Best Dog Trainers in Florida

In this article
Five dog clubs share this Florida list with 25 other trainers, and together the 30 cover 23 cities from Gulf Breeze on the Panhandle to Miami. Volunteers run the Jacksonville and St. Petersburg clubs. The list is ranked live by each trainer's Google Maps rating, with the Yelp rating shown beside it. We checked every listing on October 30, 2026.
Quick picks
1. InSyncK9
Protection and scent tracking
View profile2. K-9 Obedience Club of Jacksonville
Puppy classes and dog sports
View profile3. Sit Happens Dog Training Jacksonville
In home lessons, puppies
View profile
How we picked these 30 dog trainers
Our Florida records hold 200 listings drawn from public professional directories, federal licensing records and trainers' own websites. We removed theme parks and animal exhibitors, as well as service dog groups that train only their own dogs and one trainer who isn't taking clients right now. Then we kept no more than four trainers from one city and opened each trainer's website to check what they offer today.
The best dog trainers in Florida, ranked
The order changes as new ratings come in, so check it again before you call.
Rank 1
InSyncK9
Jacksonville, FL
Specialties: Dog trainers serving Jacksonville and St. Augustine with obedience, puppy training, group classes, agility, behavior modification and protection training.
InSyncK9 trains dogs in Jacksonville and Saint Augustine. Basic obedience comes first, with advanced obedience after that. You can book private training in your home or join a group class. Behavior work covers aggression, anxiety and excessive barking. Less common services include protection training and scent tracking, and InSyncK9 trains service dogs too. The site also lists boarding with training. It calls the trainers certified but doesn't name a certifying group, so that's a fair question for your first call.
Rank 2
K-9 Obedience Club of Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
Specialties: Nonprofit dog training club teaching STAR Puppy, family dog and dog sport classes.
The K-9 Obedience Club of Jacksonville was founded in 1951, and volunteers run it. It's an AKC licensed club with three regulation size rings for trials, and classes use positive reinforcement. Puppies start in STAR Puppy or Sport Puppy Foundations. Family Dog classes are built for dogs with behavior problems. Sport classes cover rally, nose work, trick dog and AKC Fetch. Obedience runs from Novice through Utility, and the club holds trials, seminars and workshops during the year for members and students.
Rank 3
Sit Happens Dog Training Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
Specialties: Dog trainer offering puppy, obedience, leash, potty, socialization and behavior training, including small group sessions.
Sit Happens Dog Training has served Jacksonville since 2011, and its trainers come to your home. Dave Stellato and Alex Abreu, a retired Navy veteran, are on the team. Lessons cover puppy training, obedience, leash manners and potty training. Socialization and behavior work are on the list too. Methods are positive reinforcement, which the site calls evidence based and humane. Private group sessions can include all of your dogs together. Each trainer completes a 90 day certification course, and the team adds continuing education every year.
Rank 4
Dorman Pantfoeder
Jacksonville Beach, FL
Specialties: Jacksonville Beach dog trainer offering board and train programs, obedience and puppy training, and refresher courses.
Dorman Pantfoeder founded Good Dogs Training Camp in Jacksonville Beach, and visits are by appointment only. The business centers on board and train. You can choose The Good Dog program or a Premium Board and Train, and graduates can come back for a Refresher Course. The Good Pup Start Up is the puppy program. Dogs practice around people and other pets in what the camp calls a Simulated Homelife course. The service area runs from Ponte Vedra and Nocatee to Amelia Island.
Rank 5
Leby Gonzalez
North Miami Beach, FL
Credentials: CPDTKA and in progress at the Academy for Dog Trainers
Specialties: Private Training, Group Training, Behavior Consulting; Separation Anxiety, Aggression and Reactivity
Leby Gonzalez trains for Rocco's Pack in North Miami Beach. Our records list Leby as a CPDT-KA working through the Academy for Dog Trainers, and as a Pet Professional Guild member. Rocco's Pack has offered force free training since 2011, using positive reinforcement and applied behavior analysis. Group classes run under the name City Dog, and a Condo Dweller Program serves dogs in dog friendly buildings. Private training and behavior consulting are also listed, with separation anxiety and reactivity as focus areas.
