Your Dog's Friend

I love that this organization exists and its mission. While I have not ever been on-site for any of their in-person training, the resources their extensive website provides are invaluable. It is so lovely to have a go-to resource that I know has a force-free philosophy so that I don't have to verify everything they share—I already know it is going to be rewards-based and not promote something I don't condone. I volunteer at a no-kill shelter and have shared YDF's site and specific resources numerous times with dog adopters. In addition, I have availed myself of their webinars for my own information and training purposes. I'm very thankful to and for Your Dog's Friend!

I became familiar with Your Dog's Friend when we got our puppy six years ago. We attended several levels of training there and just loved it. I now serve as an instructor for the therapy dog training classes for another local therapy dog non-profit. I frequently send dog owners to Your Dog's Friend to get basic training for their dogs or to work on additional skills the dog and human may need before entering our training. The ongoing education that they provide for dog owners is a valuable resource and I learn something every time I read the newsletter or an email from them.

This is a wonderful organization. We have benefitted from a number of their videos and online courses. In addition, one of their volunteers was willing to come in on a Labor Day just so we could purchase a harness for our dog! We are happy that they exist! Thank you from Jethro and his humans.

This is a great place to train your dog with positive-only reinforcement strategies. The trainers are kind, empathetic, and are always looking out for your dog. I love the variety of courses and I'm always signing up for a new one to refresh my dog's training. We started when my dog was a puppy with puppy parties, kindergarten, and first grade. It gave us a solid base upon which we are always building. By never using prone collars, shock collars, or any other negative methods, and avoiding dog parks upon their recommendations, I have built a close and trustworthy relationship with my dog. Negative methods not only affect your dog negatively but you as a human too. By planting and nourishing a positive and healthy relationship with your dog from the very beginning, you can live a more fulfilled life with them. And if you didn't know about all this before, it's never too late. They will welcome you with no judgment and help you get on the most beneficial path. I've seen their patience and kind guidance with dog parents who were unfamiliar with positive methods. It will change your life!

Your Dog's Friend provides a wealth of excellent education in responsible and loving pet ownership. Much of their information is available at no cost, so it's a fabulous resource for the pet-owning community. An all-around outstanding nonprofit organization!

I love Your Dog's Friend, and have recommended them to everyone with a dog. Over the last few years they have provided invaluable advice with helpful webinars, referrals to terrific, vetted trainers, and fun classes. Our rescue dog came with multiple challenges due to a lack of socialization. YDF educated us and helped us navigate many behavioral challenges. With their help, we are better dog parents and she has become a happier, more confident dog. I love their mission and the difference they make in the community.

Terrific nonprofit organization! I’m a foster mom and have provided a safe home for many dogs who came from such different circumstances. Your Dog’s Friend has been a tremendous blessing and support as I helped my rescued dogs learn to trust and find their forever home! Love the webinars, many positive training videos. A great resource!

I live in the United Kingdom. My dog is a reactive dog due to being attacked when she was out for a walk when she was young. I have watched many of the webinars provided by Your Dog's friend and I have found them very helpful. They have helped me understand my dog and how to help her. She and I are much more able to cope with being around other dogs due to the techniques I have learned as a result of these webinars. I have passed on the details of Your Dog's friends to many dog owners who have dogs with similar experiences as mine. The webinars are well presented and the advice I have received via email has been great. Without this help I fear my dog would have suffered anxiety around other dogs and her quality of life would not be as good as it is now.

Cannot say enough about this organization and all they provide--much of it free and the rest at reasonable cost. They are a huge resource both with classes, but also with their newsletters and other info they publish/provide free of charge, spreading the message of the value and efficacy of positive training and building bonds with your dog. We've attended a number of their webinars and in-person free seminars that helped us immensely with our dog's reactive issues. We've attended several in-person classes as well and always found their recommendations for equipment (harnesses, etc.) spot on too.

Whenever anyone gets a new dog and/or asks about/mentions the need for training, I ALWAYS recommend YDF --even if they are not in the physical area as they email their newsletter and their webinars can of course be attended from anywhere.

They are a terrific group and we find them invaluable!

Your Dog's Friend is a tremendous resource that I have turned to time and time again to help understand whether or not my dog's behavior is "normal," what is contributing to that behavior, what I can do about it, etc. Their detailed knowledge of dog behavior, along with their reassuring and professional tone, makes them a go-to source.

Your Dog’s Friend has amazing trainers who offer a variety of classes at different times during the day/week. They’re so helpful with any questions and are supportive with all your training needs. They really helped me understand my dog’s behavior better and improved our relationship and trust. I would 1000% recommend Your Dog’s Friend to anyone who has a dog of any age- your dog will thank you!!

Your Dog's Friend is the BEST!! All of the trainers at Your Dog's Friend are super amazing!! Sarah has been our go to trainer because she is very experienced, knowledgeable, skilled, and personable. She has taught our whole family and dogs. They truly reinforce positivity when training the trainers and dogs. Our family has taken all of our puppies for puppy parties, puppy kindergarten, first grade, and now we're looking to sign up for second grade. Each level and classes were excellent experiences - I had looked forward to training every week and now am looking forward to continuing with them for additional trainings to come. I have recommended Your Dog's Friend to EVERYONE who has a dog :)

I volunteer for Beagle Rescue of Southern Maryland and have lost count of how many times I've referred people to Your Dog's Friend for help with anything dog-related. And I DO mean anything! Besides the amazing library of articles on any behavioral issue, they also offer advice to new dog owners, and maintain an extensive list of positive trainers and behaviorists. I only refer fosters and adopters to professionals endorsed by Your Dog's Friend. In addition, I've emailed the administrator with "long shot" questions and she ALWAYS has an answer and a resource for me! I cannot say enough good about this organization and the work they do - they are truly lifesavers!

This may be the third review because I messed up, but that’s okay because Your Dog’s Friend is the best!
I was frantically searching for help for my reactive dog and I found YDF. I emailed the organization and immediately was helped by Nicole. She took the time to refer me to a veterinarian who specializes in behavior problems and she told me about the free webinars available to anyone!

Now I am taking the Reactive Dog class on line and see improvement already. Great class!

I thank YDF for helping me and my dog! Thoughtful, kind, caring and loving are the adjectives I use to describe this non-profit and everyone who works there as well!

I first learned about Your Dog's Friend through a friend and attended a workshop. After that experience, I attended workshops regularly and eventually started volunteering as a coach for the reactive dog classes (I had a reactive dog at the time) and a training assistant for other dog training classes. During the pandemic, I know that access to Your Dog's Friend's resources and online training prevented many families from returning their dogs to shelters or rescue groups. I know because people in the online classes told us. I also volunteer with a number of animal-related organizations in my community and Your Dog's Friend has been very helpful in providing resources and introducing me to a wonderful network of dog people who have helped with my community projects. Several trainers, and students training to become trainers, volunteered to help train shelter volunteers to work with the dogs of the Greenbelt Animal Shelter. The goal was to make the dogs more adoptable and to help prevent shelter dogs from being returned. Your Dog's Friend's free workshops for helping pet parents as their adopted dogs transition into their homes is an amazing resource as well. I share information about Your Dog's Friend and their resources all the time in my community. It is great that I can point to one organization to help community members access the resources they need to enhance their relationships with their dogs and to find help in resolving behavior problems that people encounter with their dogs. I know there are many other people out there whose lives have been positively touched by Your Dog's Friend and who continue to spread the message about Your Dog's Friend to their community. Although I have volunteered with Your Dog's Friend for years, Your Dog's Friend staff members continue to exceed my expectations as the resources and variety of training classes only get better.

An amazing NPF!!! I have been using YDF since before Covid-19 when got our puppy and have continued to use their services through the pandemic and beyond. The trainers are knowledgeable, patient and kind to both the dogs and their owners. The training techniques are innovative, effective and easy to understand. The atmosphere both in a in-person class and on zoom class is positive and supportive, creating an ideal environment for learning. Overall, I highly recommend this organization to anyone seeking quality training for their furry companion.

I have recently discovered Your Dog's Friend and have had a fabulous experience so far. I adopted a puppy in late October 2022 and started with Puppy Parties and signed up for Puppy Kindergarten. My puppy has benefited from these interactions and has since started Puppy First Grade. In addition, I took a one day class with my oldest dog who is nine on "A Trainer's Favorite Skills" and found this to be super valuable in getting her to listen better. Lastly, I have a third dog who was born in March 2020 so was sheltered and not socialize heavily because of Covid. I have been taking a online class for reactive dogs that has been incredibly valuable in giving me the skills to help him not to be afraid of the world outside our house. The training has been positive and this methodology is exactly how I want to interact with my canine kids.

Our last dog was very timid, and she struggled with new situations and other dogs. Your Dog's Friend was our first introduction to positive reinforcement training, and she thrived with their wonderful trainers. When we got a puppy this summer we immediately enrolled in their puppy classes. They make training fun and easy for both dogs and owners. They see everyone as an individual, and unlike other trainers they give extra time to those who are struggling rather than focusing on those who do everything right. They take the time to answer questions and help solve challenges. There is no failure here!

Your Dog's Friend was recommended to me by our vet. After only one session, I was impressed with the professionalism of the Kindergarten class for my puppy who was just under 3 months old. Clearly this will work well for us and I intend to continue through most of the classes.

