This article is from 2006's Pet Guide package. The information may be out-of-date, so please call locations listed for new information.

To see the new Pet Guide from 2008, click here. 

The days of force, punishment, and choke collars as training methods are over. Positive reinforcement, whether with rewards or clickers, is how dogs learn today.

Determine whether your dog will work better in group classes or with personal attention in a private lesson. Know that the onus is actually on you; most classes are geared toward teaching owners how to work with dogs rather than teaching dogs how to behave.

For other training recommendations see the listing under "daycare."

All About Dogs, 14885 Persistence Dr., Woodbridge; 703-497-7878; allaboutdogsinc.com. Owner Robin Bennett is known for her work with shy, fearful, and aggressive dogs.

Best Behaved Dogs, 703-931-8521; bestbehaveddogs.com. Janet McMillan provides in-home behavior consultation and training.

A Click Above, 19277 Evergreen Mills Rd., Leesburg; 703-779-9955; aclickabovellc.com. With a foundation in clicker training, dogs develop advanced behavior and agility skills in a group setting.

Dog Day Afternoon, 305 E. Market St., Leesburg; 703-779-1333; thedogdayafternoon.com. From puppy kindergarten to competitive obedience and behavior modification. Also a daycare, bakery, and pet-supply shop.

Doggy Do Right, 209 E. Market St., Leesburg; 703-777-8221; doggydorightschool.com. Offers daycare and training that exposes dogs to city streets, bike trails, and other distractions.

Good Dog Obedience Training, 703-862-9079; gooddogobedience.com. Victoria Schade conducts six-week private training programs, at your home, in DC and close-in suburbs.

The Logical Dog, 301-526-6167; thelogicaldog.com. Elizabeth Marsden conducts in-home consultation and group classes.

Olde Towne School for Dogs, 529 Oronoco St., Alexandria; 703-836-7643; otsfd.com. Founded in 1975, it's the granddaddy of obedience schools in the area; also provides daycare, grooming, and retail.

Peaceable Paws, 301-582-9420; peaceablepaws.com. Pat Miller, a certified dog-behavior consultant and author on canine training, conducts training classes on her 80-acre campus south of Hagerstown.

Potomac Dog Training, 9301 Allwood Ct., Alexandria; 703-799-3747. Diana Legge combines collars and positive training techniques for dogs at in-home sessions inside the Beltway.

Veterinary Behavior Clinic, 9039 Gaither Rd., Gaithersburg; 301-947-3333; veterinarybehaviorclinic.com. Dr. E. Kathryn Meyer offers one-on-one behavior consultation. Addresses separation anxiety, fear, aggression, and other behavior problems with training and medication.

Woofs! Dog Training Center, 4241-A N. Pershing Dr., Arlington; 703-536-7877; woofsdogtraining.com. Group and private lessons for basic obedience and sports. Also provides daycare.