They are amazing! Cannot thank them enough for their valuable guidance and support. My little puppy Bichon Frise now behaves like a princess inside and outside our apartment and we made it in record time. And they are so kind, compassionate, and professional. It was a real pleasure to partner with them.

    —Cristina B, Washington DC, November 2020, Facebook review

 

I was having such a difficult time getting my new puppy Leo to enjoy his crate. Brian helped me rearrange Leo’s space and he went and fell asleep in his crate instantly. I also had Brian teach me how to help Leo with recall and commands. Such an eye opening experience, we both learned so much!

    —Adrienne M, Arlington VA, November 2020, Angie’s List review

 

We were looking for some basic training for our new rescue dog, Chili. He's an unknown mix with a lot of puppy energy, although they say he's 2 YO. As new dog owners, my family (especially my teenaged son) needed some guidance on being good dog owners. Brian was EXACTLY what we needed. He spent about 2 hours with us, taught us all how to project the kind of dominant energy Chili will respond to and advised us on how best to build a healthy relationship with Chili through exercise and play. He even helped us introduce Chili to our beloved grumpy old cat with no hissing or barking! We are all feeling so much more confident about harmony in our family going forward! Best time and money I've spent in ages...thank you!!

    —Erin D, Manassas VA, November 2020, Yelp review

 

Good dog workshop helped me with my puppy training. Everyone I worked with in their team has been extremely helpful, honest and professional. I saw improvements with my dog’s behavior within days based on how he introductions and recommendations they gave me. I definitely recommend using them.

This customer rated you highly for professionalism, responsiveness, and value.

    —Russul A, Arlington VA, November 2020, Thumbtack review

 

He was so helpful and provided me with so much information that helped me and my dog. He helped me bond with my dog better and be able to control his aggression and better socialize with other dogs.

    —Corliss J, Chantilly VA, November 2020, Angie’s List review

 

Marina from Good Dog Workshop helped our dog Jake Superior so much! She is very knowledgeable and knows what she's doing. After a 90 minute training session with her and continued work with Jake we have seen some amazing results in just a month. Will highly recommend Good Dog Workshop for anyone that needs help with their dog!

    —Monica A, Falls Church VA, November 2020, Angie’s List review

Brian was right on with his assessment of the current challenges I’m having and provided me with a few things I need to work on with my dog prior to working with a trainer. I’ve been frustrated for a while trying to find the solution and felt a weight lift off my shoulders after my call with Brian.
    —Aimee T, Fredericksburg VA, November 2020, Angie’s List review

I have lots of compliments for this business in various 'categories.' First, there were a few factors that really sold my husband and I on this service vs. the others we were considering: a) their philosophy is very nature-based and rooted entirely in effective communication -- they don't teach you to "punish" your dog or to obtain obedience through unnatural or conditional means; b) instead of boarding your dog and training them for an extended period of time in a controlled environment away from you, they teach *you,* as dog parents, how to be effective parents, which ultimately yields the best possible behavior from the dog. Moreover, the owner was very responsive (I got a call back within 24 hours of requesting a consult) and friendly, taking the time to chat through my concerns. I was also really happy that they didn't even pause for a moment when we mentioned that our dog is a Pit mix -- they work with all breeds. Our trainer, Marina, was excellent and catered the entire session specifically to our unique needs and concerns. She used the time well and paced the training at a reasonable, helpful rate and assured us that we could reach out again in the future as needed. Despite having been pet parents before, neither my husband nor I have ever raised a puppy (ours was just shy of 3 months old when we went to Good Dog Workshop) and felt we *really* benefited from this training.
    —Elisa D, Washington DC, October 2020, Google review

 

Good Dog Workshop is incredible! Brian spent 30 minutes on the phone with me answering all of my questions and explaining the way my dog thinks. I already feel more informed just after a phone call, so I am very much looking forward to the in person training that is offered. As someone who found Good Dog Workshop because of their great reviews, I can confirm that they live up to their high rating!
    —Adriana, Washington DC, October 2020, Google review

Brian Kerchner was fantastic... her spent a ton of time helping me with a really scared foster pup. He really knows his stuff and was so generous with his time giving me advice of how to help this abused dog. Thanks for your kind heart!
    —Maria M, Amston CT, October 2020, Google review

Marina was incredibly helpful with our puppy. We got an older puppy who had been neglected with no training. She worked with him and he is now housebroken, walks on a leash, and sits while his food is being prepared. Training an older puppy with ingrained bad habits is much more difficult than a new one. Her insights and training methods really sped up the training process. Well worth the money spent.
    —Mark W, Warrenton VA, October 2020, Google review

My experience was great. I am a new puppy owner of a very tiny and anxious pup. Brian Kerchner was sooo helpful. He gave me great advice and reassurance that we are doing okay. All my questions were answered in one phone call. Very appreciative of the advice!!
    —Lauren A, Arlington VA, October 2020, Google review

Brian with Good Dog Workshop LLC is a class-act. Extremely knowledgeable and willing to lend a helping hand to a new dog parent in need, Brian spoke with us on the phone for 30 minutes, prior to formally scheduling a session! He has a natural energy and excitement for training - and gave us thoughtful insight on his years of experience with our stubborn Shiba Inu pup. Give them a call, you will not be disappointed.
    —Joseph V, Warrenton VA, October 2020, Google review

I’m so glad I found Good Dog Workshop. I talked to so many trainers before and they didn’t seem like the right fit, only focusing on basic commands. But with Brian and Marina, they taught us to “speak dog” and to truly understand what our dog is thinking. Marina worked with our 3 month old Frenchie for 2 hours and we saw results immediately. He was a complete nightmare on walks but the following day we were finally able to walk around our neighborhood for 30 mins! Im glad they’re only a text or phone call away if we have any further questions! Highly recommend, 10/10.
    —Cassie N, Fairfax VA, October 2020, Google review

Our trainer, Marina, did a fantastic job. She has my enthusiastic recommendation.
    —Dave P, Alexandria VA, October 2020, Bark.com review

Brian was excellent with our dog! He was very knowledgeable and was able to answer all of our questions! He knows what he is doing and was helpful with us to learn our dogs behaviors.
    —Bryce T, Warrenton VA, October 2020, Google review