YourDog's Friend is an absolutely WONDERFUL organization!! They really do care about dogs and their wellfare, with a goal of helping avoid or overcome issues that might lead to having to surrrender the famly pet to a shelter. Not only do they have available for free a tone of information about training and how to handle or prevent issues your dog may be experiencing, but it is good, reliable information from excellent sources. They also offer free webinars on all sort of subjects related to health, training, behavior and fun things. They also offer a variety of in person and virtual classes run by highly qualified, well experienced trainers. I've taken my two dogs there for a number of their classes over the last 10 years and I couldn't recommend them more highly.

Your Dog's Friend has been so incredibly helpful with our Rescue. She suffers from Separation Anxiety, as well as other problems. A friend told me about Your Dog's Friend and I'm so glad they did! They have so many wonderful classes, webinars and information. I read each newsletter from beginning to end. They are packed with great resources and information. I'm so very grateful for this nonprofit. They are truly amazing and in it to help other dog owners because they truly care. Thank you so so much for doing what you do!!

We've attended several webinars from Your Dog's Friend after adopting a (very rambunctious) Black Mouth Cur during Covid. We've learned so much about how to keep him busy and his brain engaged! In fact, yesterday during the rain we played one of the indoor games we learned from YDF. This org is such a great community resource - providing positive, supportive advice to dog owners. Thanks so much!

There is no better investment you can make in developing a strong and healthy bond with your dog than to get BOTH of you properly trained. Your Dog's Friend was key to getting us off on the right foot, starting with the puppy stage - but we didn't stop there. We've also done nose work, and one of our kids did a short summer camp that was terrific for both child and dog. In every class, the instructors and volunteers have been great. We consider ourselves very luck to have this nonprofit in our community.

Your Dog's Friend is a wonderful resource for training owners and their dogs, and dealing with behavior challenges, even for people who live too far away for in-person classes. I live in a neighboring state, and often recommend their workshop videos and newsletter articles to people who are adopting a dog for the first time or people who are dealing with challenges with their dogs. YDF's resources go beyond basic socialization and obedience training to deal with issues that can make an adoption fail -- anxiety (including separation anxiety and fear of thunder & fireworks), being reactive on a leash, guarding behavior, and more. They even have a TTouch video, and videos on play. YDF's free online resources (including their 2 hour workshop recordings and articles) give pet parents immediate help in how to deal with challenging situations in constructive and positive ways. Their live online training classes are available for people living too far to come to in-person classes. I've been able to use information I've learned from YDF's resources to help a fearful foster dog become more confident and get through July 4th fireworks more calmly, and to help my own adopted dog with some of her issues. YDF's mission is to provide resources for pet parents to help dog adoptions be successful, and prevent dogs from being returned to shelters. Many of their resources are free, which is important for families facing financial challenges.

Your Dog’s Friend has been consistently wonderful. When we first got our puppy four years ago, YDF was recommended by a pet parent of the same breed who had called several trainers in the Rockville-Gaithersburg area. She told us that YDF appeared to be the most caring, and that they emphasize positive training through rewards. How right she was.

Our dog has had several classes at YDF. All have been unequivocally excellent. Incidentally, our dog is vocal at the classes because she demands to be involved. The trainers have a gentle way of calming her and having her await her turn – via rewards, of course.

The supervision at the classes is excellent, too. Dogs are well separated both indoors and outdoors. Most impressive is that trainers have an instinctive understanding of a dog’s personality: Our dog was matched with a dog of another breed for an exercise. They played very roughly, and that scared us, thinking one of the dogs might get hurt. Suddenly, they stopped, looked at each other, then continued the roughhousing. Unconcerned, the trainer explained – and understood -that when stopping, the dogs were asking each other whether to continue with the play-fighting. Yes, these two dogs had been well matched.

One of the extraordinary features of Your Dog’s Friend is its Referral List for all types of services, including Pet Sitting and Walking, Grooming, etc. We have used the list and been very pleased. AND the staff is always ready to seek out new resources for special problems.

Your Dog’s Friend is truly an outstanding non-profit!

Since its founding in 2006, Your Dog’s Friend has truly been a best friend to dogs and their people. Live in the DC metropolitan area? YDF offers rewards-based training classes taught by experienced dog trainers. Live on planet earth? YDF’s free, online webinars can’t be beat. Despite moving from the DC area a few years ago I continue to sign up for these educational webinars on a wide range of dog topics. YDF does amazing things on a shoestring budget. So, if you are looking for a non-profit that will use your donation wisely, look no further.

I was new to the dog daycare world and struggling in my efforts to find truly force-free trainers for my facility. Eventually, someone recommended that I reach out to Your Dog’s Friend for advice. They immediately responded to my cold email and set a time for a zoom call. We spent over an hour together as they discussed training, formats for training at Colby’s, which trainers would work best for what we were looking for, and how best to recruit those trainers. They then reached out to a few trainers directly for me, and continue to follow up with me to see how things are coming. They clearly cared about Colby’s and our goals, and – above all else – about the pups we serve. Debra and Nicole are a godsend and their organization is truly visionary.

Michael Pastreich
President
Colby's Dogcare & Spa

I'm a first time dog owner, and like so many, I adopted a puppy in the midths of the pandemic. I started out taking online Basic Manners classes from Your Dog's Friend, and eventually attended a bunch of in person classes with Floki at their training center as well as outdoors classes. Last summer we added Sarge to the pack, and once again I signed up for Basic Obedience with our new pup. Your Dog's Friend has been so incredibly helpful guiding me through some growing pains being a new dog Mom. I especially like any of their enrichment classes (Nose Work, Tricks, Rally) for my boys, and am planning on taking more classes in the future. They also host webinars a few times a month that I have found really helpful.

Your Dog's Friend provides wonderful resources, many at no cost, to local rescue organizations. I've referred countless adopters here, and have forwarded links to resources and recordings that have been helpful in understanding and training both my own dogs and foster dogs.

I'm from Spain and I've been working side by side with Debra, by translating some of YDF's handouts. I've been able to appreaciate the astonishingly amazing work they all do at YDF. I've also seen several of their webinars, and not only these are really useful, but they are also available on YouTube just in case you want to review all the information again.
It's without a doubt the best non-profit organization I have ever worked with.

YDF is the organization I turned to when I needed serious dog training help for a 6-month-old Lab that we adopted. She had not been socialized and exhibited serious behavior problems, such as barking and lunging while on her walks, barking at ceiling fans in the house, etc. With help from a patient, understanding trainer recommended by YDF, we have been able to turn a "problem child" into a remarkable, loving friend. YDF's seminars taught me how to manage her exuberance and fear to trim her nails, introduce her to vet visits, and go through the McDonald's drive through without barking at the ladies behind the pass-through window. She now sits quietly, wagging her tail! When we later acquired a 1-year-old Golden with anxiety issues, we again turned to YDF and enrolled her in an in-person training class. I went into the class with high expectations for her but it was apparent from the first visit that the class was just not the right one for our noise-averse, nervous Golden. The trainer noticed this immediately and arranged for a full refund; YDF followed up with us to present additional training options that may be more suitable for her. I was really impressed by the way they put the dog's welfare first!

Eight years ago, I found myself with a totally unsocialized fearful 3 or 4 month old dachshund puppy Franz and only by chance did I happen upon Your Dogs Friend. After a flurry of exchanged emails with various trainers there, I knew I had lucked into a virtual goldmine of help for my little guy. We began with Puppy Kindergarten but Franz was so terrified that i almost walked right back out the door. Sara, the instructor for this class, clearly wasn’t ready for that to happen! She began by putting us into our own little versa-tarp pod and proceeded to ignore us except for tossing yummy treats to Franz while never even acknowledging his presence. We did all the class exercises in that enclosed area. It didn’t happen overnight but he eventually began to look forward to “dog school” and was an active and pretty adept participant, though still within the confines of his pod. Even his graduation class photo (and those for a few subsequent classes) was with Franz inside that enclosure in my arms with the rest of the class together outside.
Fast forward a couple of years and thanks to Sara, Lisa, Miriam, Al, and other instructors, Franz has successfully completed several of YDF offerings. (Some, like Puppy Kindergarten more than once!). No longer hiding in his pod, he has taken basic obedience classes, Scent and Smell, Learning Tricks, Reactive dog classes, Agility, and others. He will never be a “Hi! I’m Franz! Who are you”? kind of dog but no longer cowers, barks, and growls at people, and is at least pretty manageable when encountering unfamiliar dogs! I attribute his improved behavior almost entirely to the staff at YDF. They are to a person incredibly knowledgeable and patient and flexible in their teaching. (They also have a ready stash of yummy treats) I just can’t recommend this place highly enough!
YDF also offers one (or more) session seminar classes on a huge variety of aspects of dog care and training. The presenters, like their trainers, are incredibly knowledgeable of their subject, and very very patient. You can’t walk away from any of these classes without learning something new and useful!
We in this area are so very lucky to have a resource like Your Dogs Friend so accessible to us! I can’t stop singing their praises!

Your Dog's Friend not only helps so many dogs, but it helps the entire community. YDF provides a wealth of free online information and training about how to make the world a better place for dogs and people. Many webinars/classes focusing on puppies, reactive dogs, leashwork, and even multiple-pet homes are accessible to the public for free. And, YDF has so many classes, both online and in person, and they can help direct pet parents to the best classes for their needs. Importantly, YDF also exposes viewers/readers to a variety of trainers so that we might be able to find one that is a good fit and learn different ways of teaching our pups.

I am grateful for all YDF does, and I could never thank them enough. YDF's staff is incredibly responsive and kind. Even during the busiest time of the pandemic when so many people adopted pets and wanted help, the YDF staff persevered with compassion.

