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Dog Sense is open for retail sales, grooming, individual private obedience lessons, and small group training classes. Dog Sense Unlimited offers professional dog training. We are conveniently located in Rockville, Maryland and since 1974 have served clients from Montgomery County as well as all of Maryland, DC, and Virginia. Our focus is training puppies and dogs to be wonderful pets, companions, family members, and life-long friends.

We deal with all obedience commands, good manners, and problem behaviors - from walking on a loose leash and coming when called to housebreaking, separation anxiety, and aggression issues.
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For dogs 12 weeks and older, who have had little or no training. Class is limited to 10 dogs with a minimum of 2 instructors. One adult handler is required for each dog and the same handler is necessary for each class. Eight classes, a total of 12 hours of instruction, provides complete and comprehensive coverage including good manners and all the basic commands: come, walking on a loose leash (let's go), heel, sit, sit-stay, down, down-stay, stand, wait, place, and finish.We emphasize reliability under practical circumstances, utilizing extensive and varied distractions.
In the retail store we stock training treats, dog chews, dog foods, leashes, collars, grooming supplies and equipment, toys, beds, food supplements, bowls, odor/stain remover, ID tags, anti-bark collars, and electronic training collars.
Reviews (23)
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C. W.
Apr 13, 2022
They train with the negative reinforcement of a yank on the collar. Yanking on the neck, period, can lead to all sorts of health problems and injury. As well, negative reinforcement is absolutely no longer an accepted dog training practice. This place needs to update! They cover this harmful yank by calling it a seemingly harmless "pop." It simply us not harmless. Not to mention the negative effect on the dog. We know of a dog "trained" there who went from playful happy puppy to scared and hiding in all social environments now.
Dr. Dennis
Feb 10, 2022
Knowledgeable staff. Small, laid back classes, that get a lot of training done. There was always plenty of instructors to aid anyone, and to provide distractions when needed. The shop has a good selection of items for a small area. Would recommend them to anyone
Kent Middlekauff
Aug 18, 2021
Basic obedience course was excellent. Class with dogs of various ages and sizes handled safely for all involved. Teaches great set of tools for developing handler and dog communication
Taylor Croyle
Jul 19, 2021
My boyfriend and I put our 1.5 y/o golden retriever in the 2 week board and train program with Michael and he was very responsive during the 2 weeks and Maverick came out a completely different dog- in the best way! It was worth every penny. We are so so satisfied. I would recommend to anyone who is having trouble training their dog- he will do it and do it very well. That's for sure!
Linda Morris
May 10, 2021
My dog and I had a wonderful experience at Dog Sense Unlimited. The trainers trained me to guide and teach my dog with no nagging, just great results. With their guidance, my dog and I successfully completed training for therapy work as well. Would recommend!
Yanping Zhang
Apr 25, 2021
I brought my dog to Dog Sense for grooming regularly, and always very happy about it. Sometimes, when you do things regularly, you forgot to review, : I'm very happy about grooming results, and know that my dog will be taken good care of. My dog seems to like the owner and the groomer, which is good sign, although once she figure out what's a head, she would try to run out of the door.

But every time, she got out super clean, and smells so good. It makes our life much easier since my dog has those curly fur and needs regular trim. Would definitely recommend Dog Sense.
Joaquin Beltran
Mar 22, 2021
The instructors are excellent. Their approach is to provide common sense direction to have an obedient best friend. Our high energy dog is well underway to becoming a little gentleman thanks to them.
Leslie A.
Nov 18, 2020
My new puppy (10 months old when she started) attended the beginner's obedience class this fall at Dog Sense. Our instructors, Nancy and Suzanne, were knowledgeable and available to answer questions and offer guidance as needed. The program is well-designed and requires homework on the part of participants to get the most out of it. They communicate that a well-trained dog is fun to be around. Even during Covid, I felt comfortable with the setup there which is spacious and well-suited to distancing.
R. V.
Dec 03, 2019
I've seen a recent review here and some of the other prior reviews that I find to be lacking any credibility and rather alarming since no where does anyone say they actually tried to work their differences out with the instructors before going on blast on the internet. If you have an issue, have the nerve to take it to the person first to resolve instead of skipping out on finishing classes and then disparaging them unfairly on the internet. I've gone to Dog Sense over 25 years since I was a kid.

There is nothing "violent" in their training methods. A prong collar is not harsh and is actually safer than an actual choke chain. Put it on your own arm and feel it yourself before you dismiss a tried and true method of correction. It's also not intended to be a permanent tool but used particularly in the beginning with a puppy that has an attention span of a gnat so they pay attention to their owner and what is being asked of them.