Rank 6
Trusted Paws Academy
Doral, FL
Specialties: Positive reinforcement training; puppy lessons; advanced obedience; group training
Trusted Paws Academy trains dogs in Doral, and Joel Silverman is its head trainer. He has more than 40 years of animal training behind him, by the academy's count, and he hosted Good Dog U on Animal Planet. The academy offers individual and group training, as well as puppy lessons and advanced obedience. Rewards are treats and praise. Individual training is listed on their site as $1,500 to $2,000, and group training costs less. The company also sells franchises, so confirm who will train your dog.
Rank 7
Susan Claire
Weston, FL
Credentials: CPDT-KA, FFCP, Certified Puppy Behavior Consultant
Specialties: Private Training, Group Training, Behavior Consulting
Susan Claire runs PlayTrain Positive Dog Training in Broward County. Our records list her as a CPDT-KA and a Certified Puppy Behavior Consultant, and as a Pet Professional Guild member. Her lessons mix play with positive reinforcement, and she avoids methods or tools that cause pain or fear. Puppy training covers potty training and socialization. She also works with fearful and reactive dogs and teaches group classes. Private training and behavior consulting appear in her listing too. A free consultation is offered.
Rank 8
Off Leash K9 Training Miami, FL
Miami, FL
Specialties: franchise dog training (Off Leash K9)
Off Leash K9 Training Miami is a mobile franchise location, and its trainers come to your home anywhere in Miami-Dade, from Brickell to Homestead. It has served South Florida since 2014. A two week board and train is listed on their site from $2,900. Obedience runs as four to eight private lessons. Puppy training takes pups from 8 weeks to 5 months, and an eight lesson course prepares therapy dogs. Training uses marker words and praise with the company's electronic collar.
Rank 9
Martha C Bernal
Tampa, FL
Credentials: CCPDT-KA
Specialties: Private Training, Behavior Consulting; Aggression and Reactivity
Martha C. Bernal runs Wet Nose University in Tampa. Our records list her as a CCPDT certified trainer with the CPDT-KA and as a Pet Professional Guild member. Her site describes force free training and behavior modification. It also mentions Canine Good Citizen work and scent training for service dogs. Private training and behavior consulting are in her listing, with aggression and reactivity named as focus areas. The site posts no schedule or prices, so check where lessons happen and what a first session costs.
Rank 10
Ben Vernon
Tampa, FL
Specialties: Veteran-owned Tampa dog training business offering obedience, private lessons, board and train, puppy and aggressive dog training.
Ben Vernon founded Vernon Dog Training in Tampa in January 2021, and the business is veteran owned. He works across Tampa Bay, from Clearwater and Wesley Chapel south to Sarasota. Private lessons happen one on one in your home. The board and train program lasts three weeks, with your dog living in the trainer's home. Puppy training covers potty training and chewing. Behavior work takes on aggression, leash reactivity and severe anxiety. Vernon calls his methods balanced but doesn't name tools.
Rank 11
Ashley Parker
Tampa, FL
Specialties: Tampa dog trainer offering puppy preparation, aggression rehabilitation, separation anxiety training and dog sitting.
Ashley Parker owns Bayshore Dog Training and works as its head trainer across greater Tampa. She says she has well over a decade of experience with dogs. Training happens in your home through a private package, and she also runs group classes and a puppy program. Behavior work covers aggression and separation anxiety, as well as fights between dogs in the same house. Her training is reward based, with desensitization and safe exposure. A program called Cribs and Canines gets dogs ready for a new baby.
Rank 12
Dog Training Club of Tampa
Tampa, FL
Specialties: Nonprofit dog training club teaching agility, obedience, rally, scent work, therapy dog, trick dog and puppy classes.
