Paw by Paw Dog Training provides professional dog training, puppy training, obedience training, and behavior modification in Kensington, MD, serving Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Washington, DC, and the surrounding area. Our veterinarian-recommended trainers help dogs of all ages and breeds build better manners, confidence, and reliable obedience through customized training programs. Services include Doggie Day School, Board & Train, private in-home training, puppy classes, group obedience classes, nosework, agility, therapy dog training, daycare, and professional grooming. Join the thousands of local families who have trusted Paw by Paw to help their dogs succeed. Schedule your complimentary evaluation today!
Training & services
Training goals
Behavior consultationProgram details
Our behavior modification program helps dogs overcome reactivity, fear, anxiety, aggression, resource guarding, excessive barking, and other challenging behaviors. Help your dog build confidence and learn healthier responses in real-world situations. Includes unlimited private lessons.
Canine Good Citizen preparationProgram details
Take the official AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test in Kensington, MD. This 10-step evaluation measures obedience, leash manners, behavior around people and dogs, and responsible dog ownership. Passing earns the nationally recognized AKC CGC title.
Take the official AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test in Montgomery County, MD. This 10-step evaluation measures obedience, leash manners, behavior around people and dogs, and responsible dog ownership. Passing earns the nationally recognized AKC CGC title.
Crate training
House training
Leash training
Obedience trainingProgram details
Build better communication and reliable manners. Training covers sit, down, stay, place, recall, leash walking, and impulse control while addressing jumping, pulling, nipping, chewing, separation anxiety, and other everyday challenges. Includes private & group lessons, plus lifetime support.
Puppy trainingProgram details
Our Puppy 101 program covers potty training, crate training, socialization, leash walking, recall, basic obedience, and common puppy challenges like biting, chewing, jumping, nipping, and separation anxiety. Program includes private lessons and group training, plus lifetime support.
Recall training
Socialization
Behavior support
Aggression training
Barking
Chewing
Fear and confidence
Reactivity training
Resource guarding
Separation anxiety
How training happens
Board and trainProgram details
Accelerate your dog's progress with immersive training. Dogs stay with one of our trusted boarding partners and receive daily professional training focused on obedience, manners, behavior skills, and real-world reliability. Includes owner coaching to help maintain success at home.
Group classesProgram details
Build skills and confidence in a fun, supportive group setting. Our dog training classes focus on obedience, socialization, impulse control, focus, and real-world manners while helping dogs and owners strengthen their bond through guided practice.
In-home trainingProgram details
Our in-home dog training program provides one-on-one coaching tailored to your dog's needs and lifestyle. We work on obedience, behavior issues, puppy training, and household manners in the environment where challenges occur most.
Owner coaching
Private trainingProgram details
Private dog training lessons provide individualized support for puppies, obedience training, behavior concerns, and advanced skills. Work one-on-one with a professional trainer to address your dog’s unique needs and achieve lasting results.
Dog age
Adult dogs
Puppies
Training level
Advanced obedience
Advanced training
Support between sessions
Personalized training plans
Assistance and working dogs
Service dog training
Therapy dog trainingProgram details
Prepare your dog for therapy work in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and community settings. Our therapy dog training program develops advanced obedience, calm behavior, confidence, and handler communication while helping teams prepare for therapy dog evaluations and certification.
Prepare your dog for therapy work in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and community settings. Training focuses on advanced obedience, calm behavior, confidence, and handler skills needed for evaluations and certification.
Dog sports
AgilityProgram details
Build confidence, focus, and teamwork through agility training. Dogs learn jumps, tunnels, weave poles, and real-world obstacle skills while improving coordination, fitness, and communication. Suitable for dogs of all ages, breeds, and experience levels.
Scent workProgram details
Tap into your dog's natural scenting abilities with Nosework training. Dogs learn to locate target scents, solve puzzles, and build confidence through rewarding search activities. Great for mental enrichment, focus building, and dogs of all ages, breeds, and experience levels.
