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Paws-Down

the best choice in
Arlington for
all things dog

Day Training

Day Training

Let us be your partners. We’ll do the training for you, then show you how it’s done.

Daycare PLUS

Daycare

Not your typical dog daycare, our exclusive program carefully groups small numbers of dogs to maximize safety, fun, and individual attention for each dog.

Puppy Classes & Parties

Puppy Classes & Parties

From 9 weeks old and up, jump into socialization, life skills and training with our Puppy Parties, Kindergarten and Basic Obedience classes.

Adolescent & Adult Dog Classes

Adolescent & Adult Dog Classes

For dogs 6 months old and up, get going with Basic and Intermediate, then keep training with our advanced specialty classes like Canine Good Citizen, Rally, Tricks and more.

Private Training

Private Training

One-one-one support to reach your dog training goals through private dog training sessions at our campus or in the convenience of your own home.

Graphical photos of six WOOFS! trainers

With a combined 100+ years*

of experience training and caring for dogs (and their people!), and more letters after our names than you can shake a bully stick at, we’ve got the expertise to make life with your dog easier.

* That’s no typo!

Why WOOFS!

We’re experienced, professional dog trainers

We don’t just love dogs—we speak dog (and puppy, mutt, pooch, and hound). Our instructors are highly certified dog trainers with many years’ experience and a commitment to ongoing education in our field.

Learn more about us.

We use only science-based, dog-and-people friendly methods

In an unregulated industry we employ only the most up-to-date, humane, scientifically researched training methods. We want you feel good about how you (or we) get your training results, and how we care for your dog.

We’re not your typical training and daycare facility

No same-old, same-old here. At WOOFS! you’ll see we do just about everything differently. That’s because we believe in doing things the best they can be done, whether it’s training your dog, caring for him, or taking care of you.

We believe in real-life results

Whether it’s training classes, private training, or dog daycare we want you to see a difference with your puppy or dog at home, where it really counts—or anywhere else you choose to take your best friend.

The WOOFS! Team

Dr. Laura Sharkey, KPA CTP, has owned and led WOOFS! since 2002. An accomplished, certified professional dog trainer, Laura regularly presents to her peers at professional training conferences across the country. Her strong science background—including a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from Georgetown—informs her choice of the modern, humane, rewards-based training methods used at WOOFS!

WOOFS! Blog

Get ready for daycare at Ballston, starting October 1st!

Here’s everything you need to know about our move back to our Ballston campus! IMPORTANT DATES OF OPERATION Through September 22nd: Shirlington Campus open as usual for daycare and boarding September 23 – 30: CLOSED for moving. No daycare or boarding available. October 1: Ballston OPEN for daycare! WHAT IS DAYCARE PLUS? Our new daycare program (Daycare PLUS)… Read more »

WOOFS! Shirlington is closing

To the WOOFS! Shirlington family, It is with a mixture of gratitude and sadness that we announce the closing of the WOOFS! Shirlington location. The last day for daycare and boarding will be Sunday, September 22nd. For the past 17 years we have welcomed so many wonderful dogs here for daycare, boarding, and training. And… Read more »