This is a list of the top dog trainers in Nashville, TN, based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public.
CPDT-KA, CGC evaluator
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Rutherford County, Christiana, Rockvale
Heather Moore has 20 years of experience training dogs and helping owners to modify their dogs' problem behaviors. She worked with Purely Positive Dog Training in Charleston, SC until recently relocating to TN. She has been a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and Pet Professional Guild (PPG). Her own dogs have titled in AKC Rally Obedience Novice and Advanced, and earned The...
CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, UW-AAB, FDM, CTDI, Fear Free Certification
Reactive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Puppy training
Nashville and surrounding areas, Mt. Juliet and surrounding areas.
I became passionate about dog training in 2001 as an owner of a dog-reactive dog. I was searching for a mentor to help me and my dog build a better relationship with each other, and the world around us. My mentor walked me through the science behind dog training, and together, we overcame the fear-based reactivity in my own dog. I was inspired by the positive reinforcement techniques I had lear...
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), IAABC Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), CCPDT Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP) Fear Free Certified Training Professional Family Paws Licensed Educator Professional Member, IAABC Professional Member, APDT
Board and train, Puppy training
Ayelet is co-owner and President at Instinct Nashville. She is also Director of People and Culture, because positive reinforcement is needed on both ends of the leash. She works with clients on a wide range of behavior goals and her passion is working with dogs experiencing fear and anxiety. Ayelet is co-Founder of Force Free Tennessee, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, Certified Professiona...
"Certified Behavior Consultant , Canine (CCPDT)Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)Professional Member, APDTSupporting Member, IAABC"
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training
Davidson County, Williamson County & Wilson County
Julie Farris is co-owner, co-Director of Training and a Certified Behavior Consultant for Instinct Nashville. Julie oversees our board and train program as well as provides behavior consultations involving fear, anxiety and aggression for our clients. She is certified in both behavior and training through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) and a graduate of Universi...
Board and train, Off leash training, Puppy training
Driven by her passion for dogs, Haley launched The Good Hound in 2012, specializing in puppy training, off-leash training, and weekly hikes. Over nine years, she grew it to 8 employees and 125+ weekly clients before selling it to her Operations Manager.
In 2019, she started Rocky Top Dog Training in Nashville, TN, focusing on puppy training, on-leash obedience, and off-leash freedom. H...
Board and train, Protection/guard dog training
Jessica is an obedience trainer and demonstrator for Nashville K-9. She's been an integral part of the training team since 2006. Prior to Nashville K-9, she trained in obedience in southern California where she was raised. She attended UC Berkley as an undergrad and completed law school at the University of San Diego. She enjoys hiking, kickboxing, and culinary arts.Jessica volunteers her time ...
Board and train, Protection/guard dog training
Beth has been a life-long student. She has been a high school counselor, a tax accountant, and now a kennel technician (aka aspiring trainer). One consistent thing in her life is her love of animals, especially dogs. In her spare time, Beth enjoys hiking, strength training, and spending time in the mountains.
Board and train, Protection/guard dog training
Dustin is an apprentice trainer at Nashville K-9, engaged in day to day activities and immersing himself in the multiple facets of the dog industry.
Dustin is a native of Naples, FL and has always had a passion for animals. His family is deeply involved with the Florida English Bull Dog Rescue and supportive of their efforts in finding good homes for bull dogs in need. Dustin is a grad...
Board and train, In home training
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), IAABCCertified Separation Anxiety Instructor (CSAT)Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), CCPDTKaren Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP)Fear Free Certified Training ProfessionalProfessional Member, IAABCProfessional Member, APDTFanna has been instructing dog training group classes and in home behavior consults for over 30 years. Sh...
In home training, Puppy training, Agility training
Although born and raised in Mississippi, Tripp has considered Nashville his home since 1998. After spending many years involved in the music scene, he realized a passion and curiosity about dog behavior that has always intrigued him.Tripp started studying dog behavior in 2010 while working in a dog daycare/boarding facility. He then came to intern with Kat and has been teaching a variety of cla...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
Parker has been a dog lover for most of his life. He grew up with Great Danes and, over the last few years, has found a new passion for working breeds. Kila, his Belgian Malinois, is his best friend. You will often see them hiking, skiing, or playing fetch together. Parker has volunteered at the Malinois Foundation for several years, assisting in the training and placement of service dogs for v...
Randy Hare, a nationally recognized dog trainer with over 45 years of experience in working with dogs and their Dog Handlers. Today, he is living his lifelong dream of training family dogs so they can peacefully exist at home with their families. Experience and talent in dog training have landed him spots on regional television, in various K-9 Magazine articles, and on national television. In 1...
