This is a list of the top dog trainers in California, based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public.
Modesto, Ceres, Turlock, Oakdale
Teresa Howden commenced her professional journey with Intermountain Mannered Mutts in 2017, where she offered her expertise to private clients and conducted group obedience classes. Her training methodology focuses on real-world applications, addressing scenarios such as managing encounters with loose dogs, camping with pets, and facilitating off-leash training. In 2018, Teresa broadened her sc...
Pending Canine Science Behaviorist Certification
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training, Board and train dog training
Northern California/Bay Area
Hi, my name is Josh Beckler......and I am a professional dog trainer passionate about helping dogs be well-behaved and happy.I used to use punishment and force to train dogs, but now use force-free training with positive reinforcement and rewards.Dogs trained using force-free methods are more confident, happy, and willing to learn, and trainers are able to build stronger relationships and trust...
KPA-CTP CCUI
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training
Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda
Hi! I'm Ali (she/her) and I live in Oakland with my two dogs, two cats, one gecko, and one human partner. Before moving to California in 2016, I was a zookeeper. I love learning about behavior and how it's not just about dogs- the laws of behavior apply everywhere, in our interactions with everyone (human and animal alike). Making sure everyone's needs are met, and that they are set up for ...
CPDT-KA AKC-CGC Evaluator Assistance Dogs International Crisis Response Canine Trainer - San Diego CPR - Canine Paws to Share
Service dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training, Board and train dog training
San Diego
In 2014 with my then companion dogs, Tebow, Scruffy and Richter, I ventured to the dog park and had a chance meeting with Sally Montruchio the founder of Next Step Service Dogs. This meeting changed my life, as Sally helped me take my passion for dogs and service to the next level. After attending just one class with NSSD I was committed to the program and excited for the opportunity to train a...
LFDM-B Licensed Family Dog Mediator in Behavior Division, CBCC-KA Certified Behaviorist, CPDT-KA - Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Complete Canines Certification in Canine Aggression and Master Course Certification in Separation Anxiety, CGC Evaluator
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Board and train dog training
San Diego, Ca
Ashley Valentine is a Nationally Certified Canine Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA) and Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). She has completed a Complete Canine Certification in Canine Aggression master course through world-renowned Michael Shikashio who is fully Certified through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She uses positive reinforcement, management, an...
My name is Elisa and I fell in love with dog training when I was raising my cattle dog who is now 5 years old. My mission is to help people make sense of all of the conflicting information out there and learn how to train their dogs with kindness. Communication is a two way street and I'm here to help you understand your dog a little better.
I have been working with dogs professionally for over 8 years. I am CPDT-KA certified has her Service Dog Coach certificate through Cooperative Paws. I am also a member of several professional organizations including the IAABC, APDT, and CCPDT. In my spare time I enjoy training my own dogs, Stoli and Hex. I really enjoy trick training and scent training with my dogs and I have earned several ti...
Been training & rehabilitating pets in California for 20 years.
Ashley Valentine is a Nationally Certified Canine Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA) and Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). She has completed a Complete Canine Certification in Canine Aggression master course through world-renowned Michael Shikashio who is fully Certified through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She uses positive reinforcement, management, an...
As a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) with expertise in teaching, healing, and rescue, Jessica provides positively the best for pup and parent. When not training, traveling to a conference, or continuing education, Jessica enjoys spending time in Hollywood with her two rescue pups.
I left the music industry in 1999 to begin working with dogs. After adopting a very special dog (Merlin) I got my training certification at the Academy for Dog Trainers. I have over 20 years experience working with shy, fearful and aggressive dogs. Our team has a combined 30 years experience.
I have been teaching dogs and their people since the 90's, became a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) in 2002. Became a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in 2007. In 2010 was accepted and completed an Internship at the UC Davis Behavior Center. I continue to learn through conferences and workshops, so I may continue to provide the best and current information, techniques, and me...
Hi, my name is Josh Beckler......and I am a professional dog trainer passionate about helping dogs be well-behaved and happy.I used to use punishment and force to train dogs, but now use force-free training with positive reinforcement and rewards.Dogs trained using force-free methods are more confident, happy, and willing to learn, and trainers are able to build stronger relationships and trust...
Hi! I'm Ali (she/her) and I live in Oakland with my two dogs, two cats, one gecko, and one human partner. Before moving to California in 2016, I was a zookeeper. I love learning about behavior and how it's not just about dogs- the laws of behavior apply everywhere, in our interactions with everyone (human and animal alike). Making sure everyone's needs are met, and that they are set up for ...
Nancy Frensley,CPDT-KA, CAP2, AKC Evaluator, Scent Work Judge
Nancy is the Senior Behavior and Training Manager at Berkeley Humane. Besides developing a training program full of variety and fun for students, during her 30 years at Berkeley Humane, she is involved on many levels with shelter and adoption from intake to evaluation and training of shelter staff. She operates the organiza...
http://www.therightsteps.com/about_us.html
Founder of Daack Pack Dog Training, Allison Daack, has been working with and training dogs, along with other species since 2008. In the beginning of her career, Allison was a Kennel Technician working closely with a Veterinarian where she learned all about developmental periods of dogs, handling skills and how to prevent behavior issues.From there she spent several years working with exotic ani...
I'm a self-professed science and animal nerd. I've been fascinated by animals from an early age and my first career focused on conservation and enhancement of animal habitat through work with environmental and other organizations.
When I sought training help for my first rescue vizsla dog, I was disappointed by the use of harsh training methods by the majority of trainers in my loc...
