Best Dog Trainers in Ohio

A Work in Pawgress lists Hopkinsville, Ohio as home base and covers a 20 mile radius from the center of town. The trainers use positive reinforcement and clicker training, with behavior modification for dogs that need more help. Services cover puppy training and basic manners, plus a separate service for fearful dogs. Walks and exercise are offered as well. The trainer holds the CATCH Certified Dog Trainer credential. A new puppy learning house manners or a nervous dog that needs a slower pace fits what this business lists.

Tom Shelley owns All Breed Training Services in Bolivar and has trained dogs there since 2010. He graduated from the Tom Rose School of Professional Dog Training in 2004 and finished its masters program in 2006. He also competed with his Belgian Malinois at the 2013 world IPO tracking championship. His work covers socialization and basic obedience, plus crate training and the place command. Off leash training is his specialty, built on remote collar work. The site says clients come from Tuscarawas County and as far as Cleveland.

All Purpose K-9 trains from a downtown Columbus facility and serves Franklin County and Central Ohio. Trainers Paige Clark and Jordan Hickle are listed as Certified Master Dog Trainers and canine behavior specialists. Board and train keeps your dog at the facility for several weeks, while Day School sends your dog home each night. Private lessons can happen in your home. Behavior work handles aggression and separation anxiety, along with fear and reactivity. The team calls its method balanced. Boarding and daycare are on site too.

Alyssa Ford trains dogs in their own homes around New Philadelphia and Tuscarawas County, and she coaches owners anywhere by live video. Her methods are gentle positive reinforcement built on clear communication. In home behavior consultations end with a plan for problems like reactivity. She is an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator, so she can prep your dog for the CGC test and give it. Prices are listed on her site as $125 for a 90 minute first consult, then $80 per hour session.

Boop K9 Dog Training is run by Andrew Kurtz in Columbus. Our directory record lists him as a graduate of the National K9 Master Trainer Program. His focus areas are puppy raising and reactivity, along with training aimed at a calmer home. That mix suits a new puppy owner or someone whose dog reacts to other dogs on walks. The Boop K9 website wouldn't open for us, so ask about lesson format and training methods on your first call to Andrew.

Brittany Tate owns Brittany's K9 Training in Columbus and is certified by the National K9 School for Dog Trainers. She describes her methods as reward based and balanced. You can pick in home lessons or small group classes of four to six dogs. Board and train runs five to ten days with daily updates, and puppies can start at 8 weeks. She also runs long term service dog programs. In home lessons are listed on her site as starting at $100 an hour.

Canine Karma has offered connection based, force free dog training in Holland, just outside Toledo, since 2011. The site lists group classes and private behavior training, plus dog walking. The trainer is described as certified and vet recommended, though the site doesn't name the certifying group, so ask about that. Force free training avoids pain and fear, which matters if your dog shuts down under pressure. If you want a class setting with other dogs near Toledo, start your calls with Canine Karma.

Dog Gone Smart Dog Training is based in Akron, and owner Zach is an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator who can give the CGC test. Basic obedience covers the everyday commands, from sit and down to place and heel. Behavior work covers jumping on guests and leash pulling, and it also takes on dogs with fear or aggression. The work is hands on with you and your dog together. The first evaluation is free, and owner education on handling and equipment is part of the service.

Dogwood Training Center sits on a fenced five acre property in Ostrander, just north of Columbus, with an indoor arena. Owner Sally Boarman is a Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer. Her conditioning programs run in person and remotely, and she offers structure and gait analysis. Scent work classes meet on Saturdays for Dogwood students. Agility classes have ended and new agility students aren't being accepted. Arena rentals help teams prep for national events. Dogwood suits sport dog owners who want conditioning work.

Excel K-9 Services is headquartered in Hiram Township and trains detection and police dogs, along with executive and family protection dogs. Its listed credentials are NAPWDA Accredited Master Trainer and OPOTA Canine Evaluator. Detection work covers explosives and narcotics. For private owners, the protection program starts with a lifestyle and needs assessment and ends with a handler course, with dog selection and levels of training in between. The site also lists family dog training classes and therapy dog work, so pet owners have a way in too.

