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    Olde Towne School For Dogs

    4.4 (100 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Services - Olde Towne School For Dogs

    Private dog training

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    Graduation day

    We have gone for over 12 years for grooming but just did dog training for six weeks w Patrice. Our new dog has high levels of anxiety and the training really helped us.

    Ozzie freshly groomed from the OTSFD
    Brenda S.

    10 of my dogs have been trained at the OTSFD from my first Rottweiler puppy in 2000, 4 Belgian Malinois to my scared meat farm rescue, Katie who was raised for 6 months in a small cage with 2 other dogs in deplorable conditions to our shy, rescue Frankie a sharpei/lab mix and my tiny Pomeranian. From puppy school through basic obedience to advanced training for the big dogs, the training has been amazing and top notch. They also listen to my goals and hopes for my dogs and create a plan to get there. Even after school is over, they are a continuous support as the dogs exhibit new behaviors or issues. I would NEVER trust or take my dogs anywhere else. As for grooming, I've never been a little dog person until we adopted a 6 month old Pomeranian. She captured my heart and soul and as such, needed regular grooming, which was new to us since we always had wash and wear dogs :) OTSFD always did a beautiful job with and were so kind and thorough. She was always ready on time and was perfectly groomed. We had a few sever mishaps with her grooming when we were out of town on extended stays and went to a new place, which OTSFD always fixed. I always stop by for toys, treats and food when I'm in the neighborhood. They are my go-to shop for gifts for friend and clients with cats and dogs as their selection and service is great. I highly recommend them to anyone in the area to stop by and experience the wonderfulness that is The Olde Towne School For Dogs!

    Graduation day from the Basic Training course.

    All the staff at OTSFD are friendly, competent and pet oriented- they know what they are talking about and could not be more helpful. Wes was over the top great with our new English cream Golden retriever, Hunter. Lots of insightful ideas, tips and tricks to improve the owner / pet communication and overall working relationship. Highly recommend- Thanks to all over at OTSFD

    Izzy graduating from private lessons!
    Paige S.

    My partner and I began taking our dog Izzy to Old Towne School for Dogs in October of 2020. We began with the puppy head start program, moved into private lessons, and are now doing off leash training. The work we've done with our trainer, Saul, has worked wonders! Saul is an amazing trainer. He's knowledgable, firm, and ensures we feel comfortable using the commands. Also, it helps that our dog absolutely adores him. The price for training can be costly, but for us it's worth it. Our dog is obedient and loves putting in the work. It's also an activity my partner and I enjoy doing together. I also recommend the grooming services at old towne school for dogs! Izzy always comes home smelling and looking good!

    What a lovely pedicure
    Nicole L.

    Grooming: Took my Old English Bulldogge in to have her nails clipped which she HATES. She was fine with the staff. Not only did they clip but they filed the nails. The nail trim has lasted for a month and the nails are still so short, I won't need to take her back for a few more weeks. The best part was that she wasn't afraid and didn't come back traumatized.

    Josey Wales
    Virginia E.

    We are repeat clients and will refer everyone we know to have their dogs trained at OTSFD - especially by Saul Cardona Luciano. Saul has trained both of our dogs. Our first dog, Josey, is described by Saul as an exceptional (and even magical) dog, but only because he made her that way. Our second dog, Cooper, is a high-needs rescue dog that needs a lot of work, and not only did Saul manage to get him trained wonderfully, he is even going above and beyond to make sure that he will be ready for off-leash training later down the road - rearranging his personal life to great lengths! Saul does not only train dogs for a job - he truly enjoys and invests himself completely into his clients (both canine and human alike). There are no written words to describe how exceptional Saul is and OTSFD is very fortunate to have him represent their company.

    Margo G.

