Business Details
13 Years
experience
Expert Dog Training Services in Northern Virginia
Best Behaved Dogs was founded in 2013 by Janet McMillan, a professional dog trainer with over 25 years of experience. Our team specializes in in-home obedience training and behavior modification for dogs of all ages and breeds across Northern Virginia. We have worked with over 4,000 dogs, including rare and mixed breeds, addressing challenges from basic manners to aggression. Our approach combines positive reinforcement with real-world distraction training to ensure lasting results. Janet's expertise extends to competitive dog sports, where she has earned numerous titles with her own dogs.We prioritize personalized solutions tailored to each family's unique needs, fostering stronger human-canine bonds. Our services emphasize practical skills that enhance dogs' adaptability in everyday situations. With a focus on education and compassion, we help families understand and manage their pets' behaviors effectively. Our track record of success includes resolving complex behavioral issues and preparing dogs for advanced certifications. We are committed to delivering reliable, science-backed training methods that promote safe, harmonious relationships between dogs and their owners.
Services
In-Home Puppy Training
Behavior Modification
Private Obedience Training
Advanced Obedience Training
Canine Good Citizen Evaluation
In-Home Day School
Aggression Management
Socialization Training
Leash Manners Training
Trick Training
Details
- Year established: 2013
Highlights and features
- We offer over 25 years of professional dog training experience since 1996.
- Our team has successfully trained 4,000+ dogs including rare and mixed breeds.
- We specialize in resolving complex behavioral issues like aggression and anxiety.
- Our trainers have earned 100+ competitive dog sport titles with their own dogs.
- We provide personalized in-home training tailored to each family's unique needs.
What people say
Effective behavior modification
Working like a charm
Saved my dog's life
Professional and compassionate
Personalized solutions
Services
In-Home Puppy Training
This program focuses on early socialization and basic obedience for puppies under six months. We teach housetraining, crate training, and fundamental commands while addressing mouthing and chewing behaviors. Our positive reinforcement approach helps establish good habits in the puppy's natural environment. Clients learn to use play-based training techniques that create lasting behavioral foundations for young dogs.
In-Home Behavior Training
Specialized training for dogs with established behavioral issues including aggression, separation anxiety, and fear-based behaviors. We develop customized plans to address growling, snapping, excessive barking, and disobedience. Our trainers work directly in clients' homes to modify problematic behaviors through structured exercises. This service helps families understand the root causes of unwanted behaviors and implement effective solutions.
Private Obedience Training
Personalized training sessions focusing on essential commands like heel, sit, down, stay, and come. Lessons occur in public settings with real-world distractions to ensure reliable obedience. We emphasize leash manners and response reliability around other dogs and people. This service builds strong communication between dogs and owners through consistent, practical training methods.
Advanced Obedience Training
Specialized instruction for dogs pursuing AKC and other performance titles. We prepare dogs for Canine Good Citizen certification, therapy dog evaluations, and trick training. This service includes off-leash reliability training and advanced skill development. Our expertise extends to preparing dogs for competitive obedience trials and specialized performance events.
In-Home Day School
Two-week intensive training program conducted in clients' homes. Dogs learn essential commands and distraction management through daily sessions. Owners receive a final handling lesson to maintain training consistency. This service is ideal for busy families needing accelerated results. We focus on real-world application through structured, repetitive learning experiences.
People
Janet McMillan
Managing-Member
Professional dog trainer since 1996 with experience handling 4,000+ dogs of all breeds. Holds multiple competitive titles in agility, obedience, and rally with various breeds including Xoloitzcuintli and American Staffordshire Terriers. Specializes in behavior modification and positive reinforcement training methods.
Questions
What areas do you serve for in-home training?
We provide in-home services throughout Northern Virginia including Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Vienna, and surrounding communities.
Can you help with aggressive dog behavior?
Yes, we specialize in addressing aggression through behavior modification programs that identify root causes and implement structured training solutions.
What training methods do you use?
We use positive reinforcement techniques combined with real-world distraction training to create lasting behavioral changes in practical environments.
Do you offer puppy socialization training?