Training approach
E-collar training
Additional services
Boarding
DaycareProgram details
More than daycare, Confident Canine Playcare helps dogs build confidence, social skills, and focus through structured enrichment activities, supervised play, agility, and training games. Ideal for dogs who thrive with routine, mental stimulation, and individualized attention.
Grooming
Other listed services
View 18 additional details
Dog trainingProgram details
Professional dog training for puppies and adult dogs. We offer customized programs for obedience, behavior modification, leash manners, puppy training, socialization, and off-leash reliability. Build better communication, confidence, and lasting results with your dog.
Self-Serve Dog Wash | Rockville, Bethesda & PotomacProgram details
Our self-serve dog wash makes bath time easy and convenient. Wash your dog using professional bathing stations, shampoo, towels, dryers, and grooming supplies provided for you. Perfect for keeping dogs clean without the hassle of bathing at home.
Doggie Day School & Training | Rockville, Bethesda & PotomacProgram details
Doggie Day School combines professional dog training with the fun of daycare. Dogs receive structured training throughout the day focused on obedience, social skills, confidence building, impulse control, and manners. Ideal for busy owners who want consistent progress and enrichment.
Canine First Aid Certification | Rockville, Bethesda & PotomacProgram details
Be prepared for canine emergencies with our Canine First Aid & CPR Certification course. Learn CPR, first aid, choking response, injury care, poison prevention, and wellness checks while earning a certification designed for dog owners and pet professionals.
Free Dog Training EvaluationsProgram details
Our free dog training evaluation helps identify your dog’s behavior, training needs, and goals. We assess challenges like obedience, reactivity, or manners and recommend a customized training plan tailored to your dog and lifestyle.
Pet CPR Certification | Rockville, Bethesda & PotomacProgram details
Be prepared for canine emergencies with our Canine First Aid & CPR Certification course. Learn CPR, first aid, choking response, injury care, poison prevention, and wellness checks while earning a certification designed for dog owners and pet professionals.
Day School Program | Rockville, Bethesda & PotomacProgram details
Doggie Day School combines professional dog training with the fun of daycare. Dogs receive structured training throughout the day focused on obedience, social skills, confidence building, impulse control, and manners. Ideal for busy owners who want consistent progress and enrichment.
Dog Bath | Rockville, Bethesda & PotomacProgram details
Our self-serve dog wash makes bath time easy and convenient. Wash your dog using professional bathing stations, shampoo, towels, dryers, and grooming supplies provided for you. Perfect for keeping dogs clean without the hassle of bathing at home.
Dog Course
Off-Leash Dog Training | Rockville, Bethesda & PotomacProgram details
Enjoy greater freedom and confidence with reliable off-leash training. This advanced program focuses on recall, responsiveness, and obedience around distractions so your dog can safely enjoy hikes, parks, and outdoor adventures while maintaining dependable control.
Dog's Behavioral
Emotional Support Animals
Intensive Training Program
Leash Classes
Pet Therapy
Training Lessons
Training Sessions
Self-Serve Dog Wash
Confirm current programs and availability directly.
Questions & answers
From Google
What people have asked about this business.
How can I adopt a puppy?
Thank you for contacting us. We recommend Operation Paws for Homes or Pet Connect Rescue for adoptions!
Community answer · Paw by Paw Dog Training · 2024-09-21
What is required for my dog to be accepted to attend dog training ?
All we require is for your dog to be up to date on our required vaccines (Bordetella, Distemper, Rabies and Canine Influenza) and for you to attend a free training evaluation first so our trainers can put together a customized training program for you!
