The Best Puppy Trainers in Cleveland, OH of 2026

Welcome to the Sniffspot list of top-rated dog trainers for Puppy training in Cleveland, OH. Based on feedback and votes from our Puppy training community, we've curated a list of top-rated trainers in the Cleveland area.

• 

  Christine Good

  CPDT-KA, RVT

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

  Write a testimonial

---

• 

  Alisa Gerasimov

  Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, In home training

  Alisa Gerasimov is an honor graduate of the Animal Behavior College's Dog Training Program and AKC Evaluator. Alisa avidly pursues continuing education and professional development by attending APDT seminars and keeping current on research and training in this evolving field.Alisa grew up in Ukraine, where she spent years socializing feral dogs and successfully teaching them to safely coexist a...

  ---

  “Alisa Gerasimov was a godsend to us! When she arrived, our dog Ed was continually marking around the house, he was uncontrollable on the leash, he did not focus on any of my commands, he was full of anxiety, he was fearful and somewhat hostile to other dogs and generally impossible to control. And both of my pups were gobbling their food, sometimes being sick afterwards from eating so fast. Ed now is calmer, happier, very confident, does not ever mark in the house, loves other dogs (THANK YOU FLOKIE FOR BEING HIS FIRST FRIEND!) listens to my commands and does not drag me around the neighborhood! And Django is learning through him all the good habits Alisa instilled! And she also introduced me to the “snuffle mats” which have completely changed the way they eat. She also recommended the belly belts and the front-hook harnesses, which changed my life! Both pups are so much happier in so many ways. I have owned many dogs through the years, and I can truthfully say this is the first time I felt like the training was worth the time and money spent. Alisa has an absolute gift with dogs. They instinctively trust her. She quickly becomes a safe place for them. I can’t thank her enough for her help and kindness. We will miss Alisa and her wonderful dog Flokie and our training sessions, which became fun instead of work, but still managed to correct behavior. She is the BEST!!!”

  — Emily S.

  Write a testimonial

---

• 

  Kevin Johnson

  Aggressive dog training, In home training, Protection/guard dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Puppy training

  Hello, my name is Kevin Johnson and I want to thank you for considering Dog Training Elite of Northeast Ohio. I was born in North Carolina and raised on a farm where we bred and trained hunting dogs. I've always enjoyed working with dogs to enhance the lives of their human families. I left North Carolina when I joined the Air Force where I served at the Pentagon and Andrews Air Force Base for 7...

  Write a testimonial

---

• 

  Josh Lopez

  Aggressive dog training, In home training, Protection/guard dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Puppy training

  Josh is a military veteran, whose dog training journey started long before he decided to become a DTE Franchisee. He began training military working dogs (MWD) in 2009 and in doing so has deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with his MWD Valdo. Upon completion of his military service, he also trained dogs for the Department of State in support of diplomatic operation...

  Write a testimonial

---

• 

  Chris Lantzer

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

  Chris is the owner of Woof Wise Dog Training. Her goal is to help dogs stay in their homes and help people and dogs live happily together! She would like everyone to experience the same joyous bond she treasures with her dogs developed through training. Chris is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer‚ Knowledge Assessed through CCPDT with over 15 years experience. She has studied under America...

  Write a testimonial

---

• 

  Michele Terlep

  Puppy training

  Pawsitive Play Dog Training and Michele Terlep, MEd. (Master of Education), a nationally Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), and a multi-award winning educator, can help turn your challenges into success using the art and science of positive reinforcement dog training.

  Write a testimonial

---

• 

  John Swaney

  In home training, Puppy training

  John Swaney has come to dog training after a full career in construction engineering, a change he delights in. John started his dog training pursuits when he adopted a German shepherd, named Ginger, at which point he looked into becoming part of a search and rescue team that uses their dogs to assist area law enforcement in finding missing persons. In 2010, he became a member of a local volunte...

  Write a testimonial

---

• 

  Megan Wessels

  In home training, Puppy training

  Megan Wessels fostered her love for working with animals early on as a puppy raiser for Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester, Michigan. However, her passion for animals doesn't just include dogs. Megan is the president of Impact Equine, a non-profit organization that specializes in equine rescue, transition, and rehabilitation. She currently shares her home, life, and bank account with her pu...

  Write a testimonial

---

• 

  Victoria Brody

  Puppy training, Deaf dog training

  I am a graduate of Karen Pryor Academy's Certified Training Partner program (Certification # 76392). Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) is widely acknowledged as an exceptional and intensive training program available to professional dog trainers. Founded by world-renowned trainer and author, Karen Pryor, this rigorous program sets its graduates apart from other dog training programs in the industry. Ad...

  Write a testimonial

---

• 

  Andrea Johnson

  Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Off leash training, Herding training, Deaf dog training, In home training

  Hello and welcome to our website! My name is Andrea Johnson, I am an owner and trainer here at Dog Training Elite of Northeast Ohio. I .I was born and raised in the Cleveland, Ohio area, and I am proud to call this home. I have always had dogs as pets, have always adored and admired them for their unconditional love and loyalty. I am excited to be able to help others strengthen their bond with ...

