Top-Rated Dog Training in King of Prussia & Downingtown, PA
At Playtime Pet Resort, we believe it’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. Our dog training services are designed to help pups of all ages learn important skills while building confidence in a positive environment.
Our certified trainers utilize positive reinforcement techniques that encourage good behavior, enhance communication, and yield lasting results.
Whether you’re raising a curious puppy or helping an adult dog refine their manners, our structured programs are built with your dog’s success in mind.
Our Training School Program
Our training programs offer a well-rounded educational experience for dogs. Each program follows a structured schedule, blending training sessions, playtime, and socialization to make learning fun and effective.
We work with you to help you better understand your furry friend and build a strong foundation for positive behaviors.
Our dog training services in King of Prussia, Downingtown, and Newington include:
| Training School Program | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy Primary School Program | 2 days per week | 8 weeks |
| Puppy Primary School + Field Trips Program | 3 days per week | 8 weeks |
| Secondary School Program | 3 days per week | 4 weeks |
| Secondary School + Prep School Study Week Program | 3 days per week | 5 weeks |
| Graduate School Program | 3 days per week | 4 weeks |
Skills Your Dog Will Learn
Our training programs are designed to prepare your dog for real-world situations while teaching them essential obedience. Whether you sign your fur baby up for a 4-week course or an 8-week course, you’ll simply drop them off in the morning and pick them up at the end of the day.
Our experienced trainers will walk your pup through training, playtime, and engagement activities to build confidence and proper manners.
Here are the core skills your pup will learn while at training school:
- Basic obedience commands such as sit, down, leave it, wait, and more
- Proper leash walking
- Name recognition and good recall
- Respectful play and social skills
- Crate training
- Desensitization and confidence around various objects, noises, and more
- Behaviors that redirect barking, jumping, biting, and nipping
Daily Training Routine & Progress Tracking
A typical day at training school is carefully structured to balance obedience lessons with socialization and play. From the moment you drop your dog off, our team makes sure they feel comfortable, engaged, and ready to learn.
Here’s what a day in training looks like:
- Morning Drop-Off: Dogs are welcomed and settled in before training begins.
- Focused Training Sessions: Certified staff guide your dog through obedience lessons, socialization drills, and problem-solving activities.
- Play & Socialization: Supervised play sessions help dogs practice manners and build confidence with others.
- Engagement Exercises: Confidence-building games, enrichment activities, and exposure to new environments keep learning fun.
- Rest & Recovery: Downtime ensures your dog remains focused and calm during training.
As your pup learns new skills, we want to keep pet parents in the loop about their progress. To help keep you up to date on your dog’s education, our team provides:
- Weekly report cards with feedback on progress.
- Homework assignments so you can continue training at home.
- Photos and videos showing your pup’s development.
Meet Our Trainers
Alicia Gautille
Alicia Gautille is Playtime Pet Resort’s Director of Training Services and has been working with dogs for over 20 years. Alicia is a Penn State University alum and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science in 2009. She joins us from her previous endeavor as Training Director at another facility where she earned individual acknowledgment as Best of Main Line Dog Trainer in 2024. Alicia is the resident dog trainer at our Playtime Pet Resort Downingtown location.
Alicia recognized her love for volunteer opportunities during college when she began raising service dogs from puppies, which then led her to pursue a professional training career in the service dog field. She has years of experience training diabetic alert dogs, mobility assistance dogs and other types of support dogs who greatly help those in need.
Alicia is a Certified Dog Trainer and achieved her CPDT-KA certification in 2014 from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Alicia’s training methodology is based on utilizing positive reinforcement and motivational methods of dog training to prioritize clear communication through the leash. She specializes in puppy and young dog socialization and behavior, and she loves helping them develop lifelong skills.
In her free time, Alicia enjoys participating in Rally-O competitions with her Labrador, Spartacus. Her own dogs have even been featured in television commercials!
Amber Paveglio
Amber Paveglio is the resident Professional Dog Trainer at our Newington location, bringing several years of hands-on experience in dog training. Her background includes working with a previous training company as well as working with her own family dogs. Amber is currently preparing to earn her CPDT-KA certification, with plans to obtain it in early 2026.
Amber’s passion for animals began at an early age. Growing up, she was surrounded by a variety of pets — including dogs, cats, reptiles, and ferrets — and was always eager to be involved in the family’s dog training routines. This early interest grew into a lifelong dedication to helping pet parents build strong, positive relationships with their dogs.
Amber specializes in puppy and young dog socialization and behavior, and her training approach is rooted in positive reinforcement techniques. She focuses on laying a solid foundation for long-term success, ensuring that both dogs and their owners feel confident and connected throughout the training process.