I am a professional dog trainer and wanted my puppy to have the best possible group training experience. Your Dog’s Friend provides everything I looked for: great trainers, a well equipped training space, and a wide variety of classes. Angus went to Puppy Party at every possible opportunity, he loved it, and it was a superb socialization experience for him. I look forward to taking lots of different classes at YDF in the coming years.

I am new to YDF during the pandemic. I read the newsletter and have attended webinars. I am so impressed that they provide clear teaching on topics relevant to dog owners. They use experienced professionals to give solid guidance on issues that are really tough and perplexing. They only discuss positive approaches to dog's behavior so that people understand this is the best and most effective way of training.

Your Dog's Friend is an incredible nonprofit. As a person who spent his entire career in the nonprofit world, it is not difficult for me to differentiate the good from the bad. Your Dog's Friend shares superb expertise in open and easily accessible ways. It provides services and referrals and assistance at no cost with multiple opportunities to access all of it. I looked for help with my dog in multiple places and none of the assistance, even from a for profit expert, was as valuable as that provided by Your Dog's Friend. It has educated me and made me a better dog owner. I am just thoroughly impressed this organization.

One of the requirements of adopting a retired racer through Greyhound Welfare is the adopter agrees to take the dog through obedience training to reinforce lessons begun in the foster home. As the pandemic loomed, I signed up for a Zoom class at Your Dog's Friend. It was fabulous! The instructor, Joyce Loebig, was familiar with greyhound "attitude" and easily adapted when Bailey refused to take part or wandered off. After each class she emailed a review of class content and any videos shown so I could work on my own with Bailey. The staff has always been cheerful and helpful when I have called. The webinars and articles are very informative and useful. This nonprofit is a great resource in our community!

I have been attending YDF's workshops and seminars for years and have always been impressed with the knowledge and passion of everyone involved. That these events are so generously made available to the public--free of charge--further demonstrates their priority to simply educate the public so that our canine companions are able to live better lives, and we are able to be better caretakers. I truly appreciate this wonderful organization!

During the pandemic I needed help managing my dog’s anxiety. Your Dog’s Friend stepped up what they were doing and offered more than normal virtual courses. During these courses not only was I able to attend (They are 3 hrs away from me) but it became normal to here that other attendees were from Texas or the other side of the world. When COVID closed everything, Your Dog’s Friend allowed me to continue to help my dog master his anxiety and to keep him from getting bored. Thank you.

I first heard about Your Dog's Friend through the rescue group I volunteer with. Since first learning about them I have shared information about them and highly recommended them to anyone I meet or know who asks me for information on ANYTHING dog related. Whether someone is in the planning stages of getting a dog, training a new puppy, or dealing with issues with an adopted dog, Your Dog's Friend has resources that will help and guide them through. Their website is loaded with helpful information on everything from how to choose the right dog, through suggestions on how to handle just about any training issue you can think of, to a wealth of suggested resources for books, toys, trainers, etc. Your Dog's Friend offers both online and in-person positive reinforcement classes covering a wide range of information from basic training to rally, agility, nose work and more. In addition to paid classes, they offer free weekly workshops that are always interesting, informative and timely. I have attended many of Your Dog's Friend's classes and workshops over the years and have always learned new things and gained new insights. In addition to all the resources and classes already mentioned, Debra and all of the Your Dog's Friend instructors are always open for questions and are wonderful about responding back with answers and suggestions for any issue a dog owner may be facing. They are patient and non-judgmental, and try their very best to help in any way they can. I cannot say enough about the kind, caring, quality support Your Dog's Friend offers to all of their clients. Thank you, Your Dog's Friend, for all you do to support owners and their dogs!

We have a super challenging puppy and Your Dog's Friend gave us the support and tools we needed to turn this challenging puppy into a one year old love bug! Every trainer we met was patient, kind and super knowledgable. The puppy playgroups saved us during COVID and would be beneficial for any puppy. The classes, workshops, webinars are all well-done, informational and helpful. Your Dog's Friend is a huge gift and I have recommended them to friends, strangers and anyone who will listen. Our dog starts to bark with excitement and can't wait to get out of the car when we pull into the driveway of Your Dogs Friend. The trainers are great with all types of dogs and every dog owner can benefit from this wonderful nonprofit!

I am a volunteer for several dog rescues I often come across dogs who are in trouble as their humans do not know how to teach them and or address issues
For years I have reached out to Debra at yourdogsfriend who helps me or reaches out to one of her trainers who helps me to help others Their goal is always to help all so dogs do not end up in shelters where they is a risk they may be euthanized
Their website is loaded with great information and resources I share it with all Their FREE email newsletter is so helpful
Where every you live in DMV attend their free workshops right now they are online due covid

If you are rehabilitating a rescue, YDF has the useful resources and information to support you. This is a fantastic nonprofit organization.

If there is any dog community you’d want to be part of, Your Dog’s Friend is the place to be! I don’t even know where to begin in singing my praises and overall appreciation. This training organization truly serves the dog loving community, and goes above and beyond all expectations. Dog owners are provided endless interactive educational resources, as well as creative classes with fun and engaging instructors. Weather you can visit them in person, or if you are outside the area, they go above and beyond with helping owners find what they need through their established network of dog professionals. With manners classes, kids classes, sporty classes, free workshops, amazing videos, certified trainers, and support from veterinary behaviorists, there are always new activities and classes to choose from! I love YDF!!!

I cannot speak well enough of Your Dog's Friend. Being an owner of rescue dogs with different issues, I have found in this organization that hope that I had lost about helping my dogs with their behavior. I attended good manner classes in person and follow many talks recorded and available online. They have free workshops every week and there is room, understanding, and love for every dog. They are always available to give you a recommendation if you have a specific need. I have been supporting them because they are an important asset in our community (Montgomery County, MD)

Your dog’s friend helped me with my rescue dog Every article that was sent to me. Helpful websites. I can call and ask questions. My dog has trust issues and would not walk but like 100 feet from home. Through their programs and help I have a dog that will take walks with me Thank you for your help and I hope you continue your great work

YDF has proven a tremendous resource for our adoption coordinators and fosters. Not only do they offer training classes, webinars and behavior-specific information, but the trainers are readily available for additional questions. Would highly recommend to anyone in the DC metro area but also those further away who are looking for free or low cost credible training advice.

YDF is fantastic! The trainers are brilliant and super helpful. I brought my first dog there for several classes, along with my current dog. Their workshops are perfect for the community, providing a wide span of topics that are relevant for many dogs. The people are the nicest to work with and learn from. My current dog had serious anxiety issues when I first got her, and is very high energy. Without YDF, my dog would not be "comfortable in her own fur" like she is now. Their classes taught me how to handle my dog's issues and turn her into the happy dog she is today. I highly recommend YDF for anyone with a dog, or thinking about getting a dog!

Our children have attended Your Dog's Friend summer camp for kids and their dogs for several summers, and love the kind attention given them and our dog. Our children learn positive dog training skills in a warm and loving atmosphere. It's a very special bonding experience for our children and our dog that I haven't found anywhere else. It's terrific that there is a DC area nonprofit that is dedicated to positive training and skills building for dogs.

My 4 year old lab came to me via Lab Rescue. He lived his first 3 years in a domestic violence situation and easily startles. I have learned about his fears, how to help him and how to help me be a better dog parent. Thank you Your Dog's Friend for being such a great resource. Also, as an Adoption Coordinator with Lab Rescue, I refer adopters to your website and classes.

Your Dog's Friend over the years has provided me and many others with a wealth of information about raising our pets to be healthy, happy, and well-behaved family members. For many of us pets are our favorite family members. The expert speakers and very informative handouts provide significant guidance about dealing with behavior and health issues. This is all provided for free. I happily donate to this nonprofit organization well run by Ms. Debra Ekman because I want it to be around forever.

My dog living with reactivity and I have taken a couple of classes here. The instructors advocate for dogs with issues and their people to set everyone up for success!

I can't say enough about the wonderful workshops and classes provided by Your Dog's Friend. They've helped us learn how to communicate with our rescue pup and how to help her understand us better, too. Our dog is also reactive and without Your Dog's Friend, we would have been at a total loss on how to help her.

Your Dog's Friend is an amazing organization! Our rescue pup has anxiety problems, we've benefited a great deal from the workshops organized by Your Dog's Friend. It's remarkable that they are willing to offer such high quality workshops to the general public for free. The volunteers are wonderful as well, friendly and clearly care about dogs. Wonderful organization!

Your Dogs Friend has truly been a blessing beyond measure! When we got our cute puppy, she was cute but also quite wild!! I don't know what we would have done without Your Dogs Friend. We interviewed another training facility. They used force. We loved the fact that your Dogs Friend is a no force training institution that sets out not only to train dogs but to teach and educate owners. Half of the equation is learning how to communicate with your dog.Maggie advanced quickly and farther than we could have ever imagined. And she LOVED going to training classes. She didn't want to leave after class! I can't say enough about Your Dogs Friend. The trainers are second to none.

The workshops they offer are awesome. The recent on dog aggression expanded my understanding of how to deal with this. And the people who run Your Dog's Friend are so helpful and encouraging. I picked up their 'Help Sheet' on helping dogs who are terrified by thunderstorms. I thought I knew a lot on the subject, but there was much I had not known such as the role of static charge and the availability of shirts to mitigate that. My dog will have a less anxious summer!

Your Dogs Friend is a fabulous non profit! It has terrific positive training classes, wonderful free seminars by nationally known dog trainers and a super helpful website. My dog and I have taken many classes including Nose Sniffing and T-Touch. I have attended many seminars. All are first rate!

