Dog Principal

Adam has made a huge difference in our relationship with our dog. Our dog had a resource guarding and aggression problem. Adam did board and train with our dog for two weeks and it was life changing . Now our dog listens most of the time when we tell him to put something down, and his recall is so much stronger. Adam gave us very helpful advice on what our dog needs from us every day to feel happy, secure, and fulfilled. We are still working on reinforcing the good habits and commands. In the mean time we and our sweet puppy are all much happier and safer. Do not hesitate to call Adam for help. He truly cares about the bond between a dog and their family, and will tailor his approach to what your individual dog needs. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Very knowledgeable and very helpful!

Reviewed on Google Maps

Adam, the owner of Dog Principal, is the best trainer I have ever used for any of my dogs. He is kind, patient, very resourceful and always available to give advice. I couldn’t recommend him more for anybody who was looking for a Trainer that delivers results. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

We had a very pleasant experience with Adam, The Dog Principal. We have 2 12 week old AKC rottweiler puppies who are just as sweet as they can be with the typical ill mamnered puppy behaviors. He was unbelievably patient and calm. We were very anxious about hiring anyone to help us train ... so many different approaches and views we didn't really know what to expect. Adam reaffirmed the methods we were already employing and gave us a ton of support. He spent time with both pups and included us in every step of the way. He was easy to talk to, communicated thoroughly and made us feel so comfortable. Our pups are listening better to simple commands like come, sit, leave it and wait in just one session. If you are looking for someone skilled, patient and effective call the Dog Principle. You will not regret it. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Reviewed on Google Maps

I highly recommend Adam as a dog trainer. He took an hour to listen to my concerns about Rusty and asses his behavior. I was able to put his suggestions into practice very quickly. Adam was very flexible about time and place to meet so we could maximize our practice. I really liked the way we could focus on the walk issue. I am practicing his suggestions and techniques and Rusty and I are enjoying our walks again. Thank you Adam! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

My dog Alf is a five year-old German Shepherd rescue from an abusive situation. He was very reactive to other dogs and has gone to bite people when he feels he is in a dangerous situation. I spent thousands of dollars and many trainers before I met with Adam from Principal Dogs. What I have now is a dog who can pass other dogs with no reaction and who is friendly to people. He absolutely loves Adam and Adam has stayed in our house alone with Alf with absolutely no reaction. Having gone for a previous dog walker I was resigned to the fact that having people in my home was not going to happen. Friends a neighbours are now welcomed by Alf with excitement and joy. His methods of training are easy to follow and the results are quick, certainly for Alf. It’s fair to say he has changed our life with Alf for the better. We are now able to take him into cafés and meet people without fear. I would say he not only trained Alf, but me too to be the owner that Alf needs to feel confident in this world. Alf has a new found confidence and happiness I honestly thought he would never find. Apart from changing everyone in my household‘s life for the better, Adam is ultimately reliable trustworthy and never lets you down. I can’t say enough good things about him if you choose Adam as a trainer for your dog you will not regret it. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Adam is incredibly responsive and communicative. We felt supported and we could tell he was a knowledgeable professional right away just via our written messages. In just two sessions, he helped us understand our rescue dog, Dexter (about 1 year old, previously a stray) and we saw progress in reducing jumping and biting after using what we learned in session one after only a few days. Adam modeled for us how to play with Dexter and walk him in ways that stimulate him, build our relationship, and teach discipline at the same time. Because of Adam’s experience and deep knowledge of canine behavior, he was able to see that our “leash reactive,” mouthy puppy really just wants to play and has a lot of energy to get out. Once we took Dexter to an area where he could meet and play with other dogs off leash and run to his heart’s content, we saw a whole new side of our puppy. We wouldn’t have been brave enough to try that without Adam’s encouragement - he earned our trust through his professionalism and respect for our voices in how we want to train our dog. Adam is willing to try different methods based on the humans’ comfort level, but he is not remotely pushy or dogmatic about specific methods. We are thrilled that we chose Adam to help us with Dexter and give him our highest recommendation. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I would highly recommend Adam as a dog trainer! We adopted our cavapoo with reactivity issues and taking him for a walk was an absolute nightmare. We tried googling ideas and watching YouTube videos for months and so we decided to hire a trainer. After one session we saw so much improvement! He gave us practical things to work on and the next session was just as helpful. He is very patient and a great teacher. Our dog is completely different on walks now thanks to Adam! They are actually enjoyable now! If you are struggling with your dog definitely call him!! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Adam is amazing with how he works with Leo and Charlie. He’s very patient, calm, and caring. He’s never pushy or impatient. Adam genuinely cares about my pups and wants the best for them. I’m so glad I found him. Wouldn’t truest anyone else with my guys! Terry R More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I’m so glad I made the investment in a skilled and knowledgeable trainer to help me learn skills to be a better dog mom. Adam taught me the importance of developing a good relationship my dog. I’ve learned how to address and manage her behaviors and how to respond so Daisy is less reactive on a leash and knows how to meet other dogs. Today we were able to do some e collar training and let her be off leash for running and playing. Getting the confidence in knowing how to reward her to build her confidence and see her happy has been so rewarding to me. In a few sessions we learned a lot and I know she’s happier for it ! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Adam is an exceptional trainer and has no much knowledge he has truly helped my dog! My dog was having fear issues and with his help and our reinforcement she is doing much better.

