Need Advice Recommendation for Dog Training

I know this opens up so many subjective opinions but I figured I'd review the one with the highest recommendations and start there....Our 5 mth old lab is ready for formal dog training. Anyone have great success stories? Does bootcamp training work once they are back home? She is dog well socialized, not at all aggressive, but jumping, mouthing, resisting the crate, digging holes, etc. She is not alone all day as we are here, but I need my life (and my yard) back as it's starting to feel like I am trapped at home with this dog! Word of warning--if you don't have anything nice to say keep it to yourself, I'm asking for help not judgement.

 

I am going to utilize the services of Kissable Canine (http://www.kissablecanine.com/). My coworker recommended them to me because she wanted help with her 2 dogs and the 1 dog they are fostering. My coworker is also a certified dog trainer, but wanted the outside help to reinforce already taught techniques and to learn new techniques (she's not a dog trainer by trade...just got the certification because she wanted to). She says they've helped tremendously when working on not chasing things, sit/stay/come, etc. They have a couple minutes of exercises to do each night to reinforce the training as well.

I am going to get the same training for my dogs. I have a jumper (and it doesn't help that he's as tall as me when standing on his hind legs), chewer, digger, etc. Great dogs socially, but mischievous with everything else. I'm doing the Kissable Basics which is pricey, but from what I've heard very worth it.

 

We used Aberdeen Acres in Winchester for boarding/boot camp while on a trip. I give them my highest recommendation! Russ was amazing, and he spent almost 4 hours with us on pick-up day, basically training us to live in harmony with our dog. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions about them. Their website is www.aberdeenacres.com.

 

Many of my friends use
Animals House -
www.theanimalshouse.com - 20789 Great Falls Plz # 170, Sterling - (703) 433-1300

 

We just signed up our 6-month-old Lab mix rescue pup for Basic Obedience classes starting Monday nights in May at Banshee Reeks through the Dulles Gateway Obedience Training Club. The price is unbeatable ($30 for rescue/$60 regular) and it's run by folks with a passion for dog training. I know two members and they recommend the classes as well.

For our older dog, we used Dog Day Afternoon's Day School program when she was a puppy. They train the dog 1-on-1 for two weeks all day and then give you followup lessons. It worked great. She was a very dominant and stubborn pup so we figured she needed that. Our new pup is much more submissive and seems much easier to train, so we're hoping group lessons do the trick at much less cost.

Hope that helps!

 

Thanks for all the great recommendations....I did find my very own "dog whisperer". Small, but very effective operation out of a woman's home in Waterford. She's learning lots of discipline in a beautiful setting on acreage where she can exert all that energy. I have friends out there who's dogs also go there for training. Wish me luck! There are so many dogs in Broadlands there should be a dog parade to kick off summer! Isn't there a doggie swim sometime?? That would be so fun for the kids to watch.