Dog Training, Done Right at The Dog Wizard Chantilly

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!

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.

From an early age, Sam was captivated by animals, spending childhood days outdoors catching critters and playing with neighborhood pets. Growing up surrounded by dogs of all ages and obedience levels thanks to his father, a well-known breeder of German Shepherds in Atlanta, Georgia, ingrained in him a deep appreciation and understanding of canine behavior.

As a young adult, he began his professional journey as a dog bather and groomer's assistant, where he developed a passion for handling dogs. A move to California led him to a position as a kennel technician, where he gained valuable exposure to basic and advanced obedience, protection training, and ring sports, working with various breeds including working-line Tervurens and Malinois, as well as pet dogs. This experience solidified his dedication to pursuing a lifelong career in dog training.

Returning to Virginia, Sam proactively sought mentorship from local training companies, leading to a pivotal opportunity with a Hampton, VA trainer affiliated with The Dog Wizard. Under this mentorship, he mastered advanced obedience, behavioral modification, and scent work. With extensive experience handling high-drive working dogs like Malinois, Tervurens, German Shepherds, and Dutch Shepherds, he specializes in behavioral modification, working with reactive dogs, channeling high energy, and building focus and intensity with dogs of all breeds and ages. Deeply passionate about his work, Sam dedicates himself daily to teaching humans how to understand, effectively communicate, and connect with their furry friends at the other end of the leash.

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!