The Best Dog Trainers in North Carolina of 2026

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

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  Comora Tolliver

  KPA CTP, FDM

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

  Hendersonville

  I help families navigate their world with the canine companions they love. I teach owners how to set their dogs up for success and reach their goals using humane, science based training strategies based on the individual. I also offer puppy, cgc, manners, and reactive dog classes.
  
  Certifications: KPA CTP, Fear Free Certified, AKC EVALUATOR, Family Dog Mediator

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  Caitlin Morrow

  CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, Fear Free Certified Professional, Registered Vet Tech - NC, Service Dog Coach, mentor trainer for CATCH Academy & Animal Behavior College

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

  Haywood County, Buncombe County, Franklin County, Candler, Canton, Asheville, West Asheville, Waynesville, Balsam, Cruso, Sylva, Biltmore Lake

  Caitlin Morrow, head trainer for Behavior Tails, achieved her first dog training credential in 2007. After spending over a 15 years working in Western North Carolina, Caitlin knows most of the local veterinarians and vet techs and comes highly recommended by other dog trainers, past clients and the veterinarian community. Caitlin is a positive reinforcement based dog trainer that adheres to LIM...

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  Rebecca Gridley

  Veterinary Behaviorist Recommended

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

  Raleigh/Cary/Durham/Chapel hill and surrounding areas in NC as well as Clarksville/Chase City, VA and ANYWHERE with internet (including internationally!)

  What do you do when you have tried everything? It seems like things get better one day, but the next, things go two steps back. This struggle is something I have lived through and made me the trainer I am today. My own special needs rescue dogs had so many things going on. What started as just some simple frustration behaviors at first became full-blown behavior. Everything that is touted as a ...

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  SAM Selim

  IAABC, ABC, Animal Behavior Science, Aggression & Reactivity, Behavior Modification Training

  Aggressive dog training, Protection/guard dog training, Reactive dog training, Agility training, In home training, Off leash training, Puppy training

  JOHNSTON COUNTY, Clayton & Surrounding Areas

  I am a 35-Year Veteran of Corporate world, as a Global Technology Executive, and a Boyscout from Childhood. My love for the Outdoors, Wilderness, Animals and Travels - has always been at the center of my Core & Spirit. I have stood in the Front & Center of many "Impressive" Boardrooms... closing major deals.. but at the end of every day - my biggest joy was standing in the middle of a Forest, o...

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  Diana Blanchard

  KPA-CTP

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

  Piedmont Triad of North Carolina in person and anywhere for remote training

  Diana Blanchard has been involved with animals and animal rescue for her entire adult life. She is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner and has a Master's degree in nonprofit management. With her training and business skills combined, she has helped start and run multiple training centers, including her own company, Imagine Canine Academy. Teaching owners to bond with their dogs thr...

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  Marsha Penner

  KPA-CTP CPDT-KA FFCP

  Reactive dog training, Puppy training

  Durham

  I am behavioral neuroscientist with a specialization in
  the neurobiology of learning and memory. My interest and research into how organisms learn and remember ultimately led me to the wonderful world of dog training, which I now does full-time. I am the owner of Learning to Dog Training and Enrichment in Durham, where I do private lessons, group classes, and puppy school. I am certified th...

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  Hannah Branigan

  With the belief that everyone (dogs and humans alike) learn best in an environment free of criticism, Hannah breaks down complex skills into bite-sized, accessible pieces, and develops practical techniques that leave her students with a sense of achievement and success. She is on a mission to make training effective + enjoyable for dogs and their handlers, which means optimizing positive reinfo...

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  Trish McMillan

  certified professional dog trainer (through CCPDT), certified dog behavior consultant and associate certified cat behavior consultant (through IAABC) who holds a Master's degree in Animal Behavior from the University of Exeter in England

  Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training

  Trish McMillan is a certified professional dog trainer (through CCPDT), certified dog behavior consultant and associate certified cat behavior consultant (through IAABC) who holds a Master's degree in Animal Behavior from the University of Exeter in England. She specializes in training and behavior modification work using positive reinforcement with dogs, cats, and horses.During her seven yea...

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  Kim Brophey

  CPDT-KA CDBC LFDM

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

  Asheville, NC and Western North Carolina as well as virtual training internationally

  Kim Brophey, CDBC, CPDT-KA, is an applied ethologist and owner of The Dog Door Behavior Center in downtown Asheville, NC. Kim's 20-year commitment to Family Dog Mediation® has been recognized both nationally and locally, awarded the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) Outstanding Trainer of the Year in 2009 and the Best Dog Trainer of WNC six years in a row. She has lectured and ta...

