NOVA Canine Academy is a premier dog training company specializing in immersive board & train programs in Northern Virginia. Located in Alexandria VA and serving Fairfax VA, Arlington VA, McLean VA, Great Falls VA, and Washington DC, we specialize in obedience training, reactive dog training, aggressive dog rehabilitation, puppy training, and off-leash obedience. Founder Ethan Steinberg has built a reputation as one of the best dog trainers in Northern Virginia, helping thousands of dogs and owners achieve real, lasting results through structured, balanced training methods. Our programs are designed to create calm, obedient, and reliable dogs both at home and in the real world.
Training & services
Training goals
Behavior consultation
Crate training
House training
Leash trainingProgram details
Advanced off-leash dog training in Alexandria, VA focused on reliable recall, e-collar communication, engagement, impulse control and obedience around real-world distractions throughout Northern Virginia.
Obedience trainingProgram details
Advanced dog obedience programs in Alexandria, VA for reliable recall, impulse control, leash manners, house manners, neutrality and off-leash obedience. Available through personalized private lessons and immersive board and train programs.
Basic dog obedience training in Alexandria, VA covering sit, down, place, recall, leash walking, boundaries, house manners and impulse control. Build a reliable foundation through private dog training or board and train.
Dog obedience training programs in Alexandria, VA for basic manners, advanced obedience, leash walking, recall, neutrality and impulse control. Available through private dog training sessions and 4-week or 6-week board and train.
Puppy trainingProgram details
Basic puppy training in Alexandria, VA for crate training, potty-training foundations, socialization, confidence, leash walking, engagement, manners and obedience. Start strong with private puppy lessons or puppy board and train.
Recall training
Socialization
Behavior support
Aggression training
Barking
Fear and confidence
Reactivity trainingProgram details
Reactive dog training in Alexandria, VA for barking, lunging, leash reactivity and overexcitement around dogs or people. Build communication, neutrality and impulse control through private lessons or an immersive behavioral board and train.
Resource guarding
How training happens
Board and trainProgram details
Dog boarding with professional training in Alexandria, VA. Our immersive board and train programs combine structured boarding, daily obedience, behavior modification, leash training and real-world off-leash dog training for lasting results.
Immersive 4-week and 6-week board and train programs in Alexandria, VA for obedience, off-leash training, reactivity, aggression, resource guarding and puppy development. Serving Alexandria, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC.
Your dog’s board and train experience includes structured living, daily obedience, leash manners, real-world training and customized behavior modification. Choose a 4-week or 6-week board and train program in Alexandria, VA.
Our 4-week board and train in Alexandria, VA builds advanced obedience, leash manners, house manners, confidence, off-leash foundations and moderate-distraction reliability for puppies and adult dogs needing lasting structure.
Online or virtual trainingProgram details
Online dog training resources for owners seeking help with obedience, reactivity and behavior modification. NOVA Canine Academy’s digital handbooks and training videos complement private dog training lessons and board and train programs.
Private trainingProgram details
Private dog training lessons in Alexandria, VA for leash pulling, reactivity, resource guarding, obedience and owner handling. Personalized 2–3 hour sessions are recorded for future review and include practical dog training resources.
Book a one-on-one private dog training session in Alexandria, Virginia. Receive personalized help with leash reactivity, pulling, resource guarding, obedience, communication and training tools during an intensive recorded lesson.
Dog age
Adult dogs
Puppies
Training level
Advanced obedience
Dog sports
AgilityProgram details
Dog agility and confidence-building training in Alexandria, VA helps improve engagement, coordination, impulse control, body awareness and obedience. Training is customized to your dog through private lessons or immersive board and train programs.
Training approach
Balanced trainingProgram details
Balanced dog training in Alexandria, Virginia using clear communication, structure, accountability and rewards. Our private lessons and board and train programs address obedience, reactivity, aggression and real-world reliability.
E-collar trainingProgram details
Professional e-collar training in Alexandria, VA for clear communication, reliable recall, off-leash obedience and real-world control. E-collar conditioning may be incorporated appropriately into private lessons or board and train programs.
Additional services
BoardingProgram details
Structured dog boarding in Alexandria, VA for eligible NOVA Canine Academy graduates. Reinforce obedience, boundaries, calm behavior and established training while your dog stays with experienced Northern Virginia dog trainers.
Other listed services
View 21 additional details
Dog trainingProgram details
Professional dog training in Alexandria, VA for obedience, leash pulling, reactivity, aggression, resource guarding and off-leash reliability. Explore private dog training lessons and immersive board and train programs serving Northern Virginia and Washington, DC.