I have had many of my dogs benefit greatly from their classes. They also offer amazing free lectures on everything from reactive dog training to nutrition. They have a free class for people who have adopted or are planning to adopt. They serve as a wonderful service for dogs and dog owners.

We got Gracie when she was 2 years old. She was fearful and didn't understand how or why her life had changed. She had several issues that required immediate attention - walking on a leash, jumping on people and going to the bathroom in the house. The first workshop I went to was Advice for Adopters. I have since been to several more. All the workshops are free. Gracie and I did Basic Manners training a year ago. We have both improved. No matter how many dogs you've had (and I've had quite a few), you always learn new and important things. Your Dog's Friend is the best!

Your Dog’s Friend is a FANTASTIC organization, one that lives up to its name and its goal. We’ve taken two of their classes with our most recent rescue and attended numerous Saturday workshops. The classes provide practical, hands-on experience with experts. And the workshops are practical, useful, and fun. All have proved invaluable. I wish that I could have had such a wonderful resource for all of the dogs in my life.

What a great group! I've taken the basic manners class with my rescue dog, Jelly. Excellent instructors and staff who take the time to help you "get-it"! Your Dog's Friend offers something for every doggy parent and pooch.

Looking forward to taking agility games and many more classes!

Your Dog's Friend is a wonderful resource providing practical training addressing the behavioral issues that make a "bad" dog. I learned how to shape my problem dog's behavior using positive methods that work much better than punishment. YDF is helping to revolutionize the relationship between dogs and humans.

This is a great group! I go to their free classes every few weeks and every time I learn so much from some of the best in the field! I have met a Vet behaviorist, a homeopathic Vet and multiple great trainers! I have also taken several of their paid classes and I am sure I have a happier and better behaved dog thanks to them!

We love Your Dog's Friend! The instructors check in with each family and dog at the start of each lesson. They can read Annie (how she responds to different cues) - our dog - and help make sure the classes are as productive as possible. They offer insightful advice and make the classes fun for the folks that come with the dog. I really suggest that you try them first. We went to two other puppy kindergartens first - and tried this one last on the advice of our vet - and our Vet was totally spot on. This place is wonderful.

I cannot stress how amazing this group is. We adopted a year old Akita and went through basic manners and reactive dog training. The instructors are so knowledgeable and helpful but more importantly, they really support you!! They believe in what they do and I wouldn't have made it through without them. I cannot recommend any training facility higher, they truly were there for me and my dog at every step, even after graduating. Love this place and the trainers.

We brought our dog to Your Dog's Friend for basic training classes and really enjoyed it. The trainers were extremely knowledgeable and always willing to answer our questions about the skills or any other issues we were having. Shortly after, we rescued our other dog who had severe separation anxiety. I sent our trainer a panicked email and she wrote back that same night with a lengthy and personalized response filled with ideas, strategies and support. I can't say enough good things about this organization and would highly recommend them to anyone!

Your Dog's Friend is based in Maryland; I live in Columbus, Ohio, and volunteer at the Franklin County Dog Shelter. I have followed them on Facebook and used their resource page for years. Specifically, I have often referred to their recommended reading list and their "Before You Adopt" page. Recently, the group started streaming some of their workshops on Facebook--providing a wonderful educational opportunity to a vast audience. I only wish we had a similar group here in Ohio.

Your Dogs Friend is awesome! My dog and I have attended many classes. All the instructors emphasize positive training and are patient and understanding. There is also a wonderful website which provides loads of great information. I love all the free seminars given by sone of the best dog trainers in the field.

When we adopted our dog as a puppy four years ago, the shelter recommended Your Dog’s Friend (YDF) as a resource. I will be forever grateful for that advice. We have learned and benefited from--and had fun at--every single class at YDF, ranging from puppy kindergarten to TTouch to agility. Each teacher has been knowledgeable, caring, and supportive. In addition, the free workshops consistently provide useful information.

YDF has become and essential organization in the area. The classes that are offered and the workshops that are presented are of great quality and content. I frequently attend the workshops because of the great contents and speakers. I have also taken my dogs to classes at YDF, especially puppies for the sake of socialization in a supervised environment. I also offer classes and summer camps for kids and their dogs at YDF. This is a way of teaching the next generation of dog owners. We get them off to the right start in their dog training endeavor and help them build a respectful relationship with their canine companions.

Your Dog's Friend is a fabulous resource to people involved with dogs. I recommend them to all dog owners. Anyone can benefit from their vast knowledge and expertise of dogs and dog behaviors. Their level of care and concern about your dog and the issues faced is phenomenal. Your dog is as important to them as their own dog. All training is positive reinforcement. No old school, mean, barbaric choke chains, yelling or demeaning techniques are used. From the free workshops to group classes-in person or online everyone is friendly, welcoming and helpful.

My dog Dani and I just completed the Reactive Dog class which lasted 8 weeks. The instructor
and coaches were all outstanding. In addition to using positive reinforcement techniques for
training dogs, they also used positive reinforcement techniques for we humans. That is to
say, there was never criticism, only positive feedback and then ideas on how to improve on
the lessons we were taught. Given that we were all starting out with reactive dogs, every
precaution was taken by our instructor to ensure the safety of all. The techniques we learned
for distracting our dogs when other dogs appear unexpectedly on the scene are successful
for me and my dog. And my own confidence in walking my dog increased measurably
because now I have tools to help us both. When possible I attend the special seminars
offered on many relevant topics and always take home useful information for me and my dog. Signing up for classes on the web site is easy and efficient. I was particularly impressed
with how the waiting list worked so efficiently when a space for the class we wanted
became available. I tell everyone I know who has a dog about Your Dog's Friend. Blessings to
Debra Ekman for her vision, creativity. perseverance and stamina to make YDG a vital
and meaningful organization. And blessings to the talented and dedicated trainers /coaches who are so knowledgeable and have years of experience they bring to each and every
class. YDF has made a substantial difference in our lives together and we are forever
grateful. Thank you. Peace to all, Lacey G and Dani(short for Danielle).

If there were more than 5 Stars, I would award them to Your Dog's Friend! Their mission to help people and dogs so that dogs don't end up in shelters is terrific. Their classes with only positive rewards and free workshops are marvelous. I have taken many classes and attended many workshops, and the teachers and speakers are incredibly wonderful. Whenever my dog sees our teacher, Sarah, she is ecstatic and can't wait to say hello to her! Because of a long work day, I hadn't had a dog in 25 years, but retirement provided the opportunity for me to adopt a rescue. Being able to go to Your Dog's Friend for classes and workshops haa been invaluable. And to top it off, they are incredibly efficient -- it is so easy to sign up for classes and receive notifications of upcoming classes you would like to attend. I recommend them highly to you!

As a first time dog owner, I had (well, still have) a lot to learn about dogs. As such, I have taken several of Your Dog's Friend's adult classes as well as taken my dog to training at their facility. All the classes are top notch and have been tremendously helpful. Further, the resources they provide on their website and email newsletters are great whenever I need answers for dog-related questions. I highly regard this nonprofit and think they are an amazing resource for dog lovers everywhere (not just in our community).

We adopted a border collie mix last fall from a local rescue group. For the first couple of weeks he was fine, then he began exhibiting reactive behavior to strangers, other dogs, trucks, you name it. I contacted Your Dog's Friend by email and almost immediately received loads of helpful information. Besides notifying me about very good workshops for reactive dogs (which were attended by dozens of other dog owners), Debra and others provided advice and instruction that I could use immediately and that really made a difference. They've provided information sheets, emails, regular notifications about workshops. This is a wonderful, proactive group that has real expertise.

What a great value at a low cost. Fantastic staff who genuinely care for dogs. Sarah Stoycos provided enthusiasm and great advice for Russell , my Boston and I. We originally signed up for a class that did not work out for us because of the time. They were happy to put me in another class that worked out better. They are very flexible and accommodating too. Thank you!

Your Dogs Friend is one of the best non-profit organizations who help dog owners learn positive reinforcement in training their dog. YourDogsFriend encourage families to participate in training so everyone can learn the correct ways in teaching the dog appropriate behaviors. Plus free workshops to new adopters, holistic care, nutrition and much more. On the web site one can find a list of positive dog trainers, groomers, books, organizations who can help with vet bills and recommended web sites that also provide valuable information on training, etc.

YDF has been an invaluable source of information and support for me and my dog Max. Adopted at an early age, he has always had fear based issues resulting in dog and people reactivity. No amount of training seemed to help and then I learned about positive training and Your Dog's Friend. The YDF website alone provides a large amount of information and is very user friendly. I have taken advantage of MANY of the YDF free workshops all of which have had knowledgeable presenters. I have learned a lot about how to work with my challenging dog. I have also attended TTouch classes with Max and now have another tool in my toolbox to use! If every person thinking about dog ownership would visit the YDF website first, they would be ahead of the game. The fact that all this valuable information is provided at no cost to the public is terrific. YDF provides a great service for people and their dogs everywhere!

Hi everyone! Your Dogs Friend (YDF) offers a wonderful service to young or adopted dogs - like me. Debra and her team of trainers and coaches are all about helping owners learn to work with their dogs, especially dogs with behavior challenges. My folks turned to YDF and their class for Reactive Dogs, because when I was a one-year old adopted dog, I could do great things in the house, but could not focus when there were distractions or we were outside. My folks really like the way the classes are organized and working in the YDF training facility is safe and supportive, for all of us. Turns out, everything is exciting to me, even entering the training facility, but in class I learned my folks can be even more exciting. We were able to practice our skills, with great coaching, and we have learned to be partners. As a result of our training at YDF, I am not just the dog on the other end of the leash. We have learned fun ways for me to use nervous energy and our walks hold "surprises" that I am willing to work for. (Most days!) Mom and Dad are teaching me new stuff every day so I will be able to be a great ambassador for my breed rescue.

