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The Best Dog Trainers for Puppy dog training in Minneapolis, MN of 2024

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David Adams

July 10, 2024

Dog Trainers

This is a list of the top dog trainers for Puppy dog training in Minneapolis, MN, based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public.

  • Cheryl Gfrerer Photo

    Cheryl Gfrerer

    KPA-CTP, TAGteach level 2

    Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training

    St. Paul and Minneapolis, MN and surrounding suburbs; Hudson and western, WI; virtual training

    I founded Giffy dog in 2012 after I had spent the previous twelve years providing foster care for rescue dogs. My passion for working with dogs in the rescue community was well-established by then, but I recognized the need to refine and improve my skills with the most current, well-researched methods. In 2015, I completed the rigorous Karen Pryor Academy program and have pursued regular ongoin...


  • Candace (Candy) Brewer Photo

    Candace (Candy) Brewer

    Canine Good Citizen Evaluator

    Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training, Board and train dog training

    Northwest Metro Area (Maple Grove and surrounding area)

    I have been teaching classes and working with clients at Cloud Nine Dog Training in Maple Grove, MN and on an individual basis. I love supporting the local dog community. I am dedicated to supporting and educating families on training manners and understanding their dog's behavior so they can live harmoniously together.


  • Holly Weldon-Yahnke Photo

    Holly Weldon-Yahnke

    CPDT-KA and C-FDM

    Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training

    It includes, but is not limited to: Lakeville, Prior Lake, Burnsville, Savage, Shakopee, Jordan, Belle Plaine, Carver, Chaska, Excelsior, Victoria.

    Meet Holly - Lead Trainer Owner of Unleashed Behavior and Training ServicesCPDT-KA and Certified Family Dog MediatorHolly is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer as well as a Certified Family Dog Mediator. Her compassion for animals and desire to assist the humans on the other end of the leash are evident. She very muc...


  • Jen Laskewitz Photo

    Jen Laskewitz

    CPDT-KSA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge and Skills Assessed) FDM (Certified Family Dog Mediator)

    Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training

    Minneapolis, Eden Prairie, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Bloomington, Edina, St. Louis Park, Chanhassen

    Jen has been lead training for the past 12 years, teaching group classes and private lessons. She also served several years as the Training Director for local dog rescue, A Rotta Love Plus. Jen has spent a lifetime living with and caring for a variety of animals, with almost 2 decades of experience working with animals in an 'official' capacity, volunteering in shelters and with rescues as well...


  • Carrie Davis Photo

    Carrie Davis

    LFDM, CPDT- KA

    Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training

    Minneapolis/St.Paul & Suburbs including Eagan, Inver Grove Heights

    Carrie has been in the dog industry since 2008. She started off in Veterinary Technician school and worked at vet clinics. She quickly turned to the study of canine behavior, and the relationship and connection between people and dogs.
    Experience obtained in those early years also included: intake supervisor for lost and stray dogs inside her county, working at a small boarding facility,...


  • Brit Barnhouse Photo

    Brit Barnhouse

    Family Dog Mediator (FDM), Canine Enrichment Technician (DN-CET)

    Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training

    Duluth, MN

    I'm certified as both a Family Dog Mediator (FDM) and Canine Enrichment Technician (DN-CET), and am working toward earning my CPDT-KA through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.

    I share my life with a cattledog mix named Boris (TKI) and a border collie named Winona (CGC, TKA). Some of their favorite activities include: herding, tracking, scentwork, trick training,...


  • Lindsay Kinney Photo

    Lindsay Kinney

    CPDT-KA

    Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Board and train dog training

    Twin Cities

    I always loved animals as a kid. When I got my first dog Rosie an adolescent Australian Shepherd, in 2013 I quickly fell in love with dog training. We pursued obedience, tricks, and sports. We even did some film and commercial work. In 2015 I became a dog trainer at PetSmart to gain experience teaching group classes and working with a variety of dogs. In 2016 I became a Certified Professional D...


  • Sara Reusche Photo

    Sara Reusche

    CBCC-KA CPDT-KSA CVT

    Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training, Board and train dog training

    Sara Reusche, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KSA, CVT, AKC CGC and Trick Evaluator, UKC SPOT Evaluator (she/her) purchased Paws Abilities in 2010 after working for the business since 2004. She has turned her love of animals and teaching into a career and is dual certified as a veterinary technician and professional dog trainer. In addition to training, Sara has worked as a groomer, vet tech, dog daycare attenda...


  • Reiichi Hanson Photo

    Reiichi Hanson

    IAABC-ADT, CCDT

    Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training

    Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs

    My name is Rei (pronounced "ray", and my full name is pronounced "ray-ee-chee") and I live just south of the Twin Cities. My animals include: Betelgeuse the Australian Shepherd, who is my Service Dog and my best friend. We do Obedience, Rally, and Treibball! And Tootsie the African Senegal Parrot, who is a rescue from The Parrot's Umbrella. She is learning cooperative care for nail trims and mo...


  • Diana Waserman Photo

    Diana Waserman

    ABC certified, positive reinforcement certified, ABC reactive and aggressive training certified, ABC certified in canine massage.

    Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training, Agility dog training

    Twin Cities Metro, Minnesota or remote anywhere in the continental US.

