Best Dog Trainers in Alberta

Up Up Dog Training is run by Annette Cho. Her site shows a KPA-CTP badge and an Alberta Force Free Alliance logo, and our database lists her on that alliance's board. She says she trains without force, fear or intimidation and points readers to the AVSAB position statement on humane dog training. Private and puppy packages are taught in your home or neighbourhood in Calgary and Cochrane. Day training runs in northwest Calgary only, and virtual sessions are open to owners anywhere in Canada.

Pawsitive is run by Simone Day, who lists an MSc with Distinction in Canine Behaviour and says she has worked with dogs and their owners since 1998. The business started in London, UK, more than 25 years ago before moving to Calgary. Training happens in your home and covers puppies, obedience for adult dogs and support for complex behaviour issues. The site describes the approach as kind and effective but doesn't name a specific method, so ask how a session runs when you call.

Linda Green runs Green Dogs Training and says she has spent the past 11 years training rescue dogs and coaching their adopters. Her site lists Fear Free certification, an honors graduation from the Academy for Dog Trainers and a separation anxiety consultant certificate, and it describes her methods as gentle, science based and force free. Private training happens in your home in Calgary and nearby, with online sessions for anyone. Topics run from potty training and puppy biting to resource guarding, reactivity and cooperative care for vet visits. Services are offered in English or Spanish.

The Calgary Humane Society runs a full schedule of paid group classes that use positive reinforcement. Puppy Club covers mouthing, jumping and consent based handling over six weeks and is listed on their site as $220. Smarty Pups is for dogs 16 weeks and older, and Reactive Rover Level 1 is a seven week class for dogs that react to other dogs on leash, listed at $485. Shorter courses cover loose leash walking, recall and beginner scent games. The society also runs a free behaviour helpline and private consultations.

Sherwood Barks says it has offered puppy classes, group obedience and dog sports for over 13 years, and it calls itself a Strathcona County certified training facility serving Edmonton and Sherwood Park. The site doesn't name its trainers, but our database lists Maegan Rose there with the CPDT-KA and CTDI credentials. Puppy classes take dogs from 3 months to a year, and each class opens with 15 minutes of off leash play before an hour of teaching. Agility, flyball, behaviour consults and daycare round it out, and the site calls its methods positive and force free.

Aspen Service Dogs describes itself on its site as a Government of Alberta approved service dog organization, with a head office in Edmonton and training facilities in Edmonton and Calgary. Its Fully Trained Program matches a person with a dog that is then trained for task work and public access. The Owner Trained Program lets you train your own dog toward service work, with Aspen trainers coaching you in class and out in real public settings. Dog types named on the site include mobility, autism and PTSD service dogs. Training uses positive reinforcement.

Diamond in the Ruff is led by Colleen McCarvill, whose site lists CPDT-KA, Fear Free certification, CGC and CGN evaluator status and more than 30 years of experience. The company runs group puppy classes, therapy dog classes and service dog training at a community league hall in west Edmonton. Private sessions happen in your home or online, and behaviour work covers separation anxiety, resource guarding and reactivity to people or dogs. The site says the team never uses prong collars, choke chains or physical punishment.

The Edmonton Humane Society teaches group dog classes in a 5,000 square foot indoor facility in northwest Edmonton and moves outside when the weather allows. Most courses run six weeks at one hour a week, with no more than 11 dogs. Courses include Puppy Basics, Basic Obedience with a clicker introduction, Leash Reactivity 101 and 201, beginner and intermediate agility, Creating Courageous Canines for fearful dogs and Cooperative Canine Care for nail trims and vet exams. Dogs that bark, growl or lunge a lot at people or dogs on leash must do a private session first so staff can see whether a group suits them.

Dog Behave is Allyson Harder's behaviour consulting business. It is listed in our directory in St. Albert, and her site names Edmonton. Our database lists her Advanced Diploma in Canine Behaviour Management, and her site shows the letters ADipAAB (Canine) after her name, so ask her what training those letters cover. She works on separation anxiety, aggression, fear, barking, jumping, house training and destructive behaviour, and her site offers training at your location. It describes the method as direction, not correction, and says behaviour modification changes the dog's mind about the issue.

