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The Best In Home Dog Trainers in Minneapolis, MN of 2026

David Adams photo

David Adams

Aug 7, 2026

Dog Trainers

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

  • Cheryl Gfrerer Photo

    Cheryl Gfrerer

    KPA-CTP, TAGteach level 2

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

    St. Paul and Minneapolis, MN and surrounding suburbs; Hudson and western, WI; virtual training

    I founded Giffy dog in 2012 after I had spent the previous twelve years providing foster care for rescue dogs. My passion for working with dogs in the rescue community was well-established by then, but I recognized the need to refine and improve my skills with the most current, well-researched methods. In 2015, I completed the rigorous Karen Pryor Academy program and have pursued regular ongoin...


  • Candace (Candy) Brewer Photo

    Candace (Candy) Brewer

    Canine Good Citizen Evaluator

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

    Northwest Metro Area (Maple Grove and surrounding area)

    I have been teaching classes and working with clients at Cloud Nine Dog Training in Maple Grove, MN and on an individual basis. I love supporting the local dog community. I am dedicated to supporting and educating families on training manners and understanding their dog's behavior so they can live harmoniously together.


  • Holly Weldon-Yahnke Photo

    Holly Weldon-Yahnke

    CPDT-KA and C-FDM

    Reactive dog training, In home training, Puppy training

    It includes, but is not limited to: Lakeville, Prior Lake, Burnsville, Savage, Shakopee, Jordan, Belle Plaine, Carver, Chaska, Excelsior, Victoria.

    Meet Holly - Lead Trainer Owner of Unleashed Behavior and Training ServicesCPDT-KA and Certified Family Dog MediatorHolly is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer as well as a Certified Family Dog Mediator. Her compassion for animals and desire to assist the humans on the other end of the leash are evident. She very muc...


  • Jen Laskewitz Photo

    Jen Laskewitz

    CPDT-KSA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge and Skills Assessed) FDM (Certified Family Dog Mediator)

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

    Minneapolis, Eden Prairie, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Bloomington, Edina, St. Louis Park, Chanhassen

    Jen has been lead training for the past 12 years, teaching group classes and private lessons. She also served several years as the Training Director for local dog rescue, A Rotta Love Plus. Jen has spent a lifetime living with and caring for a variety of animals, with almost 2 decades of experience working with animals in an 'official' capacity, volunteering in shelters and with rescues as well...


  • Brit Barnhouse Photo

    Brit Barnhouse

    Family Dog Mediator (FDM), Canine Enrichment Technician (DN-CET)

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

    Duluth, MN

    I'm certified as both a Family Dog Mediator (FDM) and Canine Enrichment Technician (DN-CET), and am working toward earning my CPDT-KA through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.

    I share my life with a cattledog mix named Boris (TKI) and a border collie named Winona (CGC, TKA). Some of their favorite activities include: herding, tracking, scentwork, trick training,...


  • Lindsay Kinney Photo

    Lindsay Kinney

    CPDT-KA

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

    Twin Cities

    I always loved animals as a kid. When I got my first dog Rosie an adolescent Australian Shepherd, in 2013 I quickly fell in love with dog training. We pursued obedience, tricks, and sports. We even did some film and commercial work. In 2015 I became a dog trainer at PetSmart to gain experience teaching group classes and working with a variety of dogs. In 2016 I became a Certified Professional D...


  • Sara Reusche Photo

    Sara Reusche

    CBCC-KA CPDT-KSA CVT

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

    Sara Reusche, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KSA, CVT, AKC CGC and Trick Evaluator, UKC SPOT Evaluator (she/her) purchased Paws Abilities in 2010 after working for the business since 2004. She has turned her love of animals and teaching into a career and is dual certified as a veterinary technician and professional dog trainer. In addition to training, Sara has worked as a groomer, vet tech, dog daycare attenda...