    The best boot camp $1500+ bones can buy! Yes, I am a graduate of Alexandria's Olde Towne School For Dogs. How does one come by such an honor, you ask? At 20 weeks, I was evaluated for charm, aptitude, fluff-appeal, character, maturity, and physical fitness. (Okay, fine. It was age and vaccination records, but still they're very selective!) Once selected for a coveted slot in the school, I was assigned my instructor, Kenny Garvey, and began training the following Monday at 7:30am. For two weeks, from 7:30am until 7:00pm, I worked, I slaved, I sweat, and I excelled. I don't mean to brag, but I had the 'sit' thing down in minutes! Soon, 'down,' 'stay,' 'heel,' and 'okay' were old habits. Before the end of the week, I moved into combo's 'down-stay,' 'ready-heel,' and 'sit-okay' as if I was the trainer and he was the 'puppil.' Now here's where the brilliance of my actions came in... At home, I acted as if nothing had changed. As if the whole training thing didn't happen. And, I got away with murder. The first weekend after training, Kenny foiled my plans. He invited my parents to a parent-teacher conference. In front of them, he put me on leash and asked me to walk with him. Now what am I to do? Lose my prize student status? I think not! He says heel, I heel. I walk along next to him with my shoulders in line with his knees at all times. He stops, I stop. He turns, I pivot so as not to trip him. I look up at him as if his next words are gospel. My parents cheer wildly for me. They now know the truth and my leash-pulling days are over. Kenny lets me off leash and says, 'down-stay.' At this point, we're in the middle of Old Town Alexandria and people are whisking past me with yummy smelling things and friendly furry companions in tow (not nearly as well-behaved as I, I might add), and I sit and wait. Mom, Dad, and Kenny walk away and I wait. Finally, Kenny says, 'come' and I go running towards him make an about-face and sit at his left side looking up at him ready to go. The beauty in my step, the conviction in my gait, I am a pro and it shows. The next week, I put some shine on my tricks. By the end of the week, I was ready to graduate Magna Cum Laude. My final task, a 'down-stay' in the middle of the school's store a foot from the treat buffet with puppies jumping all over me. I stayed for 5 minutes without any supervision (that I know of) until I heard the magic word 'okay.' Pomp and circumstance I am a graduate!

    We took our puppy to Olde Towne School for Dogs for basic (9 mos old) and off leash (15 mos old) trainings. We were fortunate to get Saul as a trainer. Saul is cheerful, kind and professional to deal with. Our Daisy adored him and was always excited to see him! Her behavior dramatically changed under his guidance. She learned self control and really enjoyed "working" on her walks. Not only did Saul train Daisy, but he taught us how to properly communicate with her. Another trainer we met with before Saul feared that her energetic nature would make her somewhat untrainable. However, after training with Saul, we can take her anywhere knowing she will behave beyond our expectations. It's all thanks to Saul, our dog whisperer!!

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    Ask the Community - Olde Towne School For Dogs

    Do you offer basic obedience group lessons?

    All of our training classes are conducted privately so that our trainers can personalize each lesson to your specific needs!

    Do you guys have availability for a portie at this moment?

    Hi Arailym, please give us a call to find a spot on our schedule. We will try our best to get you in as soon as possible. 703-836-7643

    Do they have experience grooming Portuguese Water Dogs? I have a 1 year old Portuguese Water Dog puppy and am looking for somewhere with experience with this breed.…

    HI Arailym, thanks for reaching out. We are indeed very experienced with that breed. We have over 30 years grooming them and a very large clientele as well. Give us a call at 703-836-7643 and ask Yubi, we'll be more than happy to help you book a… Read more

    View All 4 Questions

    Review Highlights - Olde Towne School For Dogs

    An emergency came up with my dog (bloody broken nail, no fault of OTSD) as I was walking up to the store to get him groomed.

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

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    Core Canine - Puppy kindergarten graduate, Chestnut!

