FirstBarkHighly recommend. He’s does a great job. Just be sure to do your homework. That’s key!!!
Good K9 Academy
Gaithersburg, Maryland
About Good K9 Academy
Good K9 Academy is a boutique dog training facility in Gaithersburg, MD with 100+ five-star Google reviews and 10+ years of experience. We turn reactive, anxious, and unruly dogs into calm, confident companions through balanced training methods combining positive reinforcement and e-collar work. Our Board & Train program is unique: dogs live with their dedicated trainer in a real home, not a kennel. We also offer In-Home Training, Puppy Training, Group Classes, Aggressive Dog Training, Boarding, and Daycare. Serving Gaithersburg, Rockville, Germantown, Bethesda, Potomac, McLean, and the broader Maryland, DC, and Virginia area. Get started today with a free in-person consultation!
Training & services
Training goals
- Behavior consultation
- Crate training
Program details
Teach your dog to love the crate as their calm, safe space. Positive-association training that reduces anxiety, prevents destructive behavior, and creates routine. Works for puppies and adult dogs with bad crate history. Free consultation.
- House training
Program details
End indoor accidents for good with our schedule-based housebreaking program. Proven routine that works for puppies and adult dogs. Fast results, less stress, a clean home. Includes crate training support. Free consultation.
- Leash training Customer-reported
- Obedience training
- Puppy training
Program details
Foundation training for puppies from 12 weeks old. Build obedience, socialization, and confidence during the critical developmental window. Prevent biting, jumping, and anxiety before they become problems. Set your puppy up for a lifetime of good behavior.
- Recall training
- Socialization
Behavior support
- Aggression training
Program details
Specialized behavior modification for dogs with aggression toward people, dogs, or both. We address the root cause, not just the symptoms. Most dogs can be rehabilitated with the right approach. Guaranteed results. Free consultation, no judgment.
- Barking
- Counter surfing
- Jumping up
- Reactivity training
Program details
If your dog lunges, barks, or loses control on walks, we turn that stress into calm, focused walks. Trigger desensitization, real-world proofing, and balanced training methods. Transform walks from dreaded to enjoyable. Free consultation.
- Separation anxiety
Program details
End destructive behavior, excessive barking, and panic when you leave. Build your dog's independence and confidence so they can stay calm alone. Gradual desensitization with proven methods. Works for dogs of all ages. Free consultation.
How training happens
- Board and train
Program details
Our 2-week Board & Train is the fastest path to off-leash obedience. Your dog lives with their dedicated trainer in a real home — not a kennel — for immersive daily training. Returns home calm, confident, and reliable. Free alumni pack walks for life.
- Day training Customer-reported
- Group classes
Program details
Structured group practice sessions for dogs with basic obedience. Practice and proof your dog's skills in real-world environments with other trained dogs. Board & Train graduates get first access. Eligibility evaluation required — not a beginner class.
- In-home training
Program details
Private 1-on-1 dog training at your home in Gaithersburg and the greater MD/DC/VA area. We address problem behaviors where they actually happen — jumping on guests, counter surfing, door manners, and more. Personalized plans for every dog. Free consultation.
- Owner coaching Customer-reported
- Pack walks
- Private training
Dog age
- Adult dogs
- Puppies
Support between sessions
- Personalized training plans
- Photo updates
Assistance and working dogs
- Medical-alert and mobility assistance
- Service dog training
Program details
Professional service dog training for mobility assistance, psychiatric support, medical alert, and other disability-related tasks. Public access preparation and reliable task performance in real-world environments. Free consultation to assess your dog.
- Therapy dog training
Program details
Prepare your dog for therapy dog certification. Visit hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and community events to provide comfort and joy. Obedience and temperament training for therapy work. Free temperament evaluation.
Training approach
- Balanced training
- Positive reinforcement
Additional services
- Boarding
Program details
Professional dog boarding with experienced trainers — your dog stays with someone who knows them, not strangers in a kennel. Daily exercise, structured routines, and daily photo updates. Peace of mind while you travel. Book early for holidays.
- Daycare
Consultations
- Free consultation
Other listed services
View 6 additional details
- Dog training
Program details
Professional dog training in Gaithersburg, MD with 100+ five-star Google reviews and 10+ years of experience. Balanced training for all breeds, ages, and behavior issues. Board & Train, In-Home Training, Group Classes, Puppy Training, and specialized behavior work. Free consultation.
- 1-Hour Lessons
- Advance Lessons
- Dog Crate
- Dog Testing
- Family Dog
Confirm current programs and availability directly.
Customer reviews
Google listing5
150 Google reviews
Mentioned in reviews
- Board and train 35
- Leash pulling 21
- Reactive dog training 17
- Daily updates 13
- Off leash walking 10
- Day training program 7
All 10 topics
- Distraction ignoring 6
- Leash manners 5
- Pulling on walks 5
- Stubborn dog training 4
Google review topics, not confirmed services.
We highly recommend Good K-9 Academy! Callie, our 9 month old mini-goldendoodle, is a very happy, sweet girl, but was struggling to walk on leash due to high reactivity to other dogs, people, bikes and cars. We could not take her for casual walks or to public places without fee…Read full reviewClose full review
We highly recommend Good K-9 Academy! Callie, our 9 month old mini-goldendoodle, is a very happy, sweet girl, but was struggling to walk on leash due to high reactivity to other dogs, people, bikes and cars. We could not take her for casual walks or to public places without feeling overly stressed. Additionally, we had done some previous training for basic obedience and recall commands of which she was not consistently responsive. We were at a crossroads so decided to do extensive research in hopes of finding a better training solution. Thankfully we found Good K-9 Academy. After speaking extensively with Andrew, the owner, we felt very confident that the two week board and train program would be a good fit for Callie. We were very nervous to part from her for two weeks, but Andrew was incredible at communicating with us every single day in addition to sending several pictures and videos throughout her training program. We were amazed at Callie's progress only after two days. She was out at public places and responding beautifully to her main trainer, intern, Kristyn. We were truly speechless on a daily basis by what we were observing and very pleased at how happy she appeared as she received her training. We have now had Callie home for a week and we are so pleased with her behavior. We are able to walk her off- leash without hesitation and she is responding to recall commands in all scenarios. We feel she is her happy self and now gets to experience the world with us so much more. We of course are committed to reinforcing her positive behavior on a consistent basis to ensure her continued success. Without a doubt we highly recommend Good K-9 Academy for excellent puppy training. Thank you so much Andrew and Kristyn!!
Andrew and the team are amazing. We have a seven month old Great Dane and they did a fantastic job with him. They keep us up to date every day. I would strongly encourage everyone to check this company out. Five stars and then some. Bob and Julie Freese
We did a two week board and train with our dog and we are so pleased with the results. He came back with such a great foundation for us to build on and an awesome off leash heel! He’s only been home one day and his responsiveness to us is like night and day compared to before. Very happy, highly recommend!
Had an awesome board and train experience with David! When it was finally time to train us humans, David took the time to fully explain everything from the equipment to the different commands. We did hands on training with and without leash before we took Tucker home. Couldn’t be happier. Looking forward to our days enjoying our long walks!
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.