About Pawz For Health Dog and Puppy Training Maryland
Pawz For Health Dog Training Maryland, provides in home dog training servicing areas: Silver Spring, Bethesda, Kensington, Olney, Rockville, Ashton, Fulton and surrounding areas. We use positive reinforcement dog training methods and never support the use of shock collars ever! We work with puppy behavior problems such as: Puppy manners, crate training, housebreaking, jumping, puppy biting/nipping, separation anxiety, leash walking, off leash walking, coming when called, obedience (sit/down/stay/off/leave it/drop it/door manners. We train owners to train their dog through developing a trusting respectful relationship.
Janet Oquendo is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer & Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. Call a Certified Trainer now.
Training & services
Training goals
Behavior consultationProgram details
We work with all dog and puppy behaviors, from basic obedience / manners training : Sit, lay down, come when called, stay, door manners, jumping and leash walking. Using positive reinforcement dog training techniques only.
Crate training
House training
Leash training
Obedience trainingProgram details
Basic puppy manners; sit, down, stay, no jumping, leash walking.
Puppy trainingProgram details
Our puppy obedience training programs are fun, simple, and effective. We use 100% positive reinforcement dog training techniques, and do not support the use of any harmful dog training techniques. Your puppy’s physical and emotional wellbeing is our commitment.
Our services are unique in that all puppy training is carried out with the home of the trainer. Ensuring your puppy continues to gain skills within a home/ living environment. We never kennel dogs outside, all puppies will get crate training, housebreaking, leash walking, socialization.
We offer puppy training in Maryland and surrounding areas. We are certified Professional Dog Trainer (CCPDT-KA) and Certified Dog Behaviorist (CDBC).
We offer a unique puppy board and train program. Your puppy will live in our home for up to two (2) weeks working on crate training, house breaking, basic manners, leash walking, as well as receiving invaluable puppy socialization with other puppies and socialized adult dogs in our home environment. we never use pain to train, we use 100% positive reinforcement dog training techniques only.
Helping shy and fearful dogs overcome their anxiety. Working with dogs and owners to help their dog develop confidence and reduce overall fear and anxiety through positive reinforcement dog training techniques.
Reactivity training
Resource guarding
Separation anxiety
How training happens
Board and train
Day training
Group classes
In-home training
Owner coachingCustomer-reported
Private training
Dog age
Adult dogs
PuppiesProgram details
Working with puppies who are puppy biting. Helping the puppy learn how to use their mouth appropriately and not to bite their owners. Teaching bite inhibition (soft mouth) and understanding how to interact with the family without biting.
Training level
Beginner training
Support between sessions
Follow-up support
Personalized training plans
Your dog’s background
Rescue dogs
Training approach
Positive reinforcement
Additional services
Boarding
Other listed services
View 22 additional details
Dog trainingProgram details
Our Dog training programs are providing to all breeds of dogs, of all ages, exhibiting undesirable behaviors. We recognize that once dogs reach their adult developmental stage, their behavior changes. We provide dog training programs to meet all needs.
Animal Behavior Consultants
Animal Rehabilitation
Animal Rescue
Certified Dog Behavior Consultants
Certified Dog Trainer
Certified Dog Trainer - CCPDT-KAProgram details
Certified professional dog trainer, through council for certified professional dog trainer. Using positive reinforcement dog and puppy training techniques only.
Challenging Behavior
Day Stay
Dog Bark
Dog Behavior Assessment
Dog Bite Prevention
Dog Leash
Dog Parents
Dog Training MarylandProgram details
We offer dog training in Maryland and surrounding areas. We are certified Professional Dog Trainer (CCPDT-KA) and Certified Dog Behaviorist (CDBC).
Dogs Health
Kids And Dogs
Overnight Camp
Shock Collars
Shy Dogs
Veterinary Behaviorist
Pet training in MarylandProgram details
If you are looking for a pet trainer in Maryland please get in touch with our certified dog and puppy trainer. We are only using positive reinforcement.
Confirm current programs and availability directly.
Business-stated qualifications
Qualifications stated by the business, not independently verified.
