Best Dog Trainers in and Near Cleveland, OH

Abby Lane Dog Training works from Euclid on Cleveland's east side and serves Northeast Ohio. The site describes a balanced method built on a treat based system and says dogs of all ages do well with it. Its trainers list certifications in obedience and in shelter and rescue dog training, so adopted dogs are a stated focus. Group classes meet in a park, and the site links to a group class schedule. A consultation comes first, where you explain your goals.

Boss K9 trains from Cleveland's St. Clair-Superior neighborhood and works with puppies and adult dogs. Private lessons run 45 to 75 minutes once a week, at your home, in public places or at the facility. Board and train keeps your dog at the facility for focused work, and those packages include free follow ups. Course topics include aggression rehabilitation, socialization, obedience, off leash work and puppy training. The site says the team takes on any issue, even a dog that has been recommended to be put down. Equipment is included in the package price.

Club K9 of Wickliffe is a full service training facility and daycare in Lake County, a short drive east of Cleveland. Training options include puppy preschool, private lessons, behavior problem solving and classes that prepare dogs for therapy work. A Canine Good Citizen program prepares dogs for the AKC's manners test. Daycare, day boarding and a self serve dog wash sit under the same roof as the classes. The site lists Willoughby, Mentor, Euclid and Cleveland among the towns it serves, along with Eastlake and Kirtland.

Commander Paw is a private dog trainer based in Cleveland who teaches in person or in virtual sessions. The site says the trainer's background includes training army dogs. Lessons cover basic and advanced commands, along with problem behaviors such as aggression. Each plan is built around your dog's breed, age, character and lifestyle, and the site says it works with all breeds. A free 10 minute consultation lets you describe the problem before you book. Hours on the site run Sunday through Friday.

Elite K-911 Dog Training, Grooming and Boarding has worked out of North Ridgeville since 2008. Founder Chuck says he attends seminars on behavior and training. Training runs from puppy lessons and obedience up to advanced work, and the sport side covers agility, nosework and dock diving. You can book private lessons, prepare a dog for therapy work and certification, or send your dog to board and train. Grooming and boarding share the facility, and training can be added to a boarding stay. It works with dogs of all ages.

Evolution Canine is based in Grafton and serves Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. Trainer Scott has worked with dogs since 2010 and lists more than 15 years of experience. The two main formats are board and train and one on one programs, and both cover obedience and behavior problems. Its motto is that no dog is too old to learn, so older dogs are welcome to start. Overnight boarding is listed as coming soon, so ask before you plan a stay.

HYPE Dog Training is a North Ridgeville trainer that works through positive reinforcement and puts weight on understanding why your dog acts the way it does. Private lessons happen at your home and cover puppy problems, everyday behavior issues and obedience from basic to advanced. Prices are listed on the site as $90 for a one hour home session and $50 for 30 minutes of online coaching. A free 30 minute phone call comes first, and the site says group training is now available too.

InTune Dog Training is run by Shari Helwig, a certified dog trainer in Columbia Station. The site doesn't name the group behind that certification, so ask her. Day training lets you drop your dog off while she works on anything from basic commands to harder problems. She also teaches obedience one on one and in groups, with socialization built in. The puppy package includes an online Puppy Primer Tool, and therapy training prepares dogs to visit hospitals, schools or nursing homes. Off leash work and lessons at your home are offered too.

K9 Guide Dog Training is a small family business in Bath, near Akron and Medina. The site lists more than 30 years of experience, with Collin Young as lead trainer, and credentials including IACP Professional and CGC Evaluator. Board and train dogs live with the lead trainer and work on a 4 acre property, with a follow up program afterward. Home lessons run from Medina to Hudson. Other options include puppy training, scent work and help for reactive dogs. The first lesson is free, and graduates can join alumni classes.

Koena K9 is Christa's training business in North Olmsted, and the site says she has more than 11 years of professional experience. Board and train dogs live in her home and get daily training and structure. Private lessons suit owners who want to be part of every step, with a focus on obedience that holds up in real places. Board and train graduates can join pack hikes. Service puppy training is listed too. She covers the greater Cleveland area from Avon and Lakewood to Hudson.

New Era Dog Training in North Royalton is run by founder Lisa Yasenchak. Our database lists her as a CPDT-KA with Family Dog Mediation and Fear Free certifications, and as a Pet Professional Guild member. Her training is positive and reward based. Group classes include Puppy Preschool, Basic Manners and Recall Adventure, which builds recall through games. Cautious to Confident is for shy or nervous dogs, and her behavior work covers reactivity and resource guarding. Private training is offered too, and the site lists service across Cuyahoga, Medina and Summit counties.

Off Leash K9 Training of Cleveland is the local branch of a national company with more than 130 locations. Its two week board and train program teaches everyday commands around distractions. You can also book lessons at or near your home or a behavior consultation. A nine lesson package targets aggressive or reactive dogs, an eight lesson program prepares therapy dogs, and a puppy consultation covers dogs under five months. The site lists service across Cleveland, Lakewood, Parma, Euclid and nearby suburbs.

Paramount Dog Training teaches in Columbia Station and also has a Medina location. Owner Mel graduated from National K9 in Columbus, and the site says his dog training history goes back more than two decades. Classes run as group or private sessions and cover puppies, obedience, behavior modification and advanced on and off leash work. A distraction class tests skills in busy settings, and agility and rally classes run with help from a volunteer. The site's motto is any breed, any age, any issue.

