Moo was rescued from a hurricane with seven puppies. All survived thankfully. With Wholistic Hounds training and guidance over several years, she is living a happy life with us. She loved the agility program. She wasn't the best one there by a long shot, but she gained confidence and strengthened her bond with us. read more

Wholistic Hound Academy - Pet Training Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

We couldn't be happier with our experience with puppy kindergarten at Wholistic Hound! Chris was a phenomenal trainer and an unexpected joy of the sessions was the coaching we (the puppy parents) received in each class. We looked forward to class each week and appreciated the detailed follow up with resources and exercises to practice at home after each session. The class size was small which allowed for the perfect amount of 1:1 coaching with the benefit of socialization with her classmates. We loved the exact right amount of lesson and active learning combined with structured free play time with all of the wonderful enrichment toys and obstacles. We would recommend this to any new puppy parents and also encourage all adult members of the household to attend each week. Since "graduating" we are constantly receiving accolades from fellow dog owners to our dogs temperament and have taken all of the lessons learned to heart! read more

Wholistic Hound Academy - Pet Training Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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I've been meaning to write a review for awhile now as I just had a second dog complete training at Wholistic Hound. Trainers Chris, Paul, and soon-to-be trainer Jenny are fantastic people who KNOW DOGS. They anticipate what new dog owners are experiencing in the home, on walks, and even when you have to leave your pup behind to go to work. The training programs they offer can be dialed in to suit your exact needs and they always took time for follow-ups and questions. Maggie and Luke both loved being treated like rock stars and demo-ing all the new things we were learning. Thanks to the whole team at Wholistic Hound, highly recommend, five stars. read more

Wholistic Hound Academy - Luke and Maggie, Wholistic Hound graduates. - Pet Training Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Dogs with big feelings class gave us practical training advice to work with our dog. I appreciated that you learned both "hands on" in real time at class and had print outs and an online portal to continue learning at home. After the classes, I felt that I had learned great skills and had a better understanding of dogs over all. read more

Positive approaches to people & dogs, sound theory based on science, kind teaching, flexibility, and patience -- that's been our experience with owner Sandy Modell and trainer Tricia Lude. No quick fixes. No magic tools. No cultish celebrity worship. Instead, well-supported techniques that account for human and dog emotions and relationships. Wholistic Hound started us on the right path, helping us with group classes and 1-on-1 work with our more difficult pup, and the results are night and day. If you're reading this, know that it can be a longer road with some dogs, but training & management are powerful! Do the reading. Do the homework. It's worth it! It's long past time to write a public review, I realized just now, as I vacuumed (yes!) with my calm dog right here beside me, watching without a care in the world. I used to drive him to a friend's house so I could clean. Today? No biggie. Every month and year is better than the last, and we continue to grow. The things I learned from this schoo make a difference every day. read more

I've had an extremely positive experience at Wholistic Hound Academy, both in a group class and in individual sessions with the owner and lead trainer Sandy Modell. My foster-fail and rescue dog Wilber is a sweet boy with some issues to work through due to the neglect and abuse he experienced early in his life. He is reactive to some dogs on leash and "Dogs with Big Feelings" was an extremely useful six-week course that provided a different techniques that I can use to distract him and retain his focus on me during walks. I've also learned a lot of other techniques for handling him and helping him relax during one on one sessions with Sandy. She has been working in the field for a very long time and is extremely, extremely helpful with whatever dog question you have. I look forward to taking more classes a Wholistic Hound Academy, particularly the dog sports classes, to increase my bond with Wilber. read more

We have benefited tremendously from working with Sandy Modell at Wholistic Hound Academy, helping our young female cocker spaniel and us. We have learned how to work with our cocker on fear aggression, resource guarding, and self calming. We have improved our bonding and trust with our cocker and improved interactions with our older mini schnauzer at home. Our cocker is demonstrating more confidence and seems to enjoy her training sessions. We have gained a tool kit of training exercises thanks to Sandy's expertise. We look forward to continuing private training and classes at Wholistic Hound Academy! read more

I signed up for a class, but never made it because my (two) puppies ended up being in their cycle at the same time. I made the sensible decision to not take them to the class with a class full of dogs, and called during business hours to notify them in advance of my situation. I called and e-mailed. Despite doing my part to be responsible dog owner, I was not offered a refund or credit for missing the class due to situations entirely out of my control for a common problem no less for dogs this age. I didn't like too that I was told the trainer wasn't availablr to take my call; of course not, he's not supposed to. THERE SHOULD BE OFFICE STAFF TAKING CALLS DURING BUSINESS HOURS. read more