Reviewed on Yelp

Adam is an exceptional trainer and has no much knowledge he has truly helped my dog! My dog was having fear issues and with his help and our reinforcement she is doing much better.

Reviewed on Yelp

We adopted a 3 year old dog who was living on the street in Puerto Rico before he was sent to a rescue in the DC area. Once at home with us, we realized he was unable to navigate the internal and external stairs in our home. We called Adam and he came to the rescue! With patience, kindness and encouragement, he got our pup more comfortable with every repetition. Very happy with the results and I highly recommend him! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I got my dog Bailey from a shelter in October. She’s a 3 Y.O. pit/lab mix (you know what they say about Pitbulls lol) & when she came home, she was acting like she’d never been around another dog in her LIFE. Any time she saw a dog, she’d start screaming, howling, barking, jumping… you name it. She was not socialized what so ever, Not in a mean way, but just pure CHAOTIC. It got to a point where me & my fiancée hated walking her I found Adam on Thumbtack & things started changing literally after our first session. He was chill, patient, & took the time to explain what I needed to do in a way that I didnt feel clueless. He was good with Bailey too & she got comfortable with him very fast Adam, Bailey, and I have had 3 sessions, & the difference is mind blowing. Bailey can play with other dogs with ZERO issues, she listens when I call her, & I’m able to walk her with no leash w/o feeling like I’m holding mine or anyone else’s life in my own hands Adam helped us actually enjoy having a dog (my first time). The progress Bailey has made in such a short time blows my mind honestly, I’m overly excited for her and her making new pup friends in the future. If you don’t acknowledge any other reviews, acknowledge mine! THANK YOU ADAM More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Adam was amazing! After bringing home our first child, we began having issues with our dog allowing guests into the home. Adam was quickly able to diagnose that our dog was showing “nervous aggression” and provide us with the methods needed to correct this behavior . Putting these methods into use, this nervous aggression stopped within a few short days. This has also allowed us to understand our dog better, and help with other areas such as meeting new dogs and people. Adam was a huge huge help and I highly reccomend using him for all your dog training needs. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Adam was wonderful! We adopted our dog from a shelter last year and he got super anxious on his walks especially when he saw other dogs walking the same route. He also wasn't great with visitors coming into our home. Adam was exceptionally patient with him and showed us the best way to have him interact with new visitors. He also reassessed the equipment that we were using with our dog, and might I say that he is doing great as of today! Our dog has gotten so much better at ignoring other dogs on our walks and he has become a little more comfortable having guests at home. We look forward to continue working with Adam!! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

For Unique Address and Registered services you can trust them. In addition they have a very competitive fees. If you need corporate service this company is totally recommend. You don't need to pay more with others More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Words cannot describe how grateful I am with Adam as a trainer for Moxie (and myself!) My Moxie was abused and came to me as an adult, and reactivity as well as aggression were becoming a problem. Without hesitation, Adam assured me he could fix the problem AND HE DID! My dog now ignores other dogs, enjoys her walks, and is confident in elevators. The BEST part was that I didn’t have to buy a package of 3,5, or 10 classes, and he didn’t pressure me at all. His calm, gentle demeanor combined with confidence made this an incredible experience. Highly recommend!! Thank you again, Diana and Moxie More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Adam came by after my family had a very traumatic experience with my nearly 2yr old pit. He gave my daughter and I tips and strategies to help with his reactivity and behavior. After a couple of weeks of practice we have definitely seen a change and walks have become so much less stressful! I would highly recommend him to anyone with a challenging dog. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