  • Reiichi Hanson Photo

    Reiichi Hanson

    IAABC-ADT, CCDT

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

    Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs

    My name is Rei (pronounced "ray", and my full name is pronounced "ray-ee-chee") and I live just south of the Twin Cities. My animals include: Betelgeuse the Australian Shepherd, who is my Service Dog and my best friend. We do Obedience, Rally, and Treibball! And Tootsie the African Senegal Parrot, who is a rescue from The Parrot's Umbrella. She is learning cooperative care for nail trims and mo...


  • Diana Waserman Photo

    Diana Waserman

    ABC certified, positive reinforcement certified, ABC reactive and aggressive training certified, ABC certified in canine massage.

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

    Twin Cities Metro, Minnesota or remote anywhere in the continental US.

    I've lived in Eagan for about 3.5 years and have been training since October of 2011 when I graduated from the Animal Behavior College (California). I did my internships with MARS (Midwest Animal Rescue) & Animal Ark. I am additionally certified in training reactive and aggressive dogs focused on getting reactive and aggressive dogs rehomed out of shelters. I am also certified in canine massage...


  • Ashlee Meyer Photo

    Ashlee Meyer

    CPDT-KA LFDM-T VSA-CDT

    In home training

    Dakota County Bloomington South Minneapolis

    I have been a professional dog trainer for 4 years now and it started the same way everyone gets into dog training - with a dog who needed help. After going through multiple certifications and working with numerous dogs and people, I found my niche in helping families navigate the twists and turns of having a dog and child. From preparing for a child coming into a home to a dog struggling with ...


  • Jane Fallander Photo

    Jane Fallander

    KPA-CTP, ANWI

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

    Twin cities metro

    I have been a professional dog trainer for 15 years and a hobby trainer for 40. In my 20s I worked at an animal shelter for 9 years and love rescue dogs. My formal education includes a BS in Animal Science and Technical Communication. I'm also a Karen Prior Certified Dog Trainer and have been teaching K9 nosework for 13 years.


  • Kelsey Smedley Photo

    Kelsey Smedley

    Certified Advanced Canine Training Professional (CACTP) Certified Canine Training and Behavior Specialist (CCTBS)

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

    Minneapolis Apple Valley Lakeville Minnetonka Burnsville St. Paul Savage Shakopee Bloomington Eagan Edina Eden Prairie

    My name is Kelsey and I own The Good Dog Co.
    My goal is to educate other pet parents and give them the tools and knowledge that they need to live a happy, calm life with their dogs. Whatever your behavioral issue is, there is a solution for it as long as you are willing to do the work.
    I have a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Missouri and certifications CACTP and CCT...


  • Angela Kunze Photo

    Angela Kunze

    In home training

    I have been a trainer for 22 years. To say it has been a journey is correct! I have been searching for a career that would make me happy, and help others. Retail, salon, restaurant server, cashier, etc...NONE of which was a fit for me. I worked at an upscale boarding and grooming facility, while attending school to become a veterinarian technician, which is initially what I wanted to be. Little...


  • Susan Ward Photo

    Susan Ward

    In home training, Puppy training

    Susan has been a professional dog trainer for 25 years and started pupDOGS Training in 2009.She specializes in helping owners with their companion dogs. Using humane and gentle techniques, and empathy for both species, she loves making training fun for everyone.By choosing this small business, you know you will be training directly with its owner, Susan. And if you're in a group class, you'll...


  • Jody Karow Photo

    Jody Karow

    In home training, Off leash training, Puppy training

    Perhaps the biggest dog behavior geek of them all, Jody has decades of experience working with dogs and specializes in off-leash play and training. She studied directly underneath famed behaviorist Jean Donaldson and graduated from the dog trainers' version of Harvard: the Academy for Dog Trainers. Prior to founding Go Anywhere Dog, Jody helped to teach and heal thousands of rescue dogs at Safe...


  • Emily Niemeyer Photo

    Emily Niemeyer

    In home training, Off leash training, Puppy training

    Emily has always loved animals. We know every trainer bio says that, but really, She belts out Disney songs for the dogs when she thinks nobody's listening. Her passion for animals comes naturally, and nobody understands more than Emily that a deep emotional connection is the best foundation for a happy, well-behaved dog. Or horse. Or cat. (Emily doesn't discriminate.) She began training for bi...