The Dog Training Club of Tampa is a nonprofit club with its own training site in Tampa. Its class catalog is one of the widest on this list. Classes cover obedience, rally, agility and flyball. Scent work and barn hunt run too, and so do trick dog and conformation. A therapy dog class and an Animal Actors class round it out, and a puppy class is offered. The club hosts AKC trials and Canine Good Citizen testing, and registration is online.
Rank 13
Orlando Dog Training Club
Orlando, FL
Specialties: Puppy, beginner, CGC, obedience, rally, therapy dog and scent work classes
Orlando Dog Training Club is a member club, and a banner on its site marks 2026 as its 75th anniversary. Classes teach you to train your own dog, with obedience and conformation at the core. Its directory listing adds puppy and Canine Good Citizen classes, as well as therapy dog and scent work. The club holds matches and trials and encourages students to try events such as rally. The next session starts in January 2027, with registration opening in mid November.
Rank 14
Every Dog Has Its Day
Orlando, FL
Specialties: training and behavior help for dogs plus cats, parrots and rabbits (biting, screaming, feather destructive behavior, litter training)
Amanda is the head trainer at Every Dog Has Its Day in Orlando. The site says the business is CPDT-KA certified, and it backs the Shock Free Coalition. Training is force free and built on positive reinforcement. Private lessons happen one on one in your home, and the Board N Train bootcamp has your dog living with the trainer. Behavior work focuses on aggressive and fearful dogs. Its listing adds help for cats and parrots. The service area includes Maitland and Winter Park.
Rank 15
Lisa Lovell
Winter Park, FL
Credentials: AKC Approved CGC Evaluator (all levels) & Fit Dog; APDT C.L.A.S.S. Evaluator; APDT Professional Member; IAABC Professional Member; Animal Behavior College (ABC) Mentor Trainer
Specialties: Private Training, Group Training, Behavior Consulting; Separation Anxiety, Aggression and Reactivity, Assistance Animal Training
Lisa Lovell runs Pet Academy LLC in Winter Park and works with both dogs and cats. Our records list her as an AKC approved Canine Good Citizen evaluator at all levels and an APDT C.L.A.S.S. evaluator. She's also a mentor trainer for Animal Behavior College and a professional member of the APDT and the IAABC. Her listing names private and group training, and behavior consulting. Focus areas include separation anxiety and reactivity. Her website didn't load when we checked, so this entry sticks to our records.
Rank 16
Laurent Gabriel
Sanford, FL
Specialties: Sanford dog training facility offering boot camp, train and play, private lessons, daycare, boarding and grooming.
Laurent Gabriel owns Elite Professional Dog Training in Sanford and has trained dogs since 1990. It serves Lake Mary and Orlando too. Boot Camp is a four to six week obedience program where your dog stays at the facility. Train and Play pairs daycare with obedience work, and private lessons are one on one. Behavior help covers leash pulling and jumping. Separation anxiety and reactivity are on the list as well. A consultation is listed on their site at $150, credited toward a package.
Rank 17
Adam Campbell
The Villages, FL
Specialties: Board and train, obedience school, private lessons and puppy sessions
Adam and Susanna Campbell run Campbells Canine Training from The Villages and serve North Central and Central Florida. They bring more than 30 years of training experience, including 25 years running a business in the Washington, D.C. area. Services include board and train and an obedience school. Private lessons and puppy sessions are offered too. Their site talks about earning each dog's trust, and the couple works with all breeds. Visits are by appointment, and a free phone consultation comes first.
Rank 18
Animal House Academy Dog Training
St. Petersburg, FL
Specialties: Dog trainers offering puppy foundations, manners and reactive dog training through private, virtual and group classes and workshops.
Sandy Garcia trains for Animal House Academy Dog Training. The business serves St. Petersburg and Seminole, as well as Largo and Clearwater. Lessons happen in your home or over video, and virtual sessions reach owners outside the area. Programs include puppy foundations and manners training, and it runs a reactive dog program. Group classes and workshops run beside the private work. Methods are force free and science based. An in home consultation is listed on their site at $75, credited toward a plan.