Community answer · Paw by Paw Dog Training · 2023-09-21
5/5Love, love paw by paw. They honestly saved our relationship with our dog. We adopted Kiko and he had some serious impulse control issues and herding behavior. We were so exasperated and had no idea what to do. Our trainer Jesse was incredible. He, and really Paw by Paw as a whole…Read full reviewClose full review
Love, love paw by paw. They honestly saved our relationship with our dog. We adopted Kiko and he had some serious impulse control issues and herding behavior. We were so exasperated and had no idea what to do. Our trainer Jesse was incredible. He, and really Paw by Paw as a whole, went above and beyond to cultivate our relationship with Kiko. By putting in the time and being patient, our entire relationship with Kiko wildly improved. I could not imagine life without him, and that would not be possible without paw by paw. The whole facility is clean and the staff of amazing. The grooming program is awesome and we feel so good knowing he is being groomed by someone who is so kind and patient with him. The Owner clearly cares so deeply and goes above and beyond for clients. They hold numerous events to support dogs in our area and create a supportive and loving community. I cannot say enough amazing things about Jesse or Paw by Paw. 100% recommend. It is worth every single penny.
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MCPLaw
5/5Whoever said you can't teach an old dog new tricks, doesn't know about Paw by Paw! We took our two dogs (ages 2 yrs and 5 yrs) there for the dog training school after finally deciding that their rambunctious behavior and lack of self control had to be addressed. We had done no …Read full reviewClose full review
Whoever said you can't teach an old dog new tricks, doesn't know about Paw by Paw! We took our two dogs (ages 2 yrs and 5 yrs) there for the dog training school after finally deciding that their rambunctious behavior and lack of self control had to be addressed. We had done no consistent training with them when they were younger. Our personal trainers Madison and Alisa were outstanding the whole way through. Kind and patient, but firm and consistent in their instruction, and in showing us how to properly handle our dogs with their new training. Our pups understand their commands and expectations now, and we now have a solid training baseline to move forward from. The ongoing group classes that they offer are also a great way to reinforce what they have learned as well. Highly highly recommend this company.
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Rachel Holmes
5/5Paw by Paw has been an incredibly positive, thoughtful, knowledgeable and kind partner to our reactive and fearful pup, Charlie, since 2023. A huge shoutout to trainers Alissa and Joanna! I'm so thrilled they're a part of Charlie's team to make his life as fulfilling and positive…Read full reviewClose full review
Paw by Paw has been an incredibly positive, thoughtful, knowledgeable and kind partner to our reactive and fearful pup, Charlie, since 2023. A huge shoutout to trainers Alissa and Joanna! I'm so thrilled they're a part of Charlie's team to make his life as fulfilling and positive as it can be. Even our vet behaviorist commented on how they're clearly doing right by him when I shared what we work on in training for Charlie's anxiety. I recommend Paw by Paw all the time to dog owners in our neighborhood who comment on how well Charlie is doing and the changes our neighbors have seen in him!
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Margaret McFerren
5/5We got our mastiff puppy the day before the covid lockdown. By the time dog training had resumed and we found Paw by Paw, our girl was enormous, rowdy, exuberant and terrifying to strangers. On the first day we met Joanna at the park, Olive dragged me to the meeting spot as if I …Read full reviewClose full review
We got our mastiff puppy the day before the covid lockdown. By the time dog training had resumed and we found Paw by Paw, our girl was enormous, rowdy, exuberant and terrifying to strangers. On the first day we met Joanna at the park, Olive dragged me to the meeting spot as if I were a kite on a string. By the time we left Joanna that day, Olive was polite and attentive, completely under control and she had a real rapport with Joanna that continues to this day. Throughout our training, we worked mainly with Joanna and David, who has had many valuable insights into our training dilemmas. We love Paw by Paw!
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Jacky O.
5/5
Was looking all over for a dog trainer for my pup and I’m glad that I found this place. Alyssa was Pluto’s trainer and she was great!! She had so much patience with him and me. I was anxious going in the first time because he was very reactive and I didn’t know what to expect but Alyssa was amazing! He graduated and is now a changed pup. Best decision ever. Would definitely pick this place again!
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.
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