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.
5/5My husband and I sent our dog, Murphy, to Good K9 to learn better leash manners and off leash walking. We are very particular about who we trust with our dog and spent a long time reviewing and researching board and train programs in the DMV area. We went out to a brewery one day…Read full reviewClose full review
My husband and I sent our dog, Murphy, to Good K9 to learn better leash manners and off leash walking. We are very particular about who we trust with our dog and spent a long time reviewing and researching board and train programs in the DMV area. We went out to a brewery one day and saw a very well behaved dog and learned he was trained by Good K9, one of the top 2 companies we were considering. Meeting this other dog helped us decide that Good K9 was the place to send our pup. Murphy was trained by David for 2 weeks and we couldn't be happier with the results! David sent us lots of updates and they have a huge presence on Instagram so we could track her progress. When we went to pick up Murphy, David didn't rush us and answered all our (many) questions. He made sure we knew exactly how to continue Murphy's progress.
We live in a populated area near Gaithersburg and their training exposes dogs to populated areas that your dog would likely go. I feel confident taking Murphy running, hiking, and walking off leash. We no longer get an arm workout trying to walk her on leash!
Good K9 also offers group walks with other dogs who have been through the program which gives us the chance to keep her new skills fresh and gives us a chance to ask any questions that come up down the road.
We couldn't be happier with Good K9 and Murphy's transformation. We highly recommend!!
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Cristal Castellon
5/5I am SO HAPPY with the results! My dog used to pull me on walks and ignore me when I called him, but after doing this training program, he's completely transformed! He's able to play with new pups now that he's learned how to socialize properly and has had his behavior corrected.…Read full reviewClose full review
I am SO HAPPY with the results! My dog used to pull me on walks and ignore me when I called him, but after doing this training program, he's completely transformed! He's able to play with new pups now that he's learned how to socialize properly and has had his behavior corrected. The trainers were amazing - super knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely cared about our dog's well-being. David was great! He kept me updated on our dog's progress and even sent me videos of his training sessions, which made me feel at ease knowing he was in good hands. Since finishing the program, our dog has become much more responsive to commands and is so much easier to walk on a leash & off leash. It's such a relief that he no longer pulls me around and actually listens when I call him. I'm really glad we went through with the 2 week board and train program at Good k9 academy - Andrew and David were so helpful and answered all of our questions and concerns. My Coco is still a puppy so he gets super distracted with new things so, we continue to practice what we learned to ensure he doesn't forget and keeps listening to us. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this board and train program to anyone who needs help with their furry friend's behavior.
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Breana Nguyen
5/5
My dog did a 2 week board and train with Tony from Good K9 Academy. Tony was extremely helpful in guiding Pop (my dog) into better responsiveness and confidence in public settings. Im able to walk with him on heel without issues and he has been great at home. Tony provided videos and pictures for updates, which made my 2 weeks without Pop a lot more bearable. highly recommend Good K9 Academy!
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Calvin Mak
5/5
Thanks to Good K9 Academy, our dog came back new and improved! she is so much calmer and actually listens to our commands. Special THANK YOU to Tony for his hard work and patience with Coco, and the constant pictures and videos of her progress. I know the training never stops, but at least my life is less stressful. Happy dog, Happy wife, Happy Life. Cheers!
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Sheryl Trask
5/5Our 11 month Wheaton Terrier recently completed his 2 week board & Train program and we are so pleased with his progress. Thank you David !!! You are an amazing trainer who’s supportive and structured approach works and helped our puppy to feel comfortable ( after being nervous )…Read full reviewClose full review
Our 11 month Wheaton Terrier recently completed his 2 week board & Train program and we are so pleased with his progress. Thank you David !!! You are an amazing trainer who’s supportive and structured approach works and helped our puppy to feel comfortable ( after being nervous ) to be away from
Home and gain all these new skills . Wheaten terriers are know to be stubborn and hard to train sometimes. Rylan seemed open and definitely had fun with his fellow classmates . Regular updates/ videos of his activities, training and even field trips 😊 eased any worries while he was away . I commend Andrew and the entire team for their professional and organized training program. Rylan is excited to be a graduate and part of the pack w Goodk9Academy .
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.
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