Always Faithful Dog Training of DC and Central Maryland
Dogs in Human Environments
When dogs are born in the wild, they are born in a natural environment. Their mother and older pack members instinctively guide them to learn all the skills for survival. The dogs learn quickly to use those instincts to thrive and survive.
Dogs living with humans are living in an artificial environment. The artificial environment can create artificial problems. We see a range of behaviors including leash pulling, jumping, excessive barking, nipping, anxiety and aggression.
The solution to ALL of these problems is found by using our leadership-based training. Check out the videos below to learn more.
At Always Faithful Dog Training, we teach you to lead your dog using the instinctive methods of a pack leader. Our founder, Abraham Mashal, explains what we call Leadership Training.
Our Founder Abraham Mashal explains how the human created artificial environment takes a dog away from their instinctual natural environment.
No Treats, No Clickers, No Shock Collars, No Gimmicks ®
Private Dog Training Services
WE OFFER 10% OFF ANY TRAINING TO MILITARY, POLICE OR FIRE DEPT.
Obedience Packages
All Packages start with establishing Leadership. Obedience work is a key element to Leadership resulting in a well-balanced, well-behaved dog.
Basic Obedience
This training package is 3 in-home lessons that include five basic commands: Heel (walking), Sit, Stay, Come and Down. For puppies, we also provide guidance and documentation about potty training, crate training, socialization, and responding to common behaviors like nipping & jumping.
Cost: $520 for 1 dog; $770 for 2 dogs
Advanced Obedience
This package is 5 in-home lessons that include the five basic commands and expands their application based on your unique needs.
Cost: $875 for 1 dog; $1195 for 2 dogs
Advanced Obedience with High Distraction
This 7 lesson training package includes everything in Advanced Obedience and adds skills to achieve obedience in high distraction environments (listening with other dogs/people/distractions around).
Cost: $1195 for 1 dog; $1645 for 2 dogs
Foundations
Click + to see package descriptions and prices
Puppy Starter Lesson
This is a single in-home lesson to assist you with a new puppy or any new dog in your home to get started on the right foot. We’ll cover house training, exercise, feeding routine, crate training, socialization, responding to common behaviors like nipping & jumping and laying the right foundations for leadership.
Cost: $175
Leadership Essentials
Start out right with an in-depth focus on AFDT leadership techniques, structured leash walk, establishing a daily schedule/feeding routine, impulse control work, and calming exercises to ensure you get started off on the right track to having a more calm, confident, obedient pack member. This 3-lesson package will ensure a strong foundation for future AFDT obedience training packages and strengthen your leadership and position as pack leader. It’s perfect for early puppyhood (8-12 weeks of age), and rescues and other adult dogs with which clients may be struggling to gain trust and respect.
Cost: $450
Foundations
Click + to see package descriptions and prices
Puppy Starter Lesson
This is a single in-home lesson to assist you with your puppy or any new dog in your home to get started on the right foot. We’ll cover house training, exercise, feeding routine, crate training, socialization, responding to common behaviors like nipping & jumping and laying the right foundations for leadership.
Cost: $175
Leadership Essentials
Start out right with an in-depth focus on AFDT leadership techniques, structured leash walk, establishing a daily schedule/feeding routine, impulse control work, and calming exercises to ensure you get started off on the right track to having a more calm, confident, obedient pack member. This 3-lesson package will ensure a strong foundation for future AFDT obedience training packages and strengthen your leadership and position as pack leader. It’s perfect for early puppyhood (8-12 weeks of age), and rescues and other adult dogs with which clients may be struggling to gain trust and respect.
Cost: $450
Specialty Training Packages
Therapy Dog Training
Teach your dog to provide affection, comfort and support to people in settings such as hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, libraries, hospices, or disaster areas. At our assessment, we will evaluate your dog to determine if his/her temperament is a good fit for Therapy Dog work.
Cost: Call for Quote
Behavior Modification
This training provides dog owners with the ability to:
✔️ Correct all anti-social, dominant or aggressive behavior.
✔️ Change the household from dog dominant to human dominant.
✔️ Create a strong, trusting relationship with your dog(s).
Basic obedience is essential to accomplish these goals. Dogs are required to demonstrate the five basic obedience commands of Come, Sit, Down, Heel, and Stay before working on behavior modification issues. Number of lessons needed will be determined at the assessment based on goals and observation of your dog.
Cost: $570 for 3 lessons or $950 for 5 lessons
One Lesson Wonder
This service gives you our full attention for 1 hour to solve most dog problems you may be having. We will come to your home, show you how to establish leadership and leave detailed notes and handouts to solve your dog problems. It also includes a follow up call after the lesson. Perfect for the dog who needs a lot of help very quickly.
