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The Best Dog Trainers in Portland, OR of 2024

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David Adams

July 10, 2024

Dog Trainers

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

  • Kaia Wilson Photo

    Kaia Wilson

    CPDT-KA, FDM

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

    I primarily serve Portland, Oregon, with brief stints in Los Angeles and Eugene

    I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)(FDM Family Dog Mediator) who has been working with dogs professionally since 2013. I have high hopes for changing the way people see and understand our (captive) canine comrades!
    My mission as a dog trainer is to provide human dog guardians with a clear understanding of how dogs learn, techniques and protocols for affecting behavior using...


  • Lorenzo JW Fox Photo

    Lorenzo JW Fox

    CPDT-KA, SAPT, FDM, Fear Free

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

    Portland, OR & remote training (anywhere)

    Lorenzo grew up on a petting zoo and cattle farm in Kentucky surrounded by a variety of animals- everything from camels and coatimundis, to arctic foxes and water buffalo. He obtained his BA from Portland State University in 2012, and then dove into the world of behavior.

    After nearly a decade of working with kids, teens, and young adults in adventure guiding, wilderness therapy, juven...


  • Christina Perez Photo

    Christina Perez

    CPDT- KA

    Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training

    Portland

    I am a PNW native who has been training dogs in Portland for 13 years. I work for Wonder Puppy- Puppy Parenting Center, in NW Portland. I have a teenage rescue Border Collie Mix puppy named Fern, who is my best teacher and adventure buddy. I love helping people get through puppyhood by seeing behavior from their dog's perspective, having realistic expectations of what their dog is capable of ba...


  • Christina Gray Photo

    Christina Gray

    IAABC-ADT, FDM, Ph.D.

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

    The two-legged heart behind GHK9, Christina's worked professionally with dogs for 10+ years as a private trainer, reactivity specialist, board-and-train provider, class instructor, puppy playgroup leader and consultant. She loves behavior science, animal rescue and coaching humans as well as dogs. Her heart belongs to her Rhodesian Ridgebacks


  • Heidi VanDerVoorn Photo

    Heidi VanDerVoorn

    KPA, CPDT-KA

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

    Portland - Multnomah and Washington Counties

    Heidi, CPDT-KA, KPA has worked professionally with dogs for the past 2 years as a private trainer, puppy group consultant, and day trainer at Noble Woof. She is extremely knowledgeable in adolescent and puppy behavior, with a passion for R+ behavior science. Prior to becoming a dog trainer she was immersed in the corporate world, managing global events and field marketing programs for compani...


  • Brie Blakeman Photo

    Brie Blakeman

    CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA

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

    Multnomah County

    Brie Blakeman, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, is a certified professional behavior consultant and dog trainer. She is also a board member of the acclaimed Whole Dog Academy Dog Training School, and member of the Pet Professional Guild. Brie started her professional career as a full time coach for the Training and Behavior Department at The Oregon Humane Society. It was during her time there she discovered a...


  • Kate Johnson Photo

    Kate Johnson

    CPDT-KA, CFDM

    Puppy dog training, In home dog training

    Portland Metro

    As a certified professional trainer, Kate prides herself in continually expanding her knowledge of dog behavior and training techniques through obtaining certifications, attending workshops and conferences, reading the latest literature and networking with colleagues to remain on the cutting edge of the science of dog behavior.Kate is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPD...


  • Hayley Martinez Photo

    Hayley Martinez

    IAABC-ADT, FFCP, Predation Substitute Training Instructor, Aggression in Dogs Master Course

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

    Portland Metro Area, Multnomah and Washington County

    Hayley Martinez is a multi-certified dog trainer who has worked with dogs professionally since 2005. She opened Nakama Dog Training in 2016 and is a co-founder of the advocacy group Force Free Oregon. She has a passion for helping dogs with severe fears and frustrations so they can live a happy life with their families.
    Hayley is committed to continuing her education and most recently becam...


  • Sara McLoudrey Photo

    Sara McLoudrey

    Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) CPDT-KSA Fear Free Certified Professional Trainer and Level 1 Elite Low Stress Handling Silver Certified Pet End of Life Doula TagTeach Level 3 FitPaws Master Trainer

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

    Virtual Consultant based in Portland, OR I do offer some in-person classes and follow-up behavior modification in the Portland metro area

    Sara McLoudrey owns Decisive Moment Pet Consulting and has been a professional dog trainer since 2004. Sara is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC with IAABC), CPDT-KSA, Fear Free Certified Professional Level 1 Elite and Certified Trainer, Low-Stress Handling Certified, Pet End of Life Doula, FitPaws Master Trainer, and TagTeach Level 3. For Sara, it is inspiring to help continue and prom...