The instructors are immensely patient and work with all types of breeds, mutts, etc. and all types of owners, from people who actually listen to those who think they know best and yet can't get their dog to walk on a leash. I think it is important to emphasize owners because usually the dog is not the issue. The issue is the owner who needs training on how to execute the command and teach the dog properly.

This is abundantly clear when attending class and watching the least obedient dogs become putty in a trainer's hands not because of some "pop" on the collar but because the trainer is crisp, clear and the alpha. I and my family have taken over 10 dogs through their program and each time we learn more as OWNERS on how to communicate to the dog what we want them to do and have always been successful.

This is the best place for dog training in the area and they have a wealth of knowledge and experience that some negative reviewers appear to dismiss because they "know what's best for their dog." Frankly, they don't. They think they do but they don't and they can't even get their dog to simply sit or walk on a leash without pulling their arm out.

I also can't stress enough that this is not a training place for competition only. It is for families and all desired training levels. The trainers understand completely that there are certain commands that are super helpful and useful for the home (eg. place or wait) and others (eg. stand/pose) that are not used on a daily basis and it is up to the owner how much of a stickler they want to be about perfection. This place is low stress, not competitive, friendly, and successful if the DOG OWNER would be open to the experts.
Angela N.
May 31, 2019
I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place before. We've been coming here for over 20 years with a succession of puppies - even with dogs you wouldn't think need formal obedience training. Our current puppy for example doesn't leave my side, is not disobedient, and has no real behaviors or bad habits. We still brought her to Dog Sense for basic obedience because not only does it give you an opportunity to really bond with your new dog buddy, but it also gives them confidence and socializes them without the risk of them getting hurt (in unregulated dog parks).

All of the trainers are excellent and really know what they are doing with tried and trusted techniques. Many of them have been with Dog Sense for as long as we've been going. It really is something to see how these pups progress over the weeks and become well-mannered companions who you can take anywhere.
Ashley B.
Jun 09, 2018
Dog Sense Unlimited was suggested to me through my GSD breeder. My 7 month old GSD and I have completed basic and intermediate obedience and are currently scheduled for the advanced obedience class. We have been nothing but impressed with this training facility. The trainers/owner are very polite, informative, and professional. They are always available to answer questions and offer training advice.

They allow use of prong collars which if shown how to use correctly is actually safer to use on your pup than a choker collar. There are so many misconceptions about the prong collar but this facility teaches you how to use it correctly to provide gentle corrections to your dog as a tool for proper training. The length of the classes are perfect. The basic class which is longer provides an appropriate break in the middle.

This class has offered my pup proper training and socialization which doesn't involve puppies greeting other puppies which can be a recipe for disaster. They provide correct socialization which is allowing your dog to be well behaved and focused on their handler in the presence of other dogs. I can't recommend Dog Sense Unlimited enough. Friendly, professional, knowledgeable staff!
Sj H.
Apr 06, 2018
Excellent experience for myself and my dog. Took the beginner obedience class and found it to be very well staffed and organized. The trainers are all friendly and have lots of suggestions for any issues that you may be having with your dog. They also have a well stocked store with dog food and supplies. I would highly recommend Dog Sense!
Jessica F.
Mar 11, 2018
We recently completed the group dog obedience class and I highly recommend Dog Sense. The head trainer and assistants were amazing. We learned so much! Big dogs or small, pups or adult dogs - we all benefited (canine and human) from the 8 week class: well done!
Peter L.
Feb 20, 2018
The classes are great, but if you don't practice with your pooch in between sessions you will never get the most out of It. The women who run It are awesome and the dogs enjoy the interactions.
Paul Heller
Oct 29, 2017
An absolute MUST for new dog owners: Dog Sense elementary obedience class. Fun for dog & owner, owner is being trained as much as the dog is, result is much happier relationship with your new dog. You can continue to higher levels of obedience training if you want, but the basic level is a must. They also provide fantastic grooming services at reasonable prices. Have been a client for 20+ years, can recommend with no reservations.
Adriana M.
Nov 01, 2016
DO NOT TAKE your dog to this place. The lady at the front desk is really unfriendly and with a horrible attitude. They also rip you off, basically they over charge you and when you question it, they say that an additional person was needed to hold the dog in order to get the haircut. We had an appointment at 12 noon, and the dog was not ready until after 5.

