This is a list of the top dog trainers in Washington, based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public.
CCPT-KA CBCC-KA FFCP
Hi! I'm Jenny and I'm currently the Behavior Program Senior Manager at Homeward Pet Adoption Center in Woodinville, Washington. I've worked in shelters in Washington State coming up on a decade now, and truly found my passion for shelter behavior here.
I'm originally from Texas, graduating from Texas A&M University with a degree in Biomedical Science. I'm a Certified Professional Dog ...
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) Certified Control Unleashed Instructor (CCUI) AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training, Agility dog training
Issaquah, Sammamish, Bellevue, Mercer Island, New Castle, Renton, Burien.
Keiko Swanberg, the owner of Zen Dog Seattle, LLC is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), a Certified Control Unleashed Instructor (CCUI), a licensed AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator, and a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). Keiko moved to the U.S. from Japan in 2000 and has been a long-time shelter/rescue volunteer and foster parent ever since. Her...
Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training, Agility dog training
Port Orchard, Olalla, Gig Harbor, Tacoma, Bremerton
Amanda is equal parts dog person and people person; you and your dog are both important to her! She is committed to using progressive, force-free training methods to improve dog and human communication and relationships. After graduating from Olympia High School in WA state, she earned a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Stanford University and has a strong background in the art and science ...
CCS, UW-AAB
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
Everett, WA and Snohomish County
I started my career in the pet industry in 2011 where I worked as a daycare attendant at a doggy daycare, boarding and training facility called The Dog Spot. In the first year at The Dog Spot, I started assisting in dog training classes and soon realized that is where my passion lay. In 2012, I got my CCS certification in dog training and behavior through the Northwest School of Canine Studies....
KPA-CTP, CDPT-KA
Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training
Bellingham
Sara has been working with dogs in the mountains for over fifteen years and loves bringing her diverse and dynamic background to her pet dog teams she coaches.
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Certified Family Dog Mediator (CFDM), Certified Fear Free Professional (CFFP), AKC CGC & Tricks Evaluator
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training
Seattle
Danette Johnston, Owner or Dog's Day Out, is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), a Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP) Trainer and Fear Free Coach, and a Certified Family Dog Mediator (FDM). Prior to becoming a dog trainer and behavior consultant, she worked as a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) in the state of Washington. She has trained dogs (and people!) working in animal...
CCS SAPro FDM
Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training
Seattle; all neighborhoods, Burien, Kent, Bellevue, Mercer Island
Olivia Petersen, Owner, is certified in canine studies (CCS), SAPro (Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer), and FDM (Family Dog Mediator) of Sound Connection Dog Training.
Olivia is passionate about continuing her learning and education and takes courses, webinars/seminars that focus on canine science and behavior. Through working with clients, she has also gained more knowledge as every fa...
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training
Redmond, Kirkland, Bellevue, Issaquah, and Sammamish WA.
I've worked in the industry since 2003 and have a passion for helping people and dogs, because I don't want people to rehome their dogs. Most dogs are abandoned because the owners didn't know how to manage the dog's needs. I aim to help fix that in as many families as possible. My expertise is in PTSD service dogs and dogs with fear based aggression, but I most commonly work with every day fami...
Certified Professional Dog Trainer- Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) Certified Family Dog Mediator (FDM) Certificate, Canine Studies (CCS)
Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training
Georgetown, Beacon Hill, Capitol Hill, other areas by request
My career with dogs began in 2003 at a large scale dog daycare in Seattle. I quickly saw how this unnatural, stressful environment was detrimental to the very dogs it was supposed to care for. I started a private dog walking and pet sitting service, Road Dog Walks, as an
alternative. Then, I was offered a position at a large pet insurance firm, Trupanion. I continued to operate my
pet...
CDBC, CPDT-KA, CBATI-KSA, M.Ed
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training
Redmond, Kirkland, Bellevue, and Woodinville, WA
Jen Gumas is the founder and owner of Wiggles and Woofs Dog Training and Pet Care. A zoology graduate from Michigan State University, Jen has volunteered with rescue dogs for many years, including with Seattle Animal Shelter and Seattle Humane. In 2021, Jen worked with a group of local trainers to launch the Humane Alliance of Rescue Trainers (HART), a national organization that connects rescue...