Glass City K9 has trained dogs in Toledo since 2011 and has a second location in Findlay. The head trainer is certified through the International Association of Canine Professionals. Services cover obedience and off leash work, plus puppy training and board and train. They also train service dogs. The site names leash pulling and aggression among the problems they work on. Grooming is next door, with trainers on site so anxious dogs are welcome. Glass City K9 also serves Maumee and Perrysburg.

Grand River K-9 in Chardon is run by owner Katrina, who holds a degree in zoo and conservation science and works as a search and rescue K-9 handler in human remains detection. She calls her method reward based balanced training, which pairs positive reinforcement with what the site calls appropriate corrections. Obedience and reactivity lessons happen in your home or out in public. Day training runs boot camp style, with your dog picked up from home. Six private obedience lessons are listed on her site as $480.

Grey Wolf K-9 Academy in Goshen has trained dogs since 2010, according to our directory record. The academy works with Schutzhund and competition sport dogs, and it also does search and rescue training. Pet owners have options here too, with pet obedience and behavior modification plus trick training. Brian Reynolds is listed as a Certified Helper through USA. The Grey Wolf site blocked our check, so everything here comes from that record. Ask about class format and training methods before you book a first session.

HakunaDOGtata is run by Jason, an Akron trainer who graduated from the Highland Canine School for Dog Trainers. He calls his stress free approach No Worries Training, built around your bond with your dog. Every client starts with a free one hour evaluation. Board and train happens in his home for one to three weeks, and the three week program handles reactivity and aggression. Private lessons happen at your home or in a public spot, and the site says most clients need about five lessons.

At InTune Dog Training in Columbia Station, owner Shari Helwig is listed as a certified dog trainer, though the site doesn't name the certifying group. Day training lets you drop your dog off for sessions. Obedience comes in individual and group formats, and the puppy package includes an online Puppy Primer Tool. She also prepares therapy dogs to visit hospitals and nursing homes. Off leash training and behavior modification are on the list too, and lessons can happen at your home or off site.

K9 Solutions Center in New Carlisle has offered training since 2001 and is a certified training center of the American Working Dog Council. Head trainer Jeff Turner has trained civilian and police dogs for more than 20 years and is an active duty Ohio police officer. Pet services run from puppy and basic obedience up to advanced work. Remote collar training is offered after a consultation. The center also teaches scent work and tracking, and behavior work covers separation anxiety and aggression. Board and train is available.

Kristy's K9 Training is Kristy Baugher's business in Mogadore. Our directory record lists her as a Certified Obedience Instructor through ABCDT and an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator. She also leads AKC Fit Dog group walks. Obedience comes in private and group formats, and she takes on reactivity work. She preps dogs for the CGC test and AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, and trick training is on her list as well. Therapy dog prep rounds out the services. Her website blocked our check, so ask about methods and class schedules on your first call.

Legally Unleashed K9 Services in New Philadelphia serves Central and Eastern Ohio, and owner Leah is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and an IACP member. Training starts with a one hour evaluation, listed on her site as $50 and credited toward a program if you sign up within 48 hours. Board and train runs 5 days for basic obedience or 10 for advanced. Behavior cases like aggression and resource guarding get a 20 day stay. Puppy Preschool is a two hour class for puppies 9 to 18 weeks old.

Riley's Angels is a nonprofit led by Lesley Sinwald, who holds the CPDT-KA along with an MBA and a master's in education. The site gives a training location in Milan, near Sandusky, and says it serves Northern Ohio. Training uses positive methods, and every dog gets a free evaluation before joining a class. Classes run from puppy and manners up to progressive levels, plus Canine Good Citizen testing. It also certifies therapy dog teams that visit hospitals and nursing homes. One on one coaching is offered for owners training their own service or assistance dog.

Linda Kender trains dogs in the Columbus area with positive, reward based methods, without intimidation. She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and our records list the CPDT-KSA, the skills assessed version. She is also a Delta Society Pet Partners therapy dog evaluator and an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator. Beyond private training and behavior consultations, she runs group classes and therapy dog classes. Fun options include agility Lite classes and K9 nose games, and there's a class just for recall.