I'm writing this review to help others avoid the distressing experience I had, and to caution against potential pitfalls with this training service. I initially prepaid for six sessions with a trainer named Katherine, paying in cash, after being persuaded to do the package deal during our separate evaluation and it ended up being just a small discount of $30, which definitely was not worth it. The treatment I received changed once they had my money. To provide some context, I have previously rescued dogs, but my current rescue has severe flight issues due to past abuse and isolation. On recommendation from her foster family who I later found out only recommended them because of the close proximity to my house, I approached Wholistic Hounds, a choice I soon regretted discovering their limited expertise. After an initial evaluation and two chaotic sessions, which felt disorganized and overwhelming, I was more confused than when I started. The sessions lacked focus, constantly shifting from one approach to another without clear direction, I later spoke with the owner Sandy, who confirmed that I should have been training with other basic things and not what was presented to me. The terms stipulated no cancellations within 48 hours of an appointment, or the session and its fee would be forfeited. My rescue dog came down with an upset stomach within this period- Saturday is when it started and the training session was scheduled for Monday, and I scheduled a visit to her as well on that Monday. Despite this, I attended the session, hoping to discuss my concerns, only to be met with rudeness and condescension from Katherine. She scolded me for not bringing specific treats (boiled chicken since I put her on a bland diet until I could speak to her vet) and dismissed my attempt to use the session time for a constructive discussion, saying and I quote- "That's a long time to be talking. What are we supposed to talk about". she said this with an extremely snarky tone. I am the client and I have questions and wanted to know if there were certain things she could recommend or if there were other things I could be doing better. On top of that, I paid $750(ish) for these sessions.... Shouldn't we use them how I need them? It seemed that she didn't feel like making the time now that she had already gotten my money. The situation escalated when Katherine made spiteful remarks, challenged my handling of my dog, and at that point I told her I did not feel comfortable working with her and that I was leaving. She tried apologizing, grabbing my dog's leash (which I told her to let go of) and even followed me to the parking lot, attempting to physically stop me as I tried to leave. She quite literally tried to block me from getting in my car! I told her to stop and leave me alone. This inappropriate behavior continued with her knocking on the window as i tried to drive away- even after I asked her to leave me alone. Following this incident, I spoke with the owner, Sandy, who instead of addressing my grievances, pressured me to try another trainer. I declined, feeling uncomfortable and harassed, and requested a refund for the unused sessions. Sandy's insistence on retaining my business despite the unprofessional conduct of her staff struck me as purely profit-driven. Its not unreasonable to want a refund of the UNUSED portion of the sessions due to the egregious behaviour of your staff. I've decided to report this business to the Better Business Bureau and strongly advise others to consider alternative training options. I went with Core Canine and have been extremely happy with them. This experience has convinced me that this establishment prioritizes money and revenue over effective training and client respect! EDIT: Sandy replied on this thread saying she called me back- which she did not. As of now, she has not reached out since our first and only conversation or tried to refund the portion of my money from the unused sessions. read more

Roxie enjoyed her first day at Wholistic Hound's new Day Academy with trainer Kim Keleher! read more

Wholistic Hound Academy - Roxie enjoyed her first day at Wholistic Hound's new Day Academy with trainer Kim Keleher! - Pet Training Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

I signed my dog up for the Good Dog 101 class and he LOVES it! This course uses positive reinforcement to teach dogs the basics (sit, stay, come, down, impulse control, etc.). More importantly, my dog has greater self confidence and it's bonded us immensely. The instructors are hands on, knowledgeable, and most helpful. I will be signing my dog up for more classes in the future. read more

Boy am I glad I found this company. In late March my hubby and I adopted a beagle who was extremely shy and fearful. Based on markings on her teeth and the appearance that she has had multiple litters, it's highly probable that Emma was a caged breeder before we met her. Emma was terrified of everything-- hardwood floors, kitchen appliances, people or dogs walking behind her, elevators, sidewalks, cars, buses, bikes, strollers, you name it. By the end of Emma's second training session with her new trainer Dolores, Emma was happily walking on her leash and scampering on rocks along the Potomac River. Wholistic Hound only uses positive training methods. For instance, on our walking-on-a-leash lesson, whenever a scary car or bus drove by, Dolores gave Emma treats so that she could associate the Big Metal Monster with something positive. Within an hour Emma's tail was wagging and she was trotting along swiftly. It's been about 5 months now, and our girl is wonderful. Dolores has worked with us to teach Emma basics like Sit, Stay, and Come. But more than that, Dolores has helped us make Emma feel safe and secure. She still has a few fears -- like walking over a metal grate on a sidewalk (SO SCARY!)-- but those fears are diminishing daily. One note: The owner of the business is a woman named Sandy, who consulted with us over the phone while we drove Emma home from the North Shore Animal League in New York, where we adopted her. The timing worked better for us to train with Dolores rather than Sandy, but when Dolores was out of town one week, Sandy filled in. She's absolutely wonderful too. Great people, great company. Couldn't rate them higher. read more