    I've lived in Eagan for about 3.5 years and have been training since October of 2011 when I graduated from the Animal Behavior College (California). I did my internships with MARS (Midwest Animal Rescue) & Animal Ark. I am additionally certified in training reactive and aggressive dogs focused on getting reactive and aggressive dogs rehomed out of shelters. I am also certified in canine massage...


  • Jane Fallander Photo

    Jane Fallander

    KPA-CTP, ANWI

    Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training

    Twin cities metro

    I have been a professional dog trainer for 15 years and a hobby trainer for 40. In my 20s I worked at an animal shelter for 9 years and love rescue dogs. My formal education includes a BS in Animal Science and Technical Communication. I'm also a Karen Prior Certified Dog Trainer and have been teaching K9 nosework for 13 years.


  • Kelsey Smedley Photo

    Kelsey Smedley

    Certified Advanced Canine Training Professional (CACTP) Certified Canine Training and Behavior Specialist (CCTBS)

    Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Board and train dog training

    Minneapolis Apple Valley Lakeville Minnetonka Burnsville St. Paul Savage Shakopee Bloomington Eagan Edina Eden Prairie

    My name is Kelsey and I own The Good Dog Co.
    My goal is to educate other pet parents and give them the tools and knowledge that they need to live a happy, calm life with their dogs. Whatever your behavioral issue is, there is a solution for it as long as you are willing to do the work.
    I have a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Missouri and certifications CACTP and CCT...


Welcome to the Sniffspot guide Puppy dog training dog trainers in Minneapolis. Our rankings are based on 343 votes from our Minneapolis community, resulting in 12 dog trainers specializing in Puppy dog training. Dog trainers are listed in order of votes, with the top-ranked for Puppy dog training in Minneapolis listed first.

Dog trainers on this Puppy dog training list are certified by CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, or another trusted organization in Minnesota. Our top Puppy dog training trainer in Minneapolis, as voted by our audience, is Cheryl Gfrerer. They focus on Minneapolis dogs with these behavior issues: I work with a range of behaviors including fear, socialization, confidence-building, anxiety, and reactivity. In addition, I help families troubleshoot other challenges, such as housetraining, destructive behaviors, leash pulling, and integrating dogs into multiple-pet homes.

At Sniffspot, we understand the importance of finding trusted Puppy dog training experts for your dog in Minneapolis. Our top-rated Puppy dog training dog trainer in Minneapolis, Minnesota says it best with their #1 training tip: Choose simple ways to add enrichment, such as interacting with environmental features on walks..

Explore our curated list of top Puppy dog training trainers based in Minneapolis:

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Sniffspot Puppy Dog Training in Minneapolis Frequently Asked Questions

How did Sniffspot choose the best Minneapolis dog trainers for Puppy dog training?

We collected an impressive 35065 for our annual Dog Trainer Contest. This resulted in 12 on this list, all based in Minneapolis and specializing in Puppy dog training.

What qualifications do the top Puppy dog training dog trainers have in Minneapolis?

The top dog trainers in Minneapolis, Minnesota for Puppy dog training are usually qualified by at least one of the following accreditations: CPDT-KA KPA-CTP, and IAABC-ADT.

Who is the top Minneapolis dog trainer for Puppy dog training why?

Cheryl Gfrerer is the top trainer for Puppy dog training. They received 72 out of 35065, which was more than anyone else with this speciality in MinneapolisCheryl Gfrerer also specializes in: Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training

What behaviors do Puppy dog training dog trainers focus on in Minneapolis?

The 12 Minneapolis dog trainers focus on a number of issues. The top trainer, Cheryl Gfrerer, focuses on: I work with a range of behaviors including fear, socialization, confidence-building, anxiety, and reactivity. In addition, I help families troubleshoot other challenges, such as housetraining, destructive behaviors, leash pulling, and integrating dogs into multiple-pet homes..Our second ranked trainer in Minneapolis, Candace (Candy) Brewer, focuses on I commonly see the typical house manner issues people want help with- barking, crate training, focus and attention, and environmental triggers..

What are the most common training methods for Puppy dog training dog trainers in Minneapolis?

Of the 12 in Minneapolis, no two Puppy dog training dog trainers’ methods look exactly alike. For example, Cheryl Gfrerer describes their methods as: I use positive reinforcement training, pairing behaviors the family wants to see with things the dog likes to motivate them to offer those behaviors more often. If the dog exhibits behaviors the family doesn't like, we identify precursors to those behaviors and change the environment to reduce the likelihood that the dog will exhibit those behaviors going forward. We regularly work with enrichment activities to help increase the dog's confidence and problem-solving skills while decreasing destructive behaviors. Training this way leads to well-adjusted, confident dogs..

How do I choose the right Puppy dog training dog trainer in Minneapolis?

To find the right match for Puppy dog training in Minneapolis, consider whether they hold CPDT-KA or KPA-CTP as well as their behavior focus.

What’s the best way to train my Minneapolis dog?

Every dog in Minneapolis is unique, especially those looking for Puppy dog training training. Top-ranked trainer Cheryl Gfrerer recommends: Choose simple ways to add enrichment, such as interacting with environmental features on walks..

Get your dog the safe enrichment they need by renting a Sniffspot

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David Adams photo

David Adams

July 10, 2024

Dog Trainers

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