Dog Training
Beyond Basic Obedience in Fairfax, VA
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At
Mainstay Veterinary Practice Resort (MVP Resort), dog training is about more than obedience—it’s about communication, confidence, and connection. Our training programs are designed to go beyond basic obedience. We focus on real-world skills, owner involvement, and improving your dog’s overall quality of life, while helping you become a confident, effective handler.


Our Training Philosophy
Our goal is to establish a deeper level of communication and bonding between you and your dog. Training isn’t just about commands, it’s about understanding, trust, and consistency.
Our training programs are intentionally designed to focus on obedience, owner involvement, and handling skills, not short-term improvements in behavior. When owners and dogs learn together, improvement can be more more consistent and longlasting:
Clearer communication between you and your dog
Stronger trust and bonding
Practical skills you can use in everyday life
Training that fits your dog's personality and your lifestyle

Who Is Training For?
Short answer: Everyone. Any dog can benefit from additional training, no matter their age or experience.
For pet owners looking for a little extra help or facing a behavioral challenge, our programs can be especially helpful:
- You’re starting fresh with a new puppy
- Your dog struggles with reactivity or focus
- You’re feeling stuck and unsure of next steps
- You want to take your training to the next level
Wherever you and your dog currently are, we’re ready to join your training journey to help you move forward.
Meet Our Trainer:
Dominic Eten
Our training program is led by Dominic Eten[link to Staff Page], a trainer our clients—and their dogs—absolutely adore.
Dominic is known for his deep knowledge, calm leadership, and remarkable intuition. He has a gift for understanding what each individual dog needs, as well as coaching owners on exactly how to support and reinforce that training at home. His approach is thoughtful, collaborative, and highly personalized.

Our Training Programs
At MVP Resort, we offer a variety of programs to meet dogs and owners exactly where they are.
Private Training Lessons
Our private lessons are one-on-one sessions held at our facility. You’ll work directly with a trainer to address your specific goals and challenges. We don’t just train your dog. We teach you how to communicate clearly, handle confidently, and reinforce training at home.
Private lessons are ideal for personalized goals, targeted behavior work, and owners who want hands-on coaching. Sessions are available individually or as part of multi-session packages designed around specific needs:
1-on-1 Private Lesson
A focused 1-hour training session with a professional trainer to work on your dog’s specific needs.
Limits
- Behavior modification behaviors offered in packages only
- Training consultation required
$
135
1 session
Behavior Modification
Personalized multi-session training designed around your dog’s behavior, goals, and your schedule. Ideal for working through bigger challenges or reinforcing long-term goals.
Behavior Examples
- Leash reactivity (barking, lunging, or growling at dogs, people, or other triggers)
- Fear-based behaviors (cowering, avoidance, shaking, or hiding)
- Resource guarding (protecting food, toys, people, or spaces)
- Human aggression (growling, snapping, or biting)
- Dog-to-dog aggression in or outside the home
- General anxiety or over-arousal that interferes with daily life
- Separation anxiety when left alone (may include vocalizing, escape attempts, urination/defecation)
- Barrier frustration (intense reactions behind fences, windows, crates, or leashes)
- Handling sensitivity (resistance or aggression during grooming, vet care, or body handling)
$
840
6 sessions
Puppy Fundamentals
Start your puppy off on the right paw with our 4-week Puppy Fundamentals program! Covering everything from potty training and crate training to socialization and basic commands, this course sets the stage for a lifetime of good behavior and happy companionship. Here’s what we teach:
- Marker conditioning
- Crate training
- Potty training
- Socialization with humans, places, sounds, and more
- Sit
- Foundations of sit-stay
- Recall/come
- Basic leash manners
- Down
- Foundations of down-stay
$
480
4 sessions
Class Length
- 1hr class per week
- 4 weeks
Package Expiration
This program fee includes 4 private lessons, which must be completed within 12 weeks of your first session – any unused lessons will expire after the 8 weeks.
Basic Obedience
Build a strong foundation with our 6-week Basic Obedience course. We’ll cover essential skills, helping your dog become a well-mannered member of your family. Perfect for puppies and adult dogs alike!
Here’s what we teach:
- Marker conditioning
- Sit
- Sit-stay
- Recall/come
- Place
- Down
- Down-stay
- Loose leash walking
- Polite greetings
- Post-program training plan for long-term and continued success
$
720
6 sessions
Class Length
- 1hr class per week
- 6 weeks
Package Expiration
This program fee includes 6 private lessons, which must be completed within 12 weeks of your first session – any unused lessons will expire after the 12 weeks.
Advanced Obedience
Take your dog’s training to the next level with our 8-week Advanced Obedience program. This course includes E-Collar conditioning and advanced commands, ensuring your dog is reliable even amidst distractions. Clients must provide their own approved E-Collar (E-Collar Technologies, Dogtra, or SportDog).
Here’s what we cover:
- Introductory assessment of current obedience skills
- Create a plan for progression through higher-level obedience and handling skills
- Introduce the E-Collar (how it works, how to hold it, why we use it, how E-Stim feels, fitment, and more)
- Begin layering E-Collar with obedience skills
- Advance foundational obedience skills around high-level distractions
- Pinpoint individualized areas for growth
- Practice your dog’s ability to manage freedom
- Mimic off-leash reliability with long lines
- Real-world expeditions to practice and proof in realistic scenarios
- Create post-program homework and training plan for long-term continued success
$
750
6 sessions
Class Length
- 1hr class per week
- 6 weeks
Package Expiration
This program fee includes 6 private lessons, which must be completed within 12 weeks of your first session – any unused lessons will expire after the 12 weeks.
Custom Skill Boost
Good mid-tier option for focused but not full training needs.
$
360
3 sessions
Disclaimer: Classes with fewer than 3 enrolled dogs will be canceled. Enrollees can choose to receive a full refund, transfer their deposit to the next scheduled series of the same class, or receive a 10% discount on private training services using their deposit as credit.
Group Training Lessons
Group classes bring together multiple dogs and trainers to practice skills in more distracting, real-life environments. This setting helps dogs learn focus, impulse control, and social awareness while still receiving guided instruction:
Puppy Kindergarten
Welcome to our Puppy Kindergarten, a group class program that emphasizes strategies, skills, and tools for puppies. Throughout this program, our expert trainers will guide you through weekly socialization exercises, teaching your puppy valuable communication skills, and boosting their confidence in various environments. We’ll teach you how to teach your puppy basic obedience commands with balanced training techniques. Beyond obedience, we’ll include weekly discussions on topics such as feeding, necessary and recommended equipment, grooming, and more, ensuring your puppy thrives both physically and mentally. Join us in creating an unshakable foundation for a well-behaved and socially adept adult dog.
What's Covered
- Advanced obedience commands
- Advanced impulse control
- Advanced behavior proofing
- Teaching the heel behavior
- Teaching the center behavior
- Teaching the stand behavior
$
130
Puppies Six Months and Younger
Schedule
- Weekly 1-hour classes
- 4-week course
Included
- Syllabus
- Virtual training report card and recap
- Structured puppy socialization
- Graduation certificate
- Plan for continued training after graduation
Basic Obedience
This dynamic group class tackles all the essentials for a happy canine companion! Gain a solid understanding of basic obedience commands like sit, stay, come, and down. Learn effective leash walking techniques to ditch the pulling and enjoy stress-free strolls. Master impulse control so your furry friend learns to resist distractions and responds to cues even with temptations. In addition to working with you and your dog, we’ll cover additional weekly topics that delve into training tools, learning theory, or treats to optimize communication with your dog. Plus, we’ll explore socialization strategies for developing a confident pup comfortable in any environment. This class is perfect for all breeds and dogs over 6 months old, providing a balanced approach to building obedience and communication skills.
What's Covered
- Marker conditioning
- Luring
- Leash manners
- Recall
- Appropriate rewarding & accountability methods
- Down, drop it, place, puppy push up, sit and stay
- Impulse control
- Polite greetings
$
150
Dogs Six Months and Older
Schedule
- Weekly 1-hour classes
- 4-week course
Included
- Syllabus
- Virtual training report card and recap
- Structured puppy socialization
- Graduation certificate
- Plan for continued training after graduation
Advanced Obedience
Ready to take your dog’s obedience to the next level? This comprehensive 4-week class is designed to build on top of your dog’s foundation skills and tackle more challenging behaviors. Refine essential commands with added distractions, duration, and distance while mastering advanced techniques like heeling, off-leash principles, and impulse management. Gain hands-on guidance with advanced training tools, real-world experiences and interactions, and deepen your understanding of canine behavior. Ideal for adult dogs (9-12+ months old) with a basic obedience foundation, this class offers a supportive environment for enhancing your dog’s responsiveness and reliability, ensuring a lifetime of harmonious companionship.
What’s Covered
- Setting boundaries with your puppy
- Leash manners
- Recall
- Luring
- Body handling and grooming handling preparation
- Marker conditioning
- Crate & potty training
- Impulse control
- Appropriate greetings
- Down, leave it, place, puppy push-up, sit and stay
$
160
Dogs Six Months and Older
Schedule
- Weekly 1-hour classes
- 4-week course
Included
- Syllabus
- Weekly virtual training report cards and recaps
- Proofing behaviors in any environment
- Real world practice
- Graduation certificate
- Plan for continued training after graduation
Agility
Unleash your dog’s potential with our 4-Week Agility Class, designed to develop confidence, teamwork, and focus while introducing your pup to the exciting world of agility! Whether you’re looking for a fun new way to bond with your dog or lay the foundation for competitive agility, this class offers a structured and supportive environment for all skill levels. Limit 8 participants per class.
What’s Covered
- Confidence building exercises
- Introductory agility obstacles such as tunnels, jumps, and weave poles
- Focus on handler engagement techniques
- How to guide your dog through sequences with verbal and physical cues
- Speed and accuracy drills for future agility success
$
175
Dogs Six Months and Older
Schedule
- Weekly 1-hour classes
- 4-week course
Nose Work
Let your dog do what they do best… Sniff! This relaxed, enrichment-focused scent work class is all about helping your dog tap into their natural abilities while having fun and building confidence. No fancy tools, no pressure to perform, just simple scent games that engage your dog’s nose and brain.
You’ll learn how to create fun search challenges at home using food, boxes, and everyday items. As your dog learns to use their nose to solve problems, you’ll strengthen your bond, boost their focus, and see just how satisfying a sniff session can be.
This class is perfect for:
- First-time handlers with no prior training experience
- Shy, nervous, or high-energy dogs who need a mental outlet
- Anyone looking for a fun way to enrich their dog’s life
What’s Covered
- How to play scent games using food or toys
- Building your dog’s confidence and independence
- Creating simple search setups at home
- Adjusting difficulty to keep your dog engaged
$
175
Dogs Six Months and Older
Schedule
- Weekly 1-hour classes
- 4-week course
Reactivity
Understanding & Managing Reactivity
This group class dives into the causes of reactivity and teaches practical strategies to manage it. Learn how to read your dog’s body language, build engagement around triggers, and reduce overreactions to dogs, people, or distractions. Practice calm walking skills and build impulse control so your dog can respond confidently even in stimulating environments. Each week, we’ll also explore important topics like threshold management, handler mechanics, and recovery techniques to help you and your dog succeed together. This class is perfect for all breeds and dogs over 12 months old, providing a balanced approach to developing calmness, confidence, and focus. Limit 8 attendees per class.
What’s Covered
- Understanding thresholds and triggers
- Learn critical body language cues
- Leash handling and pressure-release techniques
- Engagement and default behaviors
- Polite greetings and disengagement drills
- Real-world practice and exposure
$
180
Dogs 12 Months and Older
Schedule
- Weekly 1-hour classes
- Tuesdays, 6:00pm-7:00pm
- 4-week course
Drop-In Skills
Drop-in Skills Group Class
One-hour group classes open to all levels. Great for a refresher or to work on specific skills.
What’s Covered
- Loose leash walking and heeling
- Polite greetings
- And more!
$
35
Advanced Registration Required
Schedule
- Weekly 1-hour classes
Trick Dogs
Looking for a fun way to bond with your dog while teaching them something new? This 4-week enrichment class is designed for all dogs and owners – no prior training experience required! Together, you’ll explore creative tricks, confidence-building games, and mentally stimulating activities that are different from traditional obedience training. This class is all about fun, relationship building, and giving your dog a chance to shine in new and exciting ways.
This class is perfect for:
- Dog owners with no prior training background
- Anyone looking for a playful, bond-focused activity
- Dogs of all ages who enjoy fun challenges and mental stimulation
What’s Covered
- Teaching your dog a variety of fun tricks
- Building confidence through new challenges
- Improving focus and engagement in a playful way
- Creating mini trick routines
$
100
Dogs 4 months and older
Class Length
- Weekly 1-hour classes
- 4-week course
Class Size
- Up to 8 attendees
Disclaimer: Classes with fewer than 3 enrolled dogs will be canceled. Enrollees can choose to receive a full refund, transfer their deposit to the next scheduled series of the same class, or receive a 10% discount on private training services using their deposit as credit.
Board & Train Programs
$
95
per night*
Think of this as a training boot camp. You drop your dog off with us for 2–3 weeks, where they live and train on-site. During their stay, we work intensively on obedience, manners, and behavior. At the end of the program, we transition the training to you so you know exactly how to maintain and build on their progress at home.
Daily Skills Builder
$
20
20 Minute Session
Training enrichment for dogs already in our care.
Designed for dogs attending
daycare or
boarding at MVP Resort, Daily Skills Builder sessions provide extra mental enrichment and skill development. Dogs work with a training apprentice in a fun, low-pressure setting, to build confidence, encourage manners, and provide engagement.
Core Manners — Indoor Only
Sit
Your pup will learn to sit politely on command, even with distractions.
Down
Teaching calmness—your dog will lie down on command, 80% of the time or better.
Place
Your dog will go to a designated spot and relax there for 2 minutes.
Down Stay
Encouraging independence—your pup will stay lying down for 2 minutes, even with some distance from the trainer.
Drop It
No more tug-of-war! Your dog will happily release items on command.
Leave It
Helps your pup ignore distractions (like food, toys, or anything else tempting!).
Center
A fun bonding skill—your dog will move between your legs into position and even walk a few steps with you.
Come/Recall
Reliable recall—your dog will come when called, even with distractions nearby.
Advanced Manners — Indoor/Outdoor
Extended Sit
Building patience—your pup will sit and stay for up to 5 minutes.
Extended Down
Your dog will relax in a down-stay for 5 minutes, with or without distractions.
Extended Place
Your dog will go to their designated spot from a distance and stay there for 10 minutes.
Loose Leash Walking
Dog walks calmly without pulling for 5 minutes, with/without distractions.
Polite Greeting
No more jumping or mouthing! Your pup will greet people with calm manners.
Heel
A focused walk—your dog will stay close to your side, even around distractions.
Agility & Confidence Building
Jumps
Your pup will learn to hop over obstacles with excitement and control.
Weave Poles
Building coordination—your dog will weave through poles on command.
Tunnel
Boosts bravery—your pup will confidently run through a tunnel.
Pause Pad
Your dog will practice balance and focus by staying on a small platform for 1 minute.
Perch Bowl
Front feet up! Your pup will place their paws on a small object and hold position for 1 minute.
Fetch & Retrieve
Fetch & Retrieve
Your pup will learn the full retrieve sequence, turning play into a focused skill.
Meet Our Trainer:
Dominick
Our training program is led by Dominick, a trainer our clients—and their dogs—absolutely adore.
Dominick is known for his deep knowledge, calm leadership, and remarkable intuition. He has a gift for understanding what each individual dog needs, as well as coaching owners on exactly how to support and reinforce that training at home. His approach is thoughtful, collaborative, and highly personalized.


Training Consultations: What to Expect
We offer flexible training options to meet a variety of goals, schedules, and budgets. If you’re not sure where to start, we recommend beginning with a consultation. We offer free 15-minute consultations, or book a 30-minute in-depth consultation for just $35. These sessions help us understand your dog and your goals and help us work together to find the best path forward.
Start Your Training Journey
at MVP Resort
Whether you’re welcoming a new puppy, navigating behavior challenges, or looking to elevate your dog’s skills, we’re here to join you on your training journey. Call us today at (703) 280-4588 to learn more, or
request a consultation online
through our easy-to-use portal.
Dog Training Policies
Training Appointments
- Training session appointments are required and booked on a first-come basis
- All sessions need approval. Clients will receive a confirmation email upon approval.
- Individual training sessions open 1 month in advance
- Group training classes open 3 months in advance
Cancellation Policy
- For individual training sessions, notice must be given 72 business hours in advance prior to the session to receive a refund.
- For group training classes, notice must be given 14 days prior to the start of the class to receive a refund. No partial refunds will be given for individual classes missed.
Scheduling
All appointment requests require approval. Once approved, you’ll receive a confirmation email.
Appointments are required for:
- Daycare
- Boarding
- Training
- We Wash
- Walk-ins are welcome for the self-service dog wash only.
Tardiness & Pick-Up
Training, Classes, and Baths
Up to 10 min late: No problem, you’ll still be seen.
10–20 min late: We’ll do our best.
20+ min late:
- Private Training: Subject to trainer availability.
- Group Classes: You may join, but you miss what you miss.
- Baths: May need rescheduling.
Payments & Deposits
- Payment is due at the time services are rendered.
- Daycare packages must be paid at time of purchase.
- Accepted payments: Apple Pay, Discover, Mastercard, Visa, American Express.
- Deposits required for boarding and training.
Dress Code
- All dogs must arrive with a leash and collar.
- Collars must fit properly (not too tight/loose).
- Disposable ID collars will be used during the stay; personal collars removed.
- Cats are not required to wear collars.
Health Requirements
All pets must meet our general and species specific health requirements before visiting the resort. These can be reviewed on our Health Requirements page.
Medical Care
- In case of illness or injury, pets will be treated by our on-site veterinarians.
- Extensive care will be referred to VCA Southpaws.
VCA Southpaws, 8500 Arlington Blvd, Fairfax, VA (703) 752-9100
- Owners are responsible for all medical costs.
Behavior & Safety
- All pets must be non-aggressive toward people and animals.
- Owners must disclose any history of aggression or threatening behavior.
- Dogs must complete a behavioral consultation.
- Pets may not exhibit resource guarding around food, water, or housing.
- Guest dismissal: Any pet posing a danger may be dismissed from group activities.
Tours
Tours available by phone (703) 250-4588 or email resort@mainstayvet.com.
Business Hours
- Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
- Saturday: 8:00am – 12:00pm
- Sunday: 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Pictures & Social Media
- Photos and/or videos of your pet may be taken during their stay at MVP Resort.
- Images may be used for promotional purposes on our website and social media platforms.
- If you prefer your pet not be featured, please notify us in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Dog Training
What training does the Dog Training Apprentice Team have?
Mainstay Resort is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to each of our guests, which begins with our carefully selected team of compassionate Training Apprentices. Before hands-on training can even begin, the Training Apprentices go through a rigorous course of virtual training covering the fundamentals of topics such as canine behavior, body language, and handling. Once virtual training is complete, the Apprentices are then under the supervision of our experienced Dog Training Specialist to ensure that they are not only comfortable with the duties of being a Dog Training Apprentice, but also fully equipped with the tools and knowledge for success every day.














































































































