Let's Build Your Best Friend's Best Behavior

Serving: Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg

Helping Dogs and Owners Across Coastal Virginia

At Best Friend's Dog Training, we proudly help dogs and their owners across the Hampton Roads region build better behavior, stronger communication, and more enjoyable lives together.

Training Dogs since 1999

All Breeds

All Ages

Any Temperament

We provide professional dog training services throughout:

  • Virginia Beach

  • Norfolk

  • Chesapeake

  • Portsmouth

  • Hampton

  • Newport News

  • Williamsburg

Whether you have a brand-new puppy, a dog with poor manners, or behavior issues that feel overwhelming, we're here to help.

Our Services

We'll completely customize a program to meet your needs!

Board & Train

Ever wish you could send your dog to an expert? And when dog came back home, he or she would be well-trained, great on or off leash, pay attention to you (and only you) on your walks and not lose their cool when the doorbell rings? Best Friends Dog Training is that great place. We exist, and we can help you and your dog.

People who choose to Board and Train sometimes don’t have the time to train their dog in the consistent manner that works best. People also choose to Board and Train when they are going away on vacation, pregnant, or have a dog that is physically stronger than they are.

We have two, three, and 4 week programs.

Custom specialty programs are available.

Therapy Dog / CGC

Start Your Journey to Certification & Service

Don't let your dog's inherent sweetness go untapped! Our comprehensive program provides the structure, expertise, and personalized coaching you need to navigate the path to becoming a certified therapy dog team. We combine purpose specific training, with personalized feedback sessions, ensuring both handler and dog are perfectly prepared. Beyond the core skills, we also coach you, the handler, on proper visitor etiquette, recognizing your dog's stress signals, and maintaining professionalism during visits. The demand for certified therapy dogs is constantly growing, and your dog could be the comforting presence someone desperately needs. Click the link below to view our course schedule, meet our certified therapy dog trainers, and enroll today. Take the first step toward turning cuddles into community service!

Service Dog Training

Our specialized service dog training for PTSD and diagnosed Anxiety focuses on helping dogs perform specific, disability-mitigating tasks for their handlers.

This training includes basic obedience like sit, stay, come, heel, down and place under distractions. These commands essential to taking your dog in public spaces.

Beyond basic obedience, we train dogs to recognize and respond to their handler's needs, such as:

-Interrupting panic attacks or flashbacks.

-Providing Deep Pressure Therapy to calm anxiety.

-Creating a buffer in public to increase personal space.

Our service dog program builds a reliable, confident partnership, empowering individuals with PTSD to navigate daily life with greater independence and security.

This program is usually 4 to 8 weeks in duration.

In-Home Training

We offer in-home training because we know that some people learn best when they are comfortable and can see how to apply everything they have learned in their familiar setting. That’s why Best Friend’s Dog Training has been offering in-home, private dog training since 1999! We have trained over 12,000 dogs, including thousands of family pets. Our dog obedience program is truly unique, and recommended by our clients and fellow dog trainers.

In our In-Home Program, a trainer comes to the client’s home and teaches in your dog’s natural environment. Your dog will learn all of the obedience training he or she needs to be a great family pet and polite to friends, family, children, teens and other dogs. Learn more about our obedience training.

Puppy Foundations

We’re proud to offer our popular puppy foundation and socialization training to our local community. Over the first 10 years we had separated ourselves from the masses of trainers by offering a high level of obedience training to our clients. We have worked hard to create a solid reputation and are happy to start training the littlest and newest dogs in our community.

Puppy Foundation classes are for pups between 8 and 14 weeks old. We offer this in both In home format and the 2 week board and train. People have been very happy with results. We use a reward based system to train the dog in basic "obedience commands, get the pups accustomed to a leash, and begin or continue crate training. Although we can't guarantee a finished result, we can kick start the housebreaking process.

House Breaking

We love our dogs, and we’ll do a lot for them. We know that accidents happen, but they should be accidents and not normal behavior! Housebreaking or housetraining a dog or puppy can be frustrating, tiring and you may want to give up. Don’t! We can help!

Please keep in mind that by enrolling your dog in our basic obedience training, your dog’s housetraining skills will often improve. Some people prefer a more intense program where the dog stays with us to start the housebreaking process.

Why Hampton Roads Dog Owners Choose Us

Life in Hampton Roads brings unique challenges for dogs - busy neighborhoods, beach distractions, military family schedules, visitors, public spaces, and active communities. Our training helps dogs become calmer, more reliable, and easier to live with in the real world.

Imagine:

  • Peaceful Walks

  • Better Listening

  • Confidence in Public

  • Guests without Chaos

  • Freedom with Your Dog Again

Training Methods

Food Based

E-Collar

Leashed Based

Customized Training for Your Dog

No two dogs are the same. We tailor every training plan based on your dog's temperament, age, history, and your goals. Whether you live in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, or anywhere in Hampton Roads, we're ready to help.

Ready to Build Your Best Friend's Best Behavior?

If you're looking for professional dog training in Hampton Roads, Virginia, contact Best Friend's Dog Training today to learn which program is the best fit for your dog.

Learn Dog Training from anywhere for results everywhere!

Virtual Instruction & Coaching with Video Based Courses

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