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The Best Dog Trainers for Protection/Guard Dog Training in Charlotte, NC of 2024

David Adams photo

David Adams

July 10, 2024

Dog Trainers

Welcome to the Sniffspot list of top-rated dog trainers for Protection/guard dog training in Charlotte, NC. Based on feedback and votes from our Protection/guard dog training community, we've curated a list of top-rated trainers in the Charlotte area.

  • Travis Burch Photo

    Travis Burch

    Puppy training, Herding training, Protection/guard dog training, In home training

    Spending his childhood romping through the woods with his golden retriever, Tubbs, Travis found 2 of his greatest passions: Animals and the Outdoors. Entrepreneurial at heart, Travis earned his MBA from Gardner Webb University, specializing in Tourism and Hospitality. Spurred on by 2 years at a guest ranch in Montana, Travis loves helping people disconnect from their stress-filled lives and rec...


  • Emma Italiano Photo

    Emma Italiano

    Agility training, Deaf dog training, Protection/guard dog training, In home training

    Emma was born and raised in North Carolina and has had a passion for animals since she was a young girl. She grew up around dogs, cats, horses, and goats, and always knew that she wanted to work with animals.

    Emma has over a decade of experience working with dogs. She has worked with local breeders and raised puppies for service work as well as assisting in service dog training. She ...


  • Kelly Jordan Photo

    Kelly Jordan

    Agility training, Puppy training, Protection/guard dog training

    Originally from Albemarle, NC, Kelly grew up with dogs and had her first 'adult pet' in college. Now she has two Brittanys with endless energy and big personalities.Kelly was introduced to Highland Canine when she was looking for some help with basic obedience for her oldest pup, Bene. He went through their three week Board and Train program and she immediately saw amazing results.A year later ...


  • Katrina Kensington Photo

    Katrina Kensington

    Agility training, Puppy training, Protection/guard dog training, In home training

    Hey there, I'm Katrina Kensington and I love training dogs and the humans who own them. Training dogs isn't just about teaching them to sit, place and come when called, to me it is so much more. It is about developing a relationship that will be valued and enjoyed life long with your furry friend. It is about being a leader, a coach, an advocate and a bestie for your dog. I want to teach you ho...


  • Phillip Kensington Photo

    Phillip Kensington

    Agility training, Puppy training, Protection/guard dog training, In home training

    I didn't grow up with dogs but I have always loved animals and found a unique connection with dogs more than people in many ways. I always found comfort in being around dogs and still do to this day. Katrina introduced me to canine training in 2014. We always believed in helping people and living life to the fullest so we started KeenDog to reflect those principles and passions. I grew up aroun...


  • Molly Kuekes Photo

    Molly Kuekes

    Agility training, Puppy training, Protection/guard dog training, In home training

    Hi! My name is Molly and I'm so excited to be a part of the KeenDog Training team!My passion for dog training started when I was in undergrad. I completed two internships with different police department canine units in North Carolina , Mooresville PD and Raleigh PD ‚ to complete my degree in Criminology and Sociology. My intent was to become a police canine handler. I ultimately didn't go down...


  • Maureen Link Photo

    Maureen Link

    Puppy training, Herding training, Protection/guard dog training, In home training

    My interest lies in helping people understand how dogs learn, what communicates safety and respect to a dog and what could accidentally create fear or anxiety for a dog. After many years of fostering countless dogs. it frequently seemed to be a misunderstanding on the humans part about why the dog was behaving the way they do. I started my journey with dog training to advance my own knowledge b...


  • Morgan Listebarger Photo

    Morgan Listebarger

    Agility training, Deaf dog training, Protection/guard dog training, In home training

    Morgan is our Social Media Coordinator and is also known as the 'Pup-arazzi'. She is responsible for our filming, photography, and editing. She makes sure your pup looks great on camera! Morgan got her start in media relations while pursuing a degree in mass media communications at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. While working towards her degree, she managed social media account...


  • Kat Minerva Photo

    Kat Minerva

    Agility training, Puppy training, Protection/guard dog training, In home training

    Hi! My name is Kat and I like dogs!I've worked with dogs for almost 10 years and am still amazed I can make a career out of something I love so much! I got my start in the dog world in 2012 while I was still in college. I dabbled in dog training while working for a boarding/training facility but I wasn't too keen (see what I did there) on the methods used. So, I decided to see what else was out...


  • Connor Phillips Photo

    Connor Phillips

    Aggressive dog training, Agility training, Herding training, Protection/guard dog training, In home training

    Hi! My name is Connor Phillips. I have been training with Through The Leash for over 2 years and had been handling dogs for several years prior to joining the team. I've had a love and passion about caring for animals for my entire life, but after training dogs these last 2 years I know this is what I want to spend the rest of my life doing. After joining the team in Charlotte, I have been able...


  • Jenna Rabel Photo

    Jenna Rabel

    Agility training, Puppy training, Protection/guard dog training, In home training

    Jenna started her training journey like most trainers. She added a dog to her family and wanted to set him up for success so she reached out to KeenDog for help. She did not grow up around dogs and wanted to ensure she was doing everything right to live life to the fullest with her canine companion. She ended up falling in love with dog training. A few years later she decided to leave her offic...