Rank 19
Dog Training Club of St Petersburg
St Petersburg, FL
Specialties: Dog training club offering puppy, obedience, competition obedience, agility, rally, flyball, scent work, tricks and therapy dog classes.
The Dog Training Club of St. Petersburg was founded in 1955, and volunteers run it. Puppies can start in a puppy class or the STAR Puppy program, then move to Puppy Too. Obedience and manners classes run all the way to Utility. Sport classes include agility, rally, flyball and scent work. The club also trains therapy dogs. Classes use positive methods, and you can stop by Monday through Wednesday evenings or Tuesday mornings to watch one before you sign up for a session.
Rank 20
Tallahassee Dog Obedience Club
Tallahassee, FL
Specialties: Dog club whose main mission is teaching obedience classes to the public, plus barn hunt trials.
The Tallahassee Dog Obedience Club is an AKC licensed club founded in 1960, and one of its primary missions is teaching obedience classes to the public. Choices include STAR Puppy, Basic Manners and Trick Dog. Manners and More prepares dogs for the Canine Good Citizen test, and competition classes cover obedience and rally. A six week session is listed on their site at $175. Registration opens November 9 for the session that starts January 6, 2027 at the North Florida Fair.
Rank 21
Nanette Troche'
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Credentials: ABCDT
Specialties: Private Training, Behavior Consulting; Aggression and Reactivity
Nanette Troche runs Jazzy Pawz-n-Wagz Dog Training in Port St. Lucie and works only in private lessons. She's an Animal Behavior College certified trainer and an APDT member. Basic Manners runs six or seven weeks. Next Level adds off leash work and recall around bigger distractions. Behavior adjustment covers reactivity, separation distress, fear and resource guarding. She uses clicker training and positive reinforcement. She has eight years of training experience, including work at a board and train facility. The first consultation is free.
Rank 22
Crystle Barrs
Cape Coral, FL
Credentials: ABCDT
K9 Enrichment Center trains dogs in Cape Coral. Our records list Crystle Barrs as an Animal Behavior College certified trainer and a Pet Professional Guild member. Services include obedience and advanced obedience. Therapy team training is offered, and psychiatric service dog training runs online. The center describes force free training built on positive reinforcement. Logos on its site point to AKC Canine Good Citizen and Urban CGC evaluation, and to ties with the IAABC. Ask which trainer will work with you.
Rank 23
Melanie Phillpot
Gainesville, FL
Specialties: Dog trainer teaching K9 Nose Work classes and hosting odor recognition test events.
Melanie Phillpot runs Eager Pup in Gainesville, and her focus is K9 Nose Work. She's a Certified Nose Work Instructor and a CPDT-KA, and she has been involved with the sport since 2011. Classes teach dogs to search for target odors using positive reinforcement. Eager Pup serves Gainesville and towns across North Central Florida. It also hosts Odor Recognition Test events, with one set for January 10, 2027 in Gainesville. Puppy classes and private lessons aren't mentioned on her site.
Rank 24
Christie Mendoza
Gulf Breeze, FL
Credentials: CPDT-KA
Specialties: Private Training, Group Training; Aggression and Reactivity
East Bay Dog Spot is a training center in Gulf Breeze. Our records list Christie Mendoza as its trainer, with the CPDT-KA and a Pet Professional Guild membership. The center calls itself force free and all positive reinforcement. It runs group classes and private training for new puppies and adult dogs, covering jumping, separation anxiety and reactivity. Clients get lifetime access to an online video library and free monthly pack walks. The center also serves Navarre, Pensacola and Pensacola Beach.
Rank 25
K9 Korral
Sarasota, FL
Specialties: Group obedience classes, CGC preparation, private lessons and puppy training
K9 Korral in Sarasota pairs training with daycare and boarding, and it has a dog wash. Group obedience classes are offered, along with puppy training and Canine Good Citizen prep. Private lessons are listed in our records too. Training uses positive reinforcement. Daycare is free for dogs who board there, and the store sells food, treats and toys. The latest class announcement on the site is dated January 2022, so call to confirm the current class schedule before you plan around it.
