We provide professional dog training in Northern Virginia, specializing in behavior modification. Our personalized sessions and boot camp programs help dogs and owners achieve desired behavioral changes. Experienced trainers in Reston, Arlington, Alexandria, and surrounding areas. Start enhancing your dog's behavior today!
Training & services
Training goals
Behavior consultationProgram details
Behavior support
Aggression trainingProgram details
How training happens
Board and trainCustomer-reportedProgram details
Day trainingProgram details
In-home trainingProgram details
Dog age
PuppiesProgram details
Support between sessions
Personalized training plansProgram details
Training approach
Balanced trainingProgram details
Additional services
BoardingProgram details
Other listed services
View 1 additional details
In Home EvaluationProgram details
A 60-minute session at your home to assess your dog’s behavior, environment, and daily routine. We’ll discuss goals, challenges, and training options tailored to your needs. This evaluation builds the foundation for your custom training plan and ensures the best program fit. · Listed price: [object Object]
Confirm current programs and availability directly.
Questions & answers
From Google
What people have asked about this business.
Do you have any tips on how to introduce a second dog to my home?
Yes, we wrote an article discussing this. Please refer to this link: https://novapackdogtraining.com/blog/2025/10/15/how-to-introduce-a-second-dog-to-your-home
Community answer · Nova Pack Dog Training LLC · 2025-10-21
I recommend using a crate to help with housebreaking, potty training, and to make sure your new puppy or rescue dog can’t get into trouble while no one is home, along with lots of structure, discipline, and routine.
Community answer · Nova Pack Dog Training LLC · 2025-09-21
I offer in home puppy and dog training, puppy day school, Day training, hybrid board & train, and board & train programs. Services range from potty training, puppy training, housebreaking, 1 on 1 basic obedience training, teaching commands like heel, sit, down, stay, come, as well as behavior modification ranging from house soiling/marking, jumping, resource guarding, nuisance barking, separation distress, barrier frustration, and even dog/human aggression.
Community answer · Nova Pack Dog Training LLC · 2025-09-21
It varies dog to dog, teaching a dog what to do through positive outcomes affection, food, and the absence of pressure can all be rewards, and teaching a dog what not to do through negative consequences such as a verbal and/or a physical correction. This is generally speaking of course, and will depend on temperament of your specific dog.
Community answer · Nova Pack Dog Training LLC · 2025-09-21
I recommend working the dog mentally and physically over just physically. Certain tasks and problems will have a physical aspect to them. If you just physically fatigue the dog, you’ll just end up with an overly exuberant, poorly mannered, likely disobedient dog, who is more athletic, strong, and less responsive to you.
Community answer · Nova Pack Dog Training LLC · 2025-09-21
The socialization period for puppies typically occurs between the ages of 3 weeks to 14 weeks, although it's important to continue socialization efforts throughout their first year of life. During this time, puppies are particularly receptive to new experiences and are more likely to form positive associations with unfamiliar stimuli. Proper socialization helps prevent fear, anxiety, and aggression in adult dogs, making them more adaptable and better equipped to handle various situations.
Community answer · Nova Pack Dog Training LLC · 2025-09-21
They can begin with 1 on 1 in home training right away. For more intensive programs like our board and train, the puppy should’ve been with you at least 4 weeks before sending them to work with me.
Community answer · Nova Pack Dog Training LLC · 2025-09-21
The evaluation is to make sure we agree on how to proceed with training, and to ensure any changes I recommend are amendable to you. As well as seeing the temperament of your dog, how you currently train, and what needs to change lifestyle wise for you and the dog to be successful.
Community answer · Nova Pack Dog Training LLC · 2025-09-21
I don’t use e collars or choke chains at all. There are some circumstances where a pinch or prong collar is necessary and/or helpful, but we would discuss pros and cons before using it. I prefer to use a flat buckle or martingale collar, and a 6ft leash for training in most cases.
Community answer · Nova Pack Dog Training LLC · 2025-09-21
Dental health is often overlooked but is vital for your dog's overall well-being. Brush your dog's teeth regularly using a dog-specific toothbrush and toothpaste. Start slowly, making the experience positive with rewards. Dental chews, natural bones, and toys can also contribute to good oral hygiene.
Community answer · Nova Pack Dog Training LLC · 2025-09-21
Do you offer a Program Guide that I can use to know which service or program is better for me and my dog?
Yes, you can refer to this link from our website, that will explain all the programs and services that we offer: https://novapackdogtraining.com/program-guide-service-comparison
Community answer · Nova Pack Dog Training LLC · 2025-09-21
Do you know about any specific Timing of Food and Water for a Dog?