Sit Means Sit Cleveland-Akron is a franchise location in Northfield, with a second spot in Copley, led by owner and training director Paul Pollock. It uses the brand's attention based method. Day training means you drop your dog off for a full day with no overnight stay. Private lessons start with the Obedience Primer, and a Hybrid program adds group classes. The Puppy Primer for puppies under four months is listed on the site at $149. Behavior work covers aggression, fear and reactivity, and therapy dog certification runs through a nonprofit partner.

Pawsitive Play Dog Training belongs to Michele Terlep, MEd, a CPDT-KA and AKC evaluator whose tagline is smarter, kinder dog training. Her lessons are positive and built around games, with handouts to practice from. Private lessons are listed on the site at $95 each, or $90 per lesson in a four lesson package. She teaches at The Beautiful Barn in Columbia Station and on Tuesdays at The Natural Pet Enrichment Center in North Royalton. Topics range from loose leash walking and recall to fear and barking.

Pawsitively Good Pup has trained dogs on Cleveland's west side since 2006, with Cindy Hoppes leading lessons from Berea. She mixes reward based techniques with behavior work for dogs that are anxious or overexcited. Private lessons and group classes are both on offer. The group menu runs past basic manners into Obedience 1 and 2, Clicker Tricks, Intro to Rally, Nose Knows and Intro to Agility, plus a class called Relax. The site lists Strongsville and North Olmsted among the areas it serves.

Right Way K9 Training works out of Berea, and its core work is behavior modification, obedience and puppy development. Programs include board and train, private lessons and Puppy Training Foundations. Behavior modification covers aggression, reactivity, anxiety and fear. A coaching track teaches owners handling skills and clear communication, and graduates can come back for continued education. Daycare and boarding are open only to dogs Right Way has trained. Plans are built around your dog's breed and behavior. Ask on the first call which mix of board and train, lessons and coaching fits your dog.

Sits 'n Wiggles Dog Training 'n Behavior Consulting is Valarie Ross's Cleveland practice, and she lists herself as a certified dog behavior consultant. The site says training is reward based and uses no shock, prong collars or punishment. With day training, a trainer works your dog while you're out, and private consults focus on specific problems. Puppy Homeschool is a six week program for puppies two to five months old, with trainers at your home several times a week. A 45 minute virtual Behavior Helpline call can come first, and the PACT Fund helps families pay for training.

Spot On Dog Training is based in Chagrin Falls and serves Northeast Ohio, and the site marks 11 years in business. Owner Mike runs a free demonstration at your home to show the method. Training happens at your home or off site, and board and train stays are offered too. Past clients and current program members can join monthly pack walks, and the walk notes ask owners to bring a flat or martingale collar along with a remote training collar. The site lists help with jumping, barking, mouthing, marking and aggression.

The Behavior Clinic in Olmsted Falls is a veterinary behavior practice staffed by veterinarians and veterinary behavior technicians. It sees dogs for separation anxiety, fear, noise phobias, house soiling and aggression toward people or animals, and it treats cats plus select cases in horses, rabbits, ferrets and birds. Its Pet Education Center hosts puppy classes, a Puppy Social Club for puppies 6 to 18 weeks old and Canine Good Citizen classes. You can contact the clinic directly, and vets can refer clients too.

The Dog Wizard Westlake is a franchise location led by owner and head trainer Kurtis. Programs include day training, private lessons, group classes, board and train, puppy work and AKC training, and obedience graduates can keep coming to group classes. Behavior programs cover aggression, separation anxiety, resource guarding and adopted dogs. The site calls its approach balanced and says trainers may use food, collars or remote collars depending on the dog and owner. Programs are listed on the site as starting at $250, and a free evaluation comes first.

The Doggie Concierge has served Cleveland's western suburbs since 2017, with dog training and dog walking as its two core services, so walks and training come from one team. The service area covers Avon, Avon Lake, Bay Village, Fairview Park, North Ridgeville, Rocky River and Westlake. The site gives few details on training methods or class formats, so ask about both on the first call. You can set up a meet and greet in person or by video before you commit to any lessons.

Turning Point Dog Training works from a Cleveland facility by appointment seven days a week. Private packages come in five or eight sessions and cover leash handling, markers, heel, stay and place work for puppies and adult dogs. Board and train runs three, four or five weeks and is listed on the site at $3,400, $4,400 and $5,400. A five week program takes serious cases such as dog aggression after an evaluation. Equipment includes a 20 foot long line, and existing clients can add remote collar conditioning.

Up N Atom Dog Training is based in Eastlake and partners with NEO Pet and Working Dog in Lakewood. The head trainer has more than 15 years in the field, with a background in competition obedience and protection sports. Board and train happens mostly in the trainer's home and is listed on the site at about $1,200 per week, with equipment, treats and follow up lessons included. Daycare training builds skills without overnight stays, and private lessons and a puppy camp are offered too. Training goals include loose leash walking, recall, house manners and public access.

Woof Wise Dog Training in North Royalton teaches with positive reinforcement and clicker training, where a click marks the right behavior and a reward follows. Trainers Chris, Tina, Alisa and Leah run group classes for all ages and skill levels in three tracks. Manners and Obedience covers the basics, Puppy focuses on early training and confidence, and Sports and Fun gives dogs that know their manners new work such as agility. Private training is set up by email, and the site also lists puppy tutoring.