Rank 26
Marti Hohmann
Lake Worth, FL
Specialties: Palm Beach County dog training business with group classes, Canine Good Citizen, nose work, rat hunting, private lessons and service dog training.
Marti Hohmann runs West Palm Dog with Benjamin Probst from Lake Worth and Wellington, and they serve West Palm Beach and Boynton Beach too. Private lessons and group classes are both offered. Day training and daycare run in small play groups. Board and train is an overnight program for puppies and adolescent dogs, with boarding at the trainers' home. Less common offerings include dog swimming lessons and rat hunting, also called barn hunt. Scent work and a service dog program are listed too.
Rank 27
Christine Scott
Palm Bay, FL
Christine Scott owns Great Scott Dog Training in Brevard County. She holds the CPDT-KSA and is a Certified Trick Dog Instructor and AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator. Diana Short, an Animal Behavior College graduate, spent seven years raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Private lessons run Monday through Saturday, and group classes follow a posted schedule. Walk and Learn sessions with Tonya Napoli focus on leash walking. Pinch and choke collars aren't allowed. The area runs from Palm Bay to Satellite Beach.
Rank 28
Madeline Friedman
Delray Beach, FL
Credentials: State Certified Educator Since 1992. Studied Animal Science.
Specialties: Private Training, Behavior Consulting; Separation Anxiety, Aggression and Reactivity, Assistance Animal Training
Madeline Friedman runs Innovative Reality Dog Training and Behavior Consulting from Delray Beach. Our records list her as a state certified educator since 1992 who studied animal science. She describes her training as cooperative, not coercive. She offers hourly lessons and in home training, and she takes aggression cases. A snowbird program serves owners who split the year, and her service area also includes Manhattan and New Jersey. Separation anxiety and assistance animal training appear in her listing too, and she also works with rescue groups.
Rank 29
Dog Academy LLC
Lynn Haven, FL
Specialties: day school, board and train, private lessons, group classes, aggression training, snake aversion, boarding and daycare
Andrea Mullins runs Dog Academy LLC in Lynn Haven, near Panama City. Day School is one of its main programs, and board and train is an immersion program in a home setting. Private lessons happen at your home or in public places, and group classes meet Sunday evenings. The academy takes aggression cases and offers snake aversion. On Wednesdays, training moves to Port St. Joe. A 10 percent training discount is listed for seniors 65 and older, military members and teachers.
Rank 30
Dillon Mitchell
Boca Raton, FL
Specialties: Boca Raton dog training company offering board and train, obedience, gun dog training, raise and train, private lessons and day training.
Dillon Mitchell founded Full Potential K9 in Boca Raton in 2019, and its licensed facility is attached to a veterinary clinic. Board and train runs three to five weeks and is listed on their site from $6,000. Private lessons are listed at $250 at the facility and $350 in your home within 30 minutes. The company also offers day training and general obedience, as well as gun dog and raise and train programs. Its approach is rewards based and balanced, and every dog gets a behavior assessment first.
Compare Florida dog trainers side by side
The table lines up services and credentials for all 30 trainers.