We are so glad we found Your Dog's Friend.

I have taken several classes with Your Dog's Friend, utilized free workshops and resources from them, and volunteer-coached one class series. The organization does a tremendous service to the community, preventing dump-backs to shelters through the education of dog owners in a way that promotes a healthy, trusting relationship between dog and owner. As a client served, I have benefitted greatly from the classes which are very hands-on and customized to client needs. Everyone I have worked with has been dedicated to the organization's mission, friendly, and knowledgeable. My dog enjoys the classes and I feel that they have all helped me reinforce the bond I have with him.

My (so far) short experience volunteering with the organization has also been positive and has made me feel even more a part of the mission of the organization. Many of the other volunteers also started off as a client and later decided to coach. I think this speaks to the strong level of community engagement at Your Dog's Friend.

I can't ever repay this non-profit for the valuable life changing knowledge they have so freely imparted upon me. I am exactly the person that this organization was created to help and I am grateful every day for the opportunity and resources that have been provided to me.

Though I come from a long line of pet owners (horses, dogs, cats and rodents) without exaggeration I can say we knew nothing about what the needs of the animals were or how they learned.

Because of the high caliber of guest speakers and the range of experience they bring to the workshop participants, we are equipped to help our animal family be the best they can be. Even though the workshops themselves are free, I would easily invest $100 a session, and depart knowing every single penny of that fee would pay for itself ten times over, in less stress, less time trying outdated and dangerous training methods, in searching through tombs of information on pet care or problem behaviors and how to correct them. After every single workshop both the guest speakers and volunteer staff stay afterwards to answer every last question!

I have learned to read, interpret and understand a dogs body language. To understand the subtle differences in a dogs behavior: the difference between a tolerant dog from one that's is screaming STOP. If only it's human caretaker recognized the signs, the visiting grandchild might not get bitten and the dog removed permanently from the family. I can read the signs of when a dog wants to be approached and when the dog is really not comfortable and wants no part of this confrontation.

I am particularly grateful for understanding that when my dog desperately needs me to intervene or needs a change that her growl is her way of communicating to me, that fear or anxiety. I wouldn't think of correcting my dog now for growling, after learning from experienced handlers that the dogs is simply seeking my help, I would thank her for telling me that something is bothering her and as a responsible owner I need to take the next time of correcting the situation, or removing ourselves to a safer place. This is a win, win situation for everyone.

Until attending a workshop orchestrated by YourDogsFriend I never paid any attention to how intimidating it could be to a dog for someone much taller than they and a stranger at that - to reach down and touch the dog on the head! I would never have known, if it weren't for the guest speaker Debra brought in and that challenged the participants to participate in the 'experience'. What a learning opportunity that was for the 50 or 60 people in attendance. Everyone had an ah hah moment!

And positive training or clicker training, why on earth would I do that! Duh, just pull on the leash to make the dog slow down or sit. Well let me tell you what I (I mean Miss Daisy, a GSP rescue of about 18-24 months) has accomplished in about five months time using the clicker method, I was introduced to during one of the workshops.

The standard sit, down, shake, come. Yep she does all that.

She also spins to the left, spins to the right, walks a circle around me, both ways! she does the army crawl, she does a high five and a two pawed high five! she practices her bow for when she meets royalty and she knows how to give the best butterfly kisses! She can walk a raised 10" platform (at 80 lbs) can turn on it and walk backwards as well. She can dance with me using her front paws and legs, she can stand like a circus elephant on a platform and she can put her paw on the can that has the treats, no matter how much you switch them around!

All these tricks and more are due to the experienced trainers and guest speakers that continuously empower me to provide the best for my dog.

I know what I'm speaking of because I have utilized the free workshops for myself. I have attended training sessions with my dog at the training facility and I do intend to attend many more.

I appreciate the many resources and handouts that are printed for workshop participants and are available to us free of charge. I have often grabbed handouts for my neighbors and of course I share my excitement with everyone. Because I always share what I've learned in a workshop or the dogs accomplishments, I've even become a small resource for others.

Oh did I mention these workshops are held twice a month, in a location where everything must be carried in, setup and dismantled after each session. The dedication and commitment these volunteers have made to the animals is beyond measure.

To Debra Ekman, all the giving volunteers, the trainers and guest speakers "You have made a difference in the lives of animals" and it goes further for me because "you have made a difference in my life too"!

Your Dog's Friend has been wonderful for my family and our dog Maddie. Maddie is very reactive to both people and other dogs. Taking her for walks was extremely unpleasant for her, us, and the people we met along the way.
I searched and searched the internet to find a way to better train and manage her. I hated all the ads for choke collars, shock collars, and the like.
Then I came across Your Dog's Friend website. I read many of the articles they had on the site. I went to an introductory class. I learned that Maddie's behavior wasn't so unusual.
That was about 10 months ago. Since then we have taken two classes. I am able to manage Maddie so much better now and I also know how to minimize the stressors that cause her to react. Your Dog's Friend has been a lifesaver for all of us!

I had taken several classes with my pup five years ago at Your Dog's Friend. Debra and Michelle are both amazing and warm-hearted dog-lovers. This week, I had a situation and needed advice/help. Michelle cancelled an appointment to come take care of my dog's issue. She explained to me that what I thought was a ferocious beast was a frightened dog who had gone through many upheavals. And her seeming aggression was fear. Oh, and so what if she didn't have tons of dog friends. She has me! Michelle added fun to our day. Debra's Newsletters are full of advice and important information. They're the best!

I LOVE this place! I believe I first learned about it through the PGSPCA, but then other people who shared my love of dogs started referring me, some of them even teaching classes. I've been to multiple free seminars, some TTouch classes, and a nosework class. My only 'gripe' is that they are so far away from me (I live in Bowie). I desperately wish we had such a place here in Bowie.

The owner of this nonprofit is meticulous in her careful screening of teachers and speakers. All of it is excellent information, up-to-date and strictly positive. If I could give this place 6 stars, I would!

I've attended a number of workshops and training sessions thanks to this nonprofit. I am a better, more knowledgeable dog owner as a result. They are consistently professional and imaginative in their offerings.

I have brought my dogs to several classes at Your Dog's Friend. They us very positive training methods and are great instructors.

I have also attended some of their free seminars and have learned a lot from them and enjoyed them.

Training helps dogs stay in their homes and out of shelters and they offer a reasonably priced program.

Your Dog's Friend offers services that are very necessary and help our world and society be a better place for both animals and people. This organization has found its niche, and provides important services to the public with a positive and unique perspective and approach. I personally have benefited tremendously from their educational services and have in turn been able to share that knowledge with countless others to the benefit of dogs and people in the mid-atlantic region. I have been able to use their services in connection with my volunteer work with other charitable organizations that rescue dogs, my volunteer work providing a foster home for nearly 100 rescued dogs and puppies, and my own dogs, friends, and neighbors.

I can't say enough good things about Your Dog's Friend! I have attended many of the FREE, yes, FREE, seminars on a variety of dog related topics and a monthly seminar aimed at new dog parents. The seminars are open to the public. All one needs to do is sign up. No gimmicks, no pressure to purchase anything; just positive, practical ideas and methods to help adopters and dog families. The speakers are professionals who are well versed in their areas of expertise. They always include time for questions and even stay after the program is over to answer personal questions. I also enjoy the email newsletters that come out every few weeks. They are informative, positive and practical. YDF offers a wide variety of classes from basic manners to fun and games.

I participated in a program called Foster Dog Alliance for many months. That program was truly a life saver for me and my foster dog!!! She came to me frantic, fearful and dog reactive. Although I had worked with many different dogs in a variety of volunteer capacities, including 21 other foster dogs, I didn't know how to reach this dog. With the assistance of the wonderful trainers we were able to find positive methods that worked for her. After fostering her for over 11 months, and seeing her returned from a failed adoption, we decided to adopt her. I continue to have contact with the trainers if I have questions. Although we have not conquered all of her issues and fears we continue to work with her using the methods and fun games that we learned in class. She is so much more relaxed, fits nicely in our family and we are delighted to have her. I could not have done this without the assistance of the Foster Dog Alliance.

I have been so impressed with Your Dog’s Friend from day one—this non-profit is truly dedicated to keeping dogs out of shelters and about educating owners using positive training methods. It doesn’t get any better than this!
I have attended numerous “free” lectures at Your Dog’s Friend and have been amazed at the quality of the speakers and of the variety of topics all so relevant to pet dog owners. Each and every time I have come home with helpful kernels of information. The Shelter and Rescue Dog Book, written by Debra Ekman, is handed out free at all of these occasions and at other events. This is a gem of book and covers everything a pet dog owner should know and it includes tons of helpful references.
I have attended an Adopters Workshop offered monthly by Your Dog’s Friend. The room was full of dog owners who had question after question---the presenter, a dog trainer, answered every question and more! This non-profit works so hard to educate owners about dogs. This year my dog and I took a triebball class at the center---the instructor was highly qualified, the class was structured and so much fun that I am signing up for a follow-on class.
Running an exceptional non-profit like Your Dog’s Friend takes a village of dedicated staff and volunteers. This requires 100% dedication and tons and tons of work! Your Dog’s Friend ROCKS!

