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
5/5Paw by Paw saved my sanity! Bringing home our rescue puppy this year was really difficult and Paw by Paw helped us train the puppy with their Basic Obedience 101 class, but also gave us training for socialization (he is very fearful), barking, and potty training. We had such a gr…Read full reviewClose full review
Paw by Paw saved my sanity! Bringing home our rescue puppy this year was really difficult and Paw by Paw helped us train the puppy with their Basic Obedience 101 class, but also gave us training for socialization (he is very fearful), barking, and potty training. We had such a great experience that we enrolled our older dog for a refresher course/private lessons related to dog reactivity she developed during COVID. The trainers are knowledgeable (thank you Madison & Joanna!), experienced, and adaptive - when a technique isn't working quite as expected, they are willing to listen and work with you on alternative training methods.
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Amy Ye
5/5
Have brought 3 of my dogs to paw by paw and have always had a great experience! I've mostly worked with David, Joanna, and Jesse, and they've all been very helpful and patient with addressing each of my dogs' issues. Group training classes are really helpful along with the 1:1 trainings we do, and I love that these are for life. Facility is great and always clean - highly recommend!
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Meredith Luther
5/5When we walked into Paw By Paw two years ago, we didn't know if there was any hope for our pup, Horton. He was FANTASTIC with us and most other people he is introduced to, but he had recently had a provoked biting incident, and we were terrified about the future for him. Enter Jo…Read full reviewClose full review
When we walked into Paw By Paw two years ago, we didn't know if there was any hope for our pup, Horton. He was FANTASTIC with us and most other people he is introduced to, but he had recently had a provoked biting incident, and we were terrified about the future for him. Enter Joanna at Paw by Paw. From the beginning, Joanna had a great rapport with Horton. She had high yet reasonable expectations from the first session, and Horton responded positively. After working in one-on-one sessions with Joanna for 4 weeks, Horton was moved into group sessions, often led by Joanna. Our large pup soon demonstrated that he was not only trainable, but he was also successful in group classes, all because of Joanna's style and attention. We are so grateful to her for helping our family understand what needed to go into training, helping us implement it easily, and supporting our sweet pup!
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Brian Kaye
5/5
I have been taking my dog here for over a year. The trainers are incredibly knowledgeable and create a great environment for me to learn how to train my dog. I still attend group classes after my dog graduated and frequent off leash classes as well.
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Lynn Everard
5/5We’ve used paw by paw since 2019 for training, David and Joanna are outstanding trainers. We appreciate their philosophy on a balanced approach to training, both correcting and rewarding behaviors. We wouldn’t have been able to keep our rescue pup without them. They are patient a…Read full reviewClose full review
We’ve used paw by paw since 2019 for training, David and Joanna are outstanding trainers. We appreciate their philosophy on a balanced approach to training, both correcting and rewarding behaviors. We wouldn’t have been able to keep our rescue pup without them. They are patient and reliable and always willing to help whenever we need advice on how to manage our pup’s behaviors. For example, we used them initially for basic obedience, then for assistance after having two kids/how to manage our pup’s behaviors with bringing our babies home from the hospital, we also used them for off leash training. We still periodically come back for fun/reinforcing training as our pup enjoys the classes.
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.
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