We contacted Adam after adopting a pit mix that wouldn’t walk very well. He got very anxious and would pull all the time, which would scare other dogs. After just two sessions, we were able to walk our dog without the stress of having to hold him back the whole time, and we learned how to properly communicate with our dog. Adam really takes the time to teach you how to communicate with your dog instead of him doing all the training. His tips, tricks, and guidance really helped us. Would recommend Adam to anyone looking for a great dog trainer! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Adam was PHENOMENAL! I just rescued a 9 month old puppy and he was super reactive to anyone new, especially men. He would bark nonstop whenever someone new was near him. His foster before I adopted him had been working with him for months with little improvement. I tried everything I could find online and was starting to lose hope. In just ONE session (an hour and a half), Adam not only helped alleviate his barking, but also taught me and my family exactly what to do and how to do it and made sure we were fully equipped with the proper techniques to continue training on our own. Adam is extremely caring and considerate of his clients. He not only did an amazing job in just one session for a pretty significant issue, but he also made sure he gave us reasonable suggestions that wouldn't take up a lot of extra time/money/energy. I'm astonished at the improvement in just one day! 10/10 recommend!! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Adam was really wonderful and attentive to our needs in working with our pup. He spent several hours with us and then also gave us a nice write up of his training tips. He thoroughly addressed our concerns and gave us invaluable advice. I also appreciated his honesty in that he didn’t feel we needed extensive sessions and further trainings, but rather to be more consistent with training and implementing his advice. I would absolutely work with him again and recommend him to anyone that wants to help their pups be better behaved. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

After working with three different trainers and seeing no improvement in my dog’s reactivity on walks, I felt completely frustrated and hopeless. Walks became stressful, and I found myself avoiding them, even though I knew my dog needed them. Then I found Adam, and everything changed. From our first session, I saw a huge improvement. He took the time to answer all my questions, sent detailed follow-up notes, and has been incredibly supportive through texts and calls. Thanks to his guidance, we’ve gone from stressful, short walks to confidently exploring busy parks! Adam isn’t just training my dog—he’s helping me become a better dog parent. If you're looking for a dedicated, knowledgeable, and truly caring trainer, Adam is the one. He’s worth every penny! Thank you for believing in Ryder, Adam! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Thank you Adam for your expertise, skill, calm demeanor and encouraging communication in training my two Boston Terrier pups, and training me to apply your proper techniques with consistency and clarity with them. Not only did the 3 of us learn important good dog behaviors but the importance of practicing training to reinforce these good behaviors. Adam managed our learning so it wasn’t tedious but FUN and we all were able to enjoy and celebrate our learning curve and successes! I recommend Adam highly for you and your dog for an enjoyable training experience. Thanks again Adam. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Adam is very knowledgeable, patient and kind. I have two dogs and he helped me work with each of them individually as well as together. When we noticed one method wasn’t working for my dogs, he found another way to make an impact in their progress. I highly recommend using Dog Principal to help with any type of training for your dogs. Adam is flexible with scheduling and makes sure to take the time needed to make the experience a success. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I had Adam come over to help with my 2 Frenchies. Bruno is 9 and Willie is almost 2. I honestly thought Bruno was a lost cause …. lunging at people and other dogs and charging folks at the door. Willie was learning these behaviors as well so I had 2 out of control frenchies !! After only 4 sessions the dogs were walking nicely and learned how to calm down when folks came to the door. Adam left me with easy yet effective ways to make this happen and be consistent and they will only continue to get better. I tried other trainers in the past and has zero results. I highly recommend Adam for any dog !!!! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