Training team
CDBC
Questions & answers
From Google
What people have asked about this business.
I have a 2.5 yo male chesapeake bay retriever not fixed who is very stubborn. Growls at us shows his teeth etc. Need a good trainer. Maybe a long term setting
Any advice
Maybe he just doesn't like you.
Community answer · Harrison DySard · 2024-09-21
Yes. Please get in touch with me by filling out the contact form on the website. Thank You.
Community answer · Pawz For Health Dog and Puppy Training Maryland · 2024-09-21
Positive reinforcement training is scientifically proved to be the most effective method of training, using rewards! Rewards can consist of high value food, praise, toys, attention..i.e. anything the dog wants and views as a reward. Positive reinforcement ensures your dog is more likely to repeat the behavior consistently and is the most highly used method in this modern day to change your dog's behavior.
Community answer · Pawz For Health Dog and Puppy Training Maryland · 2023-09-21
First of all seek out a certified professional dog trainer or a certified dog behaviorist. Aggression can be the result of many emotional issues and it's important that you are able to identify the underlying cause of this behavior. Once the underlying cause has been established working with a certified professional who utilizes positive reinforcement dog training techniques is key. Aggression can often be the result of lack of trust or fear so in order alleviate fear in your dog trust must be established using positive reinforcement techniques. It's important to avoid any punishment based training at all costs. Punishment will only result in mistrust and is likely to escalate the dog's aggressive behavior.
Community answer · Pawz For Health Dog and Puppy Training Maryland · 2023-09-21
Always check the credentials of a dog trainer. There are many professional organizations which certified dog trainers in specific skill areas. The majority of positive reinforcement dog trainers often belong to professional certification organizations. Find the organization and check if the trainer you are considering using is certified. Always research dog trainers, get references. If you identify that a dog trainer uses any techniques other than positive reinforcement dog training techniques avoid them at all cost. You should always use a trainer who is positively motivating your dog and not using aversive training methods which results in fear and intimidation.
Community answer · Pawz For Health Dog and Puppy Training Maryland · 2023-09-21
YES! It certainly is. There are however factors to consider. If your dog is older it's likely he or she has had a significant amount of time to practice and exhibit undesirable behavior or bad habits. So bearing that in mind it can take a little while to undo some of those habits, but as with any training as long as you maintain a high level of routine, repetition and patience there is no reason why your older dog cannot achieve the same goals as a dog who is much younger - it just might take a little more time.
Community answer · Pawz For Health Dog and Puppy Training Maryland · 2023-09-21
This is a specialist area! Dogs that exhibit anxiety usually have underlying issues. Therefore contacting a certified professional or a veterinary behaviorist is likely the best option as they will be able to identify the triggers and the best solution to address the anxiety. Anxiety can be a medical condition which will require the intervention of a veterinary behaviorist.
Community answer · Pawz For Health Dog and Puppy Training Maryland · 2023-09-21
How can I train my dog to stop barking excessively?
As with any behavior we have to identify why the dog is barking. There are several reasons why dogs bark i.e. Territorial / protective barking, fear and anxiety, or boredom. So each of the reasons require different techniques and responses. If possible provide your dog with safe doggie activities to do throughout the day to alleviate boredom, i.e the use of Kongs, or stuffed marrow bones, give your dog plenty of exercise to burn of excess energy helping them to relax and sleep as opposed to barking, as tired dog does less barking! You can also teach your dog the command “quiet” in a calm but first voice say ‘quiet” and when they are quiet for a period of time they are rewarded. Whatever the reason is for your dogs barking, ensure it's not allowed to continue as it becomes a habit and is difficult to stop.
Community answer · Pawz For Health Dog and Puppy Training Maryland · 2023-09-21
This is a “simple” one: always reward your dog for coming when you call them. At first you can use a piece of high value food.. you call your dogs name and reward with a treat. Once your dog is responding well and coming consistently using a high value treat you can then call your dog and provide them with 5-10 seconds of physical praise i.e. rubbing them playfully on their torso. Repeating this exercise will teach your dog every time you call them “something good happens” as a result calling your dog results in them responding consistently.
