Best Dog Trainers in and Near Murfreesboro, TN

Heather Moore founded Wag It Better Dog Training, which our directory lists in Bell Buckle. Its website lists training locations in Murfreesboro and Nolensville. The site offers group classes in person and online, trick classes, one on one sessions, a private option called Latchkey Lassie, and boarding with training while you're away. Moore holds the CPDT-KA, and the site lists three more staff trainers with that credential, one of whom is also Fear Free certified. Staff bios describe positive training methods, and the site shows an Aggression in Dogs Certification logo. Our listing adds behavior consulting for separation anxiety, plus help with aggression and reactivity. The site says Moore has 18 years of training experience, and her own dogs have earned AKC Rally Obedience titles and therapy dog certifications. If your dog struggles with fear or reactivity and you want a certified team, start with a call here.

Off Leash K9 Training opened its Murfreesboro location in 2017 as part of a national franchise. Its site says head trainer Jacob Robinson served nine years in the Marine Corps, including time as a K9 handler. Programs include board and train stays that run from a one week puppy program to a four week program, private lesson packages at the facility, puppy training starting at 8 weeks old, aggression programs that begin with an evaluation, and custom service dog training. The site says standard programs use electronic collars at low levels. It also sells a separate Basic and Marker Mastery program that uses positive reinforcement and clicker or marker training with no electronic collar. Private lesson packages are listed on their site as starting at $650. The service area covers Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Cannon counties, from Smyrna and La Vergne to Shelbyville and Woodbury. On your first call, ask which program fits your dog and whether you want the electronic collar program or the marker option.

For Social Graces works from a 10 acre property in Watertown, in Wilson County, and serves towns from Lebanon and Mt. Juliet to Smyrna and Smithville. Its site offers one hour private sessions at your home and board and train programs of one to three weeks at the property. Private session packages are listed on their site as starting at $150, and board and train as starting at $1,800. The business also runs daycare and boarding along with grooming. The site describes its staff as experienced but doesn't name its trainers or their methods, so ask who will work with your dog and how they teach before you book. This is a practical choice if you live north or east of Murfreesboro and want a trainer to come to your house instead of driving to classes.

Jennie Jones owns and runs Kindred Spirits Dog Training in Wartrace, in Bedford County, and her site says the business was established in 2001. The kennel offers a boarding and training stay, and it also teaches private lessons. The site describes a boarding and training stay as the starting point for most basic training, because it gives a dog a foundation before the owner takes over at home. Training follows a set outline that the site describes as a well rounded foundation in basic obedience. Visits are by appointment on weekdays and Saturday mornings. Rates aren't posted on the site, and booking runs through an online page. Kindred Spirits suits owners near Shelbyville and Bell Buckle who want their dog to start with a stay and then keep going with private lessons.

Bark Busters is a franchise that trains dogs in your home, and its Middle Tennessee office lists Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne, Rockvale, Christiana and Eagleville among the towns it serves, along with towns in Williamson and southern Davidson counties. Every session happens at your home, one on one, with no kennel stay and no other dogs around. Once you and your dog are ready, the trainer takes the work outside to real distractions. The site lists help with leash pulling, jumping, nipping, resource guarding, reactivity and separation anxiety, plus puppy training. It describes its methods as humane and built on body language and tone of voice. Its Life of Dog Support Guarantee says trainers stay a call away for help at no extra cost. One named trainer, Shane Wagner, lists nearly 18 years as a veterinary technician and Fear Free certification. Prices aren't posted on the site.

The Murfreesboro Obedience Training Club calls itself an AKC approved obedience club, and it runs group classes from puppy level up to advanced competition. The puppy class takes dogs 3 to 6 months old, and Basic Manners takes dogs 6 months and older, both with basic vaccinations. A CGC and Tricks class ends with the AKC Canine Good Citizen test in its last week. From there, dogs can move into competition obedience, rally, agility or scentwork, each taught in levels with prerequisites, and the club also offers conformation ring practice. An animal therapy track requires the CGC test and solid obedience. The club hosts events and trials, and its site invites visitors to join as members. Fees aren't listed on the pages we opened, and neither is whether people who aren't members can enroll, so ask when you contact the club. Of the 11 trainers here, this club lists the widest range of dog sport classes.

Teddy Wall owns Sit Means Sit Murfreesboro, a location of a national franchise, and the site says he moved to Murfreesboro in 1996 and later graduated from MTSU. Training starts with a free evaluation that includes a demonstration. Options include private lessons and a five day board and train that ends with a private pickup lesson. There are also Day Stays, where your dog spends the day with trainers and goes on field trips to dog friendly public places. Group classes are for dogs that have finished one of those programs. New puppies can start with a food based consultation before their final vaccinations. The system uses treats along with the company's own remote electronic collar, which the site says works as a tap cue. Service towns include Smyrna, La Vergne, Christiana, Rockvale, Lascassas and Woodbury. Prices aren't listed and are set after the evaluation.

The Dog Wizard Murfreesboro belongs to a franchise that says it has served families since 2005. You can choose day training or board and train, or work through private lessons and group classes, including one for puppies. The location also runs programs for aggression and separation anxiety. Others cover adopted or rescue dogs and families preparing for a new baby. Graduates of its obedience programs get ongoing group class support. The site says its trainers use balanced techniques with food as well as standard and remote collars, and that they help you pick the tool that fits your dog and your comfort level. It also says the trainers are certified through the IACP. Training programs are listed on their site as starting at $250, after a free evaluation. Service towns include Smyrna, La Vergne, Eagleville, Lascassas, Walterhill and Woodbury. Ask which program your dog's problem calls for and which tools the trainer plans to use.

KC's Dog Obedience and Training is based in Woodbury, in Cannon County, and serves the surrounding towns of Middle Tennessee. Your dog can stay at the facility for board and training, or the trainer can come to your home and coach you there. Group classes focus on obedience and socialization in a controlled setting. Estimates are free, in person or by phone, and you can also book a live video consultation. The site describes humane training techniques and a patient pace that doesn't rush results. The trainer isn't named, but the site lists a certificate of completion from a dog training instructor program and a Highland Canine certificate in pet dog training and behavior modification, and says the trainer keeps learning through conferences and webinars. Discounts are offered for veterans, military members, teachers and people with disabilities. No prices are posted. KC's makes sense if you live on the east side of Rutherford County or in Cannon County.

Jump For Joy Agility in Watertown teaches dog agility to competitive and recreational handlers. The site lists group classes, private lessons, puppy classes and a Getting Started program for new teams, and you can book and pay online. The instructor, Elizabeth, lists more than 26 years of teaching experience and uses positive training methods with a focus on teamwork between dog and handler. The site doesn't post prices or class levels, so ask which class fits your dog's age and experience. This is a fit once your dog has basic manners and you want a sport the two of you can do together. If you aren't sure your dog is ready for a course, ask about the Getting Started program first.

Triple Star Stables is a 17 acre horse boarding farm in Eagleville, and its canine side runs dog training classes alongside boarding and daycare. The class list includes Basic Obedience for skills like coming when called and loose leash walking, plus Rally, Scentwork, Barn Hunt and Agility, which isn't offered in summer. The board and train program is listed on their site at $1,500 per week with a two week minimum. It covers obedience, household manners, impulse control and crate training, and it includes two private sessions, one at pickup and one several weeks later. Trillian, one of the owners, leads the training team as head trainer. Extra private sessions are sold as add ons booked with a boarding or daycare stay. The site doesn't say whether classes are open to dogs that don't board there, so ask before you sign up. Eagleville sits in the southwest corner of Rutherford County.