Yes, our puppy training program includes socialization components to help young dogs develop appropriate behaviors around people and other animals.
Can you help prepare dogs for AKC titles?
Yes, we have extensive experience preparing dogs for AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluations and various performance titles in agility and obedience.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Stephanie Turner
Mar 29, 2022
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Janet was great to work with. She's very professional, friendly and most importantly knowledgeable about dogs! She listened well when I described the issues I needed help with my dog, and she tailored our sessions accordingly. It was not a one size fits all approach; she really took into account our circumstances. My dog is so much better behaved on walks and I know how to handle situations that would have previously have gotten out of hand.
Fernandes M.
Nov 30, 2021
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We asked Janet to help us with our dog on walks. She would bark and lunge at any dog when she couldn't say hi. Her behavior seemed aggressive to other owners, which didn't help. We knew she just wanted to say hi, but didn't know how to train away the behavior. Janet helped us and Brookie so much. She's a very different dog on walks now. Each lesson built upon the next and Janet even answered our questions unrelated to the reason we first came to her.
She was available to us and taught us a lot about things to look for in Brookie's behavior that have really helped us. Janet understands dogs and is able to work with what you want/need. Would recommend.
She was available to us and taught us a lot about things to look for in Brookie's behavior that have really helped us. Janet understands dogs and is able to work with what you want/need. Would recommend.
Mitch S.
Jun 29, 2021
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Janet did a phenomenal job helping me train my dog who had some unique issues. She was extremely knowledgeable and responsive to all my questions and gave very intelligent solutions to help improve my dog's behavior. I recommend her to anyone needing insights to improve their pets behavior and/or anyone who simply wants to be a better pet owner in general. 5 out of 5!
Lisa Vadis
May 04, 2021
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High quality, compassionate, knowledgeable! We have been searching for a rescue dog and came across the profile of one that we thought would be a good fit. I wanted to be sure we had a trainer lined up and had some questions. Because of her reviews, I emailed Janet with questions and confirming her availability. Janet called me within an hour and took ample time to discuss behaviors, options, and confirm her availability.
She has an awesome Youtube channel. She is taking all COVID-19 precautions. She is a wealth of information. We didn't end up adopting the dog, but when we find the right dog we will certainly be calling Janet. Thank you so much!
She has an awesome Youtube channel. She is taking all COVID-19 precautions. She is a wealth of information. We didn't end up adopting the dog, but when we find the right dog we will certainly be calling Janet. Thank you so much!
Eric & Roli Points
Apr 08, 2020
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We worked with Janet to help train and learn about our new 9 week old puppy. Though we watched tons of videos and read a lot about how and what to do - the personalized training session with Janet was very beneficial. I highly recommend Janet and getting a personal session for your dog. She was very knowledgeable and patient with us and our puppy.
Josh West
Mar 30, 2020
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The lessons we had with Janet were really helpful. I especially liked Janet's emphasis on teaching me how to train my dog so I could continue to improve my dog's behavior between lessons. Walking with my dog Marla is easier now that she knows how to heel.
Genevieve Smith
Jan 23, 2020
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Janet is wonderful! After rescuing a bulldog x basset hound with multiple behavioral issues, I sought out her services at the recommendation of my veterinarian. First of all - it speaks volumes for a behaviorist to be recommended by a veterinarian. Secondly, Janet used her expertise to help me formulate a plan to help my pup to be successful both at home and the vet. He struggled with feeling threatened in small spaces and she gave us expert advice that we were able to put into practice to make him more comfortable.
She also emphasized actions I could take to help my dog - which is a crucial part of helping a dog with behavior issues. 10 out of 5 stars! If you have a dog who needs some basic obedience training or help with behavioral modification, best behaved dogs can help! Bonus pic of me and my happy boy on Halloween.
She also emphasized actions I could take to help my dog - which is a crucial part of helping a dog with behavior issues. 10 out of 5 stars! If you have a dog who needs some basic obedience training or help with behavioral modification, best behaved dogs can help! Bonus pic of me and my happy boy on Halloween.
