Tom’s Dog Training

5.0 Stars,45 Reviews

5225 Pooks Hill Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814

Service area: Serves North Bethesda, Bethesda, Montgomery County, and surrounding areas in Maryland, including Fairfax, Wheaton, Gaithersburg, and Washington D.C. areas.

Service Overview

Types of Dog Training

Family Dog
Competition / Agility
Behavior Modification

Specialty Focus Areas

Potty Training
Puppy Training
Recall
Leash Pulling
Fearfulness
Reactivity / Aggression
Resource Guarding
Jumping on People
Barking Excessively
Basic Obedience

Training Formats Offered

Private Lessons
In-Home
Board and Train
Video Calls

Program Formats

One-Time Consultation
Sessions Package
Ongoing Weekly
Intensive Program

Types of Dogs

Small
Medium
Large
Giant
Doodles

Age of Dogs Trained

Puppy (<1 year)
Adolescent (1-2 years)
Adult (2-8 years)

Dog Training Methodology

Methods:

✓ Positive Reinforcement Only

Equipment:

✓ Clickers
✓ Food Rewards
✓ Harnesses
✓ Flat Collars
✓ Obstacle Courses

Training is delivered in 1-hour in-home sessions, with 50 minutes dedicated to dog training and 15 minutes for owner instruction, Q&A, and payment. Packages range from 1 to 9 sessions, with progressive skill-building from basic commands to advanced obedience and behavior modification. The Board and Train program offers 24/7 care with 4 daily walks, clicker training, and AKC prep. The Take a Break option allows Tom to train the dog daily while filming sessions for owner review. All programs include email and phone support, and optional add-ons like backyard agility and trick training.

Pricing & Policies

Pricing Summary

Tom offers tiered pricing packages: Puppies & Obedience ($140 for 1 session), Advanced Obedience ($340 for 3 sessions), Beyond Obedience ($640 for 6 sessions), Complete Obedience ($940 for 9 sessions), Take a Break ($150 for daily training by Tom), AKC CGC ($105), and Board and Train ($177 per night). All sessions are 1 hour long, with payment and homework assigned at the end. Pricing is transparent and listed online with no hidden fees.

Policies

Each session is 1 hour with a fixed structure: 50 minutes training, 15 minutes for homework and payment. Sessions are booked online, and clients are expected to pay at the end of each session. No explicit cancellation or rescheduling policy is stated, but Tom is noted for being responsive and accommodating, including same-day visits for urgent behavior issues.

Testimonials

“We have two dogs and recently brought a 7-month-old rescue into our family. She has had a few too many homes in her short life and was extremely scared and skittish when she joined us. We hired Tomas to work with us on training her and he has been terrific! He is very knowledgeable, organized and comes prepared at each training session. He is very calm and patient with her. He carefully describes what the plan is for each training session and adapts as necessary when our dog appears fatigued. We highly recommend Tomas to train your dogs!”
– Michele and Malcolm – North Bethesda

“I reached back out to Tom for an additional session after I noticed my dog started to resource guard. Tom was very responsive and was able to come out the same day to help with this. While working with him, we were able to recreate the resource guarding behavior by my dog in which we worked to correct the behavior. He also taught us techniques to practice to further prevent this behavior. Additionally, Tom took the time to work with us on our dog’s jumping, greeting of new people, and reacting to outside noises. He answered dozens of our questions and provided excellent recommendations on products as well. Would highly recommend!”
– Jill T

“Tom has been such an immense help in training our dogs. What was once a stressful task of walking the dogs, became an enjoyable, happy experience for both the canines and the humans. Additionally, he taught us how to get the dogs to not jump on everyone who comes through the front door. It’s really remarkable! His patience and knowledge have really changed the dynamic and interaction between dogs and humans. We highly recommend him!”
– Sandra – North Bethesda

About the Trainer

Tom’s Dog Training is a home-based dog training service led by Tom, who provides personalized, in-home training sessions for dogs of all ages and breeds. Tom offers a range of services including obedience training, behavior consulting, crate training, leash handling, and recall training, with a focus on helping owners build confidence and control through hands-on instruction. He tailors each training plan to the individual dog’s needs and lifestyle, addressing issues like fearfulness, reactivity, resource guarding, excessive barking, jumping, and potty training. Tom emphasizes teaching owners how to train their dogs so they can maintain progress independently. He also offers board-and-train programs, backyard agility, AKC Canine Good Citizenship prep, and video-recorded sessions for review. His approach is patient, gentle, and highly responsive, with strong emphasis on communication and follow-up support via email and phone.

Tom provides training at the client’s home, eliminating the need to travel, and offers flexible scheduling. He works with intact dogs and provides training for puppies, adolescents, and adult dogs. Additional resources include free PDF handouts, online training challenges, and training videos for sale. He collaborates with veterinarians, groomers, and behaviorists to support holistic pet care.

Accomplishments

Tom’s Dog Training was recognized as the Best Dog Trainer in North Bethesda in the 2024 Quality Business Awards.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients begin by contacting Tom via email or phone, followed by a consultation to assess the dog’s needs and create a personalized training plan. Clients can book sessions directly through the online booking calendar. A free initial consultation is offered to discuss goals and determine the best program.

Book Now Contact

Free Consultation

Availability

Weekdays
Weekends
Morning
Afternoon
Evening

Hours

9am-7pm

Associations

wheelchair accessible parking

Other Services Offered

Pet boarding service

Location