Brian and Marina truly care about building a successful relationship with you and your dog(s) and BETWEEN you and your dog(s). There has been an instant shift in our dogs’ behavior since Marina came to train us. She taught us how to communicate with our dogs, not spend 2 hours a day practicing command compliance with treats, so this training fits right into all of the care you are ALREADY providing for your dogs (if you are already adequately exercising them), without adding more demands on your time. I have some specific issues that I need to overcome related to fear and past experiences, so I will be spending extra time with Marina but it’s definitely possible that GDW can meet all your needs and solve your problems in one session. ONE session!!! They’re that good.
    —Julie R, Warrenton VA, October 2020, Google review

We have a sweet, affectionate, and strong-willed GSP. While I adore our dog who is great 95% of the time, I also want to maintain the use of my arms! Our 16-month old GSP is ready to *charge* in to the world with no sense of stranger danger (or of cars) and just loves meeting other dogs and people. I really needed a solution if I was to enjoy walks again. Brian matched us with Marina - perfect! She walked with us - observed and coached the whole time. I realized before I called that I needed to change as much as our pup did. Marina reassured me that we have done a lot of things right with our GSP - which was a relief! I had been feeling as if I was failing our pup on a daily basis. On our walk, Marina told me how to communicate in effective ways with our pup. She also explained his body language and what that means in Dog World. Things that I thought were "good" turned out to be more of a ploy - hind legs ready to spring does not mean, "Yes, Mom - I am listening and will not pull on the leash anymore." I've recommended GDW and Marina to our neighbors and I will to you, Reader, as well. You will learn so much!
    —Erin G, Reston VA, October 2020, Yelp review

Marina worked with my blue tick coonhound Maggie for 2 hours and Maggie is a completely different dog! I highly recommend!
    —Andrew H, Hamilton VA, October 2020, Facebook review

Marina was amazing to work with and so incredibly knowledgeable about dog behavior and body language. She spent two hours working with us and our two dogs around a lot of other dogs and people and helped us understand how to communicate with them effectively in high distraction situations. We're excited to keep working with our good dogs and it's comforting to know she is just a text or call away if we need more help.
    —Erin K, Falls Church VA, October 2020, Google review

Brian changed my entire experience with my dogs in literally one hour. This is no exaggeration. Walking my two dogs had become a nightmare after my second fur baby’s (Sawyer the Beagle) arrival last year. At home Louis (chihuahua) and Sawyer typically did really well. However, I dreaded taking them on walks because my once over-friendly Louis became territorial and protective while Sawyer’s began reacting to every dog within his vicinity. Most days, it would take me up to 20 minutes to walk them a block without some incident. I could sense my anxiety rising every time I took them out for a walk. Well, this has all changed since our session with Brian. Brian gave me the right tools to demonstrate my leadership role which my dogs desperately needed. Over the last week, I have been able to walk my dogs 3 times a day for a mile without an incident. I don’t know what else to say except that Brian is the best and because of him I get to enjoy more quality time with my dogs outdoors. For your dog’s emotional health and happiness, choose Brian and the Good Dog Workshop.
    —Sevinç Y, Arlington VA, October 2020, Google review

Brian contacted me after i requested a quote on Bark.com. He has been nothing but kind, helpful, detailed, and reliable. After just one phone call i’ve seen a slight difference in my dogs behavior in a DAY. He is amazing and has great expertise. I would recommend him to everyone!
    —Lindy F, Spokane WA, September 2020, Google review

After some convincing from my boyfriend, I agreed to have Marina come visit and provide some guidance with my Newfoundland. It was the best thing we could have done! Marina was amazing! She came to the house and was direct, confident, provided more structure and answered all our questions and concerns with out hesitation or guesswork. I had attempted to train my Newfoundland, Bruce, in the early stages of his life because I knew the size he could be and how I could loose control quickly. We were able to get the basics down fairly easily but there were concerns later that a training class at Petco just wasn't really addressing. Bruce is approaching his 2nd birthday and Marina showed us more in depth of what Bruce was seeking from us, that we can teach and he can learn/obey/accept these new commands, how to obtain and hold the dominant role within our pack and how we can all live in a happy home with less worries. We are excited to continue using the tools she has provided us and take Bruce on more walks
    —Brittney H, Front Royal VA, September 2020, Google review

We had such a great session with Josh. We knew from the start any trainer that came our way from Good Dog would be completely reliable. Josh was very patient and transparent through the entire training, and we could instantly see progress with our pup. It’s now up to us to keep it consistent but we would 10/10 recommend them to anyone looking for a dog trainer as they specialize in everything.
    —Gina J, Alexandria VA, September 2020, Bark.com review

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Very prompt response to my online inquiry. I spoke with Brian who gave me some solid advice about our new senior rescue who is barking a lot. His understanding of dogs and how they communicate was apparent and he offered solid advice. I'm thankful to have connected with him.

    —Helga L., Rockville MD, September 2020, Google review

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I just want to thank you for your time on our call last week. I wanted to follow-up with you to let you know how much your tips have changed our dog's behavior - she's made a complete U-turn and it's been a game-changer for our family! We haven't moved forward with bringing in a trainer yet because we've seen such a big shift. We made a couple of simple changes - one is to focus on the "down" command and incorporating that into everything and another is to keep her on a much shorter leash to prevent letting her "lead" us on walks. We also have added more walks into our day so we're up to about 2 miles or more each day. Those things alone have had an immediate impact on the quality of life for our whole family, including Holly. She seems like a much happier dog! Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me and to provide perspective on what it takes to be a good dog owner and leader and to share tips on that call. I can't thank you enough!
    —Shelly C, Aldie VA, September 2020, email review

Our experience with the Good Dog Workshop team was just excellent. Brian was very helpful on our first phone call and set us up with an in-home session with Josh. Josh spent about two hours with us and he was terrific to work with. We have already seen a big improvement in our dog's behavior after the one session with Josh. He spent time working directly with our dog, coaching us on how to implement the techniques on our own, and even brought two dogs with him so we could put our dog in an environment with distractions to see how she would react. Brian then called us later that night to check in on how things went and to talk options for future assistance and support. All in all, we had a great experience with the Good Dog team and can't recommend them highly enough!
    —Chip C, Arlington VA, September 2020, Bark.com review