Community answer · Pawz For Health Dog and Puppy Training Maryland · 2023-09-21
What should I do if my dog is not responding to training?
Assess why your dog is not responding to training! Are you communicating clearly to your dog what behavior you are looking for? Dogs often get mixed messages from their owners as a result the dog becomes confused and is unable to respond to your training requests. Other factors to consider is your dog fearful? Is the environment conducive for your dog to learn and respond to training? i.e. is it free of distractions? Are you using high enough value food? Are you giving your dog enough time to process the training requests so he understands? Are you providing enough motivation for your dog to respond? Once all the factors have been resolved there is no reason why your dog should not respond to training.
Community answer · Pawz For Health Dog and Puppy Training Maryland · 2023-09-21
There is no one time frame that fits all when you are training your dog. There are so many factors to consider when training. i.e. the age of the dog, how much training the dog has previously had (if any), the stress level of the dog-stressed dogs take longer to learn as they have to ensure they trust the process before they can progress and this can take time again. Each dog is different. If you remain patient and consistent, your dog will achieve the desired goal.
Community answer · Pawz For Health Dog and Puppy Training Maryland · 2023-09-21
The most effective way to train a dog is first of all ensure you utilize positive reinforcement dog training techniques. Positive reinforcement training is where we provide the dog with a reward every time he or she performs the behavior we desire. The Use of positive reinforcement ensures your dog will reliably repeat the behavior he or she is being rewarded for. When you start training your dog, be sure to minimize any distractions to help your dog remain focused on you, and train in short segments to avoid your dog losing interest and becoming disinterested and overwhelmed. Be sure to exercise patience and consistency as all dogs learn at a different pace and only move onto a new training area once your dog has mastered and fully understood the basics. Also ensure you and your dog have fun as it enhances learning and develops a lasting bond between you and your dog.
Community answer · Pawz For Health Dog and Puppy Training Maryland · 2023-09-21
YES you can! Usually training at home is easier and more relaxed for dogs to learn. Training your dog at home provides the dog with a familiar environment which is familiar and relaxing as a result training tricks at home becomes fun and rewarding.
Community answer · Pawz For Health Dog and Puppy Training Maryland · 2023-09-21
It all depends on what dog training service you are looking for. The cost for group classes is significantly less than private in home training. If you use a certified professional through an accredited association the cost is likely to be more expensive as you are utilizing the services of a trained, qualified expert with qualifications to back up their knowledge. You can also use a trainer who is not certified but you run the risk of limited knowledge without any expertise to back up the training being provided.
Community answer · Pawz For Health Dog and Puppy Training Maryland · 2023-09-21
Can I train my dog myself, or do I need a professional trainer?
There are many do it yourself training books on the market as well as a variety of resources on the internet. Oftentimes the resources available are great references and many dog owners have been able to follow them with some success. However as all dogs are not the same and all have varying degrees of behavior training requirements using some of the generalized training resources may not apply to the specific challenges you are having with your dog. Seeking out the help of a certified professional dog trainer or behaviorist allows the professional to identify exactly what your dog needs and modify training to accommodate your dogs behavior to meet your training goals.
Community answer · Pawz For Health Dog and Puppy Training Maryland · 2023-09-21
How can I tell if my dog is enjoying training or not?
This is all about body language! Reading your dog's body language is an important factor when you are trying to gauge how your dog is feeling about training. If your dog has a soft wriggly body, mouth open (looks like he or she is smiling), tail soft and wagging, eyes are soft and focussed on you, the owner, they are playful and enthusiastic. It's highly likely your dog is enjoying training.
Community answer · Pawz For Health Dog and Puppy Training Maryland · 2023-09-21
Every dog is different, as all dogs learn at different levels and some have a different capacity to retain the information than others. Depending on your dog, You should consider training little and often. Dogs learn quicker and more consistently if you train in shorter durations. It doesn't have to be every day it could be 2-3 times a week but whatever the training schedule you afford your dog, be sure to provide it consistency. It's more effective to train your dog 10 minutes a couple times a day rather than 1hr once a week with no follow up reinforcement after that 1 hr training session. Repetition is key to ensuring you get consistent results from your dog.
