Capital Dog Training Club

This is a well deserved SHOUT OUT to the Capital Dog Training Club of Washington DC and especially to our instructors for the Basic Obedience Class. Shannon Hall and Carla LaFleur worked individually with each person in the class and provided constant encouragement to us as a group. Every dog and owner practiced behaviors in class, recieved notes on what was covered after each session and even homework to prepare for the next week. The class was well organized and extremely beneficial for both my 6 month old puppy and I. The class included puppies and some older rescues and all responded well. We had a great time and plan to take more classes at CDTC. I only wish that Shannon and Carla taught Advanced Basic Obedience, too. Oh well, I'm sure there are other great instructors for us to meet. Thank you!

Because of privacy concerns I've never written a review. That is how much I want to convey my disappointment in this club. I've been training my guardian breed for nine years. I know my breed and the perception that persist in AKC about the breed so I'm used to the passive aggressive remarks. I'm used to people being shocked by my dogs and how friendly to people and dogs they are. HOWEVER, I would never expect that from a volunteer trainer in a basic level class. Volunteer trainers normally love all breeds and want to help you get the most from your dog. My normal club Oriole didn't have conformation this term and I wanted to put a good foundation on my new puppy. I came here to give this club try trusting that they would have the same culture. Janice the instructor of my basic conformation class was very rude from the instant we walked in. We were late however she still took the time to say is this the XYZ breed? Oh they are hard dogs. You will have to use strong corrections on that one. Then when I said I'm familiar with the breed this isn't my first one. She turned to the class to tell the class that my breed is so bad and were breed to be really mean dogs. She actually said they were manufactured. With her tone her and the was she stressed it, it was clear she wanted the class to think that my breed is illegitimate because it was genetically modified. Which ALL dogs are. During training she was openly dismissive of my dog and visibly irritated when I asked questions. This was further compounded by the joy and praise she gave to dogs that were in the hound and sporting groups. When working on an exercise my puppy sat and downed and I explained she is offering behaviors because she is confused. She said oh that's wrong. She offered no suggestions. Not even five minutes later the dog next to us did the same thing. She said oh this dog is so obedient. It's funny that while she was concerned with my well tempered puppy there was a dog that didn't like being touched by strangers and another that was very fearful. She didn't address how those issues can and will if not corrected turn into serious aggression problems. I don't expect everyone to love my breed. There have been judges that tell me I don't like your breed and in the end place us first with a smile. I know ignorance persist and it is often fueled by someones limited interaction with a dog that may have poor breeding or training. However it is abhorrent for a trainer especially at the basic level which is supposed to build confidence in a dog to be so blatant. How can I return to a place that goes out of it's way to make my dog feel unwelcome. Any trainer knows that how the handler feels travels down the leash. SHAME ON YOU JANICE.

Capital is a very old dog training facility, specializing in pet training, also offering introduction to dog companion sports. It's instructors are all volunteers, and therefore not always comparable with the local professional instructors. They have been around "forever", and have a great location. They are in a warehouse area, with associated parking issues, relatively tight interior, but did I mention they are in a great location?!?