  • Oregon Humane Society Photo

    Oregon Humane Society

    CPDT-KA

    Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training

    Portland and Salem Metropolitan areas

    Our trainers are Certified Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT) or working towards their certification. You can find out more about them here - https://www.oregonhumane.org/meet-the-trainers/


  • Torie Silletto Photo

    Torie Silletto

    CTC (Certificate in Training & Counseling), PCBC-A (Professional Canine Behavior Consultant-Accredited), CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed), Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer

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

    Portland, OR and virtual sessions nationwide

    As a lifelong animal welfare advocate, I never have and never will use pain or fear to make a dog behave. It has been unequivocally proven by decades of research that dogs who enjoy training, and trust their trainer, behave better. I began my career with the San Francisco SPCA Behavior & Training team, where I worked extensively and exclusively with the most challenging shelter dogs. I also spe...


  • Dawn Jansen Photo

    Dawn Jansen

    Certified Tellington TTouch Instructor

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

    Beaverton, Hillsboro, Forest Grove, Tigard, Tualatin, Sherwood, Portland Metro Area, Vancouver

    Dawn was led to the Tellington TTouch® work in 2001 by her rescue Doberman, Chris. Chris was a large, red Doberman who was a gentle soul, and not very confident around other dogs. Someone suggested to Dawn that she try the Tellington TTouch® Training Method, so she found a weekend workshop and was so amazed by the change in Chris in just 2 days, that she signed up for a week-long training. ...


  • Patty Bensene Photo

    Patty Bensene

    CPDT-KA

    Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, Agility dog training

    Multnomah, Marion, Washington, Clackamas County, OR. Clark County , WA

    I've been training for over 25 years, companion obedience, puppy and behavior classes. The last 15 years has been mainly focused on all aspects of agility including serious competition and relationship building.


  • Angela Grey Photo

    Angela Grey

    CPDT-KA

    Puppy dog training, Board and train dog training

    I'm a dog trainer, lifelong dog-lover, and puppy enthusiast. My love for dogs began when I was a very young child and blossomed when I received a wonderful book about dogs from a dear family friend on my ninth birthday (thanks, Deb!). It was from that moment that I knew I wanted to work with dogs, but wasn't sure which path to pursue. It wasn't until my beloved Pit Bull, Bones, entered my life ...


  • Casey Newton Photo

    Casey Newton

    Puppy dog training

    Greater Portland Area

    Casey is the founder and owner of Wonder Puppy. She is a national-award winner in the field of dog training; an internationally-recognized expert and speaker on canine behavior and training for the Association of Professional Dog Trainers; and the Curriculum Director for Whole Dog Academy, a non-profit dedicated to improving the human-canine bond.


  • Robynn Harris Photo

    Robynn Harris

    Certified Canine Fitness Trainer, Certified End-Of-Life Companion Animal Doula, Licensed Pet Partners Instructor, AKC CGC Evaluator, AKC Fit Dog Instructor, Animal Chaplain

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

    Greater Gresham Area, Portland Metro

    Have you ever heard a dog trainer say something like, I hate people. If I could only work with the dog I would be so much happier.? I have. And it really hurt my feelings. After all, I was, and am, a person who often needs help training my dogs.I love dogs. And cats. And really all animals. I especially love people. I have always struggled with the moniker, dog trainer, because while I do train...


  • Terri Ferarrio Photo

    Terri Ferarrio

    CPDT-KA

    Puppy dog training

    years training professionally 9 certifications + such CPDT-KA/Certified Professional Dog Trainer–Knowledge Assessedgraduate, Whole Dog Academymember, Pet Professional Guildevaluator, AKC/American Kennel Club Canine Good CitizenAmerican Red Cross Pet First Aid/CPR Certificate classes Social Puppy \| Day Camp \| Good/Great Puppyspecialties early canine socialization + training \| play education \...


  • Jenna Kirby Photo

    Jenna Kirby

    Co-Owner, Certified Professional Dog Trainer

    Puppy dog training, Board and train dog training

    Dogs have always been a part Jenna's life, though a career working with them was not the original plan. While Jenna worked her way to a degree from Portland State University, she worked in local dog training and daycare facilities, where she discovered that her interests in skills aligned working with dogs and she was certified in 2006. She loves helping owners better connect with their dogs to...


