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The Best Dog Trainers in Durham, NC of 2026

David Adams photo

David Adams

Aug 7, 2026

Dog Trainers

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

  • Liz Machaffie Photo

    Liz Machaffie

    MS, CPDT-KA

    Aggressive dog training, Puppy training

    NC Triangle

    My goal is to bring you and your dog more joy and less stress!


    My education level means you're getting top-notch, humane help. I've earned a Master's degree in dog and cat behavior. (And a Bachelor's in Animal Behavior.) This is what I've wanted to do since I was 12, and I wanted the best education I could get.


    I love dogs AND people! You deserve compassion and und...

  • Gloria SCHMIDT Photo

    Gloria SCHMIDT

    CPDT-KA, Elite Fear Free Professional

    In home training, Puppy training

    Cary, NC; Apex, NC; Raleigh, NC

    Gloria Schmidt is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and Fear Free Certified Pet Professional (Elite Level).Prior to becoming a professional dog trainer, Gloria graduated with a degree in chemistry from UNC-Chapel Hill. She enjoyed her five years at the lab bench especially when contributing to drug discovery research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. While th...

  • Cindy Skocik Photo

    Cindy Skocik

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

    Cindy has been a lifelong dog lover, with her first love being her childhood dog Sunshine. Formerly a CPA and business leader, she has always been happiest in her career when her head and heart were engaged in solving problems and improving people's lives, including her work at a company that treats people with eating disorders and an assisted living company.

Welcome to Durham’s list of top dog trainers. The Durham, North Carolina list is based on 1 votes from the North Carolina Sniffspot community. Only the Durham dog trainers with the top number of votes made this list. Trainers are ordered by number of votes, with Liz Machaffie at the top of this list with 1 votes. We also counted 521 votes for North Carolina, with the remaining trainers listed outside of Durham.

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

Durham dog trainer services include:

  • Puppy training
  • In home training
  • Aggressive dog training
  • Reactive dog training
  • Agility training
  • Service dog training

Behind every successful Durham training session lies a passionate professional. Liz Machaffie shares why they chose this path: . All 3 trainers on this Durham list are committed to positive reinforcement. Trusted Durham trainer, Gloria SCHMIDT, uses the following methods: I use a least invasive, minimally intrusive (LIMA) approach with all dogs. I typically use luring, capturing, and shaping to train behaviors. I prefer force free training over any other kind of methods. Since each owner/dog is an individual, I accomplish this training method by doing a consultation with the owners to discuss our plan moving forward. After the consultation, I prefer to complete a series of private training lessons in the environment where the dog's behavior is happening to see maximum results. I prefer for the owner to be present so that they can learn how to properly do the training themselves..

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

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See The Best Dog Trainers In Other Cities Near Durham

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

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FAQ: Find the Best Dog Trainers in Durham, North Carolina

Who is the top Aggressive dog trainer in Durham, North Carolina?

Liz Machaffie has been recognized as leading dog trainer in Durham.They excel in providing Aggressive dog training and Puppy training and have helped numerous dogs and their owners in Durham reach important training goals.

What services does Liz Machaffie offer in Durham, North Carolina?

Liz Machaffie offers a range of services, including Aggressive dog training, Puppy training. Their approach is tailored to meet the unique needs of each dog in Durham, ensuring effective Aggressive dog training training.

What are the qualifications of the top trainers in Durham, North Carolina?

Top trainers like Liz Machaffie in Durham hold certifications such as MS, CPDT-KA. These qualifications highlight their expertise and commitment to providing the best training services in Durham.

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David Adams photo

David Adams

Aug 7, 2026

Dog Trainers

David Adams photo
David Adams photo

David Adams

About the author

David Adams is a man of many passions, but his love for dogs stands above all. He is not only a dog lover, but also the founder of an innovative platform called Sniffspot. This unique platform connects dog owners with private property owners who are willing to rent out their space for off-leash playtime. While the idea of Sniffspot was initially conceived by his wife, Rebecca, David has been the driving force behind its remarkable success, tirelessly overseeing its growth and development. David's dedication to providing safe and enjoyable spaces for dogs to play, explore, and socialize is evident in his unwavering commitment to Sniffspot. He strongly believes that dogs need ample space and opportunities to stretch their legs and have fun. As a result, he has worked tirelessly to build a network of private property owners across the country who share his vision and are willing to offer their space for the benefit of dogs and their owners. Despite his busy schedule, David always finds time to indulge in his passion for the great outdoors. He loves nothing more than exploring new hiking trails and embarking on thrilling outdoor adventures. Whenever he is not working on Sniffspot, he can often be found hiking or visiting multi-acre fenced sniffspots with his two beloved dogs, Soba and Toshii. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys the fresh air, breathtaking scenery, and the sense of freedom that comes with being in nature. David is based in Salem, MA.

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Sniffspot provides the best experiences and fun for you and your dog. Our dog parks are designed for the ultimate dog exercise. Our private spaces help you minimize distractions or triggers and maximize time with your dog. We provide off leash enrichment - exploration and activities you can't get anywhere else; wear your dog out for days. We make it easy to have playdates. Socialize your pup in a controlled, private spot - it's great exercise and it's fun for you and your dog.

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