This is a list of the top dog trainers in Cleveland, OH, based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public.
CPDT-KA, RVT
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training, Puppy training
Geauga, Lake, Cuyahoga, Ashtabula county, Chardon, Mentor, Willoughby, Eastlake, Middlefield, Painesville, Chesterland, Kirtland, Chagrin Falls, and surrounding areas
I started my career as an animal trainer in 2005 at a wildlife center. There I used clicker training to teach raccoons to patiently wait on their stations for food rather than climbing up on the keeper's legs. I became hooked on dog training when I used the clicker working with my reactive dog, Marvin, who needed me to step up my game. I am a registered veterinary technician (RVT) with over 16 ...
Puppy training, Deaf dog training
I am a graduate of Karen Pryor Academy's Certified Training Partner program (Certification # 76392). Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) is widely acknowledged as an exceptional and intensive training program available to professional dog trainers. Founded by world-renowned trainer and author, Karen Pryor, this rigorous program sets its graduates apart from other dog training programs in the industry. Ad...
Volunteer work and life experience as pertains to dog training, handling and husbandry.1990-1996 Member: Erie County 4-H, Dogs Hounds and Mutts Club Sandusky, Ohio 44870 Trained personal dog earning Reserve Champion and other awards for Show at County Fair. Assisted other club members in the training and preparation for dog show in obedience and showmanship.1998-2001 The Retriever Barn, H...
Denise is a United States Air Force Veteran, born and raised in the Cleveland Ohio area. In the Air Force she worked in the ASSIST program, where her main responsibility was to train and solve problems. Over 20 years in the customer service industry as a Area Director, and also a current Realtor for fun, she also trained and fought MMA and studied Brazilian Ju-Jitzu and Boxing.
Her p...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Protection/guard dog training, Reactive dog training
Ron Dorazio, head trainer at Rapid Results, has been training dogs since the 1970s (since 2002 professionally) and is certified as a 'No Limitations Dog Trainer' by Fred Hassan's Sit Means Sit School for Dog Trainers in Las Vegas, Nevada.The Rapid Results TrainingThe Rapid Results method of dog training not only works, but is also fast, affordable, and easy to learn. No more chasing your dog ar...
Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, In home training
Tina's volunteer work as a docent at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is what inspired her to pursue her training certification. After watching how zookeepers applied the principles of positive reinforcement to set some very large, strong, and wild animals up for success when doing animal husbandry, she thought, 'We can certainly do this with dogs too!' Tina actively volunteers at a community dog ...
Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, In home training
Alisa Gerasimov is an honor graduate of the Animal Behavior College's Dog Training Program and AKC Evaluator. Alisa avidly pursues continuing education and professional development by attending APDT seminars and keeping current on research and training in this evolving field.Alisa grew up in Ukraine, where she spent years socializing feral dogs and successfully teaching them to safely coexist a...
Puppy training, In home training
Christine Good, started her career as an animal trainer in 2005 at a wildlife center. There she used clicker training to teach raccoons to patiently wait on their stations for food rather than climbing up on the keeper's legs. She became hooked on dog training when she used the clicker working with her reactive dog Marvin who needed her to step up her game. Today, Christine shares her home with...
Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, In home training
Leah has worked in the veterinary field since 2013. She is a registered veterinary technician (RVT) working on a behavior specialization. She has worked alongside board certified veterinary behaviorists and technician specialists where she learned a lot about animal behavior and training.Leah has huge heart for senior dogs and has one of her own, a 14 year old Chihuahua named Cookie. She also h...
Starting her canine career in 1999, she then has established Pawsitively Good Pup Dog and Puppy Training. She interned with Michael Blount, is certified through IACP (International Association of Canine Professionals) and Pet Tec first aid.
Puppy training, In home training
Megan St Jean started at the young age of sixteen as a puppy raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Although Megan tried to pursue other careers she quickly realized her greatest joy and deepest meaning came from her work with dogs and training was what she was meant to do.
After rescuing her dog Shelly who struggled with anxiety and reactivity, Megan found her greatest satisfaction ca...
Aggressive dog training, Herding training
Hi! My name is Sam Jessel and I am a professional dog trainer. I have over 10 years of experience as a dog trainer, including 3 years serving as a commander in the Israeli K-9 special forces unit, specifically working with bomb-sniffing dogs. It doesn't matter what age, kind, or level your dog is at. Whether you are a new dog parent looking for some basic training and would like to incorporate ...
Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Off leash training, Herding training, Deaf dog training, In home training
Hello and welcome to our website! My name is Andrea Johnson, I am an owner and trainer here at Dog Training Elite of Northeast Ohio. I .I was born and raised in the Cleveland, Ohio area, and I am proud to call this home. I have always had dogs as pets, have always adored and admired them for their unconditional love and loyalty. I am excited to be able to help others strengthen their bond with ...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Protection/guard dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Puppy training
Hello, my name is Kevin Johnson and I want to thank you for considering Dog Training Elite of Northeast Ohio. I was born in North Carolina and raised on a farm where we bred and trained hunting dogs. I've always enjoyed working with dogs to enhance the lives of their human families. I left North Carolina when I joined the Air Force where I served at the Pentagon and Andrews Air Force Base for 7...