Board and train, Protection/guard dog training
As the training director at Nashville K-9, Ali oversees all daily company operations. He'll make sure your dog's training program fits your needs and produces results beyond your highest expectations.He enjoys participating in triathlons, SCUBA diving, flying helicopters and airplanes and traveling the world.As a philanthropist, he donates hundreds of hours each year to middle Tennessee communi...
Board and train, Puppy training
Aliyah has been with Cedar Valley Canine since the summer of 2022. She graduated from high school in 2020 and then went on to start training hunting retrievers.
She has traveled to fifteen different states to train or compete with these retrievers and has titled three dogs in Hunting Retriever Club events!
When she is not training, she enjoys waterfowl hunting, boating and spe...
Board and train, Protection/guard dog training
Jake is the Master Pilot for Nashville K-9, having been with the company since 2015 not only flying, but also heavily involved in demonstrations, kennel maintenance, and dog care. He has an enormous passion for dogs and enjoys his daily interactions with our clients' furry friends. As a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFII) and Commercial Pilot, you can rest assured when your four-legged pal is...
Board and train, In home training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Cathy has a deep love of animals and a passion for education that has led her to own a variety of pets and spend her life teaching people and training dogs for more than 20 years. Her goal in every training situation is to help people to train their dog to be the best companion possible through positive training methods.
She is constantly widening her training knowledge by attending se...
Board and train, Protection/guard dog training
Katie Mason was born and raised in Middle Tennessee. She holds a bachelor's degree from New York University in Media, Culture, & Communications with a minor in Psychology. After college, she spent many years working in marketing and advertising, but decided to abandon ship and build a new career around her lifelong passion for dogs. Since joining the Nashville K-9 team in 2018, Katie says that ...
Board and train
World of Dog Training is a heart centered, results-driven dog training company focused on ensuring you and your dog walk away without being tied to a leash! Our system has been proven to be successful 99% of the time with 1000's of dogs having more freedom, much happier, obedient and confident! We want to see you wagging your tail with excitement, confident in your ability to understand your pu...
Board and train, Protection/guard dog training
As Nashville K-9's head trainer, Raine's experience exceeds training over 2000 dogs. She has trained therapy, law enforcement and personal pets. On top of that, she manages a team of trainers and apprentice trainers teaching them the craft from start to finish.Before diving into the world of dogs, Raine was heavily involved in the equine industry. She has spent 16 years riding and training hors...
Board and train, In home training
Certified Professional Behavior Consultant (ACDBC)
Professional Member, APDT
Kathi is a Behavior Consultant with Instinct Nashville, working with clients in our Private Coaching program as well as offering consults for life skills, human-canine communication skills, body language skills, and manners. Kathi specializes in aggression between family dogs and towards humans, resource guardi...
Board and train, Protection/guard dog training
John started with Nashville K-9 in 2006 and has advanced his way into training multiple police, search and rescue and personal protection dogs. A native of Kingston, TN, John graduated from the University of Tennessee. He's one of Nashville K-9's three Pet First Aid Instructors certified by the American Red Cross.John donates his time back to the community by handling a Labrador Retriever he re...
Board and train, Protection/guard dog training
Sandy Pope is an expert on the Doberman Pinscher breed. Her dream is to re-establish the respectful reputation that is due the Doberman and return it to the services for which it has been bred. She has bred, raised and trained dogs for over 25 years and competes in regional Schutzhund trials across the United States. She has completed several Schutzhund titles, including titling to ScH 3 from a...
In home training, Puppy training, Agility training
The first and most important thing you should know about Kat is that she loves dogs! This love of dogs naturally led to her career working with them. Kat has been training dogs for over 20 years. She is a certified professional dog trainer and has a degree in psychology with a focus on behavior modification and animal learning. She also completed an internship in canine behavior and training af...
Board and train, Puppy training
Megan has been with Cedar Valley Canine since December of 2017. She started working with German Shepherd Dogs at Brandiwyne Kennels in Pennsylvania when she was just 13 years old. There, she learned how to train and handle the dogs for AKC Conformation shows and spent her weekends traveling and earning titles in many of the events.In 2016, she graduated from The Pennsylvania State University wi...
Board and train, In home training
Fear Free CertifiedCertified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), CCPDTTerri Smith is the Director of Operations for Instinct Nashville. Terri is fear free certified and is a certified professional dog trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). Terri has held multiple positions in the animal care industry over the last 25 years from kennel assistant to manag...
Board and train, In home training
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
Fear Free Certified Training Professional
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Foundations Certificate
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP)
Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA) Candidate
Lauren is a Certified Dog Trainer at Instinct Nashville who is dedicated to providing dogs and humans with lifelong skills...
Board and train, Protection/guard dog training
Elaine was born in Dublin, Ireland and from a very young age expressed a love for all animals 2-legged, 4-legged, furred and otherwise. She graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, Pre-Veterinary concentration. Working with animals the majority of her life, she has worked as a vet assistant in multiple veterinary clinics. She has also worked as a boarding technici...