I can't tell you how impressed I am with this organization and its staff. My puppy Hugo has just recently has become over reactive to other dogs ( he's only 7 months old -- maybe it's an adolescence thing). The customer care from this group is amazing! I am in the Agility Games Class right now and the teacher has been exceptionally caring. She wrote me the MOST AMAZING email yesterday with great ideas, options and links. And today Debra has come back to me with this incredibly helpful list of websites and links. She offered to assist me in getting into a reactive dog class or finding a personal trainer to work with. I can't tell you how great it is to have this kind of support.

We took our newly adopted dog to the reactive dog class, and it was an amazing transformation for our dog and our family! Without the tools which assisted all of us when walking our dog in an urban area, not sure we would still have our dog. He is a great addition to our family we love him, and we love the staff and volunteers who work for this wonderful organization!

We took our newly adopted dog to the basics training class offered by Your Dog's Friend and found it to be extremely useful and the trainers very helpful. The organization provides a variety of classes and fun programs for dog owners, as well as useful information through the newsletters. Best of all, they offer FREE workshops to the public, an invaluable resource to those looking for help for their canine friends. Although I haven't tried any of the other services offered, I will be sure to try a class with them again soon.

Took a Ttouch class with my shepherd mix to learn a method to calm her down. The class was taught warmly and professionally. The facility was open and airy. Each dog was separated from the other dogs so he or she would not be disturbed by the other dogs. This worked well for my dog. The instructors knew the information and were able to teach the Ttouch to me. I would recommend a class with these instructors and this organization.

All of the training we have received for our two dogs through Your Dog's Friend has been nothing short of exceptional. They have been a trusted resource, and have helped us through tough times with our dog-reactive dog, as well as introduced us to various courses to help our dogs excel and remain sharp, such as agility. We are so grateful to have found this organization and recommend them to all our dog-loving friends!

As a relatively new dog owner, Your Dog's Friend has been incredibly valuable to me. Their newsletter is packed with helpful information - I can tell that much thought goes into creating it. I also appreciate the community of teachers and practitioners and dogs and dog owners that they have built. It is clear that they share a common philosophy and have a lot of respect for each other.

Your Dog's Friend is one the best resources on the internet for positive training, about kids and dogs, to be able to recognize when a dog is stressed, dog behavior and so much more. Debra Ekman is a very caring and knowledgeable person that she is willing to answer any question you may have or refer to someone who may specialize in training a dog with a particular type of behavior. She has been instrumental in helping me learn the many things I never knew about dogs.

When someone is a first dog owner, I always refer them to YourDogsFriend web site so they can learn on how to be a responsible owner but to make that permanent commitment.

Thank you Debra!

I have been a dog owner for many many years. That said, I find the Your Dog's Friend newsletter extremely helpful. The information is always helpful and practical - no pitches to buy expensive stuff or spend unrealistic amounts of time trying to "fix" problems.
I also have taken classes through the organization and I think the classes were extremely helpful - again, very practical advice.
Staff seems very dedicated and thinking of welfare of both the animals and owners.

Committed people working toward a needed goal -- keeping owners from surrendering their dogs! Everyone in the group is progressional, passionate and helpful. Since finding this resource, I have suggested it to many other new dog owners.

I have been working with Your Dog's Friend in a number of capacities for about 2 years. I'm currently assisting with Puppy Kindergarten and Puppy 1st Grade classes. I am so impressed by the caliber and commitment of the trainers at YDF. All are committed to using only scientifically-based, force-free, positive reinforcement methods....and they work!! It's so exciting to see the reaction of dog parents when they realized that they don't have to punish their dog in order to teach them manners. Training should be fun for both dog and human, and it is with the fantastic trainers at YDF. I also work with a local animal recue organization, and I strongly encourage all of our new adopters and foster parents to avail themselves of the many terrific resources available through YDF.

We took our extremely anxious, bonded pair of Labs, Lola and Toby to Your Dog's Friend for their "Reactive Class" convinced that we were the only people with dogs that acted like wild beasts on walks. We were pleased not only by the amount of personalized attention given to our dogs, but by the amount of sympathy and understanding we received from all of the trainers. Michelle and Debra are fantastic leaders, and we wanted to extend a special thanks to our personal dog trainers Jeff and Jill for supporting us with everything we needed to curb their wild and anxious behaviors.

The class uses positive reinforcement and game techniques that not only squashed my anxiety on walks, but strengthened the confidence of two overly anxious Labs. I don't panic taking them out anymore, thank goodness. :D

I have been taking my two 1 3/4 year old dachshunds to Your Dog's Friend now for a little while with great results! We did the Dog Improv: Design Your Own Training Class and a few sessions of the Puppy Party. We are signed up for It's All Just Fun and Games to start this Saturday, and are arranging some private intro to agility lessons.

Debra Ekman really helped me first on the phone with choosing classes and contacting the instructors with other questions. The trainers Jeni Grant, Susan Sanderson, and Sarah Stoycos have all been great helping my dogs with their shyness issues. The training techniques are very gentle and very positive. They go slowly and cautiously, really watching out for the dogs' body language. It is a great positive environment! My pups are making great progress!

My other training class was at PetSmart and while I liked the trainer there, these folks know a whole heck of a lot more about dogs and training, especially with helping fearful dogs overcome their issues. Your Dog's Friend is a great place! I highly recommend it!

As first time dog owners, we really appreciated the information and education we received (as well as the personal attention from the director) as we learned how to handle our high-energy dog. Great idea--help dogs by educating their people!

Talk about an unbeleivable site and resource for your dog! Whether a puppy or an senior citizen, this is the place to go for help and advice. I also volunteer for a local rescue and have 2 rescue dogs of my own. Because of the direct help I recieved 2 years ago, we were able to get a special dog adopted to wonderful parents who were able to further work with the dog. Thank you, Your Dog's Friend!

I volunteer for a local rescue, foster and have two dogs of my own. I'm always learning about dogs. I am a forever student in how to better love and care for them. Your Dog's Friend is my #1 recourse for dog training in all metro DC--and they're a 40 minute drive away for me. I recommend them all the time. I take my own dogs there. I've used their Foster Alliance program. I attend their workshops. I completely trust all the trainers and speakers they bring in.

Our experience with Your Dog's Friend in Rockville was....simply incredible! We are so, so thankful for their help with our Lucy. Lucy is a rescue from KY, and had not been at al easy since we'd adopted her December of 2012. Since her Basic Manners class, she has become such a love! The positive training that we learned in the class has made all the difference in the world - the level of trust and love, both ways, has been wonderful. I can never thank the staff at YDF enough!!!

My pup and I have taken multiple classes with Your Dog's Friend over the years (basic maners, basic maners II, reactive dog and agility). The classes and trainers changed our lives and behavior in positive ways (and by positive methods)! In addition to boosting my pup's confidence, the folks at YDF boosted mine by being available in/out of class for any/all questions. This is a wonderful organization that fully supports dogs and thier humans!

I adopted a senior poodle mix who proved to have many puzzling behavior problems. The folks at Your Dog's Friend took the time to answer my questions on the phone and in e-mails. They directed me to the New Dog Adoptor class, which was very helpful. I also attended the Dog Body Language class as well. The teachers were funny, informative, and encouraged discussion among all the class members-lots of shaggy dog stories! It's good to know that you and your buddy aren't the only one with issues. Your Dog's Friend helps humans and their canines forge better bonds. My and my Buddy Keebler are saving up to do a Bark Box with Your Dog's Friend. Thanks, jefkeeb

This is a fantastic organization. I have attended several of the free workshops and found them all useful in daily life with my 3-year old mixed-lab rescue. Speakers have been knowledgeable and resource material helpful. This is a group of dedicated folks committed to their mission. I am much better equipped to address my dog's needs, which makes for a happier dog and a happier family.

I recently took a reactive dog class with Your Dog's Friend and I can't say enough positive things about this organization. The individual attention (with "coaches" assigned to each owner/dog pair) was something that was truly special about this class. It is evident how much the teachers and trainers care about the pets and improving their lives.

I don't have the privilege of living in the Maryland area, but was sent a web link, that took me to Your Dogs Friend. I was in need of training advice & even knowing that I lived in a different region of the country, they spoke to me several times on the phone, directed me towards other websites with answers that related to my questions, provided additional support by having some of their breed specific trainers directly contact me, provided book information & lastly, connected me with trainers in my area that best suited my needs. If I received such outstanding customer service & live 6 hours away, I could only imagine the level of professionalism when you actually get to be apart of such a helpful & dedicated organization. What an impact they make in their community, in the lives of their clients & most importantly the exceptional life for dogs they help provide.

Your Dog's Friend has changed my life and the life of my dogs for the better. I particularly recommend the Reactive Dog class which is totally awesome. If you have a dog who hates other dogs and barks like a maniac at the end of the leash, this class will teach you how to help your dog learn that other dogs are not terrible. It is truly wonderful. Also, the puppy classes are awesome.

What a great group! I adopted a Great Pyrenees who is a lovely rescue, but I had some back issues that effected my control of the dog on walks and had a near disaster when I fell and the dog got away from me. I called Your Dog's Friend and got immediate help, caring, and genuine concern for my dog and me. I was worked in for a harness fitting within a day and got loads of encouragement, advice and a practical perspective when I felt overwhelmed. The harness is far superior to what we had, and costs no more than we paid for the first one on Amazon, and it works! It is clear My Dog's Friend is not in this for the money. They love dogs! My sweet Pyrenees and I are now working on being a success story and are on the waiting list for training with Your Dog's Friend. This group is marvelous because the people who make it work are marvelous!