Alta-Pete Stockdogs is Scott Glen's herding operation in New Dayton in southern Alberta. Glen went full time training border collies in 1997, and his site lists seven USBCHA National Championships and a third place finish at the 2023 World Trial in Ireland. He runs herding lessons and clinics, many of them at locations in the United States, and the site says winter dates for Alberta and Georgia are still to come. This is a stock dog program, so it suits herding breeds and handlers who want to work livestock rather than owners looking for pet manners.

Chinook Dog Centre in Sturgeon County, north of Edmonton, focuses on dog sports. Agility classes take dogs of any breed from 10 months old and Rally-O from 6 months, in small groups, and both are listed on their site as $189 for eight weeks. Herding breeds can book semi private sheep lessons, worked on a long line in a round pen, after a 20 minute try it out day, and the site says those lessons use pressure and release. Agility and herding both require basic obedience first, while Rally-O needs no experience.

Shape Up Agility is run by Justine, whose site lists 25 years in the sport, 36 world team appearances and eight competition dogs in the last 20 years. Most of the teaching happens online through a private Facebook group, where working spots send up to five minutes of video a week for feedback. Courses include Shape Up Pup, foundations and running contacts, listed on the site at $252 to $420. It is a sport program, so pet owners after basic manners should pick another trainer.

Chinook K9, owned by Dylan Rowse, trains from a facility in Rocky View County near Bearspaw and serves Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks and Chestermere. The main offer is a board and train program for any breed, plus a two week Jumpstart stay focused on leash communication, manners and socialization. Private coaching and virtual lessons are also offered. The site says its behaviour work runs from leash pulling to serious aggression and separation anxiety. The home page doesn't describe training tools or methods, so ask about them before you book.

K9 Fun Centre is owned by Gulnaz, who goes by G and is a NADD Senior Judge for dock diving. The centre sits southeast of Calgary and runs short group courses. Try It All covers scent work, agility, tricks and frisbee, and Recall That Actually Works drills coming when called around distractions. Both are listed on their site as $150 for four classes plus GST. Private lessons for obedience or disc skills happen at the centre or at your home. Swimming and dock diving return in May 2027.

K9EDGE Dog Training is Chris Edge's in home service for Leduc, Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Beaumont and nearby towns. His site lists CPDT-KA, and our database adds the KPA CDT credential. Sessions run 45 minutes in your home, and the site describes the methods as 100% force free. Puppy Foundations covers new puppies and rescues with unknown histories, while his Behaviour Reset program targets leash reactivity, aggression, fear and resource guarding. Virtual strategy sessions are available too, and our database also lists group training and assistance animal work.

Dawn of Dogs is the only Grande Prairie trainer on this list, so it matters if you live in the Peace Country. Our database lists board and train stays and in home training, including work with reactive and aggressive dogs. Its site says in home sessions serve Grande Prairie and the surrounding area, with mileage fees that may apply, and other sessions run on a distraction free acreage. The site describes a positive approach built on behavioural shaping and games. It doesn't name its trainers or list credentials, so ask about them on your first call.

Down to Earth Dog Training serves Sherwood Park and nearby communities with training for puppies and adult dogs, booked by appointment. Puppy work covers socialization, house training, handling and focus. Everyday manners take in loose leash walking, recall, greetings and settling at home. Behaviour support handles jumping, barking and pulling, and the site says the trainer works with reactive dogs too. Each client gets a personalized package built around the dog and the owner's schedule. The business also offers dog sitting and dog walking.

Gas City Dog Club has run in Medicine Hat since 1979, its site says, as a nonprofit club for the humane training of dogs for home and competition. Instructor led courses cover obedience and socialization with other dogs, and agility is taught as well. You can drop in to a class, listed on their site as $10, or buy a punch card for regular weeks. The club offers discounts for dogs adopted from the SPCA and APARC. It suits owners who want steady weekly practice.

Sit Stay Come & Play is a Medicine Hat training school with instructors Cheryl Ann Barrett, Ryan Kessell and Lizzie. Group classes include Puppy Preschool and Puppy Primer, Foundations, Manners and Life Skills, Focus and Self Control, a trick class called Take a Bow-Wow, a clicker workshop and a course on behaviour issues. Puppy Preschool is listed on their site as $60, and other five week classes as $130. One hour private lessons run on Tuesdays by appointment and are listed at $50.