CPDT-KA, IAABC-ADT Family Dog Mediator Certified Fear Free Trainer Certified AKC CGC and Tricks Evaluator
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, In home dog training
Seattle, W Seattle, S Seattle, Burien, White center, Tukwila, Kent, Renton, Des Moines, Normandy Park, Auburn
Sugako, originally from Japan, started her dog training career as an intern with Companion Animal Solutions and Georgia Peaches Puppy Rescue while completing degrees in Canine Behavior Analysis and Animal Assisted Therapy. She then transitioned to working with autistic children under the supervision of Board Certified Behavior Analysts. After 5 years, Sugako returned to her love of dog behavior...
Puppy dog training, Agility dog training
Snohomish and King County
I have been a top Agility competitor in the USA since 2000. I competed on the AKC agility World Team traveling to Finland, Portugal and Germany earning two Silver medals. I owned and operated Turbo Charged Agility in Southern California for 15 years offering Agility classes, private lessons in home and at my facility. Now living in Washington State and offering classes at French Creek Pet re...
CTC, SAPro, FFCP-Trainer
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training
North Kitsap County: Kingston, Poulsbo, Bainbridge, Hanesville, Suquamish, Indianola
Amanda is a co-founder and working board member of the Humane Alliance of Rescue Trainers (HART)
They graduated from the Academy of Dog Trainers with honors, and are a SAPro and Fear-Free Certified Trainer.
The journey into dog training started for Amanda at the Seattle Humane Society, where they volunteered as part of the Dog Behavior and Socialization team, and were promote...
SF SPCA CTC, CPDT, AKC CGC, Trick Dog, ACT Evaluator
Agility dog training
Woodinville, Maltby, Bothell, Duvall, Redmond, Snohomish
"Margaret Hughes brings her life-long love of dogs together with positive training techniques that both you and your dog will enjoy." Twenty+ years ago I wrote that sentence on my first advertising brochure. It still holds true today. I love training dogs but I love training people more. My dog training background is in obedience, family style dog training, behavior modification and aggressi...
ADT-IAABC
Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training, Board and train dog training
Seattle, Bellevue, Bothell, Edmonds, Kirkland, Issaquah, Everett, Shoreline, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, U District, Wallingford, Ballard, Queen Anne, West Seattle
I'm an active competitor in a variety of dog sports, such as Rally, Disc, and even protection sports! I'm passionate about helping dog owners learn about how fun and rewarding dog sports can be, as well as making them more accessible for the average owner! I also love working behavior modification training plans and seeing the long term results from those cases!
KPA-CTP and Family Dog Mediation
Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training
Silverdale, Bremerton, Port Orchard, Belfair, High Harbor, Bainbridge Island, and Poulsbo
Getting her start 10 years ago training sea lions, Tahnee learned quickly that positive reinforcement is key to working with large predators. Now a certified pet trainer, she uses the same principles working with dogs, cats, and their families. Sea Lion Way provides private training, day training, and dog walking. We focus on the whole pet (their health, environment, routine, past experiences, ...
Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training
NE Seattle, Lake Forest Park, Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline, Kenmore, Bothell, Maltby, parts of Snohomish and Woodinville
I came in to dog training 18 years ago when I moved to Seattle. I worked in a small dog daycare for most of those years and that really gave me insight in to canine body language and managing arousal in adolescent dogs. I also owned a very reactive dog at that time and learned how to manage him in a much bigger urban environment than we lived in prior. When I adopted my failed foster, a Brittan...
abcdt, ccpdt, cbcc, fdm
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Board and train dog training
Pierce and South King county
I was born and raised right here in Pierce County, Washington where today, I've built my life around dogs.I became a professional dog trainer in 2011, after earning my dog training certification through Animal Behavior College (ABC). But that was just the first step I'm devoted to staying current on the most effective and humane training methods and on our evolving understanding of learning and...
