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 trainingProgram 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 trainingProgram 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 trainingCustomer-reported
Obedience training
Puppy trainingProgram 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 trainingProgram 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 trainingProgram 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 anxietyProgram 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 trainProgram 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 trainingCustomer-reported
Group classesProgram 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 trainingProgram 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 coachingCustomer-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 trainingProgram 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 trainingProgram 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
BoardingProgram 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 trainingProgram 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.
5/5Highly recommended! Our Sheepadoodle puppy (9-months) Willow is a ball of energy. Super affectionate and social her energy needs to be focused so that we can all enjoy each other. We struggled with a puppy training course that was solely treat reward based as well as numerous har…Read full reviewClose full review
Highly recommended! Our Sheepadoodle puppy (9-months) Willow is a ball of energy. Super affectionate and social her energy needs to be focused so that we can all enjoy each other. We struggled with a puppy training course that was solely treat reward based as well as numerous harnesses and leash leaders to no avail. Walking with her was exhausting, stressful, and embarrassing. After 2-weeks of training and boarding with Tony we have a better behaved pup who aims to please, appears more at ease and happy, and who listens. She still has a lot of puppy energy and characteristics, but over time with the training we received and consistency from us she will continue to learn. She has been a great dog and now she is even better and we are enjoying each other more. The cost can be high but the results are worth the expense. Thanks Tony and Good K9 Academy!
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Sharfa Farzandh
5/5Milo, my 2-3 old lab mix took the two week board and train lessons with Tony from the Good k9 academy. Tony did an excellent job with Milo and he had learnt so many commands after the two weeks! Obviously, I’m going to have to keep working on Milo’s commands but he’s tons better …Read full reviewClose full review
Milo, my 2-3 old lab mix took the two week board and train lessons with Tony from the Good k9 academy. Tony did an excellent job with Milo and he had learnt so many commands after the two weeks! Obviously, I’m going to have to keep working on Milo’s commands but he’s tons better on his leash walk now! Milo is also so much more well behaved at home. Doesn’t jump on me, sits calm when I’m doing something, etc. I was told I can always reach out for help in the future. Thanks Tony and Andrew!
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Shaquanda Mills
5/5We have a one year old male shih tzu that has a ton of energy and didn’t really react well around other dogs. We also dealt with a lot of pulling on his leash during our walks and excessive barking/jumping. After just five days we see a huge change in his behavior he’s like a com…Read full reviewClose full review
We have a one year old male shih tzu that has a ton of energy and didn’t really react well around other dogs. We also dealt with a lot of pulling on his leash during our walks and excessive barking/jumping. After just five days we see a huge change in his behavior he’s like a completely different dog. David was great! He kept me updated on Bentley’s progress and even sent videos of what they were currently working on. He ensured we were comfortable and understood how to properly give the commands at the end of each training session. Bentley can now heel, place and we no longer deal with the excessive barking and jumping! We’re so thankful! I would definitely recommend good K9 academy to anyone looking to get their fur babies trained.
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Jennifer Karcz
5/5I can’t thank David and Andrew enough. After years of many many different trainers and classes, we could not get our beagle Ruby to walk without pulling, and being very reactive towards other dogs while on walks. Within two weeks of doing board and train with David, Ruby is heali…Read full reviewClose full review
I can’t thank David and Andrew enough. After years of many many different trainers and classes, we could not get our beagle Ruby to walk without pulling, and being very reactive towards other dogs while on walks. Within two weeks of doing board and train with David, Ruby is healing off leash in huge crowds and walking by other dogs with no issues. I am amazed at the results! I would recommend Good K9 Academy 100%.
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DeAnn Paley
5/5Andrew was amazing with our six month old rescue pup -Dewey. Dewey was a stray puppy born on the streets in Puerto Rico and brought into the US by Lucky Dog rescue when he was 2 months old. He was super reactive to people, other dogs, and basically every noise etc. We started…Read full reviewClose full review
Andrew was amazing with our six month old rescue pup -Dewey. Dewey was a stray puppy born on the streets in Puerto Rico and brought into the US by Lucky Dog rescue when he was 2 months old. He was super reactive to people, other dogs, and basically every noise etc. We started working with Andrew right after we adopted Dewey and worked with him directly for four 1-1 private lessons and then signed Dewey up for Andrew’s 2 week board and train. Dewey just graduated and it’s amazing what Andrew accomplished with Dewey. Dewey is confident, no longer reactive, sits, heels, knows place and can even heel off leash. It’s is AMAZING the transformation in Dewey after being with Andrew in his 2 week board and train. I highly recommend Andrew and his team of trainers at Good K9 Academy. They gave Dewey the confidence and tools to be a successful pup and taught us as well. Good K9 Academy truly cares about their training dogs and the families they are working with.
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.
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