Good K9 Academy is a boutique dog training facility in Gaithersburg, MD with 100+ five-star Google reviews and 10+ years of experience.
We turn reactive, anxious, and unruly dogs into calm, confident companions through balanced training methods combining positive reinforcement and e-collar work.
Our Board & Train program is unique: dogs live with their dedicated trainer in a real home, not a kennel.
We also offer In-Home Training, Puppy Training, Group Classes, Aggressive Dog Training, Boarding, and Daycare. Serving Gaithersburg, Rockville, Germantown, Bethesda, Potomac, McLean, and the broader Maryland, DC, and Virginia area.
Get started today with a free in-person consultation!
Training & services
Training goals
Behavior consultation
Crate trainingProgram details
Teach your dog to love the crate as their calm, safe space. Positive-association training that reduces anxiety, prevents destructive behavior, and creates routine. Works for puppies and adult dogs with bad crate history. Free consultation.
House trainingProgram details
End indoor accidents for good with our schedule-based housebreaking program. Proven routine that works for puppies and adult dogs. Fast results, less stress, a clean home. Includes crate training support. Free consultation.
Leash trainingCustomer-reported
Obedience training
Puppy trainingProgram details
Foundation training for puppies from 12 weeks old. Build obedience, socialization, and confidence during the critical developmental window. Prevent biting, jumping, and anxiety before they become problems. Set your puppy up for a lifetime of good behavior.
Recall training
Socialization
Behavior support
Aggression trainingProgram details
Specialized behavior modification for dogs with aggression toward people, dogs, or both. We address the root cause, not just the symptoms. Most dogs can be rehabilitated with the right approach. Guaranteed results. Free consultation, no judgment.
Barking
Counter surfing
Jumping up
Reactivity trainingProgram details
If your dog lunges, barks, or loses control on walks, we turn that stress into calm, focused walks. Trigger desensitization, real-world proofing, and balanced training methods. Transform walks from dreaded to enjoyable. Free consultation.
Separation anxietyProgram details
End destructive behavior, excessive barking, and panic when you leave. Build your dog's independence and confidence so they can stay calm alone. Gradual desensitization with proven methods. Works for dogs of all ages. Free consultation.
How training happens
Board and trainProgram details
Our 2-week Board & Train is the fastest path to off-leash obedience. Your dog lives with their dedicated trainer in a real home — not a kennel — for immersive daily training. Returns home calm, confident, and reliable. Free alumni pack walks for life.
Day trainingCustomer-reported
Group classesProgram details
Structured group practice sessions for dogs with basic obedience. Practice and proof your dog's skills in real-world environments with other trained dogs. Board & Train graduates get first access. Eligibility evaluation required — not a beginner class.
In-home trainingProgram details
Private 1-on-1 dog training at your home in Gaithersburg and the greater MD/DC/VA area. We address problem behaviors where they actually happen — jumping on guests, counter surfing, door manners, and more. Personalized plans for every dog. Free consultation.
Owner coachingCustomer-reported
Pack walks
Private training
Dog age
Adult dogs
Puppies
Support between sessions
Personalized training plans
Photo updates
Assistance and working dogs
Medical-alert and mobility assistance
Service dog trainingProgram details
Professional service dog training for mobility assistance, psychiatric support, medical alert, and other disability-related tasks. Public access preparation and reliable task performance in real-world environments. Free consultation to assess your dog.
Therapy dog trainingProgram details
Prepare your dog for therapy dog certification. Visit hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and community events to provide comfort and joy. Obedience and temperament training for therapy work. Free temperament evaluation.
Training approach
Balanced training
Positive reinforcement
Additional services
BoardingProgram details
Professional dog boarding with experienced trainers — your dog stays with someone who knows them, not strangers in a kennel. Daily exercise, structured routines, and daily photo updates. Peace of mind while you travel. Book early for holidays.
Daycare
Consultations
Free consultation
Other listed services
View 6 additional details
Dog trainingProgram details
Professional dog training in Gaithersburg, MD with 100+ five-star Google reviews and 10+ years of experience. Balanced training for all breeds, ages, and behavior issues. Board & Train, In-Home Training, Group Classes, Puppy Training, and specialized behavior work. Free consultation.
1-Hour Lessons
Advance Lessons
Dog Crate
Dog Testing
Family Dog
Confirm current programs and availability directly.
5/5During Chloes 2 week training I received daily videos of her progress and was already amazed with what she was able to do on just day 3!!!