| Rank | Trainer | City | Best for | Reviews | Credentials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | InSyncK9 | Jacksonville | Protection and scent tracking | Be the first to review | |
| 2 | K-9 Obedience Club of Jacksonville | Jacksonville | Puppy classes and dog sports | Be the first to review | |
| 3 | Sit Happens Dog Training Jacksonville | Jacksonville | In home lessons, puppies | Be the first to review | |
| 4 | Dorman Pantfoeder | Jacksonville Beach | Board and train programs | Be the first to review | |
| 5 | Leby Gonzalez | North Miami Beach | Condo dogs, force free help | Be the first to review | CPDTKA and in progress at the Academy for Dog Trainers |
| 6 | Trusted Paws Academy | Doral | Puppy lessons and group classes | Be the first to review | |
| 7 | Susan Claire | Weston | Fearful and reactive dogs | Be the first to review | CPDT-KA, FFCP, Certified Puppy Behavior Consultant |
| 8 | Off Leash K9 Training Miami, FL | Miami | Board and train, therapy prep | Be the first to review | |
| 9 | Martha C Bernal | Tampa | Reactive dogs, service scent work | Be the first to review | CCPDT-KA |
| 10 | Ben Vernon | Tampa | Aggression and three week stays | Be the first to review | |
| 11 | Ashley Parker | Tampa | Separation anxiety, new parents | Be the first to review | |
| 12 | Dog Training Club of Tampa | Tampa | Dog sports and therapy dogs | Be the first to review | |
| 13 | Orlando Dog Training Club | Orlando | Obedience and conformation classes | Be the first to review | |
| 14 | Every Dog Has Its Day | Orlando | Force free in home training | Be the first to review | |
| 15 | Lisa Lovell | Winter Park | Dogs and cats, behavior help | Be the first to review | AKC Approved CGC Evaluator (all levels) & Fit Dog; APDT C.L.A.S.S. Evaluator; APDT Professional Member; IAABC Professional Member; Animal Behavior College (ABC) Mentor Trainer |
| 16 | Laurent Gabriel | Sanford | Boot camp and daycare training | Be the first to review | |
| 17 | Adam Campbell | The Villages | Board and train, puppies | Be the first to review | |
| 18 | Animal House Academy Dog Training | St. Petersburg | Reactive dogs, virtual lessons | Be the first to review | |
| 19 | Dog Training Club of St Petersburg | St Petersburg | Puppy classes and flyball | Be the first to review | |
| 20 | Tallahassee Dog Obedience Club | Tallahassee | Group obedience classes | Be the first to review | |
| 21 | Nanette Troche' | Port Saint Lucie | Private lessons, reactive dogs | Be the first to review | ABCDT |
| 22 | Crystle Barrs | Cape Coral | Therapy teams, service dogs | Be the first to review | ABCDT |
| 23 | Melanie Phillpot | Gainesville | K9 Nose Work classes | Be the first to review | |
| 24 | Christie Mendoza | Gulf Breeze | Group classes, force free | Be the first to review | CPDT-KA |
| 25 | K9 Korral | Sarasota | Group classes plus daycare | Be the first to review | |
| 26 | Marti Hohmann | Lake Worth | Day training and service dogs | Be the first to review | |
| 27 | Christine Scott | Palm Bay | Leash walking and group classes | Be the first to review | |
| 28 | Madeline Friedman | Delray Beach | Aggression cases, snowbird owners | Be the first to review | State Certified Educator Since 1992. Studied Animal Science. |
| 29 | Dog Academy LLC | Lynn Haven | Day school and snake aversion | Be the first to review | |
| 30 | Dillon Mitchell | Boca Raton | Long board and train, gun dogs | Be the first to review |
Compare trainers
1. InSyncK9
- City
- Jacksonville
- Best for
- Protection and scent tracking
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
2. K-9 Obedience Club of Jacksonville
- City
- Jacksonville
- Best for
- Puppy classes and dog sports
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
3. Sit Happens Dog Training Jacksonville
- City
- Jacksonville
- Best for
- In home lessons, puppies
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
4. Dorman Pantfoeder
- City
- Jacksonville Beach
- Best for
- Board and train programs
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
5. Leby Gonzalez
- City
- North Miami Beach
- Best for
- Condo dogs, force free help
- Credentials
- CPDTKA and in progress at the Academy for Dog Trainers
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
6. Trusted Paws Academy
- City
- Doral
- Best for
- Puppy lessons and group classes
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
7. Susan Claire
- City
- Weston
- Best for
- Fearful and reactive dogs
- Credentials
- CPDT-KA, FFCP, Certified Puppy Behavior Consultant
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
8. Off Leash K9 Training Miami, FL
- City
- Miami
- Best for
- Board and train, therapy prep
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