  • Lisa Plymale Photo

    Lisa Plymale

    Agility dog training

    Before starting Happy-Go-Lucky in 1999, Lisa trained atanother positive-style training facility and worked with elementary school students as a sign language interpreter. She's been teaching a variety of classes and doing private lessons for more than 20 years now. Lisa continues her education in the field by regularly attending classes, herding and agility lessons, and seminars – not to mentio...


  • Meaghan Summerbell Photo

    Meaghan Summerbell

    KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, CTDI, CGC EVALUATOR

    Board and train dog training

    Meaghan is an all around Dog-Guru. Raised by Akitas, they were prepped for a life in the animal training industry since birth. With a background in daycare, boarding & training, Meaghan has worked with thousands of dogs over the last 7 years, with hundreds of dog breeds and mixes. Their training experience extends to cats, horses, goats, and more!

    Meghan is a Certified Professional Do...


  • Timothy Thai Photo

    Timothy Thai

    Animal Behavior Assistant

    Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, Off leash dog training

    Timothy Thai worked very closely with renowned Animal Behaviorist Dr. Sophia Yin (DVM, MS) at U.C Davis. What started off as a 3 month internship became a full time paid job after Timothy showed his dedication to rehabilitating dogs a priority in his life. Working 8+ hours a day alongside Dr. Sophia Yin, 40 hours a week, was one of the best education experiences I could ever ask for.'' We took ...


  • Hannah Blumenfeld Photo

    Hannah Blumenfeld

    CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA

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

    Portland, Oregon

    Pup Star Training provides personalized dog training and behavior consulting using humane, force-free methods in order to enhance the relationship between guardians and their dogs.


  • Doug Duncan Photo

    Doug Duncan

    CTC, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA

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

    NE, SE, North Portland, Oregon. Beaverton, Gresham, Lake Oswego. Vancouver, WA.

    I started dog training after attending the Academy for Dog Trainers with Jean Donaldson. I've worked with many trainers all over the world, and have learned from many people and dogs over the more than 15 years I've been training. I own and operate Doggy Business Dog Training in Portland, Oregon where I work with fearful, anxious, and aggressive behaviors in dogs.


  • Katrin Greim Photo

    Katrin Greim

    MA, CTC, CPDT-KA

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

    Portland and surrounding areas

    Katrin Greim, MA, CTC, CPDT-KA, is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge-Assessed and the owner and founder of Plucky Puppy. She received her Certificate in Training and Counseling with honors from the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers in 2007. She also graduated from the Canine Behavior Academy at the Marin Humane Society. In addition to providing private training, behavior...


  • Mia Bonadonna Photo

    Mia Bonadonna

    M.Sc., CCS, CPDT-KA

    Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training

    Mia is a clinical animal behaviorist offering humane, evidence-based support for companion animals and their guardians.



    In addition to formal education from California State University (Los Angeles), the University of Edinburgh School of Veterinary Studies, and the Northwest School of Canine Studies in Seattle, she is certified by national organizations including the Certifi...


  • Brittany Jacobsen Photo

    Brittany Jacobsen

    BCBA, CTBC, CSAT, Fear Free Certified

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

    Brittany is a co-founder of BAE dogs. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who has been working in the field of applied behavior analysis and behavior modification with children since 2009. Brittany completed a dog training internship at the Dog Training Internship Academy in San Francisco, where she learned to train dogs using evidence based force free methods and graduated with a ...


  • Terri Spaeth-Merrick Photo

    Terri Spaeth-Merrick

    CNWI (NACSW Certified Nose Work Instructor)

    Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas.

    Terri has been involved in nose work since 2009. She recalls seeing a small poster advertising classes: K9 Nose Work, a great activity for reactive dogs. At the time having a young working-lines dog who was very reactive to other dogs was a challenge, all her goals of working titles seemed far out of reach. She signed up for the class immediately with both of her dogsone reactive and one goo...


Welcome to Portland’s list of top dog trainers. The Portland, Oregon list is based on 695 votes from the Oregon Sniffspot community. Only the Portland dog trainers with the top number of votes made this list. Trainers are ordered by number of votes, with Kaia Wilson at the top of this list with 103 votes. We also counted 2323 votes for Oregon, with the remaining trainers listed outside of Portland.

