NOVA Canine Academy

Name: NOVA Canine Academy
Address: 5834c N Kings Hwy #4055, Alexandria, VA 22303, Alexandria, Virginia, 22303, US
Telephone: +1571-206-8677

Alexandria, Virginia

4.8/5· 20 Google reviews

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About NOVA Canine Academy

NOVA Canine Academy is a premier dog training company specializing in immersive board & train programs in Northern Virginia. Located in Alexandria VA and serving Fairfax VA, Arlington VA, McLean VA, Great Falls VA, and Washington DC, we specialize in obedience training, reactive dog training, aggressive dog rehabilitation, puppy training, and off-leash obedience. Founder Ethan Steinberg has built a reputation as one of the best dog trainers in Northern Virginia, helping thousands of dogs and owners achieve real, lasting results through structured, balanced training methods. Our programs are designed to create calm, obedient, and reliable dogs both at home and in the real world.

Training & services

Training goals

Behavior consultation
Crate training
House training
Leash training
Program details
Advanced off-leash dog training in Alexandria, VA focused on reliable recall, e-collar communication, engagement, impulse control and obedience around real-world distractions throughout Northern Virginia.
Obedience training
Program details
Advanced dog obedience programs in Alexandria, VA for reliable recall, impulse control, leash manners, house manners, neutrality and off-leash obedience. Available through personalized private lessons and immersive board and train programs.
Basic dog obedience training in Alexandria, VA covering sit, down, place, recall, leash walking, boundaries, house manners and impulse control. Build a reliable foundation through private dog training or board and train.
Dog obedience training programs in Alexandria, VA for basic manners, advanced obedience, leash walking, recall, neutrality and impulse control. Available through private dog training sessions and 4-week or 6-week board and train.
Puppy training
Program details
Basic puppy training in Alexandria, VA for crate training, potty-training foundations, socialization, confidence, leash walking, engagement, manners and obedience. Start strong with private puppy lessons or puppy board and train.
Recall training
Socialization

Behavior support

Aggression training
Barking
Fear and confidence
Reactivity training
Program details
Reactive dog training in Alexandria, VA for barking, lunging, leash reactivity and overexcitement around dogs or people. Build communication, neutrality and impulse control through private lessons or an immersive behavioral board and train.
Resource guarding

How training happens

Board and train
Program details
Dog boarding with professional training in Alexandria, VA. Our immersive board and train programs combine structured boarding, daily obedience, behavior modification, leash training and real-world off-leash dog training for lasting results.
Immersive 4-week and 6-week board and train programs in Alexandria, VA for obedience, off-leash training, reactivity, aggression, resource guarding and puppy development. Serving Alexandria, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC.
Your dog’s board and train experience includes structured living, daily obedience, leash manners, real-world training and customized behavior modification. Choose a 4-week or 6-week board and train program in Alexandria, VA.
Our 4-week board and train in Alexandria, VA builds advanced obedience, leash manners, house manners, confidence, off-leash foundations and moderate-distraction reliability for puppies and adult dogs needing lasting structure.
Online or virtual training
Program details
Online dog training resources for owners seeking help with obedience, reactivity and behavior modification. NOVA Canine Academy’s digital handbooks and training videos complement private dog training lessons and board and train programs.
Private training
Program details
Private dog training lessons in Alexandria, VA for leash pulling, reactivity, resource guarding, obedience and owner handling. Personalized 2–3 hour sessions are recorded for future review and include practical dog training resources.
Book a one-on-one private dog training session in Alexandria, Virginia. Receive personalized help with leash reactivity, pulling, resource guarding, obedience, communication and training tools during an intensive recorded lesson.

Dog age

Adult dogs
Puppies

Training level

Advanced obedience

Dog sports

Agility
Program details
Dog agility and confidence-building training in Alexandria, VA helps improve engagement, coordination, impulse control, body awareness and obedience. Training is customized to your dog through private lessons or immersive board and train programs.

Training approach

Balanced training
Program details
Balanced dog training in Alexandria, Virginia using clear communication, structure, accountability and rewards. Our private lessons and board and train programs address obedience, reactivity, aggression and real-world reliability.
E-collar training
Program details
Professional e-collar training in Alexandria, VA for clear communication, reliable recall, off-leash obedience and real-world control. E-collar conditioning may be incorporated appropriately into private lessons or board and train programs.

Additional services

Boarding
Program details
Structured dog boarding in Alexandria, VA for eligible NOVA Canine Academy graduates. Reinforce obedience, boundaries, calm behavior and established training while your dog stays with experienced Northern Virginia dog trainers.

