Live a Happier Life with Your Furry Friend
Certified
balanced trainers you can trust
Since 2005
helping families nationwide
Lifetime Support
to keep training on track
National Network
of local trainers near you
Free Evaluation
to start your dog’s training
How It Works
We offer a wide range of dog training programs designed to fit your goals, whether you need board and train, private lessons, puppy training, or group classes. Each program is led by certified trainers, with flexible scheduling and lifetime support after graduation.
Free Evaluation
We assess your dog’s needs and create a personalized plan that fits your lifestyle.
Customized Training Plan
Certified trainers guide you and your dog through proven, positive methods for behavior improvement.
Hands-On Training
Choose from in-home or mobile programs designed for lasting results.
Ongoing Support
Receive tools, guidance, and follow-ups to maintain progress and reinforce skills at home.
Our Dog Training Programs
and Services
Meet Your Dog Trainers
Every dog trainer on the The Dog Wizard Georgetown team is extensively trained and experienced in balanced training techniques that address a range of behavioral issues to help your dog reach their full potential.
Abby Odasso
Advanced Dog Wizard
Abby has dedicated her life to working with animals, fueled by a lifelong passion that began with her diverse experiences caring for dogs, cats, reptiles, and rodents as pets. She earned her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise in Management Information Systems.
During her time in college, she adopted Scooby, a German Shepherd–Golden Retriever mix, which solidified her commitment to animal welfare and profoundly enriched her life. Combining her academic background with her love for animals, Abby became the Chief Operating Officer at a local rescue, where she gained extensive hands-on experience in foundational veterinary tasks such as vaccinating, microchipping, deworming, and administering fluids to both cats and dogs. It was during this time that Abby dedicated countless hours to improving adoption opportunities for the dogs in her care, where she developed her love for dog training and the difference it can make in a dog’s and their owner’s life.
Following her tenure at the rescue, Abby transitioned into a more direct training role with dogs at The Dog Wizard Chantilly, Georgetown, and Tysons Corner. She has since built a robust career, training a wide variety of breeds with a vast array of behavioral issues. Her comprehensive understanding of different breeds and their unique behavioral traits has made her a versatile, skilled trainer.
Abby’s expertise particularly shines when working with anxious dogs. She finds immense satisfaction in helping these dogs overcome their fears and showing them that the world is not as scary as it seems. Her compassionate approach and dedication to animal welfare are evident in every training session, making her an invaluable asset to both the dogs she trains and their owners. Abby is truly committed to making a positive impact in the lives of animals and their human companions.
Autumn Bowen
Advanced Dog Wizard
Raised on a farm in rural Pennsylvania, Autumn developed a deep affinity for animals early in life, dedicating countless hours to observing and understanding their behaviors. She initially honed her training skills with horses, and then transitioned to dog training. Her formal education in animal behavior and training, combined with her practical experience, has equipped her with a deep understanding of canine psychology and behavior.
Autumn's expertise spans a wide range of challenges, including handling aggression, resource-guarding, and reactivity. Along with more complex behavioral issues, her passion is in guiding puppy development and instilling advanced obedience skills. Actively engaged in AKC dog sports, Autumn is a strong advocate for breed-specific activities, emphasizing the importance of early socialization and proper handling to ensure well-rounded, confident dogs.
With a lifelong commitment to understanding animal behavior, Autumn's ultimate aim is to empower dog owners to understand their individual dog's strengths and weaknesses and provide them with fulfilling lives. Her dedication to sharing her knowledge fosters stronger bonds between dogs and their owners, ensuring harmonious and enriching relationships.
Amanda Becker and Bryan Krinzman
Co-Owner, Advanced Dog Wizard & Operator
After almost 35 combined years of experience in Human Resources, husband and wife, Amanda and Bryan, felt like it was time for a change. Looking for a new challenge that spoke to their hearts, their lifelong love of animals and adoration of their 7-year-old mini-goldendoodle, Teddy Bear, (and his desperate need for training) drew them to The Dog Wizard’s mission of creating happier owners and dogs.
Bryan and Amanda opened The Dog Wizard Chantilly in June of 2023, and then later the Tysons Corner and Georgetown locations. Both have become Advanced Dog Wizard Certified Trainers and have a passion for learning about effective dog training methodologies. Amanda and Bryan use their customer service skills, business management knowledge, and dog training education to carry out their vision of enhancing the love and joy that comes with owning a dog to make both the client’s and the dog’s lives more fulfilled.
Amanda has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from George Mason University and is a Master Certified Transformational Health and Life Coach. Bryan has a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Boston University and a Master’s degree in Human Resources from Georgetown University.