We are working with Marina. She is excellent!
    —Ellen R, Alexandria VA, September 2020, Bark.com review

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We were fortunate enough to know Marina through her prior employment  at our Vet. Recently, we have a found ourselves  the lucky parents of a rescued dog. While sweet, our new little girl needed formal training. We could not be more pleased with the results. Marina and GDW took the dog for few days in order to observe her behavior, and instill proper discipline. During that time,we were kept up to speed and provided both pictures and videos documenting her progress. This included her walking with other dogs, playing at at the dog park and calmly waiting for her food. Upon completion, we were given detailed instructions and feedback that will enable to ensure we maintain her good status. If you need to get your dog trained, do yourself a favor and skip the big box store cookie cutter class and check out GDW!
    —Carmen D, Nokesville VA, September 2020, Yelp review

I inquired with Good Dog Workshop about a phone consultation and was responded to within an hour. Brian was able to do a phone consultation right away and it was so incredibly helpful. I was having behavior issues with my dog for an issue that I couldn't find good advice for anywhere. I explained the issue to Brian and he had really great advice that I hadn't even considered before but made so much sense—mostly relating to how a dog would naturally learn and respond to an alpha dog. I had been practicing some advice I saw on youtube videos with little success, and Brian was able to tell me exactly why it wasn't working, and how to tweak it to make it effective. I learned more in the one hour consultation than I learned in probably 100+ hours of self research, I wish I called months ago! I also want to add that it was well worth the price: I was learning with every minute of the call, no time wasted! I've been practicing his advice this afternoon and I've already noticed my dog responding really really well! I definitely definitely recommend!
    —Dana G., Washington DC, August 2020, Google review

Marina is a good dog trainer, but a GREAT people trainer. The reason you only need one session isn't because she'll train your dog in that amount of time, but because it only takes that long for her to communicate the basic theories you need to continue training yourself. Marina was able to give us just a few key principals and show us how to apply them to pretty much any situation. Plus Sailor is pretty much the best dog ever. 10/10 would recommend anyone with a dog book a session.
    —Emilie S., Washington DC, August 2020, Google review

Marina was very helpful in explaining why our dog Hazel barks so much. She was patient with all of us, and Hazel has been barking less when we are at home.
    —Toby A., Sterling VA, August 2020, Google review

My partner and I sought out Good Dog Workshop’s assistance to help us with behavioral issues with our German Shepherd Dog puppy. Our puppy had been showing signs of aggression toward strangers and we had spoken with numerous trainers in the DC metro area, all with somewhat conflicting advice. Brian and Josh quickly identified that the issue was not aggression, but lack of leadership from us which was leaving him anxious and unsure of himself. They taught us how to show leadership to him in a humane way, read the signs our dog was giving us, and better communicate with him. It’s clear that they are experts in dog behavior and how to identify and proactively address issues. Brian and Josh’s kindness and expertise put our minds at ease. Our dog wasn’t defective or dangerous by nature—he just needed clearer and firmer communication from the two of us. We still have our work cut out for us, but thanks to Good Dog Workshop we now have the tools needed to get the job done. When you meet with Brian and his team you can be assured they won’t give you a sales pitch or try to have you sign up for training you don’t need. They help—quickly—and are there to call back in as needed. Thanks guys- you have our sincere appreciation and admiration.
    —Greg K., Washington DC, July 2020, Google review

I highly recommend working with Good Dog Workshop. I have been looking for trainer for a few weeks and have not had much luck for a number of reasons. I have two really young puppies that I adopted from a rescue and obviously have questions about training and concerns about behavior that I need guidance on. Brian at Good Dog reached out to me after I filled out a survey on Bark.com and I felt so relieved after our initial phone conversation. He understood my concerns and answered a lot of my questions. Most importantly, Brian made me feel validated for having those concerns, comfortable being able to share them, and gave guidance that felt appropriate for the age of my puppies. I can't thank Good Dog Workshop enough!
    —Jose A., Bethesda MD, July 2020, Bark.com review

I found Good Dog Workshop via their podcasts. While I've only worked with Brian once via phone, it was a very enlightening and helpful discussion. I learned more in an hour with him than I did in a 6-hour training course I'd taken previously. Brian asks lots of questions and gives very specific and actionable advice. The one-on-one attention was also immeasurably more practical than working in a class setting. His guidance has made a difference with my dog. I would not hesitate to call him again.
    —Chris B, Alexandria VA, July 2020, Yelp review

Good Dog Workshop was recommended to me after my Great Dane lunges at a neighbor. Brian was extremely helpful and generous with his time over the phone. The Great Dane has improved a great deal. Brian was able to pinpoint the issue and give me exercises to work on with him. I have recommended Good Dog Workshop to another neighbor already!
    —Tricia E., Fairfax VA, July 2020, Yelp review

 

Super responsive, well-priced, and helpful. We will be contacting Brian again should we have any questions about what he told us. Highly, highly recommend!!

     —Wei M., New York NY, June 2020, Bark.com review

I had an hour phone consult with Brian to help me better understand my new cattle dog puppy. It's been one of the best use of my time ever. I was able to get personalized answers to my questions. I learned more about typical dog behaviors and how to react to them. No amount of YouTube videos will equate to a phone consult with Good Dog Workshop!
   