Academy Dog TrainerProgram details
Train with an experienced academy dog trainer in Alexandria, VA. NOVA Canine Academy offers private dog training, puppy training, advanced obedience and 4-week or 6-week board and train programs for Northern Virginia dogs.
Academy Dog TrainingProgram details
Immersive academy dog training in Alexandria, Virginia featuring structured board and train programs, private lessons, advanced obedience, behavior modification, leash training and reliable off-leash dog training.
Advanced Off-Leash ProgramProgram details
Build dependable real-world freedom with our advanced off-leash program in Alexandria, Virginia. Board and train dogs develop recall, long-distance obedience, neutrality, engagement and reliability around people, dogs and distractions.
Animal BehavioralistProgram details
Personalized dog behavior training in Alexandria, VA for reactivity, aggression, resource guarding, anxiety-based behavior and impulse-control problems. Explore private lessons and intensive behavioral board and train programs.
Boot CampProgram details
Dog training boot camp in Alexandria, VA provides immersive daily structure, obedience training, leash manners, off-leash recall and behavior modification. Our board and train programs are customized for your dog’s needs and goals.
Canine AcademyProgram details
NOVA Canine Academy provides professional dog training in Alexandria, VA, including private lessons, puppy training, advanced obedience, behavior modification and immersive 4-week and 6-week board and train programs.
Comprehensive Dog TrainingProgram details
Comprehensive dog training in Alexandria, VA combining obedience, leash manners, recall, house manners, impulse control and behavior modification. Choose personalized private lessons or an immersive board and train program.
Customized TrainingProgram details
Customized dog training in Alexandria, Virginia based on your dog’s behavior, history and goals. Private lessons and board and train programs address obedience, reactivity, aggression, resource guarding, leash pulling and off-leash recall.
Dog LearnProgram details
Help your dog learn obedience, calm behavior, leash manners, recall, boundaries and impulse control with professional Alexandria dog training. Choose one-on-one private lessons or a customized board and train program.
Dog Training CoursesProgram details
Dog training courses from NOVA Canine Academy provide guidance for obedience and behavioral challenges. Explore online dog training resources, Alexandria private lessons and immersive board and train programs for personalized help.
Dog Training SessionProgram details
Book a personalized dog training session in Alexandria, VA for leash pulling, reactivity, resource guarding, obedience and owner handling. Our recorded private dog training lessons provide practical techniques you can review at home.
Effective Dog TrainingProgram details
Effective dog training in Alexandria, VA focused on clear communication, structure, accountability and real-world results. Address obedience, pulling, reactivity, aggression and unreliable recall through private lessons or board and train.
Every Dog TrainingProgram details
Personalized Alexandria dog training for puppies, adult dogs and challenging behavioral cases. We customize private lessons and board and train programs for obedience, leash manners, reactivity, aggression and off-leash reliability.
Focused TrainingProgram details
Focused dog training in Alexandria, VA targets your dog’s most important obedience and behavioral needs. Improve leash walking, recall, impulse control, neutrality, reactivity or resource guarding through private lessons or board and train.
In-Person TrainingProgram details
In-person dog training in Alexandria, VA with personalized coaching for you and your dog. Private lessons address leash pulling, reactivity, resource guarding, obedience, training tools and owner communication in an intensive recorded session.
Major TrainingProgram details
Intensive dog training in Alexandria, VA for major behavioral challenges, including severe reactivity, aggression, resource guarding and explosive behavior. Our 6-week behavioral board and train provides immersive structure and rehabilitation.
Off Leash Canine TrainingProgram details
Off-leash canine training in Alexandria, Virginia for reliable recall, e-collar communication, engagement, neutrality and impulse control around distractions. Build dependable real-world obedience through our board and train programs.
Personalized Dog TrainerProgram details
Work with a personalized dog trainer in Alexandria, VA for one-on-one coaching, obedience, leash pulling, reactivity, resource guarding and behavior modification. Choose an intensive private lesson or customized board and train program.
Tailored Dog TrainingProgram details
Tailored dog training in Alexandria, VA customized to your dog’s age, temperament, behavior and goals. Address puppy manners, obedience, leash pulling, reactivity, aggression or off-leash recall with private lessons or board and train.
Training Your DogProgram details
Get professional help training your dog in Alexandria, VA. Learn clearer communication, obedience, leash handling, recall, boundaries and behavior-management techniques through a private lesson or immersive board and train program.