Puppy training, In home training
Holly Krueger used to visit children with autism and other special needs, as well as local nursing homeswith her CGC-Pet Partners therapy dogs Moses and Grace. While working on Canine Good Citizen and therapy dog certification, she began looking into other dog and handler activities and found Rally Obedience. She participated in Rally with her Brussels Griffons, Moses and Twizzler. Moses and Tw...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Chris is the owner of Woof Wise Dog Training. Her goal is to help dogs stay in their homes and help people and dogs live happily together! She would like everyone to experience the same joyous bond she treasures with her dogs developed through training. Chris is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer‚ Knowledge Assessed through CCPDT with over 15 years experience. She has studied under America...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Protection/guard dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Puppy training
Josh is a military veteran, whose dog training journey started long before he decided to become a DTE Franchisee. He began training military working dogs (MWD) in 2009 and in doing so has deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with his MWD Valdo. Upon completion of his military service, he also trained dogs for the Department of State in support of diplomatic operation...
Aggressive dog training, Herding training, In home training
Alyxandra McKenna is a certified trainer through Paramount Dog Training, Associate Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) and founder of Align K9 Training. Alyx has always had a natural ability to understand dog behavior and believes helping restore alignment to dogs and owners is her life's purpose. She started fostering seven years ago to help overflowing local...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Protection/guard dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Puppy training
Hello, my name is Jimmy Morelli. I was born in Cleveland but grew up in South Florida. I moved around a lot my adult years before returning home to the Cleveland area when I retired in 2016. I retired from The Department of Homeland Security where I proudly served and protected my country at home and abroad. In my retirement, I have taken on a new passion which is fostering dogs in need. With t...
In home training, Puppy training
I started on my path to the dog training world many years ago when I began working at a major retail pet store, one day there was an opening for dog trainer position and I was offered the opportunity to learn all about dog behavior and training principles. I had been afraid of dogs since I was young because of an incident when I was bitten by a neighbors dog, but I saw this as an opportunity to...
Puppy training, In home training
Carol Peter, founder of Cold Nose Companions, LLC discovered her passion for training dogs as a shelter volunteer. There, she saw countless dogs surrendered by their humans due to behavioral issues that could have been addressed through proactive training and positive reinforcement techniques. Carol became one of the inaugural trainers in a local shelter volunteer trainer program many years ago...
Aggressive dog training, Agility training, Puppy training, Herding training, Protection/guard dog training
When Scott adopted Oberon in 2010, he was challenged to develop his training techniques to overcome his Cane Corso's strong aggression issues toward people. After just a few months of working with him, Oberon's aggression was tempered and his behavior was reformed through consistent and continuous work with effective training tools.Since then, Scott has further refined and developed his proven ...
Agility training, Board and train
Hi! I'm glad you stopped by. My name is Becky and I'm a certified professional dog trainer. I've trained thousands of dogs and look forward to helping you to have the dog you deserve the dog of your dreams!Have you always been a dog trainer?Yes and no. I've been working with dogs since I was 5 years old. Growing up, my parents bred and raised Dalmatians. I was always training them to do t...
Board and train, In home training
Katie Rust is an avid dog sport competitor and preservation breeder of Chihuahuas. Katie has earned Champion titles on 3 of her program foundation dogs in the 2022/23 season and obtained the title of Grand Champion on her dog Whimsy. Katie draws from her diverse dog training background utilizing skills from the animal behaviorist, positive reinforcement, and balanced dog training schools of tho...
Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, Deaf dog training
Hello everyone,My name is Tiffany Shields and I am the newest addition to Sits 'n Wiggles Dog Training. I will be starting the Service Dog training program with virtual sessions for those in need. To be accepted into SD training, we would need a letter from a Doctor, Counselor, or Case Manager stating you would benefit from having a service dog. We do this for legal purposes, to protect you.The...
Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, Deaf dog training
Hello! I am Valarie, the owner of Sits n Wiggles Dog Training. I started SnW in 2015 when I had the opportunity to move from dogs being just my passion but my career. I have been involved in dog and cat rescue since I was in college. In early 2015 I started taking classes with Catch Canine Trainers Academy with the intention to offer volunteer training services to shelters and rescues. However,...
Board and train
At the risk of sounding cliche, I have always known that I would become a professional dog trainer. It was very clear to my family and friends from an early age that I was obsessed with all animals, but especially dogs and horses. My first position in dog care was at the young age of ten when I took on the big responsibility for caring for three of my father's highly trained hunting dogs, one o...
Agility training
At the risk of sounding clich, I have always known that I would become a professional dog trainer. It was very clear to my family and friends from an early age that I was obsessed with all animals, but especially dogs and horses. My first position in dog care was at the young age of ten when I took on the big responsibility for caring for three of my father's highly trained hunting dogs, one of...
Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, In home training
Embark on a transformative journey to refine your dog's behavior with the expert guidance of Kerry Stack, a seasoned dog trainer and behaviorist boasting over 20 years of experience. Through personalized one-on-one Zoom sessions, you'll delve into the underlying motivations of your dog's actions and master the art of effective communication, and address all your inquiries regarding your dog's e...
In home training, Puppy training
John Swaney has come to dog training after a full career in construction engineering, a change he delights in. John started his dog training pursuits when he adopted a German shepherd, named Ginger, at which point he looked into becoming part of a search and rescue team that uses their dogs to assist area law enforcement in finding missing persons. In 2010, he became a member of a local volunte...
Puppy training, In home training
John Swaney has come to dog training after a full career in construction engineering ,a change he delights in. John started his dog training pursuits when he adopted a German shepherd, named Ginger, at which point he looked into becoming part of a search and rescue team that uses their dogs to assist area law enforcement in finding missing persons. In 2010, he became a member of a local volunte...
In home training
Pawsitive Play Dog Training and Michele Terlep, MEd. (Master of Education), a nationally Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), and a multi-award winning educator, can help turn your challenges into success using the art and science of positive reinforcement dog training.
Puppy training
Pawsitive Play Dog Training and Michele Terlep, MEd. (Master of Education), a nationally Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), and a multi-award winning educator, can help turn your challenges into success using the art and science of positive reinforcement dog training.
Board and train, Puppy training
Stacy Vara grew up in upstate NY and has been working with dogs her entire life. From a young age, Stacy has had a love for animals, especially dogs. She knew she wanted to work with them from the moment she began training her own dogs as a kid. Stacy is a veteran trainer with many years of experience. She has volunteered and dedicated her time at local animal shelters and rescues over the last...
Agility training, In home training
Stacy Vara grew up in upstate NY and has been working with dogs her entire life. From a young age, Stacy has had a love for animals, especially dogs. She knew she wanted to work with them from the moment she began training her own dogs as a kid. Stacy is a veteran trainer with many years of experience. She has volunteered and dedicated her time at local animal shelters and rescues over the last...
Puppy training, In home training
Megan Wessels fostered her love for working with animals early on as a 'puppy raiser' for Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester, Michigan. However, her passion for animals doesn't just include dogs. Megan is the president of Impact Equine, a non-profit organization that specializes in equine rescue, transition, and rehabilitation. She currently shares her home, life, and bank account with her ...
In home training, Puppy training
Megan Wessels fostered her love for working with animals early on as a puppy raiser for Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester, Michigan. However, her passion for animals doesn't just include dogs. Megan is the president of Impact Equine, a non-profit organization that specializes in equine rescue, transition, and rehabilitation. She currently shares her home, life, and bank account with her pu...
Cleveland
Hi, I am Madison! I am a positive reinforcement based trainer. I professionally trained Service Dogs for 2.5 years at a Service Dog organization before breaking off on my own. I am in the process of getting a reactivity certification and a certification through IAABC. My passion is learning how to understand dogs at a compassionate level so that we can work with them and train in a way that mak...
Welcome to Cleveland’s list of top dog trainers. The Cleveland, Ohio list is based on 158 votes from the Ohio Sniffspot community. Only the Cleveland dog trainers with the top number of votes made this list. Trainers are ordered by number of votes, with Christine Good at the top of this list with 158 votes. We also counted 477 votes for Ohio, with the remaining trainers listed outside of Cleveland.
Our rankings include trainers certified by CPDT-KA and RVT. They also specialize in Puppy training, In home training amongst other training programs.
Cleveland dog trainer services include:
Behind every successful Cleveland training session lies a passionate professional. Christine Good shares why they chose this path: Working in the veterinary field I realized that there was a huge need for more education and training without force. So many animals were surrendered, rehomed, or even euthanized for behavioral challenges that could have been prevented or avoided if clients had received better advice from the beginning on the relationship with their pet. I think, animal behavior is absolutely fascinating and teaches us a lot about ourselves. I love creating a stronger bond that goes both ways between dogs and their families.. All 38 trainers on this Cleveland list are committed to positive reinforcement. Trusted Cleveland trainer, Victoria Brody, uses the following methods: .
Explore the top dog trainers in Cleveland as voted by our community:
Ordered alphabetically, only included cities where there is enough data to compile a list
Working in the veterinary field I realized that there was a huge need for more education and training without force. So many animals were surrendered, rehomed, or even euthanized for behavioral challenges that could have been prevented or avoided if clients had received better advice from the beginning on the relationship with their pet. I think, animal behavior is absolutely fascinating and teaches us a lot about ourselves. I love creating a stronger bond that goes both ways between dogs and their families..
I think, we could solve half our dog problems by picking dogs that fit our lifestyle better. For example -puppies may look adorable with their big eyes but they are really Velociraptors on steroids! They bite, and have accidents, and bite some more. It is also a misconception that puppies are blank slates and won't develop problems. Puberty is awful no matter the species. Dogs two and over have fully formed personalities. What you