     —Philippe D., Kirkland WA, June 2020, Bark.com review

 

    I can not recommend Brian and Good Dog Workshop enough! What initially impressed me was the time and thoroughness he spent before I "officially" became a client. When I first was in touch with Brian, I was deciding between two dogs to adopt the following day. He spent the better part of an hour listening to me talk through both dogs and offered great advice and perspective.
     During this consultation call he also asked very thorough questions to overall understand what my concerns were and where I may want to focus our time together once I adopted a dog. This was a very different experience than I received with a few other trainers who quite frankly asked very little about the dog and were just focused on booking an appointment. Additionally, keep in mind this was all time spent talking to me before I'd even committed to a session together. I think this really speaks to the fact that he cares about both people and dogs tremendously and he's willing to invest in the relationship with the owner to ensure success later on.
     This investment in our relationship has only continued. He checked in after my first night with the newly adopted dog and after we had our session with Brian he continued to both make himself available when I had questions and to proactively check in and see how things were going. It's so relieving to have someone like Brian available as a resource to make sure I'm continuing to do right by my dog.
     As for the session itself, it also was hugely beneficial. I was initially a bit skeptical when he says most people only need one session but after spending time together I now understand why. He ultimately teaches us how to read our dog, the other dogs we may encounter, and more importantly how to communicate with dogs. He's very observant and picks up on things (both in the humans and the dogs) that I had overlooked and then has the ability to translate the dog's perspective into understandable human terms. Once he does this a few times you start to really understand and are then able to shift your approach and perspective about the relationship with your dog. These tools can then be applied to any situation in the future.
     Lastly, I really enjoyed the evaluation he performs. As new dog owner I was a bit anxious to understand how my dog interacted with other dogs and if there were any concerning behaviors or aggressive tendencies. Having Brian there to test her around his dogs was such a relief and really put my mind at ease during this crucial evaluation. We ended our session going to the dog park together (another thing I had been apprehensive about) but it turns out after some education on my end and with Brian there to coach me it's not such a scary thing and I now feel much more confident in my ability to read the people and dogs at the dog park to ensure I'm not putting myself and my dog in an unwanted situation. Overall I am so grateful to have found Brian and If I could give more than five stars I would!
    —Liz K., Alexandria VA, June 2020, Yelp review

 

I worked in home with Marina with training my dog on her dog aggression, pulling on the lead, and running out the door. So far I have seen an immense change in her behavior even after just one visit. Every penny I spent I’d do it all over again my dog is changed for the better thank you so much!

    —Melanie S., Warrenton VA, June 2020, Bark.com review

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Met my needs the same day I requested help. Empathetic with my concerns and my dog’s personality. Helped me understand how to learn to speak dog more fluently. Would definitely use Good Dog Workshop again!

    —Joy L., Fairfax VA, June 2020, Bark.com review

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Brian called back quickly and sounded so knowledgeable that I hired him without speaking to other trainers for comparison. I am so glad I did as we were trying to introduce our 4 cats to a new 4.5 month old rescue puppy because we had concerns. The trainer, Marina was fantastic! She helped us do the cat intros & a whole lot more. She was also extremely knowledgeable so we learned a lot of great moves with our new puppy, including an intro to her own dogs for socialization & most importantly now have our new puppy co existing with our 4 cats. Look no further & go with Good Dog Workshop!

    —Brie C., Germantown MD, June 2020, Bark.com review

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Marina is an amazing trainer. Max was very fond of her. He learned a lot within a short period of time!. Thanks 😊

    —Rashed H., Fairfax VA, June 2020, Google review

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We are in California so we were a bit skeptical about getting help over the phone. Turns out it was just what we needed! After our first phone consultation with Brian we understood what we need to do with our two female German Shepherds so they will get along and we don't have to find a new home for one of them. Brian is VERY knowledgeable and empathetic. THANK YOU, BRIAN!
    —Janet R., Fair Oaks CA, June 2020, Google review

Good Dog Workshop was very thorough in their explanations of why my dog behaves a certain way and listened carefully when I asked questions or expressed concerns. They approach dogs with a natural way of training that suited my dog and kept him comfortable with them. I will definitely keep in touch with them and consult for any future concerns.
    —Antara B., Dunn Loring, June 2020, Google review

 

Marina came today and worked with me on some behavior issues with my new dog. She was AMAZING! Her guidance and instructions were easy to understand and follow. I love that she brought her dogs so that I could see if Charlie would be good to take to the dog park. I was amazed at the changes in Charlie after just a short training time. I learned a lot, and will be paying more attention to what Charlie is trying to tell me. I will be practicing what she taught me! After our session I felt much better about my dog, and my ability. Highly recommend, and if I have problems in the future, I would definitely contact Good Dog Workshop--although I am confident I won't need to unless I need to ask a question. Very effective training methods!
    —Carol K., Winchester VA, June 2020, Bark.com review

I worked with Brian at Good Dog Workshop over the phone. It was clear he had a lot of experience and was able to answer every question I had. He was able to help me understand my dogs body language and how to better communicate with her in order to work through her fears and anxieties. After just one day following his advice I have seen a difference in how my dog responds to me. I will gladly use him again for any future questions I have.
    —Tyler W., Lubbock TX, June 2020, Bark.com review

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Brian is not only good with dogs, but also people! My new dog made 3/4 people in my house nervous, and Brian didn't just addressed Tigger's "scary" qualities... but addressed the fears that were associated with her. He showed us a successful dog introduction and taught us how read our dogs to ensure our own success with Tigger after he leaves us! Two and a half hours with Brian changed the lives of 4 people and one wonderful dog :)  Thank you Brian!!!!
    —Samantha B., Leesburg VA, May 2020, Google review

 

We have now had Brian work with two of our dogs and could not be any happier with the results. He is a master dog trainer and will work with your family to really help everyone understand their relationship with the dog and how they can affect positive change. The impact is huge and my entire family is using his methods to communicate with and live with our two wonderful dogs.
    —Patrick C., Sterling VA, May 2020, Google review

We were referred to Marina with Good Dog Workshop by our vet. Our rescue, Dixie Mae, was having some behavioral issues, which is why we reached out for help. Marina was hands on showing us, and then teaching us how to work with Dixie. She gave us the needed tools in order to work with Dixie and have seen a huge improvement in her behavior! 100% would recommend Marina and her team!
    —Heather G., Amissville VA, May 2020, Yelp review

I recently adopted a 3-year-old German Shepherd who was dog reactive, territorial and had separation anxiety. Rex is a beautiful dog with a sweet disposition, but these issues were a problem and I needed help fast. Brian and his assistant, Marina, came to my home, which was fantastic! Brian was able to explain to me why Rex was behaving this way and what Rex needed from me to become a happy, well-balanced dog. He completely changed my perspective about dog training. After only one 3-hour session, I could immediately see a difference in my dog and in myself. They left me with the tools I needed to continue to work with Rex and we are having great success! Brian even checked in with me a few days later to see how things were going. I can't say enough good things about Good Dog Workshop!
    —Marie F., Warrenton VA, May 2020, Yelp review