Cost: $150
2-Month Tune-Up
A single, 1-hour lesson 2 months following your last lesson to work on any issues or difficulties you may have experienced since graduation.
Cost: $125
Board-and-Train Package
Board-and-Train is an opportunity for your dog to stay at facility for 1-2 weeks depending on the training need and your schedule to receive daily training.
Contact us for pricing
All services are offered throughout Central MD and the Washington DC Metro area including:
Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, Columbia, Ellicott City, Catonsville, Edgewater, Arnold, Severna Park, & Glen Burnie
Meet The Pack
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![Tina with Cesar]()
Tina
Owner/Pack Leader & Level 2 IDTA Trainer
Specialty Certifications: Therapy Dog Trainer
Training Cesar’s Way: Essentials of Dog Psychology and Socialization Course Graduate
Tina has lived her entire life in Annapolis either part time in the summers or full time after graduating college where she studied health and fitness management and worked in Annapolis teaching and training people how to live a better quality of life with preventative health practices.
While raising her two boys, Tina worked 20+ years in her family flooring business. Tina jumped at the opportunity to combine her skills in personal training and customer service by training dog owners and their four legged best friends. “I enjoy having the opportunity to teach owners and their dogs proper training techniques to bring them closer together for a lifetime of mutual enjoyment.”
In her spare time Tina enjoys sailing, reading, training for triathlons, traveling and spending time with her family, especially her beagle mix rescue Penelope Pitstop, Penny for short.
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![Michele Annapolis]()
Michele
Owner/Pack Leader & Level 2 IDTA Trainer
Specialty Certifications: Therapy Dog Trainer
Michele has spent her entire life in the Annapolis area, first for the summers, then full time for the past 20 years. Proximity to Washington and Baltimore is a convenience, but she says “living on the Chesapeake Bay feeds my soul.” Michele is a nurse and has spent her career in training, first to her patients on their health and then in the biotech industry to both healthcare practitioners and ultimately sales reps. Annapolis is a dog loving town, and it seemed like a natural transition to training both dogs and their owners so they can truly experience the joy of owning and loving their well-trained pets. Opening this business with her sister Tina allows Michele to not only continue her passion for training, but also to spend more time with what matters most: her family, which includes 5 grandchildren.
“The corporate world was good to me, but I am looking forward to moving my career and my skills into my community where I can impact the lives of people right here at home. The last three years have been trying for everyone, and it seems that one solution for many who felt alone or isolated was acquiring a new pet. Nothing soothes the soul like the limitless love of our furry friends. It is hard to beat the joy in a dogs eyes whenever their owner walks in the door. However, with ownership comes responsibility and I look forward to teaching owners how to train their dogs in a way that is ultimately rewarding for all.”
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![Teresa Trainer Metro DC Central MD]()
Teresa
Level 1 IDTA Trainer
With a lifelong passion for animals, particularly dogs, Teresa seamlessly transitioned from a 30-year career in Human Resources to her true calling: helping people develop the skills to lead and train their canine companions. Her extensive experience in HR, coupled with her innate love for animals, makes her a natural fit for this role, where she finds fulfillment in fostering harmony between dogs and their human families.
As a certified volunteer in the Pet with Partner program, Teresa and her furry companion brought comfort to patients in hospitals and assisted living facilities, further solidifying her commitment to facilitating deeper connections between humans and their pets. Now settled in the tranquil environs of the Annapolis area, Teresa continues her mission at Always Faithful Dog Training, where she helps dogs and their families understand each other better, ultimately leading to happier lives for all involved. With her unwavering dedication and compassionate approach, Teresa continues to make a positive impact in the lives of both dogs and their human companions.
Meet the Pack
About Tina
Owner/Pack Leader & Level 2 IDTA Trainer
Specialty Certifications: Therapy Dog Trainer
Training Cesar’s Way: Essentials of Dog Psychology and Socialization Course Graduate
Tina has lived her entire life in Annapolis either part time in the summers or full time after graduating college where she studied health and fitness management and worked in Annapolis teaching and training people how to live a better quality of life with preventative health practices.
While raising her two boys, Tina worked 20+ years in her family flooring business. Tina jumped at the opportunity to combine her skills in personal training and customer service by training dog owners and their four legged best friends. “I enjoy having the opportunity to teach owners and their dogs proper training techniques to bring them closer together for a lifetime of mutual enjoyment.”
In her spare time Tina enjoys sailing, reading, training for triathlons, traveling and spending time with her family, especially her beagle mix rescue Penelope Pitstop, Penny for short.