    Core Canine

    (92 reviews)

    I am very late in writing this review, but I wanted to share how meaningful my experience was. I…read moreenrolled my puppy, a red standard poodle, in her classes, and very quickly realized she was exactly the kind of trainer I had been searching for. She is clearly knowledgeable and skilled, but what truly sets her apart is her holistic approach and genuine care for animals. She treats every dog as an individual and tailors her training to meet each one's specific needs. That same thoughtful approach extends to her human clients. During this time, I was dealing with significant health challenges and was not able to attend every class. She kindly offered makeup sessions, which I deeply appreciated. When she learned that my absences were due to my health, she checked in on me personally and even asked if it was okay to call me at home to see how I was doing. Her compassion meant more to me than I can easily express. She showed more care and concern than many people I have known for decades. Anyone looking for a dog trainer should go to her, not only for her expertise, but because she is genuinely kind, attentive, and deeply invested in both her clients and their dogs.

    I took Hazelnut here when she was a pup. She's now an AKC Grand Champion and I am back with he…read moredaughter. Bringing her pup feels like full circle, which says everything about my experience. April is knowledgeable, patient, and incredibly effective at tailoring guidance to each dog's temperament and each handler's skill level. I especially appreciate how she focuses not just on obedience, but on building confidence, socialization, and a strong relationship. Seeing the progress from one generation to the next has been really special, and I wouldn't trust anyone else with those critical early training foundations.

    Dog Gone Walking & Pet Care - Beth's foster pup JJ

    Dog Gone Walking & Pet Care

    (57 reviews)

    Old Town Alexandria

    Mike and his team are reliable, caring, and trustworthy! I get pictures of my two cat daughters…read moreevery day that I'm on vacation to put my mind at ease while I'm away. I truly couldn't ask for a better service to take care of my babies. I highly recommend them!

    We were very uncertain about what to do with our Chihuahua when we moved to VA. Previously friends…read moreand family stepped in to watch him. He is very shy and isn't very friendly towards new people so it's nerve racking to find a place where you feel he will be cared for properly and loved in all of his grouchy Chihuahua glory! Once you get through that part he is a love bug. We went to the local PetsMart and had a bad experience just talking to the people there and knew he couldn't go there. That's when I looked on Yelp and found this place! It had great reviews and I saw that they had experience with Chihuahuas! It's nice to know my dog would be staying in a home(with lots of space and a big back yard) with experienced people who loved animals! So much better then a cage! I was very nervous when I dropped him off....ok I cried! Do you think he's spoiled???!!! Beth helped me feel so much better because she took the time to send me photos, tell me how he was doing, and talk with me while he was staying with her. After the first photo I immediately felt at ease and thankful we made the decision to leave our dog here. I really appreciate that Beth takes the time to do this and it really shows that she cares about animals and her job. I feel comforted to know that my dog has a safe place to go the next time his "parents" are away!

    Ridgeside K9 - Dog laying down

    Ridgeside K9

    (235 reviews)

    I can't say enough good things about Brandi and Perry Bailey of RSK9. Their work has given my pup…read moreand I so much freedom and balance. Pebbles (blue heeler, 1.5 years old) would never listen to me, would not sit or lay still, and had a lot of other obedience issues that caused her to be stressed or confused. She was a TOUGH dog to train and I was concerned I couldn't find the solution for her to get basic concepts. This view has completely changed since working with RSK9's 3 week program. I would HIGHLY recommend them and their methods - you can tell they genuinely love working with dogs and it's made a huge difference in giving my dog the chance to find real rest at home. They send DAILY updates with photos and videos which was so nice. This isn't a regular class or something you just pay for; it's truly an investment that you and your dog will be using for the time you get to share together. Side note: it's worth doing 3 weeks versus 2 weeks. At the 2 week mark is when Pebbles really started to understand her marks and cues. From here there is so much more that can be refined and Brandi/Perry really capitalize on that threshold being crossed!