 

I contacted Brian on 5/9/2020 and he was at my house on 5/10/2020. We had an incident with our dog and a neighbor and I was frightened that our rescue could escalate and felt we needed help fast. I've always been a fan of Cesar Milan and to see Brian work the same way in front of me was astonishing. When he came into our house, I was fearful that Wilson would jump and try to hurt Brian. Instead, Brian's approach was calm and within approximately 10 minutes our dog was interacting lovingly with Brian. He answered all our questions and showed us new ways of playing with our dog on our terms instead of the dog grabbing at our hands. WOW! I just came home from the grocery store and used what I learned and our dog let go of his toy which never happened before! I know we have homework to do to keep our dog balanced and happy and I am so glad I reached out and received the help WE needed. I emphasize WE because both my husband and I need to learn how to speak "dog" even though we have owned dogs before. So, an old dog (me) can learn even though we have had rescue dogs in the past. I highly recommend Brian to anyone who needs help with their dog. You will be as impressed as we are with how fast your dog will be well behaved. Brian also called the next morning to check in and I was super impressed with his level of commitment and desire to truly help. I love that quality of dedication and professionalism.

    —Deirdre J., Sterling VA, May 11, 2020, Yelp review

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I reached out to Brian with some concerns I was having with my senior dogs recent behavior. After one phone call, he made me feel confident in myself and my dog again and really made some eye opening points. I appreciate that phone call more than he could know! I will continue to turn to Brian for help with current or future behavior issues. Thanks so much, Brian!

    —Chelsea M., Catlett VA, March 13, 2020, Yelp review

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Brian was extremely helpful and offered great insights and advice. We saw immediate results. We appreciated that he would come to our house, and his own dogs also were a great asset as we worked to determine exactly how our dog would react to various situations. Brian also was willing to work with our schedule.

    —Lauren L., Warrenton VA, March 2, 2020, Angie's List review

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Brian totally helped us understand what it truly means to command a dog's obedience, respect, and attention. The one lesson we had blew us away because within a short hour and a half, we had all of our questions answered, and discovered things that we didn't know was important. The one lesson we had with him completely changed our perspective on what it is to own a dog, and we would highly recommend to anyone looking for an obedience coach. Would give Good Dog Workshop six stars if I could!!
    —Chris G., Fairfax VA, Google review, February 2020

Great day working with Brian, his assistant trainer and his pack of pups. Learned so much today and cannot wait to put it to use. Even saw some changes immediately.
    —Terry, K., Warrenton VA, Google review, February 2020

 

Brian is a consummate professional. He taught us how to effectively communicate with our young German Shepherd to subdue his aggression and be a more respectful member of our household. His skills and level of respect are just a wonder. I thought our situation was on the verge of hopeless but we simply lacked the knowledge and skill to handle the situation. He has been very responsive in follow up as well.
    —Diana H., Haymarket VA, February 2020, Google review
 

Brian immediately came in and worked wonders with our dog, Millie. We highly recommend him if you need some training for your dog. We will be a return customer with other dogs in the future for sure!

    —Stephen B., Remington VA, January 20, 2020, Yelp review

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Brian came recommended by another dog trainer who thought we could benefit from someone who dealt specifically in behavioral issues. So far we have only spoken by phone and his expertise has been quite valuable. It's obvious he really knows what he is talking about. He assessed our situation and we have come up with a plan moving forward. We can't wait to meet him in person to continue socializing our girl.

    —Gretchen D., Reston VA, January 20, 2020, Yelp review

Brian came, he saw, he conquered. 😊 Seriously though, we have two large dogs with very different personalities and issues and he helped us tackle both in one visit. We definitely have a good base to start working with now and are looking forward to having a more peaceful household in the future.  Thank you Brian!
    —Christine R., October 2019, Google review

Brian was amazing! Simple as that; came into our home and immediately our dogs understood him. His technique and coaching was perfect, very good at explaining and teaching us, as the humans, what we needed to do, then letting us practice. Would highly recommend him to anyone with an anxious dog, nervous dog, high energy, any issue that you can think of.
    —Melvin G., November 2019, Google review

We have worked with Brian and his Good Dog Workshop for our last 2 dogs.
Each dogs personality was so different and Brian knew what each dog needed from Debbie and myself.  We learned the 1st time around that dog training is really about teaching us how to properly lead our dog.
We just happened upon Brian yesterday outside the Vint Hill Dog Park yesterday and unsolicited, he took some time with us and Elsa (our Shepherd/Collie mix) to reaffirm previous teachings and also teach us some new things as well.
We are already seeing positive results from our time yesterday.
    —Michael W., November 2019, Google review

 

Brian is very friendly and knowledgeable. He spent a couple of hours with us to teach us how we could help our newly-adopted rescue dog deal with her anxiety. The results were nothing short of amazing!
We have been using the techniques that he shared with us and our dog is much more comfortable in situations that used to freak her out. He really understands dogs and what it takes to help them become comfortable. He has even followed up via email and phone to see how our dog is doing. We can't recommend him enough.

    —Tim L., Warrenton VA, YNovember 5, 2019, elp review

I can't say enough good things about our experience with Good Dog Workshop. We were having some trouble with our 3 y/o adopted pit mix (he came to us untrained) and our goal was to have him better trained in time for visiting family for the holidays. We called Brian and within a week we had our in-home training with him. He showed us how to understand and communicate with our dog. And it was really beneficial for our first dog who is 7 y/o who participated. We could use the training on both of them. It's been 2 days and we've been putting in the time and the boys are already responding and doing so well on walks. It's really incredible and we have nothing but faith they're going to excel as we keep up the work.
    —Kelly S., November 2019, Google & Yelp review

Brian knows dog psychology! My 6 yr old Puggle mix is very energetic and hyper. Although we run and walk with her regularly, she is never tired. Our dog has occasional leash aggression towards other dogs and gets very upset when we leave so Brian helped us understand our dog better in order to correct her behavior and make her feel confident we are coming back. Within a matter of hours, our dog excelled and we are more confident she will be the fun loving dog we know she is, and make new friends with other dogs
    —Karen L., October 2019, Google & Yelp review