We were very pleased with Adam’s training sessions. He created customized plan for our two large overexcited dogs and we were able to safely walk them for the first time in two years. He also addressed corrections to stop unwanted behaviors. He was knowledgeable, patient, thoughtful and a great communicator. We highly recommend Adam. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I recently had the pleasure of working with Adam to train my foster english pointer dog, Chester, and I can confidently say that the experience has been transformative for both of us. When I first took Chester in, he was a handful – he pulled aggressively on the leash, lunging at other dogs during walks pulled me off my feet, and had even jumped up on the counter in search of food. It was challenging to take him to the park or enjoy outings, as his aggressive behavior towards other dogs made it nearly impossible for adoption events. From the moment I reached out to Adam, it was clear that he was dedicated and knowledgeable about dog training. He took the time to assess Chester’s specific needs and crafted a personalized training plan that was both realistic and effective. Adam's hands-on approach was incredibly helpful; he demonstrated techniques that I could easily implement during our walks and at home. One of the most beneficial aspects of working with Adam was his expert recommendations for equipment that would promote good behavior. He guided me in selecting the right collar and leash that would give me better control over Chester and reduce his tendency to pull. The tools he suggested made a noticeable difference right away. Over the course of our sessions, I saw significant improvements in Chester's behavior. Not only was he more manageable on walks, but he also learned to respond positively to commands and cues. Adam’s methods really encouraged me to build a strong, trusting bond with Chester, which I believe has been key in helping him overcome his issues. Thanks to Adam’s training, I can now take Chester to the park and enjoy outings without the constant worry of him lunging at other dogs. It’s incredible to see how far we’ve come, and I’m genuinely grateful for Adam's support and guidance through this journey. If you’re looking for a dog trainer who is knowledgeable, patient, and effective, I highly recommend Adam. He has made a world of difference in Chester's life, and I believe he can do the same for any dog in need of training. Thank you, Adam, for all your help! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Adam did an outstanding job training both me and Gucci. His calm professional demeanor and knowledge provided a safe, positive and productive environment for success. We trained in many settings in and out of the home. Calling Dog Principal was the best decision. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

In each session, Adam worked with all three of our dogs in diffferent locations around Chapel Hill as well as helping us with specific challenges we were dealing with. His rates are higher than typical group lessons but well worth it for our pack! Adam came and advised us about another foster dog, Bella, who is a high energy 1 year-old collie. Bella responded quickly to Adam's clarity. He is amazing! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Adam and Dog Principal are the real deal. Professional, personalized training that works. Yesterday, we went to a park with a large field and our pup was off-leash (near to us so we had control) and listened/obeyed without hesitation even with other dogs and distractions nearby. This was not just a test for Tucker, but also a validation of the techniques Adam taught me. Because, really, the lessons are for the owner AND the dog. Over the course of six weeks or so, we learned about rewards, and words to use consistently (that's the key) and the principles of a repectful, rewarding relationship with your dog. Highly recommend! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Adam was great at working with our dog on his reactivity to other dogs and people as well as territorial issues. Adam’s approach included basics commands to increase confidence and trust that escalated to visits to Home Depot and walks in the neighborhood as tests of his progress. Adam was very patient with our dog and proved to be a great resource of information for us as dog owners. We cannot recommend enough More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Adam, the trainer has much patience, expertise & professionalism. During the training of my dog he was calm, used different tools, situations and helped Dante understand commands clearly & simply. He also helped me with Dante’s training by explaining each step then sending a post training summary for me to refer to. I have a GSD & would trust Adam to this breed & any dog. I am very happy with this trainer! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Adam is great with the doggies. couldn't ask for a better caring trainer

Reviewed on Facebook

Adam is an awesome trainer. We've already seen a huge improvement in our dogs. I may be learning the most! He's very patient and always has suggestions Definitely recommend!

Reviewed on Yelp

We adopted a 2.5 year old Doberman and realized she was extremely reactive to people and other dogs. After talking with a trainer and watching numerous training videos,we were still feeling out of control with her aggressive behaviors. We were introduced to Adam and his knowledge of the breed and her behaviors and how to manage them was priceless. After training with Adam we able to take her to Home Depot,a very busy restaurant,and a walk in a very crowded beach town. All things we never thought we could do with her. Thank you Adam form instilling the confidence needed to ensure everyones safety and making Sunny the best dog she can be. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

After unsuccessfully working with many dog trainers, we are so lucky to have found Adam to help us with our dog Nash. Adam gave us the knowledge, confidence, and training skills to help correct his behavioral issues (leash aggression, frightful, unsure of new surroundings) and understand why Nash reacted the way he did. We did invest a lot of our time with Nash because we knew he needed our help to navigate through this process. Nine days of training and Nash is a new, improved version of his old self. This was done with patience, kindness, and knowledge by Adam towards Nash. Adam has left, but we now know what to do to continue to work with Nash. Thank you, Adam! We are now able to enjoy taking Nash on trails, walk him, and we are forever grateful to you. More...

Reviewed on Yelp