9. Martha C Bernal
- City
- Tampa
- Best for
- Reactive dogs, service scent work
- Credentials
- CCPDT-KA
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
10. Ben Vernon
- City
- Tampa
- Best for
- Aggression and three week stays
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
11. Ashley Parker
- City
- Tampa
- Best for
- Separation anxiety, new parents
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
12. Dog Training Club of Tampa
- City
- Tampa
- Best for
- Dog sports and therapy dogs
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
13. Orlando Dog Training Club
- City
- Orlando
- Best for
- Obedience and conformation classes
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
14. Every Dog Has Its Day
- City
- Orlando
- Best for
- Force free in home training
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
15. Lisa Lovell
- City
- Winter Park
- Best for
- Dogs and cats, behavior help
- Credentials
- AKC Approved CGC Evaluator (all levels) & Fit Dog; APDT C.L.A.S.S. Evaluator; APDT Professional Member; IAABC Professional Member; Animal Behavior College (ABC) Mentor Trainer
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
16. Laurent Gabriel
- City
- Sanford
- Best for
- Boot camp and daycare training
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
17. Adam Campbell
- City
- The Villages
- Best for
- Board and train, puppies
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
18. Animal House Academy Dog Training
- City
- St. Petersburg
- Best for
- Reactive dogs, virtual lessons
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
19. Dog Training Club of St Petersburg
- City
- St Petersburg
- Best for
- Puppy classes and flyball
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
20. Tallahassee Dog Obedience Club
- City
- Tallahassee
- Best for
- Group obedience classes
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
21. Nanette Troche'
- City
- Port Saint Lucie
- Best for
- Private lessons, reactive dogs
- Credentials
- ABCDT
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
22. Crystle Barrs
- City
- Cape Coral
- Best for
- Therapy teams, service dogs
- Credentials
- ABCDT
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
23. Melanie Phillpot
- City
- Gainesville
- Best for
- K9 Nose Work classes
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
24. Christie Mendoza
- City
- Gulf Breeze
- Best for
- Group classes, force free
- Credentials
- CPDT-KA
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
25. K9 Korral
- City
- Sarasota
- Best for
- Group classes plus daycare
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
26. Marti Hohmann
- City
- Lake Worth
- Best for
- Day training and service dogs
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
27. Christine Scott
- City
- Palm Bay
- Best for
- Leash walking and group classes
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
28. Madeline Friedman
- City
- Delray Beach
- Best for
- Aggression cases, snowbird owners
- Credentials
- State Certified Educator Since 1992. Studied Animal Science.
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
29. Dog Academy LLC
- City
- Lynn Haven
- Best for
- Day school and snake aversion
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
30. Dillon Mitchell
- City
- Boca Raton
- Best for
- Long board and train, gun dogs
- Credentials
- Not listed
- Reviews
- Be the first to review
What dog training in Florida looks like
Group classes are the easiest thing to find. At least 18 of the 30 trainers run them, and five are dog clubs in cities from Tallahassee down to St. Petersburg.
Ten trainers list board and train, from two weeks at Off Leash K9 Training Miami to four to six weeks at Elite Professional Dog Training. At least ten will come to your home. Virtual help is thin. Animal House Academy offers video lessons, and K9 Enrichment Center runs psychiatric service dog training online.
Behavior help is spread unevenly. Fourteen of the 30 trainers take reactive or aggressive dogs, and seven name separation anxiety. Seven hold a CCPDT certification in our records or on their own sites. Dog Academy is the only one with snake aversion. Most trainers here describe positive reinforcement or force free training. Vernon Dog Training and Full Potential K9 describe a balanced approach, and Off Leash K9 Training Miami uses an electronic collar.
How to choose a dog trainer in Florida
The CCPDT says dog training is unregulated with no licensing requirements, and the AKC calls it an unregulated industry. Hillsborough County is a local exception. Its Truth in Training Ordinance says every dog training business that trains in the county must hold a county license, so Tampa owners can ask a trainer for proof.