Brian, We want to thank you for the time you spent with us and our dog, Roman. We continue to use the tools you taught us and he is responding to our direction. We will try to introduce him to Cooper (my brother's English Lab) in the near future. We highly recommend your workshop and appreciate your knowledge and expertise.
    —Sheila S., Spotsylvania VA, October 2019, Google review

He was phenomenal in training my young and high energy dog as well as giving us the tools to succeed and continue his training after the visit. He is available whenever for a phone call or email which makes life 100 times easier. Highly recommend Brian over any other service.
    —Nick F., October 2019, Google review

Good Dog Workshop is the most informative and supportive team! They are full of positive energy and will work with you and your dog. If you are not sure how to assert strong, firm leadership for your anxious/newly adopted shelter dog/or any dog in need of some obedience training, please contact Good Dog Workshop. It is incredible what you can learn in one day. My dog is happier already and is responding well to my energy, body language, and cues! (Still in progress... I don't want to get too cocky.)
The kind of training Good Dog Workshop offers is NECESSARY in order to be a responsible, healthy owner. Walks around your neighborhood will be much more pleasant! Highly recommend!
    —Christine C., October 2019, Google review

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I have not yet hired Brian, but I am going to next week. I just adopted a Jack Russell X who has a "biting" issue which I do not understand. I called Brian about our situation, our concern regarding whether this was an issue of training or inherent behavior that cannot be corrected. With everything he communicated to me, I am confident that with his expertise, we are going to get the correct answer and resolve this issue.
The reason I am posting this review prior to engaging him formally is because of the amount of time he spent on the phone with me talking through our concerns. Many minutes invested by him to help us, even before we hired him. Truly professional!

    —Sandra B., Amissville VA, Yelp review, October 1, 2019

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They were so compassionate, patient, attentive and helpful while I explained my situation with my 8 mos old (very large) puppy, and my boyfriend, who were somewhat at odds with each other. They immediately listened to my initial concerns voiced over the phone, and did not try to rush me or get me in for a paid consultation first, etc. He just listened for as long as I needed to talk. Though I could have purchased in-home training sessions from them, they actually advised it may not be helpful as my issue was primarily based on the relationship I had with each; the boyfriend and my puppy. This honest and frank insight was eye-opening for me. There are still good people out there who still have work ethic and human compassion. Thanks guys - you really helped me get more clarity on the real issue at hand! No doubt, this organization knows animals (and humans)!

    —Amy W., University Park MD, Yelp review, August 20, 2019

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What a difference a day makes!
Thank you Brian for teaching us how to better communicate with our dogs, using language they understand. We are already noticing a difference after just one day.  I can't wait to see how good it can be!

    —Christine R., Bristow VA, Yelp review, August 13, 2019

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I did a workshop with Brian last weekend.  It was so much fun and was so interesting watching Brian work with these dogs and change behavior right in front of us.  I learned a lot and my girl, Nala, did too!  Thanks, Brian!

    —Kathleen P., Leesburg VA, Yelp review, May 23, 2019

 

Brian is an absolute pro when it comes to dog training. He is a true dog whisperer! We reached out to Brian when our rescue puppy started displaying some concerning behaviors, and Brian armed us with the tools (and confidence) to correctly and safely discipline our pup. He is as focused on training the owners to be responsible and fair as he is teaching the dogs proper manners and etiquette. I would highly recommend!

    —Allie K., Vienna VA, Yelp review, April 2, 2019

I can’t recommend Brian and Josh enough. They are so knowledgeable, friendly, fun and inspiring! They have changed my family in a way that I will be forever grateful.
    —Brandie B., February 2019, Google review

What a wonderful experience watching a warrior with the dogs! Brian and Josh are so knowledgeable about the behavior of dogs
They let the warrior interact with many of them until he narrowed it down to the one his family all liked.  Amazing to watch !
    —Barbara M., Google review 2019

They were so compassionate, patient, attentive and helpful while I explained my situation with my 8 mos old (very large) puppy, and my boyfriend, who were somewhat at odds with each other. They immediately listened to my initial concerns voiced over the phone, and did not try to rush me or get me in for a paid consultation first, etc. He just listened for as long as I needed to talk. Though I could have purchased in-home training sessions from them, they actually advised it may not be helpful as my issue was primarily based on the relationship I had with each; the boyfriend and my puppy. This honest and frank insight was eye-opening for me. There are still good people out there who still have work ethic and human compassion. Thanks guys - you really helped me get more clarity on the real issue at hand! No doubt, this organization knows animals (and humans)!
    —Amy W., Google review 2019

Brian was so calm and professional. In one session he made us feel comfortable working with our puppy (who just needs some manners) and our older anxious dog (who needs a lot of attention and training). Somehow he worked with my fiancé and I and both dogs while giving everyone the attention and instruction they needed. Highly recommend!
    —Kirbie L., Google review 2019

I own and have been operating a very successful boarding and training facility as well as an all breed dog rescue since 1996. I have been looking for skilled trainers to recommend as I have found that there is a huge demand for knowledgeable trainers who understand dog behavior and are capable of actually helping the client improve their dogs behavior rather than just being told what the issues are. I am so happy and impressed after witnessing Brian Kerchner from Good Dog Workshop in action! He has a wealth of knowledge and is eager to share it with his clients in a very clear, easy to understand way. He works with the people as well as the dog and gives them the tools and skills to continue working on their own. He comes across with a calm confidence and quickly connects with the dogs he works with. It is easy to see that he truly cares about his clients and their dogs and wants to see them succeed. I highly recommend Brian and am thrilled to know a trainer of this caliber!
    —Carla N., Country Club Kennels, Google review 2019

Thank you Brian for helping me understand my boys better. Not only am I happier, my dogs are happier! My whole house hold is happier after just one visit. I highly recommend Brian. His knowledge seems endless and his advice is very understandable and practical. Definitely give him a call!
    —Sarah H., Warrenton VA, Google review 2019