Other listed services

View 21 additional details

Dog training
Program details
Professional dog training in Alexandria, VA for obedience, leash pulling, reactivity, aggression, resource guarding and off-leash reliability. Explore private dog training lessons and immersive board and train programs serving Northern Virginia and Washington, DC.
Academy Dog Trainer
Program details
Train with an experienced academy dog trainer in Alexandria, VA. NOVA Canine Academy offers private dog training, puppy training, advanced obedience and 4-week or 6-week board and train programs for Northern Virginia dogs.
Academy Dog Training
Program details
Immersive academy dog training in Alexandria, Virginia featuring structured board and train programs, private lessons, advanced obedience, behavior modification, leash training and reliable off-leash dog training.
Advanced Off-Leash Program
Program details
Build dependable real-world freedom with our advanced off-leash program in Alexandria, Virginia. Board and train dogs develop recall, long-distance obedience, neutrality, engagement and reliability around people, dogs and distractions.
Animal Behavioralist
Program details
Personalized dog behavior training in Alexandria, VA for reactivity, aggression, resource guarding, anxiety-based behavior and impulse-control problems. Explore private lessons and intensive behavioral board and train programs.
Boot Camp
Program details
Dog training boot camp in Alexandria, VA provides immersive daily structure, obedience training, leash manners, off-leash recall and behavior modification. Our board and train programs are customized for your dog’s needs and goals.
Canine Academy
Program details
NOVA Canine Academy provides professional dog training in Alexandria, VA, including private lessons, puppy training, advanced obedience, behavior modification and immersive 4-week and 6-week board and train programs.
Comprehensive Dog Training
Program details
Comprehensive dog training in Alexandria, VA combining obedience, leash manners, recall, house manners, impulse control and behavior modification. Choose personalized private lessons or an immersive board and train program.
Customized Training
Program details
Customized dog training in Alexandria, Virginia based on your dog’s behavior, history and goals. Private lessons and board and train programs address obedience, reactivity, aggression, resource guarding, leash pulling and off-leash recall.
Dog Learn
Program details
Help your dog learn obedience, calm behavior, leash manners, recall, boundaries and impulse control with professional Alexandria dog training. Choose one-on-one private lessons or a customized board and train program.
Dog Training Courses
Program details
Dog training courses from NOVA Canine Academy provide guidance for obedience and behavioral challenges. Explore online dog training resources, Alexandria private lessons and immersive board and train programs for personalized help.
Dog Training Session
Program details
Book a personalized dog training session in Alexandria, VA for leash pulling, reactivity, resource guarding, obedience and owner handling. Our recorded private dog training lessons provide practical techniques you can review at home.
Effective Dog Training
Program details
Effective dog training in Alexandria, VA focused on clear communication, structure, accountability and real-world results. Address obedience, pulling, reactivity, aggression and unreliable recall through private lessons or board and train.
Every Dog Training
Program details
Personalized Alexandria dog training for puppies, adult dogs and challenging behavioral cases. We customize private lessons and board and train programs for obedience, leash manners, reactivity, aggression and off-leash reliability.
Focused Training
Program details
Focused dog training in Alexandria, VA targets your dog’s most important obedience and behavioral needs. Improve leash walking, recall, impulse control, neutrality, reactivity or resource guarding through private lessons or board and train.
In-Person Training
Program details
In-person dog training in Alexandria, VA with personalized coaching for you and your dog. Private lessons address leash pulling, reactivity, resource guarding, obedience, training tools and owner communication in an intensive recorded session.
Major Training
Program details
Intensive dog training in Alexandria, VA for major behavioral challenges, including severe reactivity, aggression, resource guarding and explosive behavior. Our 6-week behavioral board and train provides immersive structure and rehabilitation.
Off Leash Canine Training
Program details
Off-leash canine training in Alexandria, Virginia for reliable recall, e-collar communication, engagement, neutrality and impulse control around distractions. Build dependable real-world obedience through our board and train programs.
Personalized Dog Trainer
Program details
Work with a personalized dog trainer in Alexandria, VA for one-on-one coaching, obedience, leash pulling, reactivity, resource guarding and behavior modification. Choose an intensive private lesson or customized board and train program.
Tailored Dog Training
Program details
Tailored dog training in Alexandria, VA customized to your dog’s age, temperament, behavior and goals. Address puppy manners, obedience, leash pulling, reactivity, aggression or off-leash recall with private lessons or board and train.
Training Your Dog
Program details
Get professional help training your dog in Alexandria, VA. Learn clearer communication, obedience, leash handling, recall, boundaries and behavior-management techniques through a private lesson or immersive board and train program.

Confirm current programs and availability directly.

Customer reviews

Google listing

4.8

out of 520 Google reviews

Mentioned in reviews

To learn 6
Video content 5
Barking 4
Leash reactivity training 4
Board and train 3
Questions 3

All 10 topics

Value for money 3
Aggressive 2
Doberman 2
Reinforcement 2

Google review topics, not confirmed services.

Jess Godshall2026-07-09

5/5

Excellent experience during our 1:1 training session. Ethan is honest and helpful on how to improve your training methods and help your dog learn boundaries. 10 out of 10 would recommend to anyone trying to train their dog solo - getting real time feedback on training methods is the best!

N Fuller2026-07-07

1/5

An an awful trainer. There are far more competent, well placed and tactful trainers in the area. Please consider avoiding this business.