Your Dogs Friend is a fabulous organization. They provide terrific free seminars, classes, on line resources and stress positive training. My dog and I have taken the Nose Sniffing class, the T Touch class and the Reactive dog class. All were excellent and taught me how to work with my rescue pup.

Can't say enough wonderful things about YDF and all the people involved with this group. Amazing that this is a non-profit -- their free seminars, donation-based training classes and endless online resources are invaluable for all dog owners. Of course, I would have paid much more for their Reactive Dog training. I am so grateful that a former volunteer/Petsmart trainer suggested that I contact YDF, Debra Ekman and Michelle Mange about the training they offered for Reactive Dogs. I didn't even know what a Reactive dog was let alone that I had one -- and a jumbo one at that. My Great Dane is the sweetest, smartest dog I've ever owned, But....she became hysterical whenever we got within sight or smell of another dog on our walks. Same thing with the sound of dog tags jingling in a backyard. Or the slam of a front door. Or a bunch of people talking in their frontyards. In just 7 months we are now able to get by most dogs and situations with ease -- and a lot of positive distraction. The seminars given by professionals in the area are great, too. I have attended -- and dragged family members to a number of them. We were all very happy we had gone. Most importantly, Michelle Mange, Debra Ekman and numerous volunteers are always available by email to jump in and help everyone. If you have ANY issues with man's best friend, DO NOT HESITATE to contact Your Dog's Friend. You will save big money on private trainers and even more importantly, you will learn things and get problems solved you might not know you have. There are no bad dogs -- just people who don't understand them.

Your Dog's Friend is a very good organization. They have free workshops on many topics that are presented by knowlegeable professionals. I reccommmend them to anyone whho wants to learn more about dogs or who has problem with their dog.

They offer many classes geared toward specific dog behavior problems. It is difficult to find these kind of classes elswhere.

Your Dogs' Friend has wonderful workshops and classes to help the public learn positive training skills for both human and the dog. I refer new adopters to YourDogsFriend to help them become better and responsible dog owners. I have learned so much from YourDogsFriend and I continue to learn new ways to strengthen the bond with my dogs. At every workshop there are handouts that provide valuable training and resource information.


I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about being a dog owner but to understand the many different ways that people and dogs communicate

It does not matter what kind of behavioral or any other problem one may have with their dog, YourDogsfriend is always there to provide assistance. I think maybe the organization should change the name to YourDogsandPeoplesFriend too.

Your Dog's Friend had a great free seminar last weekend on "Overcoming Your Dog's Fear of People" by Jeni Grant. This was the second free workshop that I have attended. This organization and those who come to lecture are providing a hugely important service to the community. If they could only replicate what they are doing in thousands of under-served communities in the nation we might make a dent in the homeless dog/shelter population. While there are lots of people in the DC metropolitan area who are benefiting from the help they are providing in learning to live with our dogs (and they with us) there are so many other places in the country where events like these are sorely needed. I am going to contact Bark Magazine or Dogtime or one of the online or in print dog magazines and get them to write a story about what this organization is doing. If more people knew about this organization I bet that they'd get a lot of interested people trying to re-create what they have done in the DC area. I have been really impressed at how many people show up for these free events. I am a big fan of this organization and I think many more like it are needed around the country.

I have attended about 95% of the workshops given by Your Dog's Friend over the past several years, and have learned something new at EVERY ONE of them! The speakers are very knowledgeable on their topics, most provide useful handouts, and many brings dogs to demonstrate techniques. Beyond the lectures, the website is loaded with helpful information, and the founder is always available to answer specific questions. Your Dog's Friend has filled the educational void for people who adopt dogs from shelters and then face problems they cannot handle. I am happy to say that I recommend Your Dog's Friend to everyone who adopts from our rescue, knowing they will receive good information on positive training and the best resources for handling any problems that might arise.
Jackie Threatte
Secretary/Treasurer
Chocolate Chip Dalmatian Assistance League

Your Dog's Friend (YDF) is the only reason that I was able to keep my dog. My wife and I adopted a dog and were very surprised to find that it was reactive. Thanks to YDF we were taught how to recognize when our dog is uncomfortable and how to avoid these situations altogether.

Your Dogs Friend helped me tremendously with my 4 year old adopted dog that had 'issues' from his past. There were many relevant workshops offered and those that I attended all had competent, caring instructors. The handouts, newsletter articles and other 'tid-bits' of information that is relevant to dog owners is fantastic (and to imagine most of it is free!) Thank you for caring for the dog's of the world (or at the very least caring for the dogs of Maryland!)

I became aware of Your Dog's Friend when i signed my foster dog up for classes through their Foster Dog Alliance. These classes are a fabulous way to get a foster dog training from the time you bring them home. I've also enjoyed and learned from YDF's free workshops for new adopters and others. Their mailings and website are packed with useful information. I'm also a donor, as I would like them to prosper and continue their good work with dog's and dog owners.'

I've taken my dogs to classes at YDF, but the greatest help has been with my foster dogs. YDF sponsors a program for volunteers who foster dogs for local rescue groups, offering training specifically targeted at helping us improve our foster dogs' behavior, and their chances of being adopted. YDF also holds seminars and workshops that offer insights and information about all aspects of pet ownership. It is truly an invaluable resource!

I found out about Your Dog's Friend a few months ago and it has been a true lifesaver for helping me and my dog. They have very informative FREE workshops that have been so helpful. I have also taken my dog to a paid training class thru Your Dog's Friend that was worth every penny. Their website is a wealth of information and if you can't find what you need you can contact them for help.

We have attended several puppy classes as well as seminars and lectures. They have helped us a lot with our somewhat fearful dog, now almost 2 years old. We didn't know much about dogs when we first got our puppy, and it has been even more challenging that we thought it would be since our puppy has turned out to be shy and fearful of many things. The classes and lectures we've taken at Youg Dog's Friend have made such a difference, and the humane and fun methods taught make working with our dog a joy and a pleasure.

When Little One first came to live with us as a foster at about 9 months old, we thought she was the most perfect dog. She never made a peep and was very shy but smart. At the initial vet check, our vet told us that he thought that she was trained on a shock collar because she had burn marks on her neck and her hair was burned off. However, we didn’t believe him because it we could not imagine that someone would use a shock collar on a 10lb dog. It wasn’t until later that a neighbor went to consult a “highly-recommended” trainer for this 4 month old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy and was recommended a shock collar that we realized that it must be true.

After about a month when we decided to adopt her, she started barking non-stop (which was a big problem because we were living in a condo at the time) and would lunge and snap at everyone and every dog in public. Being in the elevator to go down for her walks became a nightmare if someone else was in the elevator. Eventually, we stopped getting in elevators with other people and our neighbors avoided us as well. It was like she was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. She was so sweet with us one minute and then she would turn into a 10lb Cujo when we were out. We were afraid that she would bite someone and then she would have to be put down. We were at our wits end and did not know what to do.

After doing some research online, we found some free workshops offered by Your Dog’s Friend. As we attended the workshops, we learned that her reactive behavior was due to the abuse suffered before she came to live with us. We also learned that the reason she was quiet and shy in the beginning was because she was in shock from the new environment and was so overwhelmed by fear that she did not have any reaction. (We originally thought she tricked us into adopting her… because she is that smart) The free workshops were taught by experts and really gave us an insight to Little One’s mind. She wasn’t a mean dog after all, but the abuse she suffered caused an already fearful dog to be very reactive. In other words, she was scared and she thought the best defense was a good offense (She is a Tibetian Spaniel so she might have learned that from Sun Tzu’s “Art of War”.) We were able to discuss Little One’s issues with some very knowledgeable experts at the free workshops and all the experts recommended that we start positive training to build up her confidence and teach her correct behavior. However, there was never any pressure to start taking classes from them. As much as we learned from the free workshops, they never tried to sell us anything in return, which showed us that they were really doing this for the right reasons.

The first class we took was Basic Manners 1 with Michelle (known to Little One as the Cheese Lady) they were able to accommodate her issues by hiding her in a pod so that she could concentrate on learning with us instead of being distracted by all the scary people and dogs in the room. Although I’ve had dogs all my life; they were all, normal, drooly, happy, well-adjusted dogs so I never really had to think about their thought process or how they behave (some of them didn’t have a thought process). Michelle is an excellent teacher and I learned so much from her. I think I learned as much if not more from her than Little One did. We really enjoyed the classes and the best thing was that my husband and I really learned how to communicate with her. Because we enjoyed it so much and saw such improvement, we moved on to Basic Manners 2, Confidence Building, Reactive Dog classes and Agility Classes. With each class, we saw great improvement in her ability to tolerate different people and situations. We also took a Control and Focus class with Al and T Touch with Pam.

Even outside of classes, I can still email Michelle, Debra, or any of the other trainers for any behavior issues that come up and they respond right away to remind us of how to modify a behavior based on the positive training methods that we learned. It’s like having a lifeline.

It’s been almost 4 years since Little One came to live with us and we found YDF. Although the hair on her neck has yet to grow back completely, she is now a completely different dog from the mini-Cujo, foaming at the mouth at the sight of strange people and dogs. After about 2 years of classes, we started fostering dogs again and Little One is has been a wonderful sister to all of our foster dogs. This would not have been possible without the help of the YDF workshops and classes. We recently attended the Bark in the Park event and she was fine with hundreds of dogs and people walking around her. She would go up to a dog, sniff to say “hi” and walk away. Or she would ignore the chaos, sit at my feet and look at me as if to say “I’m a good dog, gimme treat, now” (she’s still learning manners) I was so proud of her that I almost cried.