I have a 4 year old Lab/Chow that I took to Brian so that my dog could socialize with other dogs. I was very impressed with Brian because he was so knowledgeable about the behavior of dogs. He would explain to me certain behaviors that I never noticed before. I was happy to see my dog be so comfortable with other dogs by slowly being introduced to them. My dog even wanted to get inside Brian's truck with his other dogs by the end of it. I highly recommend Brian, he was very helpful and knowledgeable.
    —Rene R., Google review 2019

Brian is an awesome trainer. In almost 2 and half hours he took the time to explain us the case with our dog, teach us how to correct some behaviors, but most importantly how as human we have to provide the appropriate leadership, discipline and affection. For our first time we saw our dog off leash with other dogs, chasing the ball and being social.
We have homework to do, but Brian was a great support and teacher.
We will be calling him in the future to introduce our dog into dog parks.
I will definitely recommend him, without having to spend a fortune in training, he will come to your home and provide you personalized feedback.
Thank you Brian. You brought hope to us.
    —Paula A., Aldie VA, Google review 2019

Brian was fantastic! Our dog has been having uncontrollable barking fits due to excitement when meeting a person or dog. In just a couple hours working with Brian, our dog was able to approach dogs and people without barking. Such a relief!
    —Beth N., Google review 2019

My family and I recently adopted a 1 year old Jack/Beagle mix that was known for resource guarding. Having a young daughter in the house (7 yrd old) the resource guarding and some other aggression factors worried us. Brian was referred to us from another trainer that did great, but was not comfortable working with the resource guarding like Brian could.
We have had two consults with Brian and have been amazed at the experience so far. Brian's understanding of the dog behavior is amazing but what is even more exceptional is ability to transfer his knowledge and understanding to us. Brian was very prompt and professional with every consult. We will plan to use him in the future as needed and may family would 100% recommend him and his services!
    —Chris D., Ashburn VA, Google review 2019

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Our trusted vet in Warrenton connected us with Brian. One phone call told us we had the right resource to polish up our puppy training skills after 15 years of adult dog experiences in our home.
Brian had our 11-week old puppy tuned in and enjoying his lessons within minutes of meeting him. His understanding of the pack mentality, and the discipline any healthy dog craves, set us on the course to a wonderful relationship that is positive and rewarding for our household, and any dogs that enter the youngster's life.
Brian visited our home with three four-legged tutors, each with their own unique personality and hence each offered different lessons to the pup. It was fascinating to watch and then instantly be able to put the knowledge to work helping the puppy socialize as he grows.
Don't search any further. If you have found the Good Dog Workshop, you are in the best hands and your dog is on its way to being a good pack member.

    —Michael T., Warrenton VA, Yelp review, January 26, 2019

 

I have a 4 year old Lab/Chow that I took to Brian so that my dog could socialize with other dogs. I was very impressed with Brian because he was so knowledgeable about the behavior of dogs. He would explain to me certain behaviors that I never noticed before. I was happy to see my dog be so comfortable with other dogs by slowly being introduced to them. My dog even wanted to get inside Brian's truck with his other dogs by the end of it. I highly recommend Brian, he was very helpful and knowledgeable.
    —Rene R., Manassas VA, Yelp review, December 12, 2019

We actually tried two behaviorists for my dog. One of them, and the winner by far, was Good Dog Workshop and we were blown away. Brian really helped us get to the root of the issues by working hands on with both of my dogs and taught me how some things I was doing could create confusion with my dog in terms of leadership. We took my dogs out on a walk and he gave me great tips and pointers to help me with walking them and keeping them under control. Lastly he taught me how to introduce new dogs to mine and to learn how to catch & correct bad behavior before it happens. He brought 3 of his own dogs out and led me in the exercises to introduce our packs. (And we were outside in the snow doing this for over an hour and a half!) He did not skimp on the exercises and gave very detailed answers/info in his teachings. Even in the inclement weather, Brian spent a total of 3 hours with me for our initial consultation. I was very grateful for the extra time and his dedication to helping us. I HIGHLY recommend his business and am so glad we found him. I feel so empowered now and confident with my newfound knowledge and tools -which will help me be a better pack leader.
Unfortunately the other company we tried first (I won’t mention their name here), was not as thorough or knowledgeable and to me was a complete waste of money ($$$). I received a brief assessment “report” with some suggestions to try, such as calming pheromone collars, and to not feed them together (which actually isn’t an issue). I was left with xeroxed copies of common dog behavior and that was it. The whole thing was *maybe* an hour and the worst service I’ve ever paid for. Neither my dogs or I got any actual assistance from this meeting, which led me to find a more hands on and through behaviorist that could demonstrate their claim of helping pet owners actually resolve bad behavior issues.
The worst part I think of the unnamed company who again was definitely NOT helpful to me, was that she told me my dog’s bad behavior (aggression towards dogs) was most likely genetic and just her personality, and that she would probably be a dog who could not be around other dogs!!!! How disheartening and utterly WRONG! Her claims were proven false by Good Dog Workshop when my pup not only met 3 new dogs, but went on walks with them side by side with no issues!

Do yourself a favor if you are having dog behavioral issues —  contact Good Dog Workshop. His dedication and professionalism are top notch.
      —Carnie M., Google review 2018

 

Brian helped us learn how to get a better handle on our adopted dog's reactivity. Our time working with him was super helpful, and he is way more affordable than any other trainers I had looked into. Highly recommend!

      —Jennifer P., Fairfax VA, Yelp review, November 29, 2018

We have used Brian's service when we adopted a shelter puppy who has separation anxiety. Despite being in Warrenton, Brian drove to Fairfax to help us. He is super observant picking up on things that we didn't see as a problem but realizing it months later - my dog's possessiveness of his bones and food. Brian definitely helped with the separation anxiety and even a year later when the dog relapsed to his anxiety, Brian took the time to give me a call and provided his advice on the situation. We definitely recommend him!
    —Ace B., Fairfax VA, August 22, 2018

We just adopted a rescue who was most likely abandoned at some point, so she has a lot separation anxiety. Brian did a great job reading not just the dog but also our behavior with the dog and helped us identify small things we do that reinforces her anxiety (ex make a big fuss of leaving or returning home). He was very knowledgeable and empathetic. His philosophy is that a calm submissive and respectful dog makes a happy dog and a happy environment.  We picked up a few tips and behaviors we need to model to calm her anxiety and reinforce a stable environment.  He also brought three of his dogs over to evaluate how our dog responds when being introduced to other dogs. That was very helpful as we want our dog to be socialized and get along very well with other dogs. Overall I would definitely recommend him and would use him again.
    —Alex F., Leesburg VA, May 20, 2018