    Brandi & Perry were amazing! Highly recommend working with them…read more We adopted a one year old mixed breed, Tuck, a few months ago. He's very sweet but started to get rambunctious to the point that my remote work felt challenging. He also started jumping or freezing when he saw other dogs on walks, and he occasionally barked or growled and men. We weren't sure if it was the start of aggressive behavior or just the result of a shelter dog that hasn't been exposed. After doing our research, we decided to do the 3 week behavior modification board and train program. We were really impressed from beginning to end. They shared a ton of information upfront, walked us through their facility (we opted to drop him off) and sent pictures and updates every evening. It became clear right away that they both have a very deep understanding of dogs, as well as a real respect and love for them. Tuck loved them! The best part was the "transition" day when Perry brought Tuck back and spent the day teaching us everything they've worked on together. We are first time dog owners so generally going in pretty blind. Perry gave us a 101 on dogs and the importance of clear and consistent communication. He talked through all of the layers of training and how/why it is effective. We felt this part was SO helpful for us to understand how to be better owners. Then we walked Tuck around the neighborhood with Perry guiding us and then spent time addressing indoor behaviors too. He was flexible and stayed until we felt comfortable with everything. This is a long review so the TLDR: finding a trainer is a big decision and investment so we wanted to get it right. Brandi & Perry were really incredible and beyond our expectations!! Truly worth every penny! Tuck has been doing really great at home and outside since being home. I've been able to work full days with him holding "place" on his cot, which would have been unheard of before!

    Controlled K9 - My girl Sheba....

    Controlled K9

    (46 reviews)

    We sent our 3 year old golden to Controlled K9 for a board and train program because we were having…read morechallenges with her on walks and when guests would come over to the house. From the initial consult with Kenzie, we felt very comfortable with how she approached training and her experience. When Charlie came back after 4 weeks, it was such a big change! No longer did we have to worry about leash pulling, picking up trash on walks, and being overcome with excitement whenever guests would visit. We can now enjoy our dog all of the time. We take her on long walks, she joins us at restaurants and events around the neighborhood, and overall is a much better behaved dog without losing her personality. We could not be happier with our experience with Kenzie.

    My husband and I can't say enough good things about Controlled K9! We recently adopted a two year…read moreold German Shepherd who was well behaved in the house but a true terror to walk on leash (pulling and severe reactivity towards other dogs). Controlled K9 came to our home to evaluate her and recommended a four week board and train to work on basic obedience, leash manners, and off leash recall. We loved that she was taken in as a member of the family during her "boarding school," and they provided regular photos and updates on her progress throughout. She returned to us her same happy, sweet self in the house, but basically a new dog on leash! The Controlled K9 team trained us on how to continue her training, and remained super responsive to our follow up questions. It's incredible to see the transformation and we're so grateful to the Controlled K9 team for changing our lives - and Zoey's - for the better!

    The Fairy Dogmom - Walter 2010

    The Fairy Dogmom

    (33 reviews)

    The Fairy Dogmom deserves far beyond five stars!…read more We reached out to the Fairy Dogmom about two years ago, and we feel so incredibly grateful that they have become a part of our family's life. I cannot overstate how incredible the owner, Katie, and office manager, Lynda, are. And my comments--already verging on superfluous--would sound even more so if I described how fantastic our regular walker (but really, family member), Dolores, is- she is kind, caring, and we, and our pups, love her. We have asked Fairy Dogmom to walk our pups (three, poorly trained cavaliers--which is no easy task!), feed our kitties, board our dogs, and also stay at our home to take care of the full menagerie (three dogs and two cats). Fairy Dogmom has fulfilled all of our requests and done so reliably and with the utmost care and attention. For "normal" dog walks, we receive comprehensive and fun updates, complete with a narrative and photos, and when we have had a Fairy Dogmom stay with our dogs and cats, it's like we have left them in the capable and loving hands of a best friend--who updates us constantly by email about how our crew is doing. We recently lost one of our sweet dogs to cancer, and Dolores, Katie, and Lynda could not have been kinder, or more supportive, through a very tough month. Communication, billing, and payment are all A++ as well! In case it's not clear, we could not recommend Fairy Dogmom enough.

    Knowledgeable, dependable, and meticulous…read more We've known Katie and her family for 30+ years and she's the real deal. Trust your furry family with Katie!

    Olde Towne School For Dogs - petstore - Updated June 2026

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