Sometimes, our foster dogs have some issues as well. YDF has a program called Foster Dog Alliance that we participate in to help the behavior of the foster dogs. This program is important because when I recognize a behavior issue, I try to correct it before the foster finds a forever home.

Our family: Little One, my husband and I are very grateful for YDF and their role in keeping our family together.

I commute 2hrs one way to attend the amazing and informative workshops offered by YDF. The knowledge and experience offered at these workshops is a valuable tool for anyone wanting to learn more about dogs. Whether you are looking for training advise, behavior issues, diet recommendations, and much more, this is the place to go!
Ashley Simon ABCDT
Current KPA student

My husband, my rescued 3 month old Lab, and I took a puppy kindergarten class with Your Dog's Friend. It was such a great experience with for all three of us. We were all engaged in the class and were given a great start on how to have a happy, well-behaved, member of our family. Their class gave us lots of guidance regarding the importance of the need for daily reinforcement of the training. They were careful to make sure the puppies were kept separated from one another while the training was taking place and still give a safe environment at the end of classes for supervised play time. The entire experience was very positive and I have recommended them to many others. As a bonus, their newsletters offer valuable information and guides for raising compatible canine companions.

My daughter and I attend the basic class for our rescued puppy of 7 months. It help us to manage her behavior and to know what to do in unexpected situation. It also open our mind how our Sushi is eager to learn and to please us. Now my daughter and Sushi are enrolling the agility class in summer.
Thank you so much for your kindness and involvement.
We are very confident to have a strong and fun relationship for a life dog!

I chose Your Dog's Friend because 1) it is less than 2 miles from my house and 2) it was recommended by a dog rescue organization.

I have attended the free Learning About Your New Dog workshop (with Jeni) and a free workshop with a guest lecturer about reading dog body language to prevent bites (my dog is fearful, which might lead to bites if she got pushed too far). My dog (a 5-year old Cocker Spaniel) has completed Basic Manners 1, Basic Manners 2, and Agility Games, and we're now in her 3rd round of Agility.

WE LOVE THIS PLACE.

The staff have all been wonderful and helpful, even when I had to send emails between classes to ask a question. They clearly know their stuff about positive training. I thought I could learn a lot for free on YouTube (and you can) but nothing beats having live humans helping you interact with your dog in class.

The facilities are very clean (which is amazing considering how many dogs and people are using it!).

Training supplies are available for purchase, but Basic Manners students got a free binder and clicker and nobody has ever pushed us to buy any other products. (If you do, it's cash/check only, no cards.) They were also able to fit my dog for a harness that has greatly improved our walks.

Your Dogs Friend provides an invaluable service to rescue dogs and their owners. I am a dog trainer and adoption coordinator for a local humane society. Your Dogs Friend provides workshops, seminars, and training classes designed to make the dog adoption process a success. We've used their services many times. Margie Dowsett

I cannot say enough good things about Your Dog's Friend. I became a puppy owner for the first time in my adult life about 2 months ago, and I was completely clueless about how to train her and communicate with her. She seemed like a chewing, jumping, pooping and peeing machine. I am literally amazed at how much she and I have learned over the last 6 weeks. Sarah and her assistants are fabulous teachers. They are patient, kind, and supportive. We are just finishing Puppy Kindergarten and starting in Puppy First Grade. The training is all positive, so my dog LOVES going to the classes. She is becoming a well trained and happy dog. If you have a new dog, this is most definitely the place to go!

I had a retired friend who was recently gifted 2 young puppies -- something she was completely unprepared and ill-suited to care for. After several weeks of potty accidents, destructive chewing behavior, etc., I convinced my friend to enroll the puppies in puppy kindergarten, and we selected Your Dogs Friend based upon another friend's recommendation. What a WONDERFUL experience!! I attended all the classes as the handler for the second puppy, and couldn't have been more pleased with all the assistance and support we were provided! Since then, I've attended many of YDF's free.workshops and seminars, and have found them to be incredibly helpful. I've learned SO much through this organization -- I HIGHLY recommend them for any of your dog-training needs!

I adopted a cocker spaniel and needed some assistance with the dog we had getting along with the new dog. I attended a workshop the Your Dogs Friend had and it was absolutely wonderful, I learned so much about how dogs communicate. I would highly recommend any of their workshop, they are well done and they take time to answer all questions. They are wonderful.

We adopted our second-ever dog in May 2012 and were looking for help with specific issues as well as enrolling her in a Basic Manners class. We found both through Your Dog's Friend. They are dedicated to helping pet owners stay with their dogs, and help you through problems and questions. The classes are conveniently located, fun, and full of practical advice. The instructor Michelle Mange is excellent and very practical with her info, and the assistants are knowledgeable as well. Michelle clearly has years of experience in dog training and knows dog psychology. I also like that Your Dog's Friend is only into positive training, no choke collars etc. In addition, Debra Ekman the Director of this organization really helped me when our prior dog passed away suddenly this yr as well. She referred me to the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement for free internet counseling and support which was invaluable.Your Dogs Friend also hold free seminars on a variety of topics throughout the year.

Your Dogs Friend provides the most wonderful and enlightening workshops. I have been attending them since I found out about them a few years back and haven't stopped learning! It's a fantastic organization that I would and do highly recommend to others. Kristy

Your Dog's Friend provides excellent free educational seminars as well as positive training classes.

I recently adopted a dog, and I am so happy to have YDF in the area! I took him to Basic Manners, had a wonderful experience, and got to see my dog blossom through positive training. He is my first dog, so I'm especially grateful that everyone has been so willing to answer my questions. The website resources and workshops are terrific, too, and steered me toward oodles of detailed information that was gentle and effective for my dog.

I recently adopted a 7 year old lab mix and enrolled her in Basic I at YDF. We had a wonderful experience. The trainers are top notch and there was always someone nearby to answer a question or give a tip. We learned so much and their training techniques were wonderful. Our dog had a great time and learned everything so quickly. I love that this is a positive training environment. To all those dog owners that think they need choke chains, prong collars and punishment give positive training a try, you will be amazed at the results and you and your dog will be much happier. I refer everyone I know!

YDF has been unbelievably helpful in providing seminars for both professionals in the dog rescue field as well as dog owners in general. Their training approach is gentle with positive reinforcement methods emphasised. We have learned an incredible amount about how dogs think from their speakers and classes. And they provide a free seminar series as well to help reach the largest number of people possible and help change the perception and treatment of our canine companions in society.

Where do I start. I had adopted by proxy a puppy mill dog. What does that mean? That is a dog that is used for breeding purposes to sell their puppies online or in pet stores. This dog had never been handled by humans before or if he was it was rough handling. He was scared of anyone and everyone. I tried different classes and they just seemed to make it worse. I started my own support group. I would have trainers come and talk with us or talk with us on the phone. One of the trainers is one that has her own classes at Your Dogs Friend. It was because of her that there is now a fearful dog class-which is exactly what these dogs need. Your Dogs Friend is the place you can go to when you are at your wits end and don't know where to go-like our family with our dog.

I love this place. I refer adopters here and also benefit from their expertise for my own dogs and fosters and other dogs I work with. My favorite would be the seminars but the classes are top notch too from what i hear from anyone who's ever taken one there. I plan to take some soon with my own dogs to further their education. Debra and the other trainers are patient, kind and polite. That can often be a rarity where non-profits are concerned. This is the best place for dogs from a dog and human standpoint.

I love Your Dog's Friend. I first got to know them when I took their reactive dog class and it made my life with my dog so much better. Since then we've taken several classes and both of my dogs attend classes there and get great benefit from their expertise. They've made me a better dog owner!! Love them and highly recommend them. I volunteer with a rescue group as well and never hesitate to recommend their training classes to adopters.

Your Dogs' Friend is a wonderful non-profit organization that focuses on helping dog owners get the training and information they need to be better dog owners, particularly of rescued dogs. Their training location is convenient to Rockville and their director is always willing to answer questions and help out with advice.

I attended Puppy Kindergarten here. The trainers section off the room to make sure that all sizes, personalities, and play styles are accommodated. They answer your questions about puppy play styles, and step in when things start getting a little too exciting. Four weeks later, my puppy now knows sit, stay, leave it, down, and touch. And there are still two weeks to go! The trainers are available with any questions you have outside of class by phone and e-mail. They stay late to work with you on specific questions. They encourage positive training and give you a free clicker with the start of any Puppy/Basic Manners class. Really I just can't say enough about them. When my puppy started to develop handling problems, the trainers there were a source of advice, understanding, and a wealth of knowledge.

A friend recommended Your Dogs Friend for training on my reactive German Shepherd (adopted at 3 years old) and the training, information and support provided was wonderful and enlightening. They're my go-to place for information and seminars on dog behaviors and issues. Wonderful group of people (workers, volunteers and presenters) - made living with my dog so much easier.

Your Dog's Friend is a unique resource for dog owners. The organization offers extremely practical workshops that address issues that often cause dogs to be surrendered by owners who are at their wit's end. As a volunteer and client of this organization, I am touched by the genuine concern for both people and animals that everyone shares. The organization has brought together some of the best dog trainers in the area that realize that working together to educate pet owners not only benefits their clients but also their businesses. And making sure that a dog is not taken to a shelter because of a problem that can be solved with some expert advice and commitment not only makes people and dogs happier, but it also helps reduce the drain on shelter budgets and staff. The workshop and classes offered help give people better canine companions and a community resource for advice and support.