I am so grateful to Sandy Modell and the team at Wholistic Hound Academy for providing outstanding training to my two year old mini schnauzer Roxie! Roxie is a terrific dog while at home but very aggressive with other dogs, adults and children especially when we are walking in my neighborhood. Sandy identified core issues to deal with her behavior and created a training plan for each of our sessions and for me to follow up at home. After only eight sessions, I now have a more relaxed dog that follows many commands especially "go to the mat" that can be used when we visit friends and family. Everyone has noticed the big change in Roxie! I have learned so much about the proper way to train my dog. We look forward to continuing our training and participating in the new Day Academy with Certified Lead Trainer Kim Kelcher! read more

Wholistic Hound Academy - Roxie learned how to "go to the mat"! - Pet Training Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Wholistic Hound Academy, started by Sandy Modell, is a positive training facility that is so perfect for new puppy parents and then onward for anyone interested in furthering their dog's training and skills! I own a Pet Care business and can't rave enough about the dogs who have been trained there! I wish all my clients would send their dogs (and themselves) to Sandy for training. It would make my life and the owners' lives way easier and more enjoyiable! Positive training really establishes a good relationship between you and your dog, which can last a lifetime. Sandy really knows the techniques to help you accomplish your goals. She is easy to work with and has abundant knowledge to impart. I highly recommend taking your pup there for classes of any type. Ellen@BowWowPets.net read more

Sandy runs a professional dog (owner) training academy, with very knowledgeable and qualified handlers and trainers. We started with the puppy head start and socialization and were so pleased we continued with the Good Dog 101. Warning: You must be prepared to follow take home instruction and do the homework to see results. Thanks Sandy and see you in the Winter for our next course! read more

Wholistic Hound Academy - Pet Training Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Taking my dog to the foundation for canine sports class in their new building. The class is great, Sandy does a nice job instructing and keeping the dogs engaged and enjoying the learning. Beautiful new facility, well equipped with a host of classes to choose from. Puppy classes to advanced agility! read more

Wholistic Hound is wonderful! Their trainers are so helpful, very familiar with all dogs and tailor their training by age and play style. They have been an absolute joy for our pup - when we get out of the car he runs right in and is ready to play! read more

i love this place!! Have you ever "finally" done something and then wonder "why didn't I do this ages ago." That is what I think after every training session with my dog (Lucky) at Wholistic Hound Academy. Lucky was over reacting to other dogs when we were out for a walk. Walks were stressful for us both - gets a little embarrassing when other people walking their dogs see you coming and move to the other side of the street! Lucky and I have been to three sessions so far with Ms. Modell and the change in Lucky's behavior has been pretty amazing. During the training sessions, Ms. Modell shows me some training techniques using positive reinforcement for Lucky. Lucky and I practice in Wholistic Hound's training room (super nice facilities) with Ms. Modell observing and correcting as needed. I also practice with Lucky at home during the week. When I started looking at trainers/companies, I knew I wasn't going to take Lucky to a trainer that uses punishment based training - shock collars, choke collars, or any rough treatment. Didn't think she needed to be even more stressed just going to a training class. Wholistic Hound only uses positive reinforcement training. Lucky is so much more relaxed now on our walks and at home in general. Walks are fun for us both. Looking forward to the next session with Ms. Modell and am considering taking my other dogs there as well. Can't recommend this place enough - the training works, it is done with qualified trainers, and it is done in a really nice atmosphere. read more

I really wanted to like this company and had high expectations based on a couple of recommendations, but ultimately I feel like it I overpriced and classes are too large to allow for any personalized help. It also seemed like the instructors were weded to their "scripts" for classes and less willing to work on individual issues and think outside the box. Part of the reason that I wanted to train in a class was because my dog was already quite good following commands at home, but in the real world was too distracted to focus. I thought training in a class would help. Next time I will just put that good money - and it is a lot of money for these classes! - into one on one training so that we get what we need and are paying for, not just a rote one-size doesn't fit all approach. read more