Business response

2026-07-21

Thank you for your feedback. However, it is important to clarify that you are not a client of NOVA Canine Academy and have not had a dog complete our board & train program. This review appears to be the result of a recent social media campaign where a 3 second clip from one of our training videos was taken, modified, context removed, and used to encourage people who have never worked with us to leave negative reviews, contact authorities, harass our business, and release personal information about our CEO and Lead Trainer, Ethan. That social media post has since been removed by Instagram for harassment and bullying. That is not a fair or accurate reflection of our program, our clients’ experiences, or the dogs we train. The clip being referenced came from a longer training video involving a dog who came to us with significant behavioral challenges, including severe reactivity, anxiety, and unreliable obedience. That dog’s owner was fully informed throughout the process, received on average 25 mins of detailed training videos per day, and had a very positive experience with our program. In fact, the dog’s actual owner has left us a 5star review. At NOVA Canine Academy, our board & train clients receive regular, detailed training videos that show the full process, not isolated seconds removed from context. We believe in educating owners above and beyond what any other trainer or company will do, being transparent about the work being done with their dogs, and giving families the tools they need to maintain the results at home. People are welcome to have different opinions about dog training methods. However, leaving a negative review for a business you have never hired, based on clipped social media content and a coordinated call to action, is misleading to the public and harmful to a legitimate small business. For anyone considering NOVA Canine Academy, I encourage you to look at the full body of our work, our client reviews, our long-form training content, and the many dogs and families we have helped. We post daily videos on the internet showing every step of every dog’s training, and there’s a reason why we have over 1 million followers on the internet. Many of the dogs that come to us have already worked with other trainers without success, and a large percentage of our clients travel from out of state because they are looking for the level of results, education, and support our program provides. We remain focused on helping dogs and owners build clearer communication, better obedience, more confidence, and a better life together.

Review on Google

Matt Brusco2026-06-03

5/5

After having a rough first year with our puppy, we decided to do a 6-week board and train to deal with our dog Lucie's resource guarding. Ethan took the time to explain throughout her stay what they were working on, how they were working on it, and why she probably learned those behaviors over time. When we got our dog back after the board and train our pup was eager to be a good girl - which was tough to imagine before. Since then, we've gone back to Nova Canine Academy for extended boardings and a few "touch-ups" on some things we struggled with over time. Every time it's been well worth the money. Highly recommend their services!

Alexander Stichman2026-03-25

5/5

I'm writing this review almost 4 years after we sent our dog, Milo, to NOVA Canine Academy. When we sent Milo to Ethan, he was struggling with fear aggression and hyperactivity. After 2 weeks with Ethan, Milo acknowledged and responded to every command Ethan had taught. Ethan walked us through all of Milo's commands and explained to us what was needed to continue his progress. 4 years later, Milo is very well-behaved, listens well, and is a happy dog overall. Milo would not be the same without Ethan. If you are in the area and are looking for a trainer, you've found him. Thank you so much again, Ethan! Milo says thank you as well!

Nancy Lifset2026-01-14

5/5

I brought my recently adopted dog to Ethan shortly after we discovered she had leash reactivity. I cannot speak highly enough of his work and how much of a difference he made with our dog in just one session. I'll just start by adding two pluses to the five stars I rated him above. I've had some real dud dog trainers in my past for dealing with a range of issues, so did considerable research trying to find what I thought would be a good trainer fit for our dog. I was sold on Ethan, largely after watching several of his amazing videos. Because our girl is only in her 6th full week with us, I did not want to send her away for the board and train session before she had at least her rescue-recommended three month period to adjust to her now home. But I wanted to start addressing the reactivity issue as soon as possible, so I scheduled a private training session with Ethan. Because I had to wait about two weeks for our session, I started employing some of the techniques suggested in his instructive videos, and we made some slow but steady progress with just those efforts. Before employing those tactics, our girl would bark and lunge at any dog she saw at any distance - far across the street, hundreds of feet across a dog park, you name it. Within 3 weeks, reactions reduced considerably, and we were able to get within a 25 foot bubble of dogs about 80% of the time. But I also wanted professional guidance to ensure I was doing all the right things to continue progress and more important, prevent any unintended negative consequences of missing the intricacies of techniques or applying others incorrectly, so felt strongly about having the private session to learn those nuances. Best decision I've ever made! Within the first hour, Ethan showed me some things that made a huge difference - getting the leash "pop" at the right angle for effectiveness, adding verbals at certain points, taking advantage of opportunities for learning after corrections and neutrality occurred being just a few. Within the first hour, we had my dog calmly sitting next to me with Ethan and his dog not more than 3 feet away. Then we dealt with two dogs, and barking and running dog - some reactions, but all ones that we ultimately dealt with and got her under control -- then repeated with complete success. The real proof in the pudding was our morning walk the morning after our training session. Amazing! Our "bubble" distance from other dogs shrunk a bit this morning, and we had some reactions, but ones I was so much better at handling and getting under control. There are no overnight fixes for reactivity, and I know we still have work ahead to fully recondition our dog, but the difference I saw after our one training session blew my mind. What's best is that I am so much more confident in my ability to handle remaining reactivities that arise, and that is key to the ultimate fix. I cannot recommend Ethan highly enough - but I made my first attempt this morning at the dog park, recommending him to a friend who took in a still-reactive dog about a year ago. If you've got a dog in need of help to be heir best self, I'll take my second leap and tell you Ethan is your best bet.

Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.