Dances with Dogs

Service area: Montgomery County, including most of Silver Spring, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Kensington, Wheaton, Takoma Park, and surrounding areas.

The training process begins with an initial consult and training session where the trainer discusses behavioral concerns, history, and motivations, then outlines management techniques and foundational training. Recommendations for the number and type of future sessions are provided.

Private sessions involve a collaborative approach where the trainer teaches and lays foundations, and the dog owner performs the majority of the training between sessions. Virtual training offers online meetings for consults and private sessions, utilizing video conferencing for discussion, demonstrations, observation, and coaching.

Day training provides one-on-one training between the dog and trainer, typically 2-3 days a week for multiple weeks, with weekly meetings for the owner to discuss progress and necessary support. This option is ideal for owners with limited time. Training walks combine exercise and training, primarily benefiting reactive dogs or those needing loose-leash walking practice, and are available to clients who have completed a training package within a limited service area. All private and day training services include hands-on training, instruction, behavior management handouts, personalized write-ups, and follow-up support via phone and email.

Pricing Summary

The pricing structure includes an initial consult at $165 for in-person sessions and $145 for virtual sessions. Private training sessions are offered in 3-session packages for $405 (in-person) or $375 (virtual), with individual sessions available at $140 (in-person) or $130 (virtual). Most behaviors will require multiple sessions, and if fewer than 3 sessions are needed, the individual session rate applies.

Day training starts at $1,080 for a 3-week/9-session program. Training walks are priced at $50 for a 30-minute session.

Brittany Fulton is the owner of Dances with Dogs, a highly motivated dog behavior consultant and trainer dedicated to enhancing the human-dog relationship through positive training methods. Her approach is rooted in modern behavior modification, ensuring methods are never painful or harmful to dogs. She believes in addressing the emotional state and motivations behind a dog’s behavior, rather than just targeting symptoms.

Dances with Dogs offers a variety of services including private in-person and virtual sessions, day training, and specialized training walks. These services cover a wide range of behavioral concerns such as jumping, leash pulling, barking, reactivity, aggression, and house training, as well as basic obedience commands like sit, stay, and recall.

Brittany’s unique background includes a psychology degree with an emphasis on animal behavior, certification from the Academy for Dog Trainers, and internships with domestic and wildlife organizations, including the Smithsonian National Zoo where she applied positive reinforcement. She also taught behavior modification classes at the Humane Rescue Alliance. Her philosophy emphasizes that training should be a rewarding experience that opens up clear communication between pets and their parents, fostering harmony in the home.

Accomplishments

Brittany Fulton holds a degree in psychology with an emphasis on animal behavior from the University of Oregon. She is a Certified in Training and Counseling (CTC) graduate from the Academy for Dog Trainers, completing her certification in 2014. Her professional experience began in 2011, working alongside Dina Pavlis of Surf City Dog Training.

She has completed internships with various domestic and wildlife organizations across Utah and Oregon, including a notable internship at the Smithsonian National Zoo where she applied positive reinforcement training. Brittany also spent several years teaching behavior modification classes at the Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, D.C. She is a graduate of the Aggression in Dogs Master Course, an affiliate and Chair of the Legislative Committee for the Animal Positive Coalition, a Canine Training Professional Member of the Pet Professional Guild, and a mentor to students at CATCH Canine Trainers Academy. She has also authored, been featured in, and reviewed various articles related to dog behavior and training.

How to Get Started!

To begin, an initial consult and training session is required for all training approaches. During this first session, the trainer will discuss the dog’s behavioral concerns and history, explain the motivations behind the behaviors, and outline strategies for improvement. Management techniques and foundational training will be covered, and the trainer will recommend the appropriate number and type of follow-up sessions. Clients can contact Brittany Fulton via email (preferred) or text message.