In 2014 with my then companion dogs, Tebow, Scruffy and Richter, I ventured to the dog park and had a chance meeting with Sally Montruchio the founder of Next Step Service Dogs. This meeting changed my life, as Sally helped me take my passion for dogs and service to the next level. After attending just one class with NSSD I was committed to the program and excited for the opportunity to train a...
Sarah was that kid growing up who was always bringing home strays and begging her mom to let her keep them. Ever do that? Thankfully, her folks typically said yes and she grew up surrounded by animals.
Until she began volunteering at the San Diego Humane Society and what was the onset of her training career in 2001, she didn't realize there was a different way to train and build a gre...
I am a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) and I specialize in training former rescue and shelter dogs. I'm passionate about giving a voice to the voiceless and strive to make the world a better place for canines and their human companions.
Kaajal (aka KT!) loves puppies and is dedicated to getting new puppy guardians off on the right paw and guiding her students through the tough early days of owning a dog. Her goal? Transforming each bundle of raw puppy energy into the perfect adult companion. She also loves helping people have a well-behaved adult dog that knows how to be part of the family. She's dedicated her training career ...
Cdt
Quin is both CPDT-KA, CCDT and SAPro certified and is a firm of proponent scientifically backed positive reinforcement and aversive-free training methods. She believes this training truly strengthens the bond between pet and owner.
Quin grew up with dogs, however it wasn't until she began volunteering at the San Francisco SPCA that she realized her true passion for dog training and behavior...
I am dedicated to helping pet dog owners solve their behavior problems and love their well-trained dogs through my unique combination of experience, education, knowledge, and skills. I pursued a Master's degree in Human and Animal Cognition (Psychology) and then founded Stacy's Wag'N'Train in 1998. I have been continuing my education, refining my knowledge and my skills, since then, through me...
I'm a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), and Professional Member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) and Pet Professional Guild (PPG). With over 20 years of professional experience in dog training, I stay on top of the latest scientific discoveries in learning and behavior, and work to remain knowledgeable and up-to-date with consistent continuing education.
Nathalie started her professional dog career in 2007 as a dog hiker by taking up to 10 dogs on-leash to local parks and preserves. She continued her education in dog training and dog behavior and specializes in fearful, anxious and aggressive dogs. Nathalie's approach to dogs is based on the dog's need using reward based training methods which are non-confrontational and non-violent methods.
Dogtastic Training was started in 2011. After 4 years of working in a high volume open door shelter, Becky started Dogtastic Training to work with private owners one on one. She has worked in all almost areas of dog training and for years mostly did puppy classes, basic obedience classes, and reactivity/aggression privates. Now she specializes in Nose Work and has been a Certified Nose Work Ins...
I'm positive reinforcement, fear-free training. I have been teaching for 20 years. Starting out with family & friends, then moving to paying clients. I have a back ground in rescue work, where many different dogs benefitted from training. Now my practice is varied, one dog at a time, one puppy at a time to bring structure, boundaries & kind training. I do not use equipment that causes harm, pa...
Welcome to California’s list of top dog trainers. The California list is based on 2983 votes from the Sniffspot community. Only the California dog trainers with the top number of votes made this list. Trainers are ordered by number of votes, with Teresa Howden at the top of this list with votes.
Our rankings include trainers certified by CPDT-KA and CPDT-KA. They also specialize in Puppy dog training, Reactive dog training amongst other training programs.
California dog trainer services include:
Dog trainers in California selflessly set pets up for success. Teresa Howden shares why they chose this path: Teresa is deeply passionate about dog training and is dedicated to helping owners cultivate the best possible relationship with their dogs. She employs a blend of humor and lightheartedness in her approach, fostering an environment that leaves clients feeling encouraged and confident in their training journey.. All 95 trainers on this California list are committed to positive reinforcement. Trusted California trainer, Josh Beckler, uses the following methods: Utilizing all elements of motivation and rewards and staying in the vein of communication. Avoiding pain and fear as a mechanism for teaching or rehabilitation..
Explore the top dog trainers in California as voted by our community:
Utilizing all elements of motivation and rewards and staying in the vein of communication. Avoiding pain and fear as a mechanism for teaching or rehabilitation.
Dogs never know what the hell is going on. Maybe help them out a little. Spend the time
Traveling with your dog can be a rewarding experience, but what do you do when adventure calls you to a place that’s a bit too far for a drive? If you're a pet-owner who want to jetset with your pup, then you’ll want to find the best dog-friendly airlines.
Discover the Great Pyrenees, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, loyal, and independent nature. Recognized as a large dog, the Great Pyrenees have their origins in France where they were initially bred as livestock guardians starting in the roots back to 3000 BC century.
Discover the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a breed celebrated for its loyal, playful, and friendly nature. Recognized as a medium-sized dog, Staffordshire Bull Terriers originated in the United Kingdom, where they were initially bred for bull-baiting and later for dog fighting starting in the early 19th century.
Discover the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, a breed celebrated for its friendly and affectionate nature. Recognized as a small dog, Pembroke Welsh Corgis have their origins in Wales, where they were initially bred for herding cattle, sheep, and horses starting in the 10th century.
Discover the Boxer, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and alert nature. Recognized as a large dog, Boxers have their origins in Germany, where they were initially bred for hunting large game starting in the late 19th century.
Discover the Great Dane, a breed celebrated for its friendly, affectionate, and curious nature. Recognized as a large dog, Great Danes have their origins in Germany, where they were initially bred for hunting and guarding starting in the 16th century.
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.