We worked with Brian Kerchner, owner of Good Dog Workshop, for some additional training with our cattle dog who was becoming less and less well behaved in our home and community - excessive barking, barking at other dogs, lunging on the lease, etc. Brian exceeded our expectations and we saw immediate improvement in some of the unwanted behaviors. Before coming to our home for a two-hour session, Brian spent about 30 to 45 minutes on the phone gathering background information, listening to our problems, etc. and then followed up with another phone call about a week after our session. Both my husband and I were well aware our dog's behaviors started with us and Brian gave us each helpful and very different feedback (but, we both needed to be strong pack leaders). Brian explained that our dog's behavior was due to his uncertainty about his place in the pack and, in absence of strong leaders, was filling in what he thought were the appropriate gaps. Brian showed us how to react and correct unwanted behaviors both inside and while out walking. We also had the opportunity to interact with Brian's three dogs - working on in house greetings, as well as how to handle and introduce dogs while out on a walk. Brian felt that our dog picked up everything fairly quickly and that we wouldn't need another session; however, he noted he was always available for questions and followed up several times since. I cannot say enough good things about Brian and his approach. He clearly understands dogs and our dog's reaction to him was almost immediate. Having gone through several obedience classes (our obedience trainer actually recommended Brian), I really wish we would have learned then what Brian taught us here.

    —Lauren T., Ashburn VA, April 16, 2018

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My husband and I are so pleased with the help we received Good Dog Workshop! I was pointed in his direction by a friend who volunteers at the shelter we adopted our dog Baloo from. She said Brian is the best, and I couldn't agree more!
After the initial phone consultation, we were surprised to hear that we likely would only need one session of training, considering we believed Baloo's reactivity/"aggression" issues to be more severe than a single afternoon could solve. However, by the end of our nearly 3-hr long session with Brian, we felt very confident that we had all the tools we needed to continue Baloo's training on our own.
Brian explained to us that Baloo is not actually aggressive, but merely confused about his place in the household and in need of structure. He emphasized that we needed to exercise Baloo more and be strong leaders for him. My husband and I learned so much from Brian's practical advice, demonstrations, and thorough answers to our many questions. He even brought along his own dogs to help us implement the techniques we had learned! This was a big plus in our eyes.
Brian was extremely responsive and professional from the very beginning. He even called a few days later to check in and see how we're all doing. Our relationship with our Baloo is improving slowly but surely, and we've even had successful introductions to new people and dogs! We are extremely happy with Good Dog Workshop and would not hesitate to recommend this training service to others.
    —Rebekah H., Ashburn VA, January 19, 2018

My husband and I are so pleased with the help we received Good Dog Workshop! I was pointed in his direction by a friend who volunteers at the shelter we adopted our dog Baloo from. She said Brian is the best, and I couldn't agree more!
After the initial phone consultation, we were surprised to hear that we likely would only need one session of training, considering we believed Baloo's reactivity/"aggression" issues to be more severe than a single afternoon could solve. However, by the end of our nearly 3-hr long session with Brian (in our own home and neighborhood!), we felt very confident that we had all the tools we needed to continue Baloo's training on our own.
Brian explained to us that Baloo is not actually aggressive, but merely confused about his place in the household and in need of structure. He emphasized that we needed to exercise Baloo more and be strong leaders for him. My husband and I learned so much from Brian's practical advice, demonstrations, and thorough answers to our many questions. He even brought along his own dogs to help us implement the techniques we had learned! This was a big plus in our eyes.
Brian was extremely responsive and professional from the very beginning. He even called a few days later to check in and see how we're all doing. Our relationship with our Baloo is improving slowly but surely, and we've even had successful introductions to new people and dogs! We are extremely happy with Good Dog Workshop and would not hesitate to recommend this training service to others.
      —Rebekah E., Google review 2018

There is not enough praise that I can give for Brian! I read every review on Angieslist, Yelp and various internet sites.  BELIEVE the reviews....Brian knows what he is doing! I believe one of the Angieslist review stated that their Vet recommended Good Dog Workshop!!
So, we decided to take our lovely and high-energy 1 year old Goldendoodle (Bella) to the Good Dog Workshop training.  Brian offers training both in the owner's home and at his facility; we opted to take a lovely ride to Warrenton because one area of focus was to minimize Bella's anxiety with car rides. We also wanted Brian to train Bella (and the owners) on how walk properly utilizing a leash because Bella leads and pulls the leash. Also, we wanted Bell to learn how to socialize better because she wants to play with every dog and jump and kiss every human she sees!!
Immediately upon arrival, Brian met us at the car to start his introduction to Bella prior to her jumping out of the vehicle. I don't understand it, maybe he is a dog whisperer, but he was able to calm Bella. Over the next two hours, Brian, made us clearly understand that we (the humans) were NOT doing our part by being the pack leader. IT WAS A HARD ADJUSTMENT for me especially during the first 20 - 30 minutes.  So, do yourself a favor and just listen to what Brian tells you to do!
I really could not be more pleased. We learned so much in the training, starting with the leash itself. We were using the WRONG type of leash for initial training. We ended up purchasing one of Brian's "slip not" leash. Bella responded to it immediately. While Bella is not quite over her car anxiety,we made great progress and we have the teaching tools to get her to anxiety free!  As a matter of fact, on the car ride home she was not as anxious and appeared to be a bit more relaxed (not completely relaxed but much improved.)  She walks so much better on a leash and off leash she was near Brian and I during the walk. When Bella strayed slightly, we did a command and she focused on us and she came!  
Simply an AMAZING day!!
We now have to continue to train but I feel so confident that we can do this because of Brian!
Also, he recommended that we stop by Carousel Ice Cream to get both the humans and the pup a cup of ice cream! Note:  the pup cup was free!! WHAT A GREAT DAY!! Thank you so much Brian!
For the reader: You should definitely use Good Dog Workshop training!
      —Teresa B. Manassas VA, June 25, 2016