Board and train in washington DC and Northern virginia

The Best V.I.P. Board & Train Program in Northern Virginia

Our elite, highly personalized VIP board & train program in Alexandria, Virginia delivers fixes to any unwanted behaviors, service dog level obedience, and an education that lasts a lifetime.

❗️Last Minute Board & Train Opening: 4 Week B&T Starting in July❗️

Skip our 3-6 month waitlist and transform your dog today!

Due to high demand, I only board & train a few dogs at a time, so our program generally books out 3-6 months in advance. However, if you have a specific request for training dates, we may be able to accommodate. Contact us to inquire!

NOVA canine academy, best board and train program in northern virginia

Our Program is Different...

✅ Located in Alexandria, VA

✅ We Only Train 2 Dogs At A Time

✅ Your Dog Lives In A Family Environment... Not A Facility

✅ Guaranteed Results!

✅ Unlimited Lifetime Support

✅ Proven Success In All Behavior Modification

✅ Over 1 Million Followers On Social Media

✅ Led By World Renowned Dog Trainer, Ethan Steinberg

Book Your Training Today!

"I brought my recently adopted dog to Ethan shortly after we discovered she had leash reactivity. I cannot speak highly enough of his work and how much of a difference he made with our dog. I cannot recommend Ethan highly enough. If you've got a dog in need of help to be heir best self, I'll take my second leap and tell you Ethan is your best bet."

-Nancy L, Northern Virginia

Why Our System Works...

Video Catalog & Documentation
You’ll receive a full catalog of training videos documenting major sessions for future reference and progress tracking. You’ll also get unlimited access to our Board & Train Course, helping you maintain and build on your dog’s results long after training ends.
Balanced Training Philosophy
Our balanced board and train program in Northern Virginia combines both clear rewards and fair corrections to teach dogs exactly what’s expected. This creates reliable obedience, better behavior, and a more confident, stress-free dog.
Personalized Experience
This is the most personalized board & train experience in the country, located here in Northern Virginia. Your dog lives in a home, not a facility or a warehouse, and is trained in a family environment and in public settings.

"When Klaus went to board and train with Ethan, he was an extremely anxious, reactive puppy. Klaus was always barking and lunging—at dogs, at humans, at inanimate objects, at EVERYTHING.

Thank God for Ethan! Ethan not only trained Klaus but he trained us as well. Ethan explained in great detail what he was working on with Klaus. He explained why Klaus was behaving the way he was and what we needed to do in order to correct his behavior. He welcomed any questions that we had.

Our veterinarian couldn’t believe the transformation; he said Klaus seemed like a different dog. Klaus has now truly become a part of our everyday lives. We routinely go into stores and other public places., and Klaus is a model dog."

-Everett D, Kentucky

Why 4 and 6 Weeks?

Many companies promise off-leash training or complete behavior modification in just two weeks, but this simply isn’t realistic. At NOVA Canine Academy, we know that lasting behavior change takes time and consistency. Our 4-week and 6-week board and train programs are designed to provide the necessary time for comprehensive training, including:

Day 1-10: Focus on loose leash walking, heel, and basic obedience. These are foundational skills that all dogs need to master.

Day 11-21: Introduce the e-collar and begin minor behavior modification, addressing issues like barking, jumping, and general thresholds.

Day 21+: This phase focuses on severe behavior modification (e.g., reactivity, aggression, resource guarding, fear-based behaviors), where the real transformation occurs.

Two weeks simply isn’t enough to address both basic training and deeper behavior issues. Our 4-week and 6-week board and train programs allow for thorough work with your dog, including both foundational skills and more complex behavior challenges. Quality training takes time — and that’s exactly what we provide.

"Ethan helps us strengthen our structured walks and responsive whenever I have questions. He’s really committed to his clients and we just adored the experience working with him. It was fully worth the investment."

-Chamari S, Fairfax VA

Board & Train Programs & Pricing

All Programs Include:

✅ Training in a home, not a facility or warehouse

✅ All training is personally led by Ethan

✅ E-collar & Board and Train Course

✅ Any tools that you'll need after training (leash, collar, etc.)

✅ Ethan picks up your dog from your home (or dropped off if out of town)

✅ A 2-4 hour session with Ethan at the end of training

✅ A catalog of your dog's training videos at the end of training

✅ The NCA Guarantee

Click Here To See Our Board & Train FAQ's

"I'm writing this review almost 4 years after we sent our dog, Milo, to NOVA Canine Academy. He was struggling with fear aggression and hyperactivity. After training Milo acknowledged and responded to every command Ethan had taught. 4 years later, Milo is still very well-behaved, listens well, and is a happy dog overall. Milo would not be the same without Ethan. If you are in the area and are looking for a trainer, you've found him. Thank you so much again, Ethan! Milo says thank you as well!"

-Alexander S, Potomac MD

4 Week Board & Train
Our standard foundational program. Your dog lives with Ethan and one of his trainers, learning a lasting foundation of basic manners, advanced leash walking, and moderate distraction off-leash training.
✅ Moderate to High Distraction Off-Leash Training
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Price: $8,500*
*6 or 12 month financing options offered through Affirm
Contact Us To Get Started
6 Week Board & Train
Our signature program designed to stop any behavioral issue for life, including reactivity, aggression, or resource guarding. Expect service dog level obedience after graduation. This program is personally led by Ethan.
✅ Complete Rehabilitation of Aggression, Reactivity, or Resource Guarding Issues
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Price: $12,000*
*6 or 12 month financing options offered through Affirm
Contact Us To Get Started
Puppy Raise & Train
Your dog lives with Ethan during the most foundational part of their life, building perfect manners and obedience, confidence, and behaviors that will last a lifetime. This is a 3 month (12 week) program.
✅ Service Dog Level On and off leash obedience
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Price: $40,000*
*6 or 12 month financing options offered through Affirm
Contact Us To Learn More

We Get It... It's Not Cheap.

We believe the service we provide makes the cost well worth it. After all it’s YOUR dog we are talking about.

⬇️Contact Us Below To Get Started⬇️

"Ethan and his NOVA Canine Academy are phenomenal! We sent our very smart and stubborn German Shepherd Dog/Cattle Dog mix, Bentley, for a 6-week board and train session. The time Ethan took with Bentley, sharing the training sessions through video, and addressing our specific questions and concerns made us feel like we were a part of his training. Couldn’t be happier! Thanks for all you do NCA team!!!"

-Dena G, Northern Virginia

board and train dog in northern virginia

Eligibility For Boarding Once Graduated

Trusted Boarding for Dogs We Already Know

After your dog completes a NOVA Canine Board & Train program, they become eligible for boarding with us.

This gives past clients a trusted place to send their dog when they travel, need temporary care, or want peace of mind knowing their dog is staying with trainers who already understand their behavior, structure, routine, and training expectations.

Unlike traditional boarding, your dog is not starting over with strangers. They are returning to the same structured environment that helped them succeed.

What Other Dog Owners Say About Our Program

Areas We Serve

Alexandria, VA
Fairfax, VA
Arlington, VA
Falls Church, VA
Woodbridge, VA
Prince William, VA
Great Falls, VA
Washington, DC
Potomac, MD
Montgomery, MD
Prince George's, MD

About 50% of our board & train clients are from outside the D.C. Area, including; Chicago, Florida, New York, Ohio, Texas, etc.

Board & Train FAQ's

Country/region