Lisa Yasenchak founded New Era Dog Training in North Royalton and serves the nearby Northeast Ohio counties. She holds the CPDT-KA and Fear Free certification. Her training is positive reinforcement and reward based. Cautious to Confident is a program for shy or fearful dogs, paced to each dog. Reactive dog training covers reactivity and resource guarding, and our records also list separation anxiety work. Puppy Preschool handles socialization, and Recall Adventure uses games and distance to work on coming when called.

Paramount Dog Training runs classes in Columbia Station and Medina for any breed and age. Owner Mel graduated from National K9 in Columbus, and the site says Mel started training over two decades ago. All training is group or private and taught by a certified trainer. Classes run from puppy programs up to advanced obedience, on leash and off, and a distraction class works on skills around distractions. Paramount also offers service dog and therapy dog training, plus a course for future trainers.

Michele Terlep runs Pawsitive Play Dog Training with positive, games based lessons. She holds the CPDT-KA and a master's in education, and she is an AKC evaluator. You practice with and without distractions so skills carry over to real life. Private lessons are listed on her site as $95 each, or $90 each in a four lesson package. Mini sessions meet at local parks. In person classes happen at a barn in Columbia Station and on Tuesdays in North Royalton.

Dogsmartz Unleashed serves Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, with its main office in Poland and a satellite in Canfield. Our directory lists Rachel Hammond, CPDT-KA, with the business in Salem. The site says the team uses 100% pain and fear free methods. The Poland office sets aside Thursdays for its Reactive Dog Program. Aggression and fear cases fall under a separate specialty behavior service. Group classes cover obedience and manners, and the site lists a free Puppy Prep offering for new puppy owners.

Ready, Set...Train in Holland serves the greater Toledo area with trainers Max Machon and Cory Cripe. Both are Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partners and hold CCPDT certifications, the CPDT-KSA for Max and the CPDT-KA for Cory. The site says Max is certified through Michael Shikashio's program to work with aggressive dogs, and the team handles aggressive and reactive cases one on one in your home and neighborhood. Private in home training and day training are listed, plus group puppy classes, including a Puppy Start Right preschool run with Toledo's PET Bull Project.

Reale Dog Training in Gahanna uses science based positive reinforcement and clicker training, and its trainers are Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partners. The site is direct about tools: shock collars are never an option, and it rejects pinch collars and punishment. Board and train covers basics like recall, plus behavior concerns such as reactivity. Home School teaches the same skills while your dog lives at home. In home training is pitched for reactive dogs and fearful ones, and group classes run five to six weeks.

Sits 'n Wiggles is a Cleveland training and behavior consulting business founded by Valarie Ross, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. Training is rewards based, and the site rules out shock and prong collars along with punishment. Puppy Homeschool is a six week program for puppies two to five months old, with trainers coming to your home several times a week. Day training and one on one behavior consulting are on offer too. A virtual Behavior Helpline covers concerns before the first session. The PACT Fund helps families with financial barriers pay for training.

Vicky Horton runs Walk This Way Canine Training from Colerain Township and serves the greater Cincinnati area. She is a CATCH certified positive reinforcement trainer and a registered veterinary technician. Her training avoids force and fear. The main program is Stay and Train, where your dog spends part days or full days with her. The Mind Your Manners obedience package is listed on her site as $850 for three sessions a week over three weeks. A two week option includes overnight boarding, and private tutoring is available too.

Whole Dog University trains at its Training and Education Center in Lebanon and serves the greater Warren County area. Founded in Mississippi in 2011, it has operated in Ohio since 2017. It is a member of the National K-9 Trainers Association and the IACP. The Early Puppy Development Program covers foundation skills and owner education. Basic obedience is on leash, and advanced obedience moves off leash. Scent detection work is listed too. Every plan starts with a one on one consultation, and training can happen in your home on request.

Dr. Carolyn Lincoln runs Play To Behave as a veterinarian and trainer with over 35 years in veterinary medicine and dog training. Her training is built on positive reinforcement. Private behavior consultations happen online and are listed on her site as $350 for one hour. A free 15 minute first consultation covers your main concern and next steps. The site also lists local group training and private behavior counseling. Her online community includes a leash walking program and a monthly live Q&A. She also wrote a book on high energy dogs.