Live a Happier Life with Your Furry Friend

Welcome to The Dog Wizard, your premier dog trainer in Northern Virginia. We specialize in a range of comprehensive programs designed to bring out the best in your furry friends. With our expert guidance, your dog can conquer any behavioral challenge.

At The Dog Wizard, we understand the unique needs of each dog. Our skilled trainers are adept at addressing common issues like separation anxiety and aggression. We employ positive reinforcement techniques to shape desired behaviors, ensuring a harmonious relationship between you and your four-legged friend.

Contact us today to schedule a session with our renowned dog training experts. Let us help you unlock your dog’s full potential and create a happier, well-behaved companion.

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

Dog Training Obedience Programs

  • Dog Day Training
  • Lifetime Support
  • Private Dog Training Lessons
  • Group Dog Training Classes
  • Board and Train Dog Training
  • Puppy Training Programs

Dog Behavior Training Services

  • Problem Solving: barking, chewing, jumping, begging, counter surfing, digging, leash pulling, play biting, marking, door bolting, housebreaking
  • Resource Guarding Training
  • Dog Aggression Training
  • Dog Separation Anxiety Training
  • Adopted/Rescue Dog Training Program
  • Dog Socialization Training

Meet Your Dog Trainers

Every dog trainer on the The Dog Wizard Chantilly 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 ShepherdGolden 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, with 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 is 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!

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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.

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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!

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See What Other Dog Owners are Saying

5.0
Based on 158 reviews
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Melissa Guzman
17:53 23 Oct 25
Our Cockapoo Grayce had Abby as her trainer. Abby was fantastic! Grayce looked forward to her weekly session and always eager to learn. The training wasn't just for Grayce, it was for us too! We learned so much about the puppy months, her progression into adolescence and what to expect moving forward. We are so glad we chose the Dog Wizard and would highly recommend to others.
Vicki Galliher
15:29 30 Jul 25
I can’t say enough about the Dog Wizard staff and their approach to training! My rescue PitBull mix had a rough start to life before being abandoned on the city streets malnourished & afraid. The Dog Wizard team (especially Amanda, co-owner) in just 4 short weeks of intensive training have helped Gracie overcome some of her biggest fears, and set her AND me up for success going forward. It was obvious from Day 1 that the Dog Wizard team are passionate about helping dogs & their owners develop & nurture strong, confident bonds and relationships. They treat all their 4-legged clients as if they are their own … with love, structure, guidance, and patience.
Sarah Jimenez
12:52 26 Jul 25
Abby is a truly amazing dog trainer! The experience turned out even better than I could have imagined. She not only transformed my dog's behavior, but she also made the training process enjoyable and effective. Our dog is genuinely happier and so much calmer now, which has made a huge difference when we go out with him in public.
Katy Carlson
00:42 02 Jun 25
From the beginning conversation with the owner to the graduation with Abby, we thoroughly enjoyed our time with The Dog Wizard. Our dog has grown leaps and bounds and we are so excited and impressed with the progress he made in 5 short weeks. Abby was a fantastic communicator and everyone who I interacted with was knowledgeable, professional, and really cared about my dog. I would highly recommend The Dog Wizard to anyone looking to truly see some great progress in training. We loved that all the materials were included and the lifetime guarantee was wonderful. We loved our trainer Abby and our dog is a new dog! Thank you Dog Wizard!
Kaye Recella
22:16 17 May 25
We had the best time with The Dog Wizard, especially Abby! She was very patient with Rocky, and helped us improve Rocky's behavior. She helped us understand what Rocky needs and how we can be better Paw parents to him. It was not easy for a 5 year old corgi, but we definitely saw improvements within the 15-day extensive training. On the last day, Abby gave us advice on specific issues we want to address with Rocky, and made sure we know about the support classes.

Can't forget about Brian, Amanda and Marybeth. They are very hands on and make sure Rocky's in best hands. Can't thank them enough.

About The Dog Wizard Chantilly

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Dog Wizard Chantilly offers a free evaluation. This enables our trainers to talk with you, in depth, learn about your dog, go over your training goals, and find a program that works for you. Give us a call and we will help you set one up.
The Dog Wizard trainers are well versed in a variety of training tools; from food to collars to remote collars. We know that not all dogs do well with every tool and we will help you decide what tool is best for your dog as well as what tools you’re comfortable with using. At the end of the day, whatever tool you’re comfortable in using will be the one you’re most consistent in using and that’s what’s most important to us.
It is never too late to start teaching your dog new habits. It will take more time and effort than teaching a new puppy but you will love the outcome.

In order to know how long it will take to train your dog, we will need to do a free consultation. During your consultation, we will get to understand what you are looking to gain from the training as well as evaluate your dog to see what we will need to do to get him where you would like him to be. At that point, we will be able to give you a timeline for his training.

We do not have a one size fits all approach to training. Each dog owner team that has a free evaluation will have a customized program designed to fit your specific needs. While the cost of training is a wide range depending on a myriad of factors and personalization to your and your dog’s needs, training programs start at $250.

Additional questions? We’d love to help.

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