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We interviewed many trainers and instantly connected with Gary. His focus on positive training methods and explaining the why really gives you the understanding of how to work with your dog. Remi walked away with better owners who were empowered with tools to give him direction to be the bestest boy. Gary is easy to work with and just an all round great guy!
Reply from Aspire K9 Academy
2025.12.22
Thank you for your kind words :)
We recently completed training with Gary, and it was incredibly helpful. He was very patient with our dog Yuki, and with us as owners. Even though I grew up with dogs, I realized there was still so much to learn—especially about our Samoyed. Thanks to Gary’s guidance, we’ve grown even closer to our pup, and Yuki is well on his way to becoming an amazing companion.
Reply from Aspire K9 Academy
2025.12.03
Thank you, Juan. Keep up the good work!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five Stars — Truly Exceptional Dog Training Experience
We couldn’t be more grateful for the experience we had working with Gary Davydov, Senior Trainer at Aspire K9 Academy. From the very first session, it was clear we were in great hands. Not only is Gary incredibly knowledgeable about dogs and behavior, but he also takes the time to truly understand each dog and their family. Before training even began, he got to know our daily habits and routines, and then tailored each session to fit our lifestyle — something we deeply appreciated.
The facility itself is a dream. Set on a beautiful horse farm, every visit felt like a peaceful, scenic outing rather than just another appointment. Our puppy absolutely loved being there and bonded with Gary immediately — which speaks volumes. We noticed results instantly, and those improvements just continued to build each week.
What really sets Gary apart is his dedication. He went above and beyond every single session. We were given detailed homework, tips, and clear guidance, ensuring we knew how to continue progress at home. Gary even checked in during the week, encouraging us to send photos or videos of behaviors we wanted help correcting — and then provided thoughtful, personalized feedback.
We walked away not only with a well-trained puppy, but with a better understanding of dogs in general. The education we received was truly invaluable.
If you’re looking for someone who is experienced, caring, committed, and truly results-driven, look no further. We highly recommend Gary to anyone — whether you have a brand-new puppy or an older dog needing training support. This has been one of the best decisions we’ve made for our dog and our home.
Reply from Aspire K9 Academy
2025.11.30
Thank you for your kind words!
Bootsy is such a good boy. Please remind him how lucky he is :)
Bootsy is such a good boy. Please remind him how lucky he is :)
We recently just finished up our lessons with Gary. We learned ALOT! We have a frenchie who loves to do things her way. But with putting in the work, simple work at that really. She’s done great at picking up on the training. It helps she loves treats! I would 100% recommend Gary at Aspire K9 Academy for anyone who is looking for any kind of training. We worked on getting her to stop barking at every vehicle that pulls in the driveway, simple every day commands, leash walking and so much more. So glad we found Gary, he’s been wonderful!
Reply from Aspire K9 Academy
2025.11.27
Thanks, Brittany! Loved working with you guys!!!
I would highly recommend Gary. He did an outstanding job with our Brazilian Mastiff pup. He is very in touch with what this unique breed needs. He was very flexible with our schedule and does a great job with following up after each session. I would not hesitate to go back for more advanced training and would gladly send my friends his way.
Reply from Aspire K9 Academy
2025.11.27
Appreciate it, Mike!
My husband and I cannot say enough good things about Gary from Aspire K9 Academy. We brought our newly adopted pup, George, for life training skills and we all, not just George, benefitted greatly from our sessions with Gary. He is not only incredibly knowledgeable but also kind, patient, and funny! He took the time to understand our pup’s unique personality and tailored each session to what we needed. Our pup immediately warmed up to him and I could tell that he felt truly comfortable learning from Gary. His positive reinforcement methods were not only effective, but also built a trusting relationship between us and our pup.
What really stood out to me was how much Gary genuinely cares and how his training method focuses on patience, kindness, and encouragement. Never once was George punished, intimidated, or hurt. What I also really liked is that Gary explains the reasoning behind his methods and what our pup is communicating to us through his behavior. He was teaching us as well as our pup, so cool! In addition, he followed up after sessions, provided suggestions for food/treat dispensers/toys (which were game changers), and he was always available for questions. It’s clear he is doing this work because of his love for dogs and their people — and it shows!
It's rare to find someone who combines such expertise with such a genuine heart. We are so grateful for all of Gary’s help and we cannot recommend him and Aspire K9 Academy highly enough!
Reply from Aspire K9 Academy
2025.09.28
Thanks so much! Tell George that he's the bestest :)
We found Aspire K9 Academy through an online search and it has been such a great experience for both my puppy and I. Gary focuses on the dog you have (they are all unique) and works on your specific goals for your puppy. It goes beyond a basic puppy class which tend to be a one size fits all approach and builds foundational skills. Gray is accessible and responsive outside of class time. He is invested in your dog’s progress and growth. We are looking forward to continuing training with Gary as our puppy grows.
Reply from Aspire K9 Academy
2025.09.13
Hi Nicole,
Thanks so much for your kind words.
Arlo has made so much progress - keep it up!
Thanks so much for your kind words.
Arlo has made so much progress - keep it up!
We’ve had many dogs over the years and we’re mostly “do it yourselfer” dog trainers. Needless to say, our results weren’t so good.
But when we recently got a new puppy that might end up being closer to a small horse than a dog, we knew we needed to get serious about training. We didn’t want to end up in some viral TikTok where our dog drags us down the street.
After some research, we located Aspire K9 and took our puppy in for lesson one. Long story short… Gary is an amazing trainer. We can walk with our pup and she doesn’t leave our side. Never pulls the leash. She literally flies to us when we call her special name. She’s worked out some anxiety issues. While we still have work to do, she’s on a great path. We were so thrilled with the results we even took our other dog to Gary and she’s a different dog already!
