The Best Dog Trainers in Minnesota of 2026

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

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  Barbara Godding

  KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA, AKC-CGC-STAR PUPPY

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

  Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding suburbs

  Barbara is a Karen Pryor certified training partner, CPDT-KA knowledge assessed trainer, holds memberships in the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, Pet Professional Guild and she is a Canine Good Citizen evaluator. She is also a trainer for the Pets for Vets Minneapolis Chapter, which provides animals to Veterans who could benefit from having a trained companion pet. Her company also p...

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  Kari Bastyr

  BS and MS in Animal Behavior, CDBC, Certified Pet Nutrition Specialist, VSPDT

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

  Minneapolis and the western suburbs

  I have been working as a professional dog trainer for 30 years, and received my Master's Degree in Animal Behavior in 1995. I specialize on dogs who have bite histories or are a bite risk, fearful and shy dogs, leash reactivity, and puppy training.

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  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...

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  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.

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  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...

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  Carrie Davis

  LFDM, CPDT- KA

  Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training

  Minneapolis/St.Paul & Suburbs including Eagan, Inver Grove Heights

  Carrie has been in the dog industry since 2008. She started off in Veterinary Technician school and worked at vet clinics. She quickly turned to the study of canine behavior, and the relationship and connection between people and dogs.
  Experience obtained in those early years also included: intake supervisor for lost and stray dogs inside her county, working at a small boarding facility,...

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  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...

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  Michelle Stelzig

  Certified veterinary technician

  In home training, Puppy training

  Maple Grove, Coon Rapids, Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Plymouth

  I have been a certified veterinary technician for 15 years with a special interest in helping grow the human animal bond. Helping hams and dogs effectively communicate is my passion. I love seeing dogs "click" with their people. I am currently working towards becoming certified with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, under the guidance of Inga From, CDBC, CPDT-KSA. I am al...

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  Brian Munro

  CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, Certified Family Dog Mediator

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

  Minneapolis-St Paul Area, Washington and Dakota Counties, Western Wisconsin

  Brian Munro, owner of Leaps and Hounds Behavior, has spent the last seven years providing professional guidance and support for families and their dogs in the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin. Prior to becoming the owner of Leaps and Hounds Behavior, he worked in animal shelter leadership positions, taught group classes, and provided behavior consulting services for clients. In 2021 he acquire...

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  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,...

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  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...

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  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...

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  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...

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  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...

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  Jennifer Wilmes

  CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, Approved Evaluator for American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen test

  SW Metro, MN

  Jennifer has been a Certified Professional Dog Trainer since 2015 as well as managed her own positive reinforcement training business. She became Certified Behavior Consultant Canine and Fear Free Certified in 2018. She is a Professional Member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and a Supporting Member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She has a passi...

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  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 ...

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  Denise Nord

  Protection/guard dog training, Reactive dog training

  Denise has been training and competing with dogs for over 25 years. She has competed in obedience with multiple dogs. She has been teaching puppy classes for over 20 years. Her obedience and puppy classes are based on proven positive training methods. Denise also trains and competes in agility, nosework, lure coursing, tracking, conformation and rally.

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  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.

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  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...

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• 

  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...

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