Your Dog's Friend

01/15/2025

Please join us this Sunday, Jan 19 at 2pm ET for Welcome Home, Pup!, a FREE webinar open to all (current and future) dog guardians, fosters, and anyone who loves dogs or wants to learn more about dog behavior and training, presented by Susan Sanderson, PMCT3, KPA CTP!

Learn how to help your new pup feel safe, prioritize training skills, and develop routines.

Register at https://yourdogsfriend.org/free-workshops/

01/14/2025

01/12/2025

Join us this Saturday, January 18th at 2pm ET for a FREE webinar, "Hello, Stranger: Helping Dogs Who Worry About People"

Register at https://yourdogsfriend.org/free-workshops/

Some dogs may be uncomfortable meeting new people and may be wary of those outside of their immediate human family. They may react in a fearful or defensive way, such as hiding, backing away, lunging, growling, or barking. Learn how to identify early warning signs that indicate your dog is uncomfortable, utilize techniques to help your dog build confidence, and manage interactions to keep everyone safe.

Speakers: Marnie Montgomery, PMCT4, CPDT-KA; Joyful Dog and Susan Sanderson, PMCT3, KPA CTP

01/12/2025

UPDATE: This class has filled, but hopefully we'll have more opportunities soon! Thank you for sharing!

FREE Online Class, Dog Training Foundations, starts this Tuesday, January 14th at 6:30 pm ET.

We would love your help as we develop a ✨ new online class ✨ focused on helping dogs and humans live happily together!

Class starts this Tues, Jan 14th at 6:30 pm ET. The full schedule is: Tues, Jan 14 - 28, 6:30 - 7:30 pm ET.

We have a few spots available to join this free class!

Ideally, we would love for the students in this class to be able to attend all three weeks of the class and to be open to providing their feedback in an email or an approx. 10-min phone call after the class ends.

Whether you’ve just welcomed home your new pup as a first-time dog guardian or you’ve been fostering or living with dogs for years, your participation & feedback would be so appreciated!

To register, please go to: https://yourdogsfriend.dogbizpro.com/public/registration/index.aspx?schedule=4414&key=58aaaeb7-6204-4d69-9e0d-de9af57a22a2! Spots are first come, first serve, and may fill quickly. If you wanted to join but the class has filled, please email us at [email protected] in case we have future opportunities!

Thank you!

01/07/2025

“Through her championing of education and innovation, Karen empowered thousands of trainers and educators, leaving an enduring legacy. Thanks to Karen, positive reinforcement isn’t just another way to train animals—it is THE way.”

With profound sadness and immense gratitude, we honor the life and legacy of Karen Pryor, a true pioneer in the fields of animal behavior and positive reinforcement training. Karen’s groundbreaking work revolutionized how we communicate with animals—and each other—leaving an indelible mark on ...

01/03/2025

Learn more & register at YourDogsFriend.org/Puppy-Party!

12/28/2024

Find class info here! https://yourdogsfriend.org/schedule-at-a-glance/

12/27/2024

🏆 We were thrilled to learn that Your Dog's Friend won

BEST OF BETHESDA
Readers' Pick, Best Pet Trainer

in Bethesda Magazine's Readers' Poll for 2025! 🥇

This was such an exciting surprise! Thanks so much to all of our friends and supporters who voted for us!

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, our mission is to help keep dogs out of shelters by educating and supporting their humans.

Our services include:
✨ training classes for dogs of all ages at our facility in North Bethesda/Rockville and online
✨ free live webinars and dozens of on-demand webinar recordings
✨ free personalized guidance
✨ referrals to trusted dog professionals -- if we can't help, we want to help you find a trusted pro who can!

In all that we do, we remain committed to force-free methods of training that are effective and fun!

12/27/2024

We still have a few last-minute openings for today’s Puppy Field Day and one spot left for Sunday’s!

YourDogsFriend.org/Puppy-Field-Day

12/17/2024

😍

Oh Gus! I don’t think you could be any cuter.

12/17/2024

We have added more Puppy Parties for December!

Visit YourDogsFriend.org/Puppy-Party to learn more & register 🐶

12/14/2024

Please join us on Sunday, Dec 15 at 2pm ET for Welcome Home, Pup!, a FREE webinar open to all (current and future) dog guardians, fosters, and anyone who loves dogs or wants to learn more about dog behavior and training, presented by !

Learn how to help your new pup feel safe, prioritize training skills, and develop routines.

Register at https://yourdogsfriend.org/free-workshops/

12/12/2024

Have you been looking for a weekend Puppy Party in December but all the Sunday ones have been full? We just added one on Sat, Dec 21 at 9:00 am!

We also still currently have space for Thurs, Dec 19 at 5:30pm; Fri, Dec 20 and 27 at noon; and Sun, Dec 29 at 11:00 am.

Learn more & sign up here: https://yourdogsfriend.org/product/puppy-party/

12/12/2024

Second date added! Learn more & sign up at https://yourdogsfriend.org/puppy-field-day/

Puppy Field Days are coming up on:
Fri, Dec 27 at 1:15 pm
and Sun, Dec 29 at noon (only 1 spot left in this one!)

Puppy Field Day, a brand new, single-session class for puppies up to 6 months, is scheduled for Sunday, December 29th at noon!

Socialization is about so much more than play! It’s about puppies becoming more comfortable with the world and the many things in it. At Field Day, you’ll use positive training to help your new puppy explore new surfaces, play equipment, obstacle courses, and more – all guided by two certified trainers so you can learn how to best support your new pup.

Learn more at YourDogsFriend.org/Puppy-Field-Day

12/07/2024

Olive showing off her new bandana during handling practice in Puppy K.

12/06/2024

Puppy Field Day, a brand new, single-session class for puppies up to 6 months, is scheduled for Sunday, December 29th at noon!

Socialization is about so much more than play! It’s about puppies becoming more comfortable with the world and the many things in it. At Field Day, you’ll use positive training to help your new puppy explore new surfaces, play equipment, obstacle courses, and more – all guided by two certified trainers so you can learn how to best support your new pup.

Learn more at YourDogsFriend.org/Puppy-Field-Day

12/04/2024

Dear friends,

Thank you so much for your support on Giving Tuesday! 💙

As always, please reach out to us with any questions about dog behavior and training. We are here for you!