Question 1

How much does dog training cost in Annapolis, MD?

Accepted Answer

Private in-home dog training with Dog Principal is $175 per session, billed after each visit. The first session runs about 1.5 hours to allow time for a full evaluation, and follow-up sessions are typically an hour. There are no packages, bundles, or long-term commitments, just honest, pay-as-you-go training.

Question 2

What areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

Dog Principal provides private in-home dog training throughout Annapolis, MD and Anne Arundel County, along with the greater DMV area, including Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, and surrounding Maryland communities. Concierge training is also available further out, including Delaware and Virginia Beach, VA.

Question 3

Do you only train at my home, or can we meet elsewhere?

Accepted Answer

Training starts in the home, then moves to the dog's own neighborhood, and eventually public areas as the dog is ready. Dog Principal is happy to meet dog parents in a public location near their neighborhood if that fits better, whatever setting helps the dog and parent progress.

Question 4

Can you help with dog aggression or reactivity?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Aggressive and reactive behavior is one of our specialties, including reactivity toward other dogs, strangers, and situational triggers like car rides or walks. Dog Principal also works on and rehabilitates food aggression and human aggression cases. Every plan begins with an in-home evaluation to understand what's actually driving the behavior, not just suppressing the symptom.

Question 5

Do you offer puppy training?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Puppy training covers foundational obedience, house training, leash manners, and controlling nipping or jumping, taught through structured play so puppies learn good habits while burning off their energy the right way.

Question 6

Do I need to buy a training package?

Accepted Answer

No. Dog Principal does not require packages or contracts. Sessions are billed individually as needed, so every dog parent only pays for the training their dog actually requires.

Question 7

What makes Dog Principal's training method different?

Accepted Answer

Training is built around five pillars: Evaluation, Cooperation, Fulfillment, Socialization, and Authority, always starting with positive reinforcement. Instead of chasing a quick fix, this approach rebuilds real trust and communication between a dog and their parent, so the results actually last.

Question 8

How many sessions will my dog need?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the dog and the behavior being addressed. An exact number can't be promised before the first in-home evaluation, but most dog parents notice real change within the first few sessions.

Question 9

Is Dog Principal insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Dog Principal is fully insured for pet training services, giving every dog parent peace of mind during in-home sessions.

Question 10

What is the Tarheel K9 training background?

Accepted Answer

Adam Hartman, founder of Dog Principal, is a graduate of Tarheel K9 in Sanford, North Carolina, a hands-on training program known for real-world, reality-based methods rather than classroom-only theory.

Question 11

Does Dog Principal train dogs in Washington, D.C. neighborhoods like Georgetown or Capitol Hill?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Dog Principal trains dogs throughout Washington, D.C., including Georgetown, Capitol Hill, Dupont Circle, and Navy Yard, addressing city-specific challenges like elevators, hallways, and close-quarters dog encounters.

Question 12

Do you provide dog training in Northern Virginia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Dog Principal regularly trains dogs throughout Northern Virginia, including Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Vienna, McLean, and Falls Church, working through real-world triggers like busy sidewalks and close-quarters dog encounters.

Question 13

What Maryland towns does Dog Principal serve besides Annapolis?

Accepted Answer

Beyond Annapolis, Dog Principal regularly trains dogs in Bowie, Rockville, Bethesda, Olney, Silver Spring, Clinton, Laurel, Gaithersburg, Columbia, Glen Burnie, Waldorf, Upper Marlboro, Crofton, Severna Park, Pasadena, and Edgewater.

Question 14

What is Concierge Dog Training, and do you travel outside Maryland?

Accepted Answer

Concierge Dog Training is for clients further out, including other states like Delaware or cities like Virginia Beach, VA, roughly four hours from Washington, D.C. Instead of single sessions, Adam stays in a nearby hotel or Airbnb and runs multiple sessions in one day to speed up progress. Out-of-state cases typically require a minimum of 3-4 days booked in full, and the exact length is determined through a phone consultation.

Question 15

What is Board and Train, and how is it different from Concierge Training?

Accepted Answer

Board and Train is different from Concierge Training. With Board and Train, available to new clients, the dog stays at Adam's home for a minimum of two weeks, allowing time for real behavior modification. Concierge Training, by contrast, is Adam traveling to stay near the client's home, not boarding the dog.

Question 16

Are you a dog behaviorist or a dog trainer?

Accepted Answer

Both. Dog Principal combines behaviorist-level evaluation of what's driving a dog's behavior with hands-on, reality-based training to actually change it, not just manage the symptoms.

Question 17

Do you train reactive dogs or pitbulls?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Reactive dog training and bully-breed and pitbull-type training are core specialties, including cases involving dog-to-dog aggression, leash reactivity, and dogs with a history of being surrendered or given up on.

Question 18

Can you help with separation anxiety, resource guarding, house training, or leash pulling?

Accepted Answer

Yes. These are some of the most common issues we address, especially with puppies and newly adopted dogs, using structured, hands-on training in your home and neighborhood. Separation anxiety and resource guarding usually stem from a specific root cause that has to be identified first, before real improvement is possible.

Question 19

Do you use positive reinforcement or correction-based training?

Accepted Answer

Positive reinforcement always comes first, paired with classical conditioning to build calm, healthy associations with people, environments, and triggers. If a dog remains stubborn or unresponsive, we progressively introduce positive punishment or negative reinforcement, completing the four quadrants of operant conditioning, to achieve genuine, lasting behavioral change. This balanced methodology mirrors real-world scenarios rather than relying on a single technique.

Question 20

Do you offer training for dogs anywhere in the DMV, including Southern Maryland?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Beyond Annapolis and the immediate DMV core, Dog Principal also serves Southern Maryland communities, along with Howard and Baltimore Counties, for in-home training and evaluations.

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Dog Principal

Annapolis, MD

Info@dogprincipal.com

Serving Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, and the greater DMV