  • Ashley Fordyce Photo

    Ashley Fordyce

    In home training, Off leash training, Puppy training

    Ashley joined the team in 2021 and is our newest Dog Life Coach, but she's no greenhorn! Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in zoology and has years of experience fostering rescues, volunteering at shelters, and working in dog daycare and boarding. She originally began studying dog body language and behavior modification to better manage the dogs in her off-leash group play sessions. She saw firs...


Sniffspot’s top-rated list of dog trainers for In home training in Minneapolis, MN is based on rankings from our community of dog owners as well as the general public. For In home training, we received 306 total votes, resulting in 17 dog trainers who focus on In home training. Our top-ranked dog trainers are listed in order of votes, with the top-ranked trainer for In home training listed first.

Dog trainers for In home training on this list are certified by CPDT-KA, FDM, or another trusted organization. We're proud to feature Cheryl Gfrerer, who has been voted the top dog trainer for In home training in Minneapolis, MN. Cheryl Gfrerer’s favorite part of their job is: I love seeing dogs develop confidence and families learn how satisfying it can be to help their dogs thrive..

At Sniffspot, we prioritize trust and expertise. Cheryl Gfrerer, as well as the other dog trainers on this In home training list, ensures they bring the highest standards of care and training to your dog. Cheryl Gfrerer encourages owners with this dog training tip: Choose simple ways to add enrichment, such as interacting with environmental features on walks..

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Frequently Asked Questions About In Home Dog Training in Minneapolis

How were the top In home training dog trainers in Minneapolis selected?

We evaluated over 306 votes from local dog owners to identify the best In home training trainers in Minneapolis. This process resulted in highlighting 17 exceptional trainers known for their expertise in In home training.

What qualifications do the leading In dog trainers in Minneapolis hold?

Top In home training trainers in Minneapolis are recognized for their expertise through certifications such as CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, IAABC-ADT, CCDT, CBCC-KA CPDT-KSA CVT. These credentials ensure they are equipped to address specific training needs in the region.

Who is the leading Minneapolis dog trainer in In home training and why?

Cheryl Gfrerer is celebrated as the top In home training trainer in Minneapolis due to their impressive 72 votes and their proficiency in Deaf dog training and Reactive dog training, distinguishing them as a top choice in the area.

What behavioral issues do In dog trainers focus on in Minneapolis?

In Minneapolis, top In home training trainers like Cheryl Gfrerer concentrate on issues such as D, R, I. Other trainers might focus on areas like R, B, I.

What are the common training techniques used by In home training trainers in Minneapolis?

Training methods vary among top In home training trainers in Minneapolis. For instance, Cheryl Gfrerer uses a method centered on: I use positive reinforcement training, pairing behaviors the family wants to see with things the dog likes to motivate them to offer those behaviors more often. If the dog exhibits behaviors the family doesn't like, we identify precursors to those behaviors and change the environment to reduce the likelihood that the dog will exhibit those behaviors going forward. We regularly work with enrichment activities to help increase the dog's confidence and problem-solving skills while decreasing destructive behaviors. Training this way leads to well-adjusted, confident dogs., while others like Candace (Candy) Brewer adopt: I provide individual and group training that focuses on describing the why behind training and how skills can be implemented in the community, not just in a training class environment. I demonstrate how to do a skill multiple different ways so that owners can select the method that will work best for their canine companion.. Each approach is customized to suit local dogs.

How should I select the best In dog trainer in Minneapolis?

To find the ideal In home training trainer in Minneapolis, consider their certifications, such as CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, IAABC-ADT, CCDT, CBCC-KA CPDT-KSA CVT, and their expertise in services like Puppy trainingand In home training. Reviewing their past results with dogs in Minneapolis can also guide your decision.

What’s the top advice for training dogs in Minneapolis?

When it comes to In home training training, Cheryl Gfrerer advises: Choose simple ways to add enrichment, such as interacting with environmental features on walks. which is crucial for enhancing your dog’s behavior in Minneapolis.

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

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David Adams photo

David Adams

Aug 7, 2026

Dog Trainers

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