Three trainers on this list describe balanced or electronic collar methods, so ask about tools on the first call. The AVSAB position statement recommends only reward based methods for all dog training, and its 2025 board statement says electronic collars and prong collars should not be used under any circumstances. The AKC suggests asking for references and watching a class first. The CCPDT warns about trainers who talk about dominance or rely mainly on punishment.
Dog rules in Florida worth knowing
Florida law says dogs and cats 4 months or older, along with ferrets, must get a rabies vaccine from a licensed veterinarian. Your dog needs a second shot 12 months later, and counties can add their own rules. Miami-Dade requires a license for every dog over 4 months, renewed each year by the date of the dog's last rabies shot. Hillsborough County calls its pet registration tag a legal requirement for dogs 4 months and older.
Beach rules vary by city. Jacksonville Beach requires a leash on the beach at all times, and from April 1 through September 30 dogs can't be on the beach from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The city also runs Paws Park, a fenced off leash dog park.
Gear to pack for a Florida training class
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Ask your trainer what to bring before you buy anything, since a club class in Tallahassee and a home visit in Tampa won't need the same gear. Nanette Troche of Jazzy Pawz-n-Wagz uses clicker training, so ask whether a class like hers needs your own clicker.
- A treat pouch clips to your waist so rewards stay in reach during a lesson.
- A clicker marks the moment your dog does the right thing in clicker based classes.
- A front clip harness is worth asking your trainer about if your dog pulls on walks.
- A 30 foot long line lets you practice recall at a distance while your dog stays attached to you.
Pick two or three trainers near you who match what your dog needs now, whether that's a STAR Puppy class or help for a dog who lunges on walks. Open their AnimalTrainerPro profiles and book a first call with each one. Ask each trainer the same questions so you can compare the answers.
Trainer choices depend on your dog’s needs and your goals.
Questions and answers
How much does dog training cost in Florida?
Most trainers here don't post prices. The Tallahassee Dog Obedience Club lists a six week class at $175. Off Leash K9 Training Miami lists its two week board and train from $2,900, and Full Potential K9 lists private lessons at $250 at its Boca Raton facility. Get the full package price before you book.
How long does dog training take?
It depends on the program. Jazzy Pawz-n-Wagz runs Basic Manners over six or seven weeks, and the Tallahassee club runs six week sessions. Board and train lasts two weeks at Off Leash K9 Training Miami and three weeks at Vernon Dog Training. Elite Professional Dog Training runs four to six weeks.
Should I choose private lessons or a group class?
Group classes teach your dog to focus around other dogs. Private lessons suit one specific problem, or a dog who isn't ready to be near other dogs. At least ten trainers here will come to your home.
How old does my puppy need to be to start training?
Earlier than you might think. Off Leash K9 Training Miami takes puppies from 8 weeks, and several clubs run STAR Puppy classes. Florida law requires a rabies shot at 4 months, and Miami-Dade requires a dog license from that age.
Who helps with reactive or aggressive dogs in Florida?
Fourteen of the 30 trainers on this list take reactive or aggressive dogs. Animal House Academy runs a reactive dog program, and Jazzy Pawz-n-Wagz runs a five week behavior program. Vernon Dog Training and Bayshore Dog Training both take aggression cases in Tampa.
Do dog trainers need a license in Florida?
The CCPDT and the AKC both describe dog training as unregulated. Hillsborough County is different. Its Truth in Training Ordinance requires every dog training business working in the county to hold a county license.
Sources
- Florida Statutes 828.30: Rabies vaccination of dogs, cats, and ferrets
- Miami-Dade County Animal Services: Dog License
- Hillsborough County: Get pet registration tags
- Hillsborough County: Apply for a dog training business license
- City of Jacksonville Beach: Pet Ownership Ordinances
- AVSAB: Position Statements, including Humane Dog Training
- CCPDT: How to choose a dog trainer
- AKC: How to Find and Choose a Dog Trainer