About Michele
Owner/Pack Leader & Level 2 IDTA Trainer
Specialty Certifications: Therapy Dog Trainer
Michele has spent her entire life in the Annapolis area, first for the summers, then full time for the past 20 years. Proximity to Washington and Baltimore is a convenience, but she says “living on the Chesapeake Bay feeds my soul.” Michele is a nurse and has spent her career in training, first to her patients on their health and then in the biotech industry to both healthcare practitioners and ultimately sales reps. Annapolis is a dog loving town, and it seemed like a natural transition to training both dogs and their owners so they can truly experience the joy of owning and loving their well-trained pets. Opening this business with her sister Tina allows Michele to not only continue her passion for training, but also to spend more time with what matters most: her family, which includes 5 grandchildren.
“The corporate world was good to me, but I am looking forward to moving my career and my skills into my community where I can impact the lives of people right here at home. The last three years have been trying for everyone, and it seems that one solution for many who felt alone or isolated was acquiring a new pet. Nothing soothes the soul like the limitless love of our furry friends. It is hard to beat the joy in a dogs eyes whenever their owner walks in the door. However, with ownership comes responsibility and I look forward to teaching owners how to train their dogs in a way that is ultimately rewarding for all.”
About Michele
Owner/Pack Leader & Level 2 IDTA Trainer
Specialty Certifications: Therapy Dog Trainer
Michele has spent her entire life in the Annapolis area, first for the summers, then full time for the past 20 years. Proximity to Washington and Baltimore is a convenience, but she says “living on the Chesapeake Bay feeds my soul.” Michele is a nurse and has spent her career in training, first to her patients on their health and then in the biotech industry to both healthcare practitioners and ultimately sales reps. Annapolis is a dog loving town, and it seemed like a natural transition to training both dogs and their owners so they can truly experience the joy of owning and loving their well-trained pets. Opening this business with her sister Tina allows Michele to not only continue her passion for training, but also to spend more time with what matters most: her family, which includes 5 grandchildren.
“The corporate world was good to me, but I am looking forward to moving my career and my skills into my community where I can impact the lives of people right here at home. The last three years have been trying for everyone, and it seems that one solution for many who felt alone or isolated was acquiring a new pet. Nothing soothes the soul like the limitless love of our furry friends. It is hard to beat the joy in a dogs eyes whenever their owner walks in the door. However, with ownership comes responsibility and I look forward to teaching owners how to train their dogs in a way that is ultimately rewarding for all.”
About Teresa
Level 1 IDTA Trainer
With a lifelong passion for animals, particularly dogs, Teresa seamlessly transitioned from a 30-year career in Human Resources to her true calling: helping people develop the skills to lead and train their canine companions. Her extensive experience in HR, coupled with her innate love for animals, makes her a natural fit for this role, where she finds fulfillment in fostering harmony between dogs and their human families.
As a certified volunteer in the Pet with Partner program, Teresa and her furry companion brought comfort to patients in hospitals and assisted living facilities, further solidifying her commitment to facilitating deeper connections between humans and their pets. Now settled in the tranquil environs of the Annapolis area, Teresa continues her mission at Always Faithful Dog Training, where she helps dogs and their families understand each other better, ultimately leading to happier lives for all involved. With her unwavering dedication and compassionate approach, Teresa continues to make a positive impact in the lives of both dogs and their human companions.
Reviews
Interested in becoming a dog trainer?
At Always Faithful Dog Training, we look for a very specific person that has the right attitude towards leadership that fits our culture, has a flexible personality and isn’t worried if things don’t always go their way, sees the good in all canines, and wants to teach humans how to let dogs be dogs.
Traits of a Pack Member:
Be calm and commanding at all times mixed with a lot of patience.
Practice humility and know that there may be many different ways to get the required result.
Understanding of our clients lives and accommodate them when necessary.
Use our proven leadership methods and trust our process.
Maintain openness to feedback and learning.
Use and demonstrate good social skills with dogs and humans. The client is the owner first, the dog second and the client needs to feel comfortable with our trainers.
Have a good sense of humor since silly, embarrassing, or messy things will happen when training.
Comfortable with all walks of life. Our human clients are as diverse as our dogs! We rarely turn down a client unless it is a service beyond our expertise.
Job Requirements:
This is a part-time, independent contractor position
No previous dog training experience wanted. We want to train you on our methods
Must have reliable transportation
Ability to travel to people’s homes (within 45 mile radius) to conduct lessons
Must pass background check
Permitted to work legally in the US
Previous or current dog owner
Must be over 30 years of age
If you think that you have what it takes and want to help Always Faithful Dog Training make a difference in the lives of dogs and their owners, then reach out. We are always interviewing and growing our trainer ranks as we continue to build our business.