When she’s not working with dogs, Amber enjoys hiking and traveling, photography, trying out new recipes, and playing video games.
Vanessa Moctezuma
Vanessa Moctezuma is the resident Professional Dog Trainer at our King of Prussia location. She has several years of dog training experience that has provided her a wealth of knowledge in different aspects of the industry. She also plans to obtain her official CPDT-KA certification in 2025.
As a young child, Vanessa always had a passion for animals. During her school career, she spent a few years volunteering at a horse stable, working closely with therapy horses that provided children with disabilities the opportunity to learn how to ride. She currently has a handful of different animals of her own, including dogs, cats, reptiles and chickens.
Vanessa has experience with balanced dog training methods, although she resonates with positive reinforcement methods and uses those skills at the forefront of her training. Some of her experience includes teaching group classes, private lessons, agility, and advanced obedience, as well as a focus on relationship-based training and puppy socialization.
In her free time, Vanessa enjoys hiking, agility and running cani-cross with her two Huskies, Kody and Ghost. She also considers herself quite the “foodie”!
Ryan believes in building the relationship between a dog and it’s owner. Dogs don’t just need walks, they need mental enrichment and emotional engagement. Leaning on the teachings of Nina Ottossson that “the dog has four legs and one head, and all five need activity in different ways – both physical and mental.” If you are seeing any unwanted behaviors at home it could be due to your pup needing some extra enrichment.Temperament Evaluation Before Dog Training
Before beginning any of our dog training programs, we may recommend a temperament evaluation. This introductory step ensures your pup is comfortable, safe, and ready to participate in our training school.
During this evaluation, our certified trainers:
- Observe how your dog responds to new people, environments, and other dogs.
- Identify any areas of concern, such as fearfulness or reactivity.
- Recommend the best training path based on your dog’s individual needs.
Why Every Dog Needs Professional Training
Every dog, no matter the breed or age, benefits from structured training. By giving your pup consistent guidance, you set the stage for a stronger bond and a well-mannered companion.
The benefits of enrolling your pet in a structured training program include:
- Better obedience
- Improved socialization
- Confidence building
- Safer behaviors
Best Time to Start Training Your Dog
The ideal time to begin training is as early as possible, but dogs can learn at any age. Starting training at the right stage ensures long-term results, setting your dog up for a confident and well-adjusted life.
For puppies, early socialization and obedience lessons lay the groundwork for lifelong success. They are naturally curious and adaptable, making this stage the easiest time to introduce good habits.
However, it’s never too late to train. Adult dogs can benefit from structured programs that correct problem behaviors, refresh obedience skills, and build confidence.
Why Dog Owners Trust Playtime Pet Resort for Professional Training
Looking for dog training in Newington or the surrounding areas? At Playtime Pet Resort, we combine expert dog training methods with a caring, personalized approach.
Our certified training team focuses on positive reinforcement to ensure your dog learns in a way that’s safe, fun, and effective.
What sets us apart includes:
- Experienced trainers with proven success across all ages and breeds.
- Safe, welcoming facilities designed to keep dogs comfortable and engaged.
- Personalized training plans built to meet each pup’s needs and your family’s goals.
Schedule Your Dog Training Today
If you’re ready to give your pup the tools for a lifetime of good behavior, our team is here to help. With flexible programs and certified staff, we make training easy, approachable, and effective.
Call us to speak directly with our team, or contact us online to ask questions or book an evaluation. You can also visit in person for a tour of our facility and to see how our dog training programs in Downingtown, PA, and our other facilities work. Pair our dog training services with our dog boarding or dog daycare to create the perfect all-in-one care experience for your furry companion.
Dog Training FAQs
1) Do you train all breeds and sizes?
Yes. Our certified team works with dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments.
2) How long are the training programs?
Our training programs vary, but most are designed in weekly sessions with progress milestones.
3) Is a consultation required before starting?
A temperament evaluation or consultation may be recommended to determine the best training program for your dog.
4) Can owners participate in training or receive homework?
Yes. We provide homework assignments so training continues at home for the best results.
5) Do I leave my dog all day, or is training provided for only a few hours?
Most of our programs are full-day training school sessions with structured lessons, play, and rest.
Training Classes
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| Service | Description | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Training Consultation | A training consultation may be required before confirming certain training services | ||
| Day Training | Day Training dogs receive customized training throughout their day as well as enrichment activities and a complimentary report card. Day Training also includes access to our Social Training groups when ready! | Custom training tailored to you and your dog's needs | Add-on service |
| Stay & Train | This program offers weeks of high-level training and enriching activities during your dog’s stay. Training is customized to your specific needs. Report cards and private coaching are provided. | Custom training tailored to you and your dog's needs starting |
Payment is due upon booking for a training service.