Board and train, Puppy training
With what started as being a hobby trainer while in high school, Dave's passion for training dogs quickly turned into an over 40 year career. After founding Cedar Valley Canine in 1993, Dave has been at the forefront of the working dog world- dealing with everything from importing, selection, and sales and training for Police and Military Working Canines, Companion/ Protector Dogs and Commercia...
Board and train, Protection/guard dog training
Vafa Homayoon joined Nashville K-9 to leverage his more than 25 years of loving, living with and training dogs.Most of Vafa's professional career has been in the restaurant business as a General Manager of a multi-unit franchise operation. He is a process and methods expert. During his restaurant career he has hired, trained and managed several hundred crew and managers; he has overseen the con...
Board and train, In home training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Mo Lynch Vashel is a former Director of Behavior and Training at Early Alert Canines. Early Alert Canine, is a service dog organization that trains dogs to detects fluctuations of blood sugar levels in people that are afflicted with Type 1 Diabetes. Not only did she train the canines, Mo provided business development consulting for this worthy organization as well as professional training rangi...
Board and train, Protection/guard dog training
Cody joined us in the fall of 2015. He's one of our apprentice trainers, excelling in public demonstrations with dogs. He's originally from coastal Georgia, with a Bachelor's degree in Justice studies. Most of Cody's dog experience comes from gun dogs, hounds and herding breeds. Cody is a Tennessee P.O.S.T. Certified Law Enforcement Officer.Hobbies: Hunting, Fishing, Trap & Sporting Clays, Guit...
Aggressive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Nick White is the Owner and Founder of Off Leash K9 Training. Nick is a former US Marine and former US Secret Service. He currently has over 130+ dog training locations throughout the United States.Nick is globally recognized as being one of the top dog trainers in the world. He has 2 official world records in off leash obedience, named on Wikipedia as one of the top 20 dog trainers in the wo...
Board and train, In home training
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP)Fear Free Certified training professionalKatie Williams is a certified trainer with Instinct Nashville, visiting with clients in their homes for consultations and Private Coaching sessions. She works with clients on adult dog life skills & manners, puppy development, and behavior issues including fear and anxiety. Katie is a Fear Free Cert...
Hi, I'm Miranda Williams, your new dog trainer. I grew upseeing the consequences of dog trainers using harshtraining methods and extreme punishment. Spoiler alert: itwasn't pretty. I use positive reinforcement dog training tohelp dogs and their humans live & work together withconfidence. After we train together, you'll be equippedwith the confidence and knowledge to work with your dogin any sit...
Board and train, Puppy training
Camren has been with Cedar Valley since December 2023. He has always had a passion for animals.
After graduating from high school, he got a job working at a Petsmart Hotel as a kennel technician. During his time there, he took some courses in animal health and behavior, which eventually led to an internship at an animal sanctuary in Texas.
After completing the internship, he...
Board and train, Protection/guard dog training
Nick has been a trainer with Nashville K-9 since 2006. He is one of three Nashville K-9 Pet First Aid instructors and offers ongoing instruction at the American Red Cross. Nick's Doberman, Emma, is also one of the dogs we use for children's demonstrations. He volunteers his time as a K-9 handler and officer of the Davidson County Rescue Squad K-9 unit, a K-9 handler for the Overton County Rescu...
Welcome to Nashville’s list of top dog trainers. The Nashville, Tennessee list is based on 75 votes from the Tennessee Sniffspot community. Only the Nashville dog trainers with the top number of votes made this list. Trainers are ordered by number of votes, with Heather Moore at the top of this list with 57 votes. We also counted 331 votes for Tennessee, with the remaining trainers listed outside of Nashville.
Our rankings include trainers certified by CPDT-KA and FDM. They also specialize in Puppy training, Board and train amongst other training programs.
Nashville dog trainer services include:
Behind every successful Nashville training session lies a passionate professional. Heather Moore shares why they chose this path: I brought home a 6 month old yellow lab puppy who did not like people or other dogs so I went to class. I fell in love with training and wanted to be able to help people with their dogs like my trainer helped me with my puppy!. All 36 trainers on this Nashville list are committed to positive reinforcement. Trusted Nashville trainer, Telani Lasoleille, uses the following methods: All training is force free and fear free. We do NOT use any aversive tools..
Explore the top dog trainers in Nashville as voted by our community:
Ordered alphabetically, only included cities where there is enough data to compile a list
Telling your dog 'no' doesn't tell them much. It tells them you are not happy with them but does not tell them what to do instead. Teach your dog a cue that will tell them what you want them to do such as 'off' rather than 'no.'.
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!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.