Day Care Training is our most popular program and consistently produces excellent results. Consequently, it is usually booked well in advance. However, most owners feel that the education they receive is worth the wait. All training takes place in historic Old Town Alexandria where a dog in day school will spend the day visiting our local parks, shops, and Market Square.
Daycare Activities
Dogs are trained for a minimum of 30 minutes three times a day, four days a week for three weeks. Your dog will attend school Monday through Thursday or Tuesday through Friday depending on which instructor you are working with. Owners receive three one-hour private sessions to see their dog's progress and learn how to use what their dog has learned. After the first lesson you are an active participant in the program with your dog. Handling lessons are usually given at the end of each week the dog is in school. Exercises covered in our basic course include heel and sit automatically when you stop, sit-stay, down-stay, come when called and down from a distance. Your dog will work on both a six foot and fifteen foot leash and is expected to work around distractions such as other dogs, traffic, squirrels and joggers. We also teach you how to use your training tools to work with problems such as barking, jumping, digging or destructive behavior. All graduates receive a diploma and an "honor student" bumper sticker. We work with several excellent dog taxi services if your dog requires transportation. Day School is in session from 9 am to 4 pm but dogs are welcome to arrive as early as 7:30 am and can be picked up as late as 7:00 pm.
Private Lessons
Private Lessons
The private lesson program consists of six one-hour lessons for a dog with its owner. Owners are taught the steps to train their dog themselves with the benefit of a private instructor who focuses solely on their specific handling techniques and their dog's learning style. Each week, a new exercise is taught and the previous weeks are reviewed. The exercises are identical to the basic exercises taught in day care training. To achieve optimum results, owners and their dogs are expected to complete all homework assigned by the instructor. This is a wonderful program for people who have the time and inclination to work with their dogs.
Puppy Head Start
Puppy Head Start
Designed for puppies 8 to 18 weeks of age, Puppy Head Start produces excellent training candidates. This course is second to none in helping your puppy "join up" with his new family and find his place in your pack. Consisting of three private sessions, the course covers a wealth of information on raising a puppy during this critical period of its life. Research shows that proper socialization and intervention at a young age will usually produce a well-adjusted adult dog. The course includes housebreaking, survival of the teething stage, vocabulary using food, learning to walk on a leash, socialization to sights and sounds, and being positively motivated to come when called with a whistle. We also help with grooming techniques for your puppy's specific coat type. Your trainer will be available to you during our business hours to answer questions regarding your puppy.
Off Leash
Off Leash
We offer advanced training for dogs and owners who would like to continue after basic training. If your dog is accepted into the off-leash program we will cover all of the exercises done in basic along with drop in motion, drop on recall and come when called around distractions in the park. The off-leash course can be taken in either the day school or private lesson program.
Retail
Retail
With over 3,000 square feet of retail space, our pet supply department attracts pet lovers from all over the metro area. We pride ourselves in a diverse and unique selection of both dog and cat supplies. Our prices remain competitive with stores in the area. Our friendly retail staff is always ready to assist you whether you have questions regarding equipping your home for a new puppy or making a senior citizen more comfortable with orthopedic beds, food supplements or special diets. Our dog food choices are researched carefully and we strive to carry the best products currently on the market.
Grooming
Grooming
With its staff of premier groomers who have worked with the school since the early 1990's. Olde Towne School for Dogs offers quality grooming to breed standards. We use state of the art equipment such as the Prima bathing system and each dog is individually blown dry by hand. These techniques enable our groomers to produce a professional finish. Due to the grooming staff's excellent work, appointments are booked well in advance. The school welcomes new grooming clients; however, please be patient when trying to book your first appointment. A cancellation list is maintained, and most clients wishing to use our services will receive an appointment.
Long before the arrival of pet superstores, the Olde Towne School for Dogs was committed to operating a full-service facility for pets and their owners. Carlos and Sandy Mejias opened this family-owned and -operated school in 300 square feet of rental storefront at its present location. As luck and faith would have it, they were able to secure the building and the proper zoning to allow the school to grow to its current 7,000 square feet dedicated entirely to training, retail, and grooming.
Established in 1975 by Carlos and Sandy Mejias, the Olde Towne School for Dogs is located in the heart of Alexandria's historic district. Over the years, the school has developed into a landmark facility for educating dogs and their owners in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with our unique organization by browsing through our Web site. We will be happy to respond to your questions and comments, so please contact us via e-mail or telephone.