Yelling "NO!" at our dog just wasn't cutting it anymore. And she pulled on her leash so much that my husband and I felt like we were the ones being taken for a walk. Our dog walker suggested we call Sandy Model at Wholistic Hound and we're so glad we did. Over the course of just a couple months (five one-hour-long sessions in all) Sandy worked wonders with our 7 year old border collie-mix rescue dog. She was pulling on leash and she barked out of fear at almost every dog that walked by. Our other dog (an 8 year old rescue dog) is so easygoing, gets along with all people and dogs, so our anxious pup's behavior stood out in stark contrast. We were worried it was escalating to something more aggressive when she mouthed one of the neighbor kids' ankles as well as the neck of another dog in our neighborhood. We had just five sessions with Sandy, which we'd do every 2-3 weeks. Sandy demonstrated training exercises for us. And then she would basically have us practice that work in between sessions (and you have to be willing to put in that commitment...this is really the key to success). We made sure to work with our dog several times a week, even if just for five or ten minutes here or there. Sandy recommended a new harness for our dog, which made training her to stop pulling much easier. Sandy also showed us how to do some alternative methods (touch, etc.) to calm our dog down. We're not normally into alternative medicine and the like but it worked, so our skepticism was quickly quelled. The most amazing part of all of it was how Sandy helped us work, over time, to make her calmer around other dogs. A few weeks ago I was able to take both my dogs to my neighborhood wine-and-cheese sidewalk party (where there were a handful of other dogs, including one that normally would tick my dog off) and there I was, actually able to enjoy myself without worrying about whether she was about to get in a yelling match with this other dog. I was actually feeding my dog and that other dog treats side by side, no problem. She seemed to be enjoying herself as much as me! With Sandy's help we have transformed our "old" dog into a more relaxed, happy dog. read more

We have attended two classes at wholistic hound and loved them both! The staff is professional, informative, and personable. The classes are broken down by age and skill level, which was really helpful for a new dog parent. We have learned so many great strategies for our young pup and love their positive environment. I feel comfortable asking questions and they give us practical solutions for any challenges that arise. The thing that stands out the most for me is their positive reinforcement philosophy. All the training strategies and activities focus around creating a supportive bond between you and your pup while also building their impulse control, attention, and focus. read more

When we rescued our 6-year old, little terrier mutt last year, she was a true rescue with issues I knew we were not going to be able to address by ourselves (she came with some baggage). We started working with Sandy from Wholistic Hound a few weeks after brining our dog home - and it has made all of the difference. Sandy gave our dog, and maybe more importantly - us, the tools needed to help turn our scared, little neurotic dog into a happy, confident valued member of our family. read more

My rescue dog has a lot of issues with reactivity, so I was very nervous about taking her to a group class - but I'm so happy that we found Wholistic Hound! We took the Good Dog 101 class with Sandy, and now I actually get compliments from other dog owners about how well-trained she is. I also no longer fear crossing paths with other dogs on our walks. As a bonus, the course was so much fun. In advance of our first class, I told the staff by email that I had a reactive dog, and I appreciated that they took the time to learn more about her behavior The class had 6-7 other dogs in it, but everyone got personal attention. The course covered good manners, basic commands (sit/stay/down/wait/and many others), and polite walking. After every session, handouts with the "homework" for the week and descriptions of the exercises were given out. Sandy always gave us the space to bring up dog issues we were having at home that she could address for the whole class. We even got tips for how to train when you can't find the time in your busy schedule - it feels like they truly thought of everything. I completely adore the staff here. Sandy often had Leil and Diann assisting her during class, and you can tell that the whole team is passionate about what they do. All in all this is a great environment to strengthen your bond with your dog - especially if you're a first-time dog owner. I will definitely be going back for Good Dog 102, and look forward to exploring the scent work course as well. read more

Our new puppy was scared of everthing and needed a confidence booster. We took him to the Puppy Head Start class and within a week he was a totally different dog. Sandy and her crew are the best in the area, and we look forward to taking him to the Good Dog 101 class next! read more

Sandy Modell at Wholistic Hound is amazing! She really knows dogs, how they think, and how to connect with them in a positive way. Her training methods are based on scientifically proven positive reinforcement, nothing that will cause fear in a dog or break his spirit. I rescued a 5 year old 100 lb German Shepherd, Ranger, who was very anxious. He must not have had much interaction with dogs because he would bark and pull with all 100 lb's of might whenever he saw another dog. This would, needless to say, make it very difficult to walk him. I hired Sandy for personal training sessions right away. For 6 weeks she came to our home and gave us new training tools that built upon the ones we had worked on the week before. She not only taught basic obedience that gave me the ability to communicate what I wanted to Ranger, she also taught me how to calm Ranger and make him feel safe. We have now had Ranger for 8 weeks and he is a totally different dog. He is happy, calm, and although he still doesn't quite know how to react around other dogs, he does not pull on leash and walking him is no longer a problem. Sandy is now helping us to socialize Ranger so he can relax around other dogs. I have every confidence that she will provide us with the tools to help Ranger learn to relax around dogs. Sandy provides both personal in-home training and group classes. She is very knowledgeable and great with dogs, of course, but also great with people. I highly recommend anyone with any dog, whether you just adopted her or have had her for a long time, to think about getting some lessons from Sandy. She will help you to understand your dog better and help you to develop a bond with your dog. read more