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The Best Dog Trainers in Ohio of 2024

David Adams photo

David Adams

July 10, 2024

Dog Trainers

This is a list of the top dog trainers in Ohio, based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public.

  • Christine Good Photo

    Christine Good

    CPDT-KA, RVT

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

    Geauga, Lake, Cuyahoga, Ashtabula county, Chardon, Mentor, Willoughby, Eastlake, Middlefield, Painesville, Chesterland, Kirtland, Chagrin Falls, and surrounding areas

    I started my career as an animal trainer in 2005 at a wildlife center. There I used clicker training to teach raccoons to patiently wait on their stations for food rather than climbing up on the keeper's legs. I became hooked on dog training when I used the clicker working with my reactive dog, Marvin, who needed me to step up my game. I am a registered veterinary technician (RVT) with over 16 ...


  • Sarah Dugger Photo

    Sarah Dugger

    Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP)

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

    Dublin, Worthington, Hilliard, Upper Arlington, Grove City, Westerville, Gahanna, New Albany

    I first realized the power and impact of training in 2012. At the time, I was working at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio, observing Wouter Stellaard, a world-renowned animal trainer, train rats to complete an obstacle course. The five rats—all named after different types of cheese—took the stage together. Four scurried around a pool, while one swam across, using the shortcut to get to...


  • Hannah Burke Garbett Photo

    Hannah Burke Garbett

    Associate Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, IAABC. Fear Free Certified Professional Trainer. American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator

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

    I provide in-home dog training services in the greater Cincinnati area.

    I came to dog training after having the incredible experience of working in several zoos and aquariums with a variety of species including elephants, cheetahs and penguins. Learning about training through an exotic animal lens gave me an understanding and appreciation of ethology and natural history and their role in analyzing animal behavior.
    I have been professionally training dogs since ...


  • Jackie Pekar Photo

    Jackie Pekar

    Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, Fear Free Certified Professional, Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer, Certified Veterinary Assistant

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

    Akron, OH

    I'm the owner of SouthPaw Petting and have been serving the pets of Akron since 2005. I love helping clients with their puppies and dogs, it's a very rewarding experience! I'm a bit of an education junkie, and travel frequently for conferences and for my own pleasure.


  • Jenna Huffman Photo

    Jenna Huffman

    CPDT-KA, ABCDT, FFCP

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

    Centerville, Ohio Bellbrook, Ohio Five Points, Ohio Miamisburg, Ohio

    Helping people and their dogs connect is the absolute best part of my job. I've been working with dogs for 15 years and I've loved every second of it. I received my dog training certification in 2010 and have been focused on dogs and dog behavior ever since. I am a certified trainer through the Animal Behavior College and the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. I spent 5 year...


The Best Akron, OH Dog Trainers In 2024

  • Jackie Pekar Photo

    Jackie Pekar

    I'm the owner of SouthPaw Petting and have been serving the pets of Akron since 2005. I love helping clients with their puppies and dogs, it's a very rewarding experience! I'm a bit of an education junkie, and travel frequently for conferences and for my own pleasure.

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  • Valarie Ross Photo

    Valarie Ross

    Hello! I am Valarie, the owner of Sits n Wiggles Dog Training. I started SnW in 2015 when I had the opportunity to move from dogs being just my passion but my career. I have been involved in dog and cat rescue since I was in college. In early 2015 I started taking classes with Catch Canine Trainers Academy with the intention to offer volunteer training services to shelters and rescues. However,...

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  • Jane Miller Photo

    Jane Miller

    Jane Miller, LISW, AABP-CDBT, Pet CPR & First Aid Certified, works in private practice as a licensed psychotherapist/clinical social worker, with a particular interest in holistic modalities of healing. She currently focuses on educating others about the legal, ethical, and practical criteria of working with Psychiatric Service Dogs (PSDs). Miller has lectured about PSDs in a variety of settin...

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The Best Cincinnati, OH Dog Trainers In 2024

  • Hannah Burke Garbett Photo

    Hannah Burke Garbett

    I came to dog training after having the incredible experience of working in several zoos and aquariums with a variety of species including elephants, cheetahs and penguins. Learning about training through an exotic animal lens gave me an understanding and appreciation of ethology and natural history and their role in analyzing animal behavior.
    I have been professionally training dogs since ...

    View profile

  • Nick Hof Photo

    Nick Hof

    I have been training dogs and owners for more than 10 years. I am a past chair for the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and hold certifications with multiple organizations. I have a newly adopted 1 year old St. Bernard named Gordon that we brought home from the shelter this past November.

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  • Elissa Cline Photo

    Elissa Cline

    I have worked as a full time professional trainer since 2000 specializing for the past 10 years in behavior problems. I was one of the few trainers in the Bay area in California that specialized in aggression and severe behavior problems and was referred to clients by fellow trainers in the area because of my expertise. I graduated from the SFSPCA Dog Training Academy (Certificate in Training &...

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The Best Cleveland, OH Dog Trainers In 2024

  • Christine Good Photo

    Christine Good

    I started my career as an animal trainer in 2005 at a wildlife center. There I used clicker training to teach raccoons to patiently wait on their stations for food rather than climbing up on the keeper's legs. I became hooked on dog training when I used the clicker working with my reactive dog, Marvin, who needed me to step up my game. I am a registered veterinary technician (RVT) with over 16 ...

