skills include hand targeting, loose leash walking, drop it, leave it, coming when called, going to and relaxing on a mat, polite greetings, and more! See the Your Dog's Friend website for more details.
Out and About: Put those training skills to use out in the real world! In Out and About, we hit the road for four classes. Each is held in a different location, ranging from parks to more urban areas. Participants have the opportunity to work with a trainer in settings closer to real life rather than in a training center. It's a great way to take your training to the next level and to learn how to use all the tools you have learned in other classes. See the Your Dog's Friend website for more details. Days and times of the class varies.
It's All Just Fun and Games!: Use games to strengthen manners while having fun. Games strengthen skills like polite leash walking, attention to handler, sit, down and stay. Dogs also learn to improve their ability to focus in the presence of distractions. Prerequisites: completion of a basic manners or puppy class at Your Dog's Friend or, with instructor’s permission, other previous positive training. Dogs should be comfortable with other dogs and be non-reactive. See the Your Dog's Friend website for more details.
Online Reactive Dog Class
Does your dog lunge, bark, growl, or overreact to dogs, people, or other stimuli? Our online class will teach you how to handle the difficult situations that arise when you live with or walk a reactive dog. It consists of six online webinars, and is designed to help your reactive dog become more focused and confident. Registration in the course also includes access to a Facebook discussion group where you can pose specific questions about you and your dog. This class is not only good for dogs that react to other dogs, but it is also appropriate reactive to people, including those coming into your home, dogs that have caused serious injury to others, or dogs spooked by trucks, balloons, bikes, or other indoor or outdoor triggers. $145 for six 75-minute classes. Please register on the Your Dog's Friend website.
Out and About: Put those training skills to use out in the real world! In Out and About, we hit the road for four classes. Each is held in a different location, ranging from parks to more urban areas. Participants have the opportunity to work with a trainer in settings closer to real life rather than in a training center. It's a great way to take your training to the next level and to learn how to use all the tools you have learned in other classes. See the Your Dog's Friend website for more details. Days and times of the class varies.
It's All Just Fun and Games!: Use games to strengthen manners while having fun. Games strengthen skills like polite leash walking, attention to handler, sit, down and stay. Dogs also learn to improve their ability to focus in the presence of distractions. Prerequisites: completion of a basic manners or puppy class at Your Dog's Friend or, with instructor’s permission, other previous positive training. Dogs should be comfortable with other dogs and be non-reactive. See the Your Dog's Friend website for more details.
Online Reactive Dog Class
Does your dog lunge, bark, growl, or overreact to dogs, people, or other stimuli? Our online class will teach you how to handle the difficult situations that arise when you live with or walk a reactive dog. It consists of six online webinars, and is designed to help your reactive dog become more focused and confident. Registration in the course also includes access to a Facebook discussion group where you can pose specific questions about you and your dog. This class is not only good for dogs that react to other dogs, but it is also appropriate reactive to people, including those coming into your home, dogs that have caused serious injury to others, or dogs spooked by trucks, balloons, bikes, or other indoor or outdoor triggers. $145 for six 75-minute classes. Please register on the Your Dog's Friend website.
Payment for Services
Payments are required at the time of service. We accept cash, checks, and major credit cards, including MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover.