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Dog Obedience Classes in Annapolis, MD

GDBy the GetDogSchool team·Updated 2026·Expert-reviewed
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Obedience classes teach the everyday skills that make a dog easy to live with: sitting and lying down on cue, staying put, walking on a loose leash, coming when called and leaving things alone. Around Annapolis they also prepare dogs for the real world of busy sidewalks, crowded weekends and neighborhood paths.

Anne Arundel County offers obedience training in several shapes, from a long-running dog club with ten-week class sessions to training centers with beginner and advanced groups, private lessons, day training and immersive board and train programs. This page explains the formats, what a good course covers and how to choose.

The skills a solid course covers

  • Sit, down and stay, first at home and then with distractions.
  • Loose leash walking, so walks are not a tug of war.
  • Coming when called, built gradually from the house to the yard to quiet public places.
  • Leave it and drop it, which keep dogs safe around food and litter.
  • Settling on a mat or bed, so a dog can relax at home, at a café or during visitors.
  • Polite greetings that replace jumping on people.

Class formats around the county

A dog training club based in Davidsonville runs obedience classes that start every ten weeks, with advanced classes in rally, freestyle and conformation for dogs that finish the basics. Training centers in Annapolis, Millersville and Curtis Bay run beginner and advanced group classes, and one Annapolis center sells group classes as a membership with unlimited in-person and virtual sessions.

If a class is not the right fit, private lessons, in-home packages and day training cover the same skills one-on-one. Board and train programs in Davidsonville, Annapolis, Arnold and Severn teach obedience while the dog stays with the trainer, followed by lessons for the owner.

Group class or private lessons?

Group classes are good value for the time and give dogs practice ignoring other dogs and people, which is exactly what they need on a crowded street. They suit most friendly, healthy dogs. Private lessons suit dogs that are too excited or too worried to learn in a group, households with specific problems at home, and owners with schedules that classes cannot fit.

Many people use both: private lessons to get started or to fix one problem, then a class to practice in a more distracting setting. Ask trainers whether they can combine formats and whether lessons can move between your home and public places.

If you are not sure where to start, a single private session can help a trainer recommend the right class level, so your dog is neither bored nor overwhelmed in the first weeks.

Methods and tools

Local trainers describe their methods in different ways. Some teach with positive reinforcement only and avoid choke, prong and shock collars; some describe a balanced method that combines rewards with corrections; some use remote collars as part of advanced work. Ask each trainer to explain exactly what they use, why, and what you will be asked to do with your own dog.

Whatever the method, a good trainer should be able to show you progress in each session, explain the next step clearly and change the plan if your dog is not coping.

Getting the most from a course

Practice little and often: three or four short sessions a day usually beat one long one. Use the same words for each cue across the household, keep a few treats in your pocket on walks, and reward the behavior you like when it happens on its own, not only in training sessions.

When the course ends, keep going. Skills fade without use, and a dog that has only practiced in a classroom needs time to prove them in parks, at busy shopping centers and on neighborhood walks. Advanced classes, dog sports or a few refresher lessons keep things moving.

Preparing for a class or the Canine Good Citizen test

A little preparation makes a first class much easier. Practice a few cues at home in the week before, bring treats your dog really likes, and arrive a few minutes early so your dog can sniff the area before the class starts. If your dog is nervous around others, ask whether you can work at the edge of the room at first.

Many owners use obedience classes as a step toward the Canine Good Citizen evaluation, which checks practical manners such as accepting a friendly stranger, walking through a crowd, sitting for petting and staying calm when separated briefly from the owner. At least one local program prepares dogs for it, and it is a useful foundation for therapy work, dog sports and simply living well with a dog in a busy county.

Reviewed Dog Obedience Classes Trainers in Annapolis

These reviewed Annapolis-area trainers from our directory are the local options for dog obedience classes. Each links to a full profile with specialties, certified credentials, reviews, and contact info:

See all Annapolis dog obedience classes trainers →

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an obedience course take?

Club sessions around here run about ten weeks, many training center courses run several weeks, and board and train programs here run from about two to five weeks. Ask how many sessions are included and what practice you will do between them.

Can older dogs learn obedience?

Yes. Adult and senior dogs learn well, often with better focus than puppies. Private lessons and short board and train stays work well for older dogs that need a calm, focused setting.

Do I need to attend if my dog goes to board and train?

Yes. The good programs end with lessons for you, because a dog only keeps the skills it practices at home. Ask how the handover works and whether follow-up help is included.

What comes after a basic obedience class?

Advanced obedience, Canine Good Citizen preparation, rally, agility, nose work and off-leash training are all offered somewhere in the area. Ask your trainer which next step suits your dog.

Are virtual obedience lessons worth it?

They can be, especially for practicing at home between in-person sessions. Several local trainers offer online lessons or online programs; they work best for owners who are willing to film and practice.

Related: read our complete dog obedience classes guide or the full Annapolis dog training overview.

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