    View profile

The Best Columbus, OH Dog Trainers In 2024

  • Sarah Dugger Photo

    Sarah Dugger

    I first realized the power and impact of training in 2012. At the time, I was working at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio, observing Wouter Stellaard, a world-renowned animal trainer, train rats to complete an obstacle course. The five rats—all named after different types of cheese—took the stage together. Four scurried around a pool, while one swam across, using the shortcut to get to...

    View profile

  • Elissa O'Sullivan Photo

    Elissa O'Sullivan

    Private practice since 1993.

    View profile

The Best Dayton, OH Dog Trainers In 2024

  • Jenna Huffman Photo

    Jenna Huffman

    Helping people and their dogs connect is the absolute best part of my job. I've been working with dogs for 15 years and I've loved every second of it. I received my dog training certification in 2010 and have been focused on dogs and dog behavior ever since. I am a certified trainer through the Animal Behavior College and the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. I spent 5 year...

    View profile


Welcome to Ohio’s list of top dog trainers. The Ohio list is based on 477 votes from the Sniffspot community. Only the Ohio dog trainers with the top number of votes made this list. Trainers are ordered by number of votes, with Christine Good at the top of this list with 158 votes.

Our rankings include trainers certified by CPDT-KA and FFCP. They also specialize in Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training amongst other training programs.

Ohio dog trainer services include:

  • Reactive dog training
  • Puppy dog training
  • In home dog training
  • Aggressive dog training
  • Off leash dog training
  • Deaf dog training
  • Board and train dog training
  • Service dog training
  • Agility dog training

Dog trainers in Ohio selflessly set pets up for success. Christine Good shares why they chose this path: Working in the veterinary field I realized that there was a huge need for more education and training without force. So many animals were surrendered, rehomed, or even euthanized for behavioral challenges that could have been prevented or avoided if clients had received better advice from the beginning on the relationship with their pet. I think, animal behavior is absolutely fascinating and teaches us a lot about ourselves. I love creating a stronger bond that goes both ways between dogs and their families.. All 15 trainers on this Ohio list are committed to positive reinforcement. Trusted Ohio trainer, Sarah Dugger, uses the following methods: Begin with a consultation to assess medical history, learning history, and the conditions surrounding behaviors through a Behavior Analysis lens. Establish short term and longterm goals before creating a training plan for the individual animal. With an individualized training package, we will practice two-way communication with the animal during positive reinforcement training sessions to shape skills and cues. In addition to training, we will incorporate thoughtful environment arrangement to manage behavior problems..

Explore the top dog trainers in Ohio as voted by our community:

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Sniffspot Ohio Dog Training Frequently Asked Questions

How did Sniffspot choose the best dog trainers in Ohio?

The Dog Trainer Contest decided the best dog trainers in Ohio based on voting from owners in Ohio. We highlighted 15 dog trainers in Ohio. This includes 3 dog trainers in Cincinnati and 12 dog trainers in other areas of Ohio.

What are the top qualifications and certifications for dog trainers in Ohio?

The most common dog training certification in Ohio is CPDT-KA, followed by FFCP, and CDBC. Our top dog trainer, Christine Good, has these certifications CPDT-KA, RVT.

Are there dog trainers in my specific city in Ohio?

Ohio has city-specific lists for: Akron, Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Cleveland

What type of training is done by Ohio dog trainers?

Ohio dog trainers offer 9 different training specialities, including: Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Aggressive dog training, Off leash dog training, Deaf dog training, Board and train dog training, Service dog training, Agility dog training

Do Ohio dog trainers work on dogs with behavioral issues?

Each Ohio dog trainer has their own focus. Christine Good, for example, works with dogs with these behavioral issues: We work a lot with reactivity on leash towards people or other dogs. We also help with aggressive displays towards strangers, resource guarding, difficulties handling at the vet or groomer, and mouthing puppies.. Similarly, Sarah Dugger works with Ohio dogs with these chalenges: Pulling on the leash, barking, avoidance behaviors, separation distress, issues between pets in multi-pet households, biting, scratching, anxiety during handling, ignoring cues, urinating or defecating in inappropriate spaces.

Who is the best dog trainer in Ohio?

According to our 477, Christine Good is the top rated in Ohio. Christine Good specializes in: Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training

How do I choose the right Ohio dog trainer?

In Ohio, consider if your dog trainer has certifications from CPDT-KA, FFCP or CDBC. Also, does your pet need Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, or something else.

What training methods do Ohio dog trainers use?

While these vary by Ohio dog trainer, Christine Good says: We exclusively use reward based training without physical corrections or confrontations. For behavioral challenges we always set up a plan including three layers: management of the behavior to prevent practicing 'bad' behavior, teaching specific behaviors that can be performed on cue, and behavior modification to address the dogs' underlying emotions that make them act out to begin with. We provide handouts, links, and videos as needed to support the process.

How can I make the most of Ohio dog training?

While every pet is different, Christine Good, our top Ohio dog trainer recommends: I think, we could solve half our dog problems by picking dogs that fit our lifestyle better. For example -puppies may look adorable with their big eyes but they are really Velociraptors on steroids! They bite, and have accidents, and bite some more. It is also a misconception that puppies are blank slates and won't develop problems. Puberty is awful no matter the species. Dogs two and over have fully formed personalities. What you see is usually what you get - if you know how to look. Also, although we may fantasize about driving a racecar and may enjoy watching them, most of us are much better served in real life with an SUV or sedan. There are breeds out there that appear in movies or online videos showing off fantastic skills - but they are not made to be living in suburbia around families. They are not happy - and you won't be either.

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David Adams photo

David Adams

July 10, 2024

Dog Trainers

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