CCS
Deaf dog training, Service dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training, Agility dog training
Greater Seattle Area, Lynnwood, Shoreline, Mill Creek
Alexis grew up with dogs and from a young age she always knew she wanted to work with them as a career. At the age of just eight years old, she was training basic obedience and tricks to her two rescued Chihuahuas, and now is trialing her dog Molly (a hound mix) in multiple sports. She has learned from some of the best positive reinforcement trainers in Washington State.  
Alexis love...
CPDT-KA
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training
Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Tacoma
I've been certified CPDT-KA since October of 2020 and have worked with many types of personalities and behavioral challenges since I started my R+ training journey in 2018! Whether I'm teaching group classes, or working one on one, learning how our K9 friends communicate to us has always been of importance to myself, and I'm determined to spread my knowledge! My line of expertise typically fall...
Jen Lewis has been working with dogs professionally for 20 years, training for 19 years, and she has a wide variety of experience with all breeds, ages, and temperaments. She has a deep understanding of canine behavior and communication and has many professional accreditations and memberships.
Specializing in Agility and Advanced Manners training, Heather's heart, love, and training focus is in showing others how to have fun with her dogs. In addition to dogs, Heather also coaches and trains people. These two skill sets play a major role in her ability to help people communicate more effectively with their dogs, and learn how to embrace and engage with their dog's temperament and per...
Like many animal lovers, my dream was to work with pets. I considered being a veterinarian, but quickly discovered I couldn't hack it. I gave up on my dreams and decided to pursue human medicine instead. After college and a bit of traveling, I jumped in to a "big girl" job doing clinical research at a military hospital. I enjoyed my job, but felt like I was living a double life.I'd wake up at 5...
Hi! I'm Jenny and I'm currently the Behavior Program Senior Manager at Homeward Pet Adoption Center in Woodinville, Washington. I've worked in shelters in Washington State coming up on a decade now, and truly found my passion for shelter behavior here.
I'm originally from Texas, graduating from Texas A&M University with a degree in Biomedical Science. I'm a Certified Professional Dog ...
Keiko Swanberg, the owner of Zen Dog Seattle, LLC is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), a Certified Control Unleashed Instructor (CCUI), a licensed AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator, and a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). Keiko moved to the U.S. from Japan in 2000 and has been a long-time shelter/rescue volunteer and foster parent ever since. Her...
I started my career in the pet industry in 2011 where I worked as a daycare attendant at a doggy daycare, boarding and training facility called The Dog Spot. In the first year at The Dog Spot, I started assisting in dog training classes and soon realized that is where my passion lay. In 2012, I got my CCS certification in dog training and behavior through the Northwest School of Canine Studies....
Diane taught with Carol & Dana at Lilac City Dog Training and The Family Dog in the early 90's and has been a DITR instructor since we opened our doors in April of 1996. Diane has a soft spot for rescue dogs and helping them find success in with their new families. Her interests are competing in Canine Freestyle (dancing with your dog) and Rally FrEe.
Diane loves tricks, g...
Travis provides private training lessons and behavior consults in your home or at the training studio. He enjoys helping new puppy owners and adoptive families get off on the right paw with their new friends. He has a special way with shy and fearful dogs and inspires confidence in his human clients, too. He can help you understand your dog, and help your dog understand you.
As...
I've been training dogs, professionally, for twenty years. The dog training classroom is my "happy place." But when I am not with dogs, students and clients I can be found in my garden, on a hiking trail or in a music studio.
I have spent my working life helping dogs with special needs - first medically and then behaviorally. My time working as a trainer for the public at a large animal shelter provided me with exceptional training mentors and a vast variety of dogs from whom I learned an incredible amount about training and communication between dogs and people. As I continued my work with dogs with greater behavio...
Welcome to Washington’s list of top dog trainers. The Washington list is based on 2802 votes from the Sniffspot community. Only the Washington dog trainers with the top number of votes made this list. Trainers are ordered by number of votes, with Jenny Black at the top of this list with 278 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.