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  Susan Krieg

  Trained and mentored under Dr. Ian Dunbar, DVM, well-known for his positive animal training methodology. I also worked with Dr. Barbara Sherman, DVM of NC State University. I am a member of APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) and a certified Evaluator with the AKC (American Kennel Club) for Canine Good Citizen, and STAR Puppy Evaluation (Socialization, Training, Activity, & Responsible Owner).

  Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training

  After many years working with veterinarians, training facilities, grooming salons, and animal rescue organizations, in 2014 I opened Paws 4 Peace in Louisburg, North Carolina. My training techniques are derived from a holistic and compassionate perspective. I have found the use of positive approach training to be the most effective and creates long lasting results. Understanding the subtle nua...

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  Joanne Ometz

  CPDT-KA, Turid Rugaas Certified, MSW

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

  Durham, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough,

  My work centers on companion dogs and helping them live well in a human world. I have been educated through Turid Rugaas, the Karen Pryor professional course, and Suzanne Clothier's Treat/Retreat technique for dogs who are socially awkward with people. I also have a Masters Degree in Social Work. I am passionate about both my work and the many opportunities to learn and improve my knowledge and...

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  Lisa Waggoner

  Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer, Pat Miller Certified Trainer Lever 2

  Off leash training, Puppy training

  Our virtual training spans the globe

  Lisa Lyle Waggoner is a passionate advocate for humane, science-based, force-free dog training. She's the author of The Original Rocket Recall‚Ñ¢: Teach Your Dog to Come. She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, a Pat Miller Certified Trainer-Level 2, Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer, and a faculty member of the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training and Behavior....

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  Logan Buie

  KPA-CTP, SA Pro Trainer

  Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training

  Remote only

  I am a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner and Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer. I have a soft spot for dogs who are labeled fearful, anxious, or reactive. My training plans always focus on meeting a dog's needs (as well as the human's) to help them feel safe and confident in this wild world. My training plans also focus on allowing dogs to have choice and agency in the learning process.

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  Shannon Burch

  She holds certification from the Animal Behavior College (ABCDT) and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA).

  Board and train, In home training, Puppy training

  Charlotte, Lake Wylie, Belmont, Gastonia, and Fort Mill areas

  After spending 10 years in the equine training industry, Shannon made the transition to dog training in 2014. She saw a great need for educated trainers with powerful and accessible tools for everyday dog owners to communicate with their pets. She holds certification from the Animal Behavior College (ABCDT) and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA).
  
  Sha...

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  Pia Silvani

  Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) Certified Canine Behavior Consultant (CCBC)

  Pia Silvani has been teaching for over 30 years starting with dance, track and field, and swimming where her accomplishments and achievements were internationally recognized. But she found her true calling in coaching and teaching dogs and even cats, where she continues to receive international recognition and accolades in the many programs she has developed. Pia recently settled into a new an...

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  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...

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  Heather Polechio

  CPDT-KA, CTC, FPPE, Licensed Educator

  Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training

  Heather is a native of the Asheville area and shares her home in Asheville, NC with her four dogs, Cosmo, a 15 yr old German Shepherd mix, Sage, a 10 yr old American Bulldog, Otchot, a 9 year old Shiloh Shepherd and Molly, a 3 year old Jack Russell Terrier, who keeps her on her game!Heather was an honors graduate in 2009 from the California based, San Francisco Academy for Dog Trainers and Beha...

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  🎤 Michele Godlevski

  Certified Canine Behavior Consultant, Certified Professional Dog Trainer

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

  Raleigh, Wake Forest, Youngsville, Knightdale, Louisburg

  Michele Godlevski
  ACDBC, CBCC-KA, C.C. CPDT-KA, B.S
  Founder and Owner of Teamworks Dog Training
  Associate Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (ACDBC),
  Certified Behavior Consultant (Canine) – Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA),
  SFSPCA Academy Certified Canine Behavior Counselor (CC),
  Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT – KA),
  National Association of...

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  Cheryl Connolly

  Karen Pryor CTP, Fear Free, ABC-DT.

  Deaf dog training, Service dog training, Agility training, Board and train, In home training, Puppy training

  South Charlotte, Union County

  Force free, fear free positive reinforcement only trainer.

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  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...

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See The Best Dog Trainers By City In North Carolina

• Asheville, NC
• Chapel Hill, NC
• Charlotte, NC
• Concord, NC
• Durham, NC
• Greensboro, NC
• Hickory, NC
• Raleigh, NC

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