They kept the dog in a cage for about 3-4 hours, so, no surprise there that he wouldn't cooperate much, especially after being in a cage for hours. Anyway, how many dogs really enjoy grooming? We took our dog here twice, the first time the lady at the front desk gave us the same miserable attitude, but we gave her the benefit of the doubt. But after she behaved the same a second time, we won't be taking the dog there again. If I could give them no stars, I would.
S. B.
Feb 12, 2016
Do not recommend this place. Staff are not friendly, in fact they are rather haughty and mean. They emphasize what you do wrong and embarrass you in front of the group. If you mess up the first time you try something new, boy will you get an earful! There is very little positive feedback at all. And dog training should be enjoyable and a bonding experience, but this school takes the fun away!

And the icing on the cake is that there's a lot of emphasis on "popping" and pretty intense "correcting" of which I'm not a fan. I want my dog and I to respect and love one another, not fear!
Marie S.
Dec 30, 2015
So this is the only Yelp! review I've ever written, but I wished I had been warned before shelling out my money on such an unpleasant experience. Not only did I find all of the instructors to be extraordinarily cold to the humans, they very obviously favored pure-bred dogs as the pure-bred dogs received much more personal attention than the mixed breed puppies/dogs.

To be fair, I only lasted three classes as not only did they heavily push (The prong-collar agenda starts at the orientation before they even meet your dog) prong collars on still growing and learning PUPPIES, but the space was way too crowded given that the dogs aren't allowed to interact with each other (impossible given the size of the space)!

The sessions are way too long for a puppy's attention span and my puppy quickly learned to dread going to class-- not to mention that 70% of the session consists of trying to keep your puppy quiet and still in a room full of barking/whining puppies/dogs while the instructor lectures irrelevantly. Bottom line-- I still feel guilt about subjecting my puppy to this nightmarish setup!.
Laura V.
May 30, 2014
Strangers always comment on how well-trained my dog is and friends always ask me to train their dogs for them. The truth is that a well-trained dog is just as much about training the handler as the dog. My family has taken 5 dogs through Dog Sense, 3 all the way through Advanced Obedience, and our dogs were taught to follow US instead of us chasing after them.

My mother took our first family dog there and when my sister and I returned with our dogs, some of the same experienced trainers were still there 19 years later, a testament to their years of experience. Don't waste your money on the pet store classes, Dog Sense is the place to go in Montgomery County. A well-behaved dog is a real gem to have around!
Mike J.
Apr 24, 2014
II have been training dogs competitively for years. And I have taken three dogs to dog sense. It's a great place with friendly trainers to help you put some obedience on your dog. I have recommended the place often. It's a shame we just can't talk to our dogs and make them listen, but there is no magic pill. One do you offer treats to your dog; it's a very simple positive way to keep the dogs attention. IN these sessions both you and the dog are learning from the instructors.

And using a pinch collar, is an extremely and effective humane way to teach your dog. Not the only way, and I have been in classes where the instructors, decided a pinch collar was not the best method. I signed up for several classes with 3 of my dogs, and did my homework, which is assigned in class. It is also a super place to socialize your pet. And all of the dogs are leashed. I give Nancy and her staff 5 stars. Mike j
Michael H.
Mar 26, 2014
I have trained multiple dogs here with great success. I have earned titles, including CGC, Novice, and Open. The staff are dog-loving, knowledgeable, and extremely helpful with all dog-related questions and problems. If you want a well-behaved dog--look no further.
J. R.
Feb 18, 2014
One of the great things about Dog Sense is that you can do as much or as little as you want. I started with my German Shepherd puppy when she was 12 weeks old, and took basis, intermediate and advanced obedience - basically the stuff that you would do to have a great pet. Since then, I have been going to weekly "maintenance" classes that allow you to keep training your dog in a group setting so that he or she knows how to behave with lots of dogs and distractions.

We have received our "Canine Good Citizen" title, and are working towards our formal obedience title (CD). This is not a place where you drop the dog and then they supposedly return it trained. This is a place where you get lots of support and instruction in training the dog yourself, which in the end is the only way that really works.
Daniel K.
Feb 06, 2011
I took my 5 year old French Bulldog, Maggie for Agressive Dog issues. Rachel, the aggressive dog specialist, had Maggie basically cured after just a few minutes. I learned quickly that I am the one that needs to be trained. Rachel was very professional, extremely thorough and a very clear communicator. I cannot believe that I have been putting up with these unacceptable dog behaviors for years. I am so relieved to have found a solution. I signed up my other French Bulldog, Monty for a regular training session.