Community answer · Pawz For Health Dog and Puppy Training Maryland · 2023-09-21
What are 3 common mistakes to avoid when training a dog?
Some common mistakes people make when training their dog is 1) the dog owner assuming the dog knows exactly what you want. Ensure you have effectively communicated the behavior you are desiring your dog to perform and ensure you reward immediately. 2) rewarding too slow! If the dog provides you with the behavior you are looking for you must ensure you reward that behavior immediately as it occurs. This ensures the dog makes the connection between the behavior he or she has performed and the reward. 3) Yelling at your dog. Yelling at your dog during training is not effective and will not result in your dog performing the behaviors you desire any quicker, actually its highly likely the dog will begin to show fear and shut down from training all together. Always make training fun and positive.
Community answer · Pawz For Health Dog and Puppy Training Maryland · 2023-09-21
5/5Janet at Pawz for Health is simply phenomenal! My puppy, Regal, attended the board and train program, and the difference in her behavior and confidence is astounding. Before the program, she was full of energy but had trouble with basic commands and consistency. After her time wi…Read full reviewClose full review
Janet at Pawz for Health is simply phenomenal! My puppy, Regal, attended the board and train program, and the difference in her behavior and confidence is astounding. Before the program, she was full of energy but had trouble with basic commands and consistency. After her time with Janet, Regal came home more focused, well-mannered, and so much easier to manage—without losing her fun, spunky personality.
Janet clearly loves what she does and it shows in every interaction. She treated Regal like one of her own, provided thoughtful updates, and gave us the tools we needed to keep the training going at home. Her approach is kind, customized, and incredibly effective.
We’re now enjoying calmer walks, better routines, and a stronger bond with our sweet girl. If you’re considering board and train, Pawz For Health is hands-down the best choice. Thank you, Janet, for giving Regal such a strong foundation!
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Amy Pooser
5/5
We would recommend Janet highly. She is an amazing dog trainer who is gentle and doesn’t take the easy way out (e collars and other harsh methods) with training. Janet is wonderful. I only wish we found her earlier.
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Jon Brodsky
5/5
Janet is a wonderful dog trainer and a very friendly and helpful person. My dog and I are super grateful for the work she has done and helped us a bunch!
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Beatriz and Marquis Clements
5/5Janet is amazing! We are so happy we chose her to train our puppy. We found her information before picking up our pup, and she was very responsive and flexible with scheduling. With a 2-year-old son and a fairly large puppy at home, we were committed to training. Our puppy, Rio, …Read full reviewClose full review
Janet is amazing! We are so happy we chose her to train our puppy. We found her information before picking up our pup, and she was very responsive and flexible with scheduling. With a 2-year-old son and a fairly large puppy at home, we were committed to training. Our puppy, Rio, attended Janet’s 2-week puppy boot camp, and the difference was immediate. He listened, followed directions, and socialized well with other pups—none of which he did before!
It’s been 3 months since Rio’s training with Janet, and by closely following her directions, he's thriving. While he is still a puppy and will still need to be closely monitored, Janet has been wonderful with follow-ups and providing the BEST tips when we need guidance. She is truly one of a kind, genuine, and passionate about her work. Janet is always willing to answer questions and offer recommendations, showcasing her expertise. We cannot recommend her enough and are so thankful for her help!
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Alyson C
5/5I was at my wits end before meeting Janet at Pawz for Health. My lab refused to be crated in any crate and in any situation. I worked with other trainers and spent THOUSANDS of dollars to have him bark and bark and panic and hurt himself breaking the crate. BUT With just ONE week…Read full reviewClose full review
I was at my wits end before meeting Janet at Pawz for Health. My lab refused to be crated in any crate and in any situation. I worked with other trainers and spent THOUSANDS of dollars to have him bark and bark and panic and hurt himself breaking the crate. BUT With just ONE week at Janet’s he’s calmly settling in his crate and sleeping in it overnight. It’s a miracle. I cannot recommend her enough!
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.