Good K9 Academy listened to my concerns and focused her training towards them to make sure we were 100% satisfied.
Chloe used to get distrac…Read full reviewClose full review
During Chloes 2 week training I received daily videos of her progress and was already amazed with what she was able to do on just day 3!!!
Good K9 Academy listened to my concerns and focused her training towards them to make sure we were 100% satisfied.
Chloe used to get distracted easily on walks and was starting to become a handful. Now she can walk off leash and stay focused as well as be placed on a specific spot and wait until released.
At the end of the 2 weeks, we were given an excellent 2 hour training course which explained in detail how to use the e-collar and how to continue training Chloe by using the commands taught.
Good K9 Academy will provide you with all of the tools needed to ensure your dog will be trained and offers continued support well after the 2 weeks is over.
They truely love what they do and you will love the results.
Thank you again Andrew and David!!!
Daisy, Ralph and Chloe
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Madelyn Cruz
5/5I'd highly recommend Good K9 Academy. Our puppy Bella was in the 2 week board and train program back in October 2021. Caroline did an amazing job training Bella. Loved getting updates, pictures and videos of Bella. Bella now knows all her basic commands, no longer pulls on walks…Read full reviewClose full review
I'd highly recommend Good K9 Academy. Our puppy Bella was in the 2 week board and train program back in October 2021. Caroline did an amazing job training Bella. Loved getting updates, pictures and videos of Bella. Bella now knows all her basic commands, no longer pulls on walks & we can trust her off leash!! We also love hearing our friends and family say how well behaved & obedient she is ☺️ Thank you for making my days so much easier!
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harsha singhabahu
5/5My dog jimmy was aggressive, didn’t listen at all, would always jump on people and pull during Walks. We searched everywhere for a good place to teach him and eventually found Good K9. We talked to Andrew and he introduced us to skylar who would be in charge of training jimmy. …Read full reviewClose full review
My dog jimmy was aggressive, didn’t listen at all, would always jump on people and pull during Walks. We searched everywhere for a good place to teach him and eventually found Good K9. We talked to Andrew and he introduced us to skylar who would be in charge of training jimmy. I remember the first day he was very aggressive towards skylar but after a couple days he began to warm up to him and actually started learning. After 3 weeks he came back and he was totally different in all the right ways. I am very thankful for skylar and Andrew and hope Skylar gets more clients in the future! Thank you for everything skylar!
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Alan Huang
5/5Good K9 Academy did a great job addressing my dog's anxiety and improving his basic obedience. My dog, Jelly, was afraid of people and had a severe fear of going outdoors due to loud noises, to the point of refusing to go for walks. David addressed and worked with Jelly on gettin…Read full reviewClose full review
Good K9 Academy did a great job addressing my dog's anxiety and improving his basic obedience. My dog, Jelly, was afraid of people and had a severe fear of going outdoors due to loud noises, to the point of refusing to go for walks. David addressed and worked with Jelly on getting over these anxieties and provided updates through texts every few days. They trained and walked him in places such as PetSmart and hardware stores to help him become accustomed to different environments. Good K9 Academy also provided advice on how to deal with Jelly's anxiety. Through Good K9 Academy’s 2-week board and train, Jelly was able to overcome his fear of different outdoor environments and learn basic obedience such as sit, down, stay, heel, recall, and heeling off leash. I would highly recommend them for dog obedience and training.
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London Moore
5/5They did absolutely amazing. My dog is a standard poodle a very smart breed and very hard to train. I was having trouble letting him play at the park or in my yard because he loves to run away and have you play the chasing game which is all fun in good until you’re trying to catc…Read full reviewClose full review
They did absolutely amazing. My dog is a standard poodle a very smart breed and very hard to train. I was having trouble letting him play at the park or in my yard because he loves to run away and have you play the chasing game which is all fun in good until you’re trying to catch him for a hour and he’s running in the the street where cars are driving not to mention very embarrassing to me. After the two week of training here now we can actually go to the dog park and play in the yard without him running away and when it’s time to go all I have to do is call him and he finally comes. You can also see he’s mush happier because I’m not getting angry and frustrated with him anymore and him be confused why mommy is upset. I really can’t thank them enough I highly recommend this company. They also constantly updated me and sent me videos of my puppy which was very reassuring. I can’t believe the dog I have now it’s literally like night and day. Amazing 10/10😊.
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.
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