Top Dog Training Services in Reston, Herndon, and Sterling, VA

Meet Our Dog Trainers

Michele Khol, Certified Dog Trainer (IACP)

Michele Khol is a certified dog trainer with over 19 years of experience in the dog training industry. She is extremely passionate about exceeding your expectations with dog training and education, giving you quality results and superior customer service! Michele has applied her skills and experience to helping individuals develop and nurture good canine behaviors with a relationship-centered approach. Through positive reinforcement, you can create mutual respect and harmony between you and your dog and teach them to be successful in any situation! Building a strong bond between a dog and their human allows them to work together with loose leash guidance and without negative restraints.

Michele emphasizes the importance of knowing that the human/canine relationship is a two-way street: that pet dogs need great training, obedience and communication skills and their owners need training, patience and education to achieve that relationship. She will help you with proper “tool” selection and education, making sure the tools you are using are right for your dog and right for you!  

One of the most important aspects of dog training is FUN! Training your dog should be a fun experience for both the human and the dog. Seeing that spark of recognition in a dog’s eye when they “get” what their human is asking is one of the most exciting times in dog training.  Michele’s training approach is to always help the owner remember the FUN in training while we teach our dogs the skills they need to be happy members of our families.

Michele’s certification is through the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP), an internationally recognized dog training organization.  She hones her skills daily as owner of MK9s LLC dog training and the Director of Operations and K9s Programs of MK9s Service Dogs. MK9s Service Dogs is an all-volunteer 501(c)3 public charity placing service dogs with veterans with physical and mental disabilities.  Michele is an active professional member of IACP, a Certified Canine Athlete Specialist, a Certified Service Dog Trainer and is certified with AKC to perform S.T.A.R Puppy, CGC, CGCA and UCGC tests for the public.

As a Certified Canine Athlete Specialist, Michele understands the importance of having a safe exercise program for a canine. Michele has been trained and certified in creating conditioning programs to prevent injury or re-injury in canines.

Pat McMahon, AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator

Pat McMahon is passionate about helping dogs and their families build clear communication, trust, and lasting relationships. His goal is simple: restore harmony in the home by giving both dogs and their owners the skills they need to succeed together. 

Pat believes there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to dog training. Every dog has a unique personality, learning style, and motivation. By identifying what drives each individual dog, he creates customized training programs that maximize engagement, accelerate learning, and produce reliable, long-lasting results. 

Using positively reinforced training methods, Pat helps owners develop leadership, consistency, and confidence while strengthening the bond they share with their dogs. Whether you're welcoming a new puppy, working through behavioral challenges, preparing for advanced obedience, or simply looking to enjoy life with your dog, Pat provides practical solutions that fit your family's lifestyle. 

A key element of Pat's training philosophy is establishing a clear communication system that both dogs and humans understand. When expectations are consistent and communication is clear, dogs gain confidence and families experience a more enjoyable life together. Whether you prefer private one-on-one coaching or an immersive board-and-train program, Pat will create a training plan designed specifically for you and your dog. 

Pat is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and can help humans and their dogs earn a variety of American Kennel Club titles, including: AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC), AKC Community Canine (CGCA), AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGCU), AKC Trick Dog, AKC Fit Dog.

Together with his K9 partner, Misha, Pat is a Certified Operational Wilderness Air Scent K9 Team that responds to missing person searches under dispatch from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. They actively assist with real search-and-rescue missions throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

This operational experience means Pat doesn't simply teach dog training techniques—he works daily with a dog whose performance depends on trust, communication, reliability, and precision in demanding environments. Pat is also certified in Tactical K9 Casualty Care, providing him with advanced training in emergency medical care for working dogs suffering life-threatening injuries in both field and training environments. 

For board-and-train clients, this offers an added level of confidence. Your dog is cared for by someone with specialized emergency K9 medical training and a deep commitment to every dog's health, safety, and well-being.  Whether your goal is raising a well-mannered family companion, solving behavior challenges, or achieving AKC titles, Pat is committed to helping you build a relationship with your dog that lasts a lifetime.