Confirm current programs and availability directly.
5/5When Klaus went to board and train with Ethan, he was an extremely anxious, reactive puppy. A routine walk in our neighborhood was a challenge. Klaus was always barking and lunging—at dogs, at humans, at inanimate objects, at EVERYTHING. As Klaus’s owners, we wanted him to exper…Read full reviewClose full review
When Klaus went to board and train with Ethan, he was an extremely anxious, reactive puppy. A routine walk in our neighborhood was a challenge. Klaus was always barking and lunging—at dogs, at humans, at inanimate objects, at EVERYTHING. As Klaus’s owners, we wanted him to experience all aspects of life with us, but with his behavior that wasn’t possible. We began looking into dog trainers.
Thank God for Ethan!
Ethan not only trained Klaus but he trained us as well. Ethan explained in great detail what he was working on with Klaus. He explained why Klaus was behaving the way he was and what we needed to do in order to correct his behavior. He welcomed any questions that we had.
Klaus’s confidence and behavior grew exponentially during his training with Ethan. Our veterinarian couldn’t believe the transformation; he said Klaus seemed like a different dog. Klaus has now truly become a part of our everyday lives. We routinely go into stores and other public places., and Klaus is a model dog.
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Chamari De Silva
5/5The two things I wanted to work on with my rescue pup Kaia were leash reactivity and male stranger danger. When she first saw Ethan she was nervous but now, she’s over the moon when we see him! She’s still cautious with new males but much more confident and less anxious. Ethan he…Read full reviewClose full review
The two things I wanted to work on with my rescue pup Kaia were leash reactivity and male stranger danger. When she first saw Ethan she was nervous but now, she’s over the moon when we see him! She’s still cautious with new males but much more confident and less anxious. Ethan helps us strengthen our structured walks and responsive whenever I have questions. He’s really committed to his clients and we just adored the experience working with him. It was fully worth the investment.
Whether you have a behavioral issue you’re trying to correct or want to set up your new pup for success, I highly recommend NCA! You won’t regret it.
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Dena Goble
5/5Ethan and his NOVA Canine Academy are phenomenal! We sent our very smart and stubborn German Shepherd Dog/Cattle Dog mix, Bentley, for a 6-week board and train session. Our primary concerns were his reactivity to other dogs and some sense of separation anxiety. The time Ethan to…Read full reviewClose full review
Ethan and his NOVA Canine Academy are phenomenal! We sent our very smart and stubborn German Shepherd Dog/Cattle Dog mix, Bentley, for a 6-week board and train session. Our primary concerns were his reactivity to other dogs and some sense of separation anxiety. The time Ethan took with Bentley, sharing the training sessions through video, and addressing our specific questions and concerns made us feel like we were a part of his training. Then on the day we picked Bentley up Ethan spent a couple hours getting us familiar with the process to sustain the gains/results we clearly experienced with Bentley. Ethan has remained available and committed to us and Bentley to assure Bentley continues to progress. Our goal is to be comfortable taking Bentley anywhere. We are well on our way! Couldn’t be happier! Thanks for all you do NCA team!!!
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Kim Sidur
5/5
My husband and I are so thankful that Ethan helped us out with Breck! We were struggling with him on walks and Ethan worked with us to learn how to engage Breck and have the right tools for him to listen. We really enjoyed our time with him!
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Ross Kellar
5/5Seriously my wife and I can’t thank Ethan, Spencer, and NOVA Canine enough. Tisbury went to him with extreme leash reactivity, a tendency at lunging at people and was a lot for us to handle. We just got back to DC from 3.5 weeks at our parents houses and everyone couldn’t believe…Read full reviewClose full review
Seriously my wife and I can’t thank Ethan, Spencer, and NOVA Canine enough. Tisbury went to him with extreme leash reactivity, a tendency at lunging at people and was a lot for us to handle. We just got back to DC from 3.5 weeks at our parents houses and everyone couldn’t believe the difference in Tisbury now compared to before. He is such a well behaved boy and so attentive to us and we don’t feel stressed at all anymore just having to walk him out to go to bathroom. His place board is his best friend and he will stay there for hours and listens so well to our commands. We shower him with love as his reward and it truly has made all the difference by getting him trained by Ethan. Ethan has been helpful in keeping up with tisburys training post him being there and answering our questions quickly whenever we text. And shout out to Spencer as well for editing videos and creating content trust ewe as the dog owner scan thoroughly enjoy and learn from. I highly suggest sending your dog to nova canine!!!!
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.
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