They strive to bring programs with the most effective and leading-edge training coupled with an award-winning team of highly skilled Dog Trainers who have huge hearts and a commitment to making owner’s and their pet’s lives better, easier, and more fun!
See What Other Dog Owners are Saying
Cody is a wonderful, energetic, 3-year-old rescue, and we were looking to improve his follow through with commands, his on-leash behavior, and his general reactivity to dogs and other triggers. Cody was trained by Sam, about whom we truly can not say enough good things. Sam's approach focuses on positive reinforcement, while also being firm, clear, and consistent about expectations and boundaries. As we soon learned, much of Cody's training depends on his parents' "training," and Sam worked with us during and after Cody's stay to help us understand how to form a better relationship with our pup and get the behavioral results we were looking for.
When we picked up Cody after boarding, he already displayed significant improvements and positive changes (without any change to his exuberant and happy self). In the following weeks, with Sam's endless guidance at in person lessons and on phone calls and texts, we've continued to work and improve upon Cody's new learning.
The Board and Train program was an investment, and we wanted it to make a impact. We were not disappointed. Sam's understanding of dogs is truly remarkable. His dedication to work with us is equally amazing and appreciated. We are so thankful to Sam and to The Dog Wizard for this great experience for Cody and for us.
My husband and I have had a 7-year love-hate relationship with our dog. He’s mini Australian Shepherd. We had him since he was 6 weeks old and he was thoroughly socialized until he was neutered when the behavioral problems began to manifest (aggression, separation anxiety). Walking him was nearly impossible. He barked and lunged at other dogs and unsuspecting passersby. Strolling in parks was always a drama-filled affair with him protesting anyone or anything within a 3-foot radius of us. He also barked at any sound beyond our door to the annoyance and dismay of our neighbors. Leaving home for any reason invited snarling, barking and the occasional bite, which has only worsened during COVID-19 because we do not leave home nearly as often as before. We needed help. It was either the dog or our sanity.
I found The Dog Wizard online and enrolled our pup in the 3 week intensive training/ boarding program. Scott and his team were great. We received regular updates of our pup and his progress (though to be honest, I was so relieved and relaxed over the 21 days our dog was away that I would have happily paid The Dog Wizard staff to keep him!)
To say that things have changed would be an understatement. I’ve always loved my dog, but I actually LIKE him now as well. Taking our pup for a walk is actually enjoyable and stress free. So much so, that I find myself spending much more time with him walking each day. No pulling, barking or drama—barely feels like he is there at all. When we took him to the closest park, he walked obediently by my side without distraction and then(!) sat quietly on a bench while six other dogs yapped and played nearby. That would have been unthinkable a month earlier. His separation anxiety has also dialed back considerably.
Before The Dog Wizard, our dog was 70% unmanageable and 30% lovable. Now, he’s 90% lovable and his crazy side rarely manifests, and when it does, it is no where near the intensity as before. Scott and his team are miracle workers. They have given us training tips as well as the tools to keep our pup on the right path.
The Dog Wizard is worth every penny. My only regret is that we did not find and enroll Barnaby in The Dog Wizard years earlier.
There were a multitude of other problems that were corrected as well with this training, like he seems to be much better now with other dogs. I don't know if it is the training or just being around other dogs for two weeks, but he seems to be far better.
I was also initially unsure about going with Scott's e-collar, but I am glad I did. I have a bunch of e-collars but they are not good for the type of training you'll be doing with your dog. The collar Scott uses is much more humane as you can really adjust it to avoid over shocking your dog.
I would hands down recommend this training for your dog, its the fastest way to get your dog trained and its very, very effective!
About The Dog Wizard Georgetown
Our dog training goes beyond basic commands like Sit, Come, and Down. Our approach focuses on helping your dog make better choices and respond to you instead of their impulses.
We cover all the essential obedience commands you need to communicate effectively with your dog. But more importantly, we teach your dog to stay engaged and follow through with these commands, even in the most distracting environments.
Our goal is to enhance your dog’s understanding of obedience, making it a natural part of their behavior, not just a few tricks they perform when they feel like it.
Why Choose The Dog Wizard
Magical Methodologies
All of our trainers use balanced training techniques that are proven to be effective in and out of the classroom.
Everywhere Dogs Are
With over 100 locations — the majority of them being mobile — we have the ability to bring balanced dog training right to you.
Trained to Transform
Our knowledgeable trainers complete a rigorous dog training curriculum through The Dog Wizard Academy that teaches them methods that truly work
A Lifetime of Support
Those who complete our obedience programs have access to indefinite group class training support.