  • Lilly Staudt Photo

    Lilly Staudt

    Agility training, Puppy training, Protection/guard dog training, In home training

    Lilly's love for animals started at a very young age. When her family hired a professional dog trainer to come to their house weekly to train their puppy when she was 12, she ran with the information presented to her and started exercising her new found love for dog training. She began volunteering at rescues- fostering dogs, dog walking, and pet sitting. After receiving her BS in Exercise Scie...


  • Nicole Sudol Photo

    Nicole Sudol

    Agility training, Puppy training, Protection/guard dog training, In home training

    Hi there! My name is Nicole and my story started like many other trainers. I remember feeling a little bored when I was sitting in my college orientation and, with my love for knowledge, I knew something was up and I wasn't on the right path. I decided to take on my dream of working with animals, dogs in particular (of course!), and join an online program to become a trainer.Then came Sage, my ...


  • Drew Thomason Photo

    Drew Thomason

    Agility training, Puppy training, Protection/guard dog training, In home training

    Trainer Drew turned his lifelong obsession with dogs into a training career in 2012. Since then he has coached countless owners towards reaching their dog's full potential. He thrives on finding that 'lightbulb momen' for both dog and owner in every training session, hoping to spread the joy in learning and building behaviors.He has three dogs: Luna, the mutt that started it all, Ginger, an Air...


  • Clinton Valentine Photo

    Clinton Valentine

    Agility training, Deaf dog training, Protection/guard dog training, In home training

    Originally from the city of Orange, New Jersey, Clinton's early years were spent exploring the woods of the Poconos Mountains, which sparked an interest and love for animals and nature. Clinton has over eight years of professional animal care experience, working with a wide array animals in various settings, ranging from big cats and wild canids, to other exotics such as non-venomous and venomo...


  • Kress Walters Photo

    Kress Walters

    Agility training, Puppy training, Protection/guard dog training

    Kress utilizes quick and easy methods for training and teaching pet dog owners. His approach is simple, teach dog owners how to understand and properly communicate with their dogs to create a positive, productive and lasting relationship. Some of the methods of dog training utilized for teaching dogs include Clicker Training, Positive Reinforcement and motivational skills training, as well as r...


  • Rachel Williams Photo

    Rachel Williams

    Agility training, Puppy training, Protection/guard dog training, In home training

    Hey, hey! Rachel Williams here, and let me just say if you're looking for a team of amazing individuals that all share the same fiery passion for training dogs, then look no further. I'm more proud to be a member of the KeenDog team than ever before. I started my training journey when I worked for a franchise dog daycare and boarding facility back in 2015. I loved spending my days surrounded by...


Sniffspot’s top-rated list of dog trainers for Protection/guard dog training in Charlotte, NC is based on rankings from our community of dog owners as well as the general public. For Protection/guard dog training, we received 0 total votes, resulting in 17 dog trainers who focus on Protection/guard dog training. Our top-ranked dog trainers are listed in order of votes, with the top-ranked trainer for Protection/guard dog training listed first.

Dog trainers for Protection/guard dog training on this list are certified by CPDT-KA, FDM, or another trusted organization. We're proud to feature Travis Burch, who has been voted the top dog trainer for Protection/guard dog training in Charlotte, NC.

At Sniffspot, we prioritize trust and expertise. Travis Burch, as well as the other dog trainers on this Protection/guard dog training list, ensures they bring the highest standards of care and training to your dog.

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See The Best Trainers For Protection/Guard Dog Training In Other Cities Near Charlotte


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Frequently Asked Questions About Protection/Guard Dog Training in Charlotte, North Carolina

How can I get in touch with these dog trainers?

Each of the trainer profiles contains a link to their website. You can click through to their website where you can find more contact information.

Are these dog trainers certified professionals?

Each dog trainers certifications are listed in their profile. Dog training is not regulated at the federal or state level, so there is no standard dog training certification. However, many private institutions offer certifications. Some of the top certifications in the dog training industry are CPDT- KA, IAABC, Karen Pryor Academy - KPA certification, Jean Donaldson's Academy - CTC certification and Fear Free Certification.

What methods do these dog trainers teach?

There are many methods for teaching dogs. All of the trainers included on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used. You can see more information in each trainer’s profile regarding their training specialties.

How much do these dog trainers cost?

Dog trainers have a wide range of costs for different services. We recommend first picking a trainer that provides the services that you are looking for, then reaching out to them to get up to date pricing.

Is training a dog good for the dog?

Yes! Training has many benefits for dogs. Going through a training process with your dog can improve the bond that you share with them. Also, training can do a lot to improve the confidence of a dog; it gives them more certainty that they understand how the world around them works. And lastly, it’s just fun for the dog and for you. Training can be very stimulating and enriching for a dog.

Can an aggressive dog be trained?

Yes! Any dog behavior can be worked on through training. Aggression is a serious issue, but it is also a term that is used very broadly. Many dogs that are thought to be aggressive are actually reactive, which is a different behavior altogether. If you believe you have an aggressive dog, we recommend reaching out to one of your local top trainers to get their diagnosis and advice.

I am a trainer. How can I get listed here?

We update this list once per year, normally starting in January. Make sure to keep an eye on our social media and sign up for email updates with Sniffspot in order to be in the loop on the next round of nominations.

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David Adams photo

David Adams

July 10, 2024

Dog Trainers

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