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

Portland dog trainer services include:

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

Behind every successful Portland training session lies a passionate professional. Kaia Wilson shares why they chose this path: I became a dog trainer because I love dogs and I wanted to help improve the quality of their lives in our human households.. All 27 trainers on this Portland list are committed to positive reinforcement. Trusted Portland trainer, Lorenzo JW Fox, uses the following methods: Wrap-around care and consultation w/ board-certified veterinary behaviorist; hands-on cooperative care and husbandry training; in-depth behavior health assessments to inform training plan; detailed plans including videos, written instructions, and communication with trainer between sessions; robust referral program for further health assessment related to behavior modification; flexible remote and in-person training; full online client portal to access all training plans and veterinary behavior information.

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

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See The Best Dog Trainers In Other Cities Near Portland

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


See The Best Dog Trainers By Type In Portland


FAQ: Top Dog Training Services in Portland, Oregon

How were the best dog trainers in Portland, Oregon selected?

We gathered 695 votes from local dog owners to identify the top trainers in Portland. These trainers, including Kaia Wilson, are experts in Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, and other diverse areas of training and offer tailored services in Portland to meet your dog’s needs.

What services does Kaia Wilson provide in Portland?

In Portland, Kaia Wilson specializes in offering Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training. Their services are designed to address a variety of behavioral issues, including: I love working with sensitive/fearful dogs and building confidence and a sense of security. I'm often working with leash reactivity, neophobia, separation distress and more..

What are the qualifications of Portland’s top dog trainers?

Kaia Wilson and other leading trainers in Portland hold certifications such as CPDT-KA, CPDT-KA, FDM, CBCC-KA, IAABC-ADT, which demonstrate their commitment to excellence in Portland dog training.

What is the most important tip from Kaia Wilson?

According to Kaia Wilson, the key to successful training is ENRICHMENT, find out what enriches and nourishes your dog and provide them opportunities for those things, and your training/behavior modification goals will be so much easier to achieve..

Why are these trainers the best choice for dog owners in Portland?

Kaia Wilson and others in Portland are the best choice for dog owners because of their specialized services, including Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, Off leash dog training and Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training. Their methods are effective in helping dogs overcome behavioral challenges.

How do Portland dog trainers stay up-to-date with training techniques?

Trainers in Portland regularly participate in continuing education and certification programs, such as CPDT-KA, CPDT-KA, FDM, CBCC-KA, IAABC-ADT, to ensure they are providing the most effective and current training methods. Kaia Wilson and their colleagues also frequently work with animals at Portland shelters, rescues, and so on.

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David Adams photo

David Adams

July 10, 2024

Dog Trainers

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    Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Considered a medium-sized dog, American Staffordshire Terriers were originally bred in the United Kingdom for baiting bulls, fighting, and hunting beginning in the 1800s — though they're known as gentle, playful lovers today.

  • Explore the Australian Shepherd: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners thumbnail

    Explore the Australian Shepherd: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners

    Discover the Australian Shepherd, a breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were originally bred in the United States for herding beginning in the 1950s.

Top dog names in the US

  • Top 1,000 Most Popular Dog Names thumbnail

    Top 1,000 Most Popular Dog Names

    Looking for the perfect dog name for your new pup? We have created filterable lists of dog names from our database of hundreds of thousands of Sniffspot users. You can filter by gender, breed and state to find the most cute, unique and creative dog names.
  • Most Popular Male Dog Names thumbnail

    Most Popular Male Dog Names

    Looking for the perfect dog name for your new male pup? We have created filterable lists of male dog names from our database of hundreds of thousands of Sniffspot users. You can filter by gender, breed and state to find the most cute, unique and creative male dog names.
  • Most Popular Female Dog Names thumbnail

    Most Popular Female Dog Names

    Looking for the perfect dog name for your new female pup? We have created filterable lists of female dog names from our database of hundreds of thousands of Sniffspot users. You can filter by gender, breed and state to find the most cute, unique and creative female dog names.
  • Most Popular Golden Retriever Names thumbnail

    Most Popular Golden Retriever Names

    Welcome to our comprehensive list of Golden Retriever dog names, curated from our vast database of Sniffspot users. Filter through hundreds of thousands of options by gender, breed, and state to discover the most adorable, original, and imaginative names for your beloved Golden Retriever.
  • Most Popular Labrador Retriever Names thumbnail

    Most Popular Labrador Retriever Names

    Welcome to our Labrador Retriever dog names page! Here you can browse through filterable lists of names for your beloved furry friend, ranging from cute and classic to unique and creative options. Our database of hundreds of thousands of Sniffspot users ensures you'll find the perfect name for your Labrador Retriever, whether you're seeking a name for a male or female, based on breed or state.