HappyDogz is a Cochrane trainer offering one to one sessions at your home or at their facility, listed on their site as $150 for one to one and a half hours. Other services include structured walk training, an off leash dog park introduction and socialization visits. The site also lists a muzzle conditioning day and an electronic collar conditioning day that teaches a dog to respond to the collar for recall and correction. Boarding runs as Happydogz Vacations, and they will help you choose a puppy before it comes home. Ask on your first call how they use that collar.

Parkland Kennels sits in Parkland County west of Edmonton and serves Stony Plain. Its site mentions obedience and agility classes and describes a standard, consistent training program it has used over many years. The site says its trainers have more than 25 years of experience with dogs of all breeds, and most staff have worked there 15 to 20 years. The kennel also boards dogs and cats, and the site says each boarded dog is exercised on its own. Grooming is offered too, and class schedules and registration are online.

Perfect Pooches Dog Training & Grooming is a family owned business in Coalhurst that has trained and groomed dogs since 1997. Founder Evelyn Sera leads the training, which the site says rests on positive reinforcement and clear communication. Classes cover puppies from about 3 to 12 months, basic obedience, off leash and recall work, agility, rally and competition obedience and show handling. Private sessions, seminars and fun matches are offered as well. Clients come from Coalhurst, Lethbridge and anywhere within about 75 miles. All breed grooming is offered too.

Petfinity is a pet care centre at Buffalo Run on Tsuut'ina land, at the southwest edge of Calgary. Its Petfinity Dog Academy runs group training classes and private sessions. Board and train stays come in 7, 10 or 14 day lengths that mix obedience training with play. The centre also offers boarding and daycare. Petfinity calls itself a new venture and doesn't name its trainers or methods on the home page, so ask who will teach your dog and how before you book.

Raise The Woof Dog Training serves Red Deer and the surrounding area. The trainer, Tara, holds the CPDT-KA and has more than 10 years of experience, according to the site. Training is reward based, with no yelling or harsh corrections. Private sessions cover puppy foundations, leash manners, jumping and recall, plus fear and reactivity work. For owners on a budget, a self paced DIY course is available. Plans are built around each dog's personality and learning style, and a testimonial on the site mentions group classes.

Randy Dye teaches herding just west of Bowden, about five minutes off the QE2. His site says he has more than 35 years of experience training dogs and has worked with a wide range of breeds on all classes of livestock. Private lessons and clinics happen at Eagle Creek Livery, which has an indoor arena plus outdoor pens and fields for dogs from beginner to open level, or he can come to your place. This program fits working and herding dogs rather than general obedience.

She Walks Dogs is run by Veronica in Okotoks and serves Okotoks and Diamond Valley. Her site lists more than 25 years of training and competition experience, Red Cross pet first aid certification and a business licence with the Town of Okotoks. She offers private training, on leash walks and boarding, with group classes listed as coming in fall 2026. Her site says she combines corrections with positive reinforcement and does not use harsh physical punishment. Treats are only given with your permission.

The Meadows Sheepherding is listed in our directory in Millarville, in the foothills southwest of Calgary, and its site names the Calgary area. Private lessons teach you and your dog herding foundations, and puppy starting introduces young dogs to sheep. Sheep practice sessions are open to novice handlers and up, and the site also lists instinct testing, trial prep and farm skills. Breeds named on the site include Border Collies, Kelpies, Belgian Sheepdogs, Corgis and Aussie Shepherds. Ask who teaches the lessons when you call.

Dog Nose Best offers private behaviour and scent training, in person in Alberta and online anywhere. The site describes its trainer as a clinical animal behaviourist without giving a name, and our database lists the trainer as Maria Ilioviciu with CPDT-KA and an MSc. Behaviour work covers aggression, separation anxiety and reactivity to dogs, people and bikes, plus life skills like recall and loose lead walking. An intro scent course takes in scent detection, searches and mantrailing, and the site sums up its approach as force free fun. Ask which parts of Alberta they cover in person.