8-week-old puppy: 15-30 minutes after eating/drinking before potty time.
12-week-old puppy: 30-60 minutes after eating/drinking before potty time.
16-24 week-old puppy: 60 minutes after eating/drinking before potty time. Adjust the times if the puppy consumes more food or water than usual.
Community answer · Nova Pack Dog Training LLC · 2025-09-21
Yes, Crate training provides controlled and secure environment contributes significantly to a puppy’s overall development. The introduction of crate training should be gradual, fostering a positive association between the puppy and the crate as a safe space.
Community answer · Nova Pack Dog Training LLC · 2025-09-21
I offer in home puppy and dog training, puppy day school, and board & train programs. Services range from potty training, puppy training, housebreaking, 1 on 1 basic obedience training, teaching commands like heel, sit, down, stay, come, as well as behavior modification ranging from house soiling/marking, jumping, resource guarding, nuisance barking, separation distress, barrier frustration, and even dog/human aggression.
Community answer · Nova Pack Dog Training LLC · 2024-09-21
What is the purpose of the evaluation of my dog for your training?
The evaluation is to make sure we agree on how to proceed with training, and to ensure any changes I recommend are amendable to you. As well as seeing the temperament of your dog, how you currently train, and what needs to change lifestyle wise for you and the dog to be successful.
Community answer · Nova Pack Dog Training LLC · 2024-09-21
5/5After spending a lot of time trying to find a trainer for my rescued puppy, and being disappointed along the way of places trying to sell you anything and everything, I decided to call Stephen from Nova Pack. Stephen is very respectful of your time and he is always on time and r…Read full reviewClose full review
After spending a lot of time trying to find a trainer for my rescued puppy, and being disappointed along the way of places trying to sell you anything and everything, I decided to call Stephen from Nova Pack. Stephen is very respectful of your time and he is always on time and ready to answer all you concerns without any rush. I remember our first meeting he stayed way beyond the 1 hour consultation time I booked with him. Unfortunately I couldn’t schedule more than two sessions due to some health issues in my family. But in such a short time, Stephen was able to address a couple of issues with my puppy and taught me how to correct them. He is gentle yet very firm when teaching your dog to become a better one. Just last weekend I boarded my 7 month old puppy with Stephen for the first time. I was mortified with last minute changes and my not being able to pick my puppy at the agreed time, but Stephen was very kind and flexible, which made me feel at ease. I highly recommend Nova Pack for your dog to become the best dog you could have
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Nilansh Upadhyay
5/5
Adopting a dog is a long time commitment.
I urge everyone who's reading this to call this guy Stephan by the time you bring your pup home he will be able to tell you exactly what is the fact.
Trust me it saved my life /time /energy/money all by staying away from that puppy.
Hats off to his experience and thanks again to
Nova pack Dog training llc
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Ben Jipson
5/5
Nova Pack Dog Training (and owner Stephen) have a wealth of knowledge and experience that was evident from the very beginning of our 2-hour evaluation. Stephen was very punctual for our evaluation and spent more time with us than he originally agreed to. His website and scheduling process was very slick.
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Lavanya Desai
5/5We sent our new dog Bumi (two years old, we adopted him recently) to Steve for a three-week Board and Train program. Steve was unfailingly patient, calm, and reliable - we can really see the difference his training made in Bumi's overall temperament and behavior. More importantly…Read full reviewClose full review
We sent our new dog Bumi (two years old, we adopted him recently) to Steve for a three-week Board and Train program. Steve was unfailingly patient, calm, and reliable - we can really see the difference his training made in Bumi's overall temperament and behavior. More importantly, Steve put a lot of work into teaching us, as new dog owners, how to handle Bumi correctly and set him up for success. Steve went above and beyond in our training sessions, and continues to provide us with excellent advice when needed. Thank you so much for your help with our little Boom Boom Shrimp!!
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A DK
1/5I did a one day training with Stephen about a year ago and never went back again. My dog is a rescue and has isssues with anxiety due to trauma. I explained this to Stephen and during our first session he was very aggressive towards my dog. He would pull her leash to the point th…Read full reviewClose full review
I did a one day training with Stephen about a year ago and never went back again. My dog is a rescue and has isssues with anxiety due to trauma. I explained this to Stephen and during our first session he was very aggressive towards my dog. He would pull her leash to the point that there were moments I thought he would snap her neck. My dog started shaking during our training session and spent the rest of the day very stressed out. Maybe this method works for some dogs, but definitely did not work for mine. I decided to find a different trainer that was able to help me train her without putting her in a stressful situation. If your dog has any issues with anxiety or gets stressed easily, I don't recommend this place.
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.