Gary is patient and generous with his time. He may introduce some wild concepts (like getting rid of the dog bowl for certain breeds), but he’s also realistic and if you aren’t going to do something, he’ll work around it.
I couldn’t recommend a trainer more highly. You simply have to go and experience it for yourself. You will not be disappointed.
Reply from Aspire K9 Academy
2025.08.16
Thanks so much! Love working with your pups. Keep it up!
The short story: The training is worth the drive & the cost.
The long story: In October 2024, we attended a community festival where one of the local shelters had animals available for adoption. He’s a 2-year-old, 50 pound, Pitbull Staffordshire Mastiff mix. Our previous 2 dogs were half that size & didn’t strike fear into anyone. Having a larger dog, who is a Pit, was a totally different experience. Behaviors that aren’t a big deal for a small dog are devastating with a larger dog, let alone a Pit. I would cry when walking him because he pulled so hard.
And I admit, I regretted getting him. He is a sweet, loving dog but his behaviors... I thought “what have I done?” I was able to get us into training at a chain pet supply company within 2 weeks of adoption. We had two 6-week sessions which did help but things were still not great. On Facebook, I remembered Aspire K-9 Academy highlighting the great results of training Kyoto, a rescue from my co-worker’s organization. I decided I couldn’t take it anymore & was desperate for help. It was the best decision I have ever made.
I met with the owner, Gary Daydov, for our interview. I knew he wouldn’t sugar coat anything when he told me “Your walking is garbage.” I was like “Preach, brother!” His training aligned with our family’s. We didn’t believe in shock or pinch collars and he, likewise, avoids those noting there is a time and place but there has to be a long-term plan. He felt that 6 lessons would work well, so I immediately signed up. We met every 2 weeks, and in that time, Gary changed and improved our life 1000-fold.
Gary really gave us an insight to the “dog’s mind.” He helped us understand what a dog needs & what makes him happy. He told us what kind of equipment to have & treats to use. With that said, as the pet owner you HAVE to put the time in; if only for a few minutes a day. And you'll be surprised how many opportunities there are to train just in your regular daily routine. All the work pays off. Everything Gary taught us made sense & worked. My husband and I would look at each other saying “he’s like a completely different dog. Look how happy he is!” In turn, the training has made us happy and has totally improved our relationship with our dog.
Consider Aspire K-9. You won’t be disappointed. And you & your pet will be so happy.
Reply from Aspire K9 Academy
2025.08.16
Earl is awesome! Please remind him that he has won the lottery by landing with you guys :)
This has been a great experience. My dog (Gus) and I have learned so much. Each lesson we go over what we have learned and new skills. I have been able to bring the whole family for lessons so we can all learn together. These lessons aren't just sit and stay but life skills to make Gus comfortable at home, at play and in the world. We will continue our journey with aspire K9 academy as Gus gets older to make sure he is happy, healthy and a good boy.
Reply from Aspire K9 Academy
2025.07.29
Thanks so much. Gus is such a fun little guy - cannot wait to see him again!
Kudos to you for getting the whole family involved!!!
Kudos to you for getting the whole family involved!!!
After extensive research and careful consideration of training options in our area, we chose to work with Aspire K9 Academy in Damascus—and we couldn’t be happier with our decision.
We were looking for a highly skilled trainer who uses positive reinforcement in a structured and supportive environment, and Aspire K9 Academy not only met our criteria on paper, but has exceeded our expectations in every session.
Our puppy is learning essential skills at an impressive pace—but, truthfully, it’s our entire family who’s been transformed. Gary Davydov, is the senior trainer at Aspire K9 Academy; his deep knowledge of canine development, his clear and practical instruction, and his thoughtful approach to training have been invaluable. He explains the “why” behind each method, demonstrates techniques, gives us ample time to practice, provides clear homework instructions, and outstanding support for success between sessions.
We feel incredibly fortunate to have found Aspire K9 Academy. It’s clear that Gary is not only a gifted trainer, but also truly invested in helping dogs and their families thrive. We’re excited to continue this journey with Aspire K9 Academy as our puppy grows into the happy, smart, and well-adjusted dog he’s meant to be.
Highly recommend!
Reply from Aspire K9 Academy
2025.07.22
Thank you so much!
Renji is a superstar and you guys are doing a phenomenal job with him!
Renji is a superstar and you guys are doing a phenomenal job with him!
We have just begun working with Gary, we have just had a couple of our sessions and so far everything is going great! Our dog Theo is definitely learning so much and Theo is always very happy and excited to work with Gary! Gary is very knowledgeable and I’m always in awe of all the things he knows! Truly an amazing person to work with and an incredible trainer!
Reply from Aspire K9 Academy
2025.11.27
Thank you, Katherin!
Gary has been very helpful guiding me through my dogs reactivity to other dogs using positive training methods. He's very organized and methodical in his teaching methods. His knowledge regarding dog behavior and different breed characteristics are top notch. He works hard to create an individualized training program to meet your needs.
I cannot say enough positive things about Aspire and the owner Gary. Gary is so incredibly knowledgable about dog behavior and training. He really takes his time to explain everything, he is patient, excellent communication, and sends follow-up emails. Our puppy has grown and learned so much over this last month, we really look forward to working with Gary as she continues to grow up. Highly, highly recommend Gary for any of your dogs needs!
Reply from Aspire K9 Academy
2025.01.12
Thanks so much for your kind words! You guys are doing a great job - keep it up!