  Write a testimonial

---

• 

  Jimmy Morelli

  Aggressive dog training, In home training, Protection/guard dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Puppy training

  Hello, my name is Jimmy Morelli. I was born in Cleveland but grew up in South Florida. I moved around a lot my adult years before returning home to the Cleveland area when I retired in 2016. I retired from The Department of Homeland Security where I proudly served and protected my country at home and abroad. In my retirement, I have taken on a new passion which is fostering dogs in need. With t...

  Write a testimonial

---

• 

  Tina Geffert

  Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, In home training

  Tina's volunteer work as a docent at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is what inspired her to pursue her training certification. After watching how zookeepers applied the principles of positive reinforcement to set some very large, strong, and wild animals up for success when doing animal husbandry, she thought, 'We can certainly do this with dogs too!' Tina actively volunteers at a community dog ...

  Write a testimonial

---

• 

  Leah Hendricks

  Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, In home training

  Leah has worked in the veterinary field since 2013. She is a registered veterinary technician (RVT) working on a behavior specialization. She has worked alongside board certified veterinary behaviorists and technician specialists where she learned a lot about animal behavior and training.Leah has huge heart for senior dogs and has one of her own, a 14 year old Chihuahua named Cookie. She also h...

  Write a testimonial

---

• 

  Valarie Smith

  Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, Deaf dog training

  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,...

  Write a testimonial

---

• 

  Tiffany Shields

  Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, Deaf dog training

  Hello everyone,My name is Tiffany Shields and I am the newest addition to Sits 'n Wiggles Dog Training. I will be starting the Service Dog training program with virtual sessions for those in need. To be accepted into SD training, we would need a letter from a Doctor, Counselor, or Case Manager stating you would benefit from having a service dog. We do this for legal purposes, to protect you.The...

  Write a testimonial

---

• 

  Scott Purdum

  Aggressive dog training, Agility training, Puppy training, Herding training, Protection/guard dog training

  When Scott adopted Oberon in 2010, he was challenged to develop his training techniques to overcome his Cane Corso's strong aggression issues toward people. After just a few months of working with him, Oberon's aggression was tempered and his behavior was reformed through consistent and continuous work with effective training tools.Since then, Scott has further refined and developed his proven ...

  Write a testimonial

---

• 

  Kerry Stack

  Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, In home training

  Embark on a transformative journey to refine your dog's behavior with the expert guidance of Kerry Stack, a seasoned dog trainer and behaviorist boasting over 20 years of experience. Through personalized one-on-one Zoom sessions, you'll delve into the underlying motivations of your dog's actions and master the art of effective communication, and address all your inquiries regarding your dog's e...

  Write a testimonial

---

• 

  Holly Krueger

  Puppy training, In home training

  Holly Krueger used to visit children with autism and other special needs, as well as local nursing homeswith her CGC-Pet Partners therapy dogs Moses and Grace. While working on Canine Good Citizen and therapy dog certification, she began looking into other dog and handler activities and found Rally Obedience. She participated in Rally with her Brussels Griffons, Moses and Twizzler. Moses and Tw...

  Write a testimonial

---

• 

  Carol Peter

  Puppy training, In home training

  Carol Peter, founder of Cold Nose Companions, LLC discovered her passion for training dogs as a shelter volunteer. There, she saw countless dogs surrendered by their humans due to behavioral issues that could have been addressed through proactive training and positive reinforcement techniques. Carol became one of the inaugural trainers in a local shelter volunteer trainer program many years ago...

  Write a testimonial

---

• 

  Megan Jean

  Puppy training, In home training

  Megan St Jean started at the young age of sixteen as a puppy raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Although Megan tried to pursue other careers she quickly realized her greatest joy and deepest meaning came from her work with dogs and training was what she was meant to do.
  
  After rescuing her dog Shelly who struggled with anxiety and reactivity, Megan found her greatest satisfaction ca...

  Write a testimonial

---

• 

  Lindsey Norton

  In home training, Puppy training

  I started on my path to the dog training world many years ago when I began working at a major retail pet store, one day there was an opening for dog trainer position and I was offered the opportunity to learn all about dog behavior and training principles. I had been afraid of dogs since I was young because of an incident when I was bitten by a neighbors dog, but I saw this as an opportunity to...

  Write a testimonial

---

Get safe exercise for your dog by renting a private dog park near you

Explore spots near me

See the Best Puppy Trainers in Other Cities Near Cleveland

• Akron, OH
• Cincinnati, OH
• Cleveland, OH
• Columbus, OH
• Dayton, OH
• Toledo, OH

See the Best Dog Trainers by Type in Cleveland

• Aggressive dog training
• Agility training
• Deaf dog training
• Herding training
• In home training
• Off leash training
• Protection/guard dog training
• Reactive dog training
• Service dog training

Frequently Asked Questions About Puppy Training in Cleveland

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

Explore spots