Washington dog trainer services include:
Dog trainers in Washington selflessly set pets up for success. Jenny Black shares why they chose this path: I always saw myself working with animals, even as a very young child. I didn't know there were other paths to an animal-focused career besides veterinary medicine, so that was my intention going into my university coursework. As I worked in more and more vet clinics in a variety of roles, I felt that I didn't enjoy working with animals in that type of setting as much as I thought I would. After graduating, I moved to Washington State from Texas and starting pursuing other job opportunities. I found myself accepting a job at Seattle Humane and quickly found my way into shelter behavior. A few years later, I decided to become certified and make it official!. All 94 trainers on this Washington list are committed to positive reinforcement. Trusted Washington trainer, Keiko Swanberg, uses the following methods: I offer fear-free, force-free, positive dog training and behavior modification based on behavioral science..
Explore the top dog trainers in Washington as voted by our community:
I always saw myself working with animals, even as a very young child. I didn't know there were other paths to an animal-focused career besides veterinary medicine, so that was my intention going into my university coursework. As I worked in more and more vet clinics in a variety of roles, I felt that I didn't enjoy working with animals in that type of setting as much as I thought I would. After graduating, I moved to Washington State from Texas and starting pursuing other job opportunities. I found myself accepting a job at Seattle Humane and quickly found my way into shelter behavior. A few years later, I decided to become certified and make it official!/. Similarly, Keiko Swanberg and Amanda Boyd have unique motivations, withI saw too many dogs who were abandoned or surrendered due to behavior issues at a high-kill shelter I used to volunteer/foster for 12 years. I hope to help more owners to prevent their dogs from ending up at shelters.andI started out working in shelters and caught the training bug. I like helping people and dogs create lasting bonds so they stay together for a liftetime.driving their passion.
Focus on consent. Ensure that the animal you're working with is 100% on board with what you're doing. Let them have the freedom to make choices and opt out if needed..
Seeing so many smiles through working with about 90 dogs (and 90+ humans) with different personalities every week!, and
Seeing so many smiles through working with about 90 dogs (and 90+ humans) with different personalities every week!, respectively.
We evaluate our animals throughout their stay, creating unique training plans to meet their needs along the way. We also provide post-adoption behavior support to ensure our animals are as successful as possible after they leave our care. We use positive reinforcement-based training, following Fear Free methods whenever possible.. Meanwhile, Keiko Swanberg says:
I offer fear-free, force-free, positive dog training and behavior modification based on behavioral science.. As you can see, there are diverse approaches to in Washington.
Discover the Jack Russell Terrier, a breed celebrated for its intelligent and affectionate nature. Recognized as a small dog, Jack Russell Terriers have their origins in England, where they were initially bred for fox hunting and vermin control starting in the 19th century.
Discover the Dalmatian, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, trainable, and loyal nature. Recognized as a medium-sized dog, Dalmatians have their origins in Croatia, where they were initially bred for coaching (running along carriages), guarding, and hunting starting in the 16th century.
Discover the Bernese Mountain Dog, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, loyal, and playful nature. Recognized as a large dog, Bernese Mountain Dogs have their origins in Switzerland, where they were initially bred for guarding livestock and droving work starting in the 1st century.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Albuquerque? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in Duke City.
44.5 percent of all American households share life with a canine companion. Pet professionals like dog trainers, veterinarians, and veterinary behaviorists are more important than ever as our modern society becomes increasingly difficult for four-legged friends to navigate—dog reactivity, anxiety, and general stress from lack of proper enrichment are on the rise in domestic dogs.
In our modern, human-centric world, it can be hard to find spaces for your pup to safely play off leash—especially if they’re a flight risk. Dogs who might run off after interesting smells, prey, or simply because they feel the whim can be a hazard in unfenced areas. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best securely fenced dog parks throughout the United States!
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.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a 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.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Considered a medium-sized dog, American Staffordshire Terriers were originally bred in the United Kingdom for baiting bulls, fighting, and hunting beginning in the 1800s — though they're known as gentle, playful lovers today.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, a breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were originally bred in the United States for herding beginning in the 1950s.