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The Best Dog Trainers in Atlanta, GA of 2024

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David Adams

July 10, 2024

Dog Trainers

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

  • Chelsea Murray Photo

    Chelsea Murray

    CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, CTDI AKC CGC, STAR, and Trick Dog Evaluator

    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

    I service Atlanta, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Dunwoody, and Sandy Springs with in-person services. I also offer remote coaching programs for clients all over the world.

    Every day the dogs around me bring joy to my life and I want to share that with my clients. By living a life of adventure with my dogs I have experienced how clear communication and shared passions can strengthen your relationship with your dog. I love watching my clients find that same lifestyle success as they learn to work with their dogs as teammates.

    I graduated from the Universi...


  • Abbey Johnson Photo

    Abbey Johnson

    CPDT-KA, FDM

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

    Brookhaven, Buckhead, Tucker, Chamblee, Stone Mountain, Decatur, Avondale Estates, Druid Hills, Dunwoody

    Understanding animals and their behavior has always been a passion of mine. I grew up surrounded by dogs, cats, horses, and various other types of animals throughout my childhood. The more time I spend with animals, the more I realize the disconnected communication we often tend to have with them. Animals, and dogs especially, are always talking to us. It's our job to stop, listen, and kindly t...


  • Julie Haller Photo

    Julie Haller

    ADPDT, AKC CGC Evaluator

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

    Cumming, Canton, Dawsonville, Milton, Alpharetta, Forsyth County, Cherokee County, Dawson County, North Fulton County

    I have been working with dogs for over 30 years, beginning in my families kennel, where we raised, trained, and showed German Shorthaired Pointers and Collies. I'm an internationally Certified Games Based Pro Dog Trainer through Absolute Dogs and earned an Advanced Professional Dog Trainer certification through a 9 month in-person hands on Certified Georgia Post Secondary Institution. I'm an...


  • Melissa Dallier Photo

    Melissa Dallier

    CSAT, CPDT-KA, FFCP

    Puppy dog training

    Roswell, East Cobb, Marietta, Alpharetta, Cobb, Atlanta,

    I'm Melissa, and I'm the founder, owner and trainer at A Canine Affinity and I'm here to help you resolve and take steps to prevent separation anxiety problems. I want to make sure both you and your pup are able to enjoy time apart and together.

    I am a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT), a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Fear Free Certified (FFCP) as well as a m...


  • Amy Campbell Photo

    Amy Campbell

    CCPDT-KA

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

    Within the I-285 perimeter of metro Atlanta

    Amy is a professional dog trainer and small animal massage therapist. Before moving to Atlanta in 2018, Amy ran a successful dog walking and training business in the Boston area for ten years and has extensive experience working with groups of dogs, dog-dog interactions and supporting families and their dogs who are struggling with anxiety, impulse control issues, and bad social skills. Amy has...


  • Yara Silva Photo

    Yara Silva

    CPDT-KA

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

    Roswell, Alpharetta, Milton, Woodstock, Kennesaw, Johns Creek, Marietta, Sandy Springs, Canton, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Vinings

    My passion is on choice based and positive reinforcement training, specially all the husbandry and care that our dogs need for their lifetime. I love seeing dogs and their people blossom as they learn how to build a bond and communication channel for life.

    I am a certified CPDT-KA positive reinforcement trainer and I am continuously learning through the latest research, books and confe...


  • Lillian Ciardelli Photo

    Lillian Ciardelli

    ACAAB

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

    Kirkwood, Old Fourth Ward, Midtown, West Midtown, Edgewood, Reynoldstown, Cabbagetown, Buckhead, Brookhaven, Marietta, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Alpharetta, Decatur, Inman Park, Candler Park, Grant Park, East Atlanta, Sylvan Hills, West End, Oakhurst, Druid Hills, North Decatur

    I am an applied animal behaviorist. After graduating from Emory in 2010, I knew I wanted to work with animals, but was unable to decide between science and husbandry — so I picked both. For the last decade I have divided my career between animal research and hands on animal care. I found that behavior consulting was the best way to share my love of behavioral science in a way that would make ...


  • Alex Sessa Photo

    Alex Sessa

    CPDT-KA, CDBC, VSPDT

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

    Roswell, Milton, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Cumming, Canton, Peachtree Corners, Buford, Hoschton, Dunwoody, Gainesville, Flowery Branch, Sandy Springs, Chamblee, Brookhaven, Decatur, Midtown Atlanta, Buckhead, Suwanee, Lawrenceville, East Cobb, Duluth

    Peach on a Leash owner and head trainer, Alex Sessa, (formerly Andes) CPDT-KA, CDBC, VSPDT is a pet behavior expert who has been training dogs and studying dog behavior for nearly a decade.

    Alex is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, a certification that requires hundreds of logged training hours and passing a comprehens...


  • Mandy Grace Photo

    Mandy Grace

    CPDT-KA, FFCP (Trainer)

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

    Metro Atlanta, ITP, Dekalb, Fulton

    Mandy has transformed her lifelong obsession with dogs, psychology, and the science of learning into a training career which began in her home state of North Carolina. After adopting a dog who had above average behavioral requirements and catching the training bug, she took the plunge to become a professional in 2013. Mandy earned her CPDT-KA in 2017 after logging many hundred hours of hands-o...


  • Anna Johnson Photo

    Anna Johnson

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

    Anna is the head trainer and owner of Happy Healthy Pup. She has been training animals for 20 years. She holds a Masters in Animal Science, is currently a PhD student and is CAP1 certified (competency assessed). She holds several other certifications. Including those in Canine Theriogenology, Animal Behavior, Clinical Small Animal Nutrition, and Canine Emotion & Cognition.


Welcome to Atlanta’s list of top dog trainers. The Atlanta, Georgia list is based on 633 votes from the Georgia Sniffspot community. Only the Atlanta dog trainers with the top number of votes made this list. Trainers are ordered by number of votes, with Chelsea Murray at the top of this list with 206 votes. We also counted 853 votes for Georgia, with the remaining trainers listed outside of Atlanta.

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.

Atlanta dog trainer services include:

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

Behind every successful Atlanta training session lies a passionate professional. Chelsea Murray shares why they chose this path: Like many involved in the professional training community, I spent my childhood surrounded by animals. When I was with them I felt a special kind of peace and connection. As I grew up that love turned into a commitment to seek out knowledge and learn how to be a better caregiver. Studying more about dogs, I grew a greater appreciation for all of the lessons that animals can teach us and how fulfilled our lives can be with them as our teachers. Learning about how dogs communicate, their species-specific needs, and how to help them learn to navigate our busy-world is a passion I now get to share with my community. Becoming a dog trainer was not a choice, but a calling.. All 10 trainers on this Atlanta list are committed to positive reinforcement. Trusted Atlanta trainer, Abbey Johnson, uses the following methods: I use a holistic approach to address behavior issues- we look at the whole dog including their breed, early learning experiences, environment, health, and exercise/enrichment needs to ensure the dog is at a proper behavioral baseline for the best results. Long-lasting results require more than just a 1-2-3 step training method!.

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

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See The Best Dog Trainers In Other Cities Near Atlanta

Ordered alphabetically, only included cities where there is enough data to compile a list


See The Best Dog Trainers In Other States Near Georgia

Ordered alphabetically, only included states where there is enough data to compile a list


See The Best Dog Trainers By Type In Atlanta


Sniffspot Atlanta Dog Training Frequently Asked Questions

How did Sniffspot choose the best dog trainers in Atlanta?

Our Dog Trainer Contest determines the best dog trainers in Atlanta. We collected an impressive 633 resulting in 10 on this list, all located in Atlanta. Thank you for trusting Sniffspot with Atlanta dog trainer recommendations!

What qualifications do the top dog trainers in Atlanta have?

The top dog trainers in Atlanta are usually qualified by one (or several) of the following accreditations: CPDT-KA, CPDT-KA, and FDM.

Who is the top dog trainer in Atlanta and why?

Chelsea Murray is the top trainer in Atlanta. They received 206 out of 35065, which was more than anyone else in Atlanta. Chelsea Murray specializes in: 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

What do Atlanta dog trainers specialize in?

The 10 dog trainers on our Atlanta list specialize in: Aggressive dog training, Board and train dog training, Deaf dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training, Puppy dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training

What are the most common training methods for Atlanta dog trainers?

Our top dog trainer in Atlanta, Chelsea Murray, uses the following process: I am a positive reinforcement trainer who utilizes marker-based training methods. I believe that all learners, both human and canine, deserve to feel safe while training and enjoy the process. During the initial client intake conversation, the client and I discuss some of the challenges they are experiencing and what their training goals are. This allows me to make a recommendation for services to help them with their needs. In our individualized training programs each client and dog dynamic is unique and therefore we work together to create a custom training plan. In our sessions together, we work towards modifying the behaviors they dislike and creating new behavior patterns while working towards their training goals. After one on one time clients receive recap emails with handouts, video tutorials, and written notes to help them implement their homework and to provide them with resources that they can refer back to for reminders. Success in a training program relies on clear communication from a trainer to the client, and a client to their dogs. My goal is to help my client gain the tools they need to train their dog, communicate clearly, and live a better life together.

How much does dog training cost in Atlanta?

The average dog training cost in Atlanta is between $70 and $150 per hour. Take advantage of free intro sessions in Atlanta or Georgia to determine the right fit.

How do I choose the right dog trainer in Atlanta?

To find the right match in Atlanta, consider whether they hold CPDT-KA or CPDT-KA, as well as whether they specialize in Puppy dog training, Reactive dog training, or something else.

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

Our 10 Atlanta dog trainers are the best to ask. Chelsea Murray recommends: Reinforce what you like! Its an easy but powerful tool we have. So often in our society it is easy for us to see what is going wrong, but we often forget to identify those moments of success. If we observe our dog and begin to reinforce those desired behaviors we can increase the frequency in which they happen and can decrease undesired behaviors. Put simply- we can teach our dog to make good choices by rewarding them!.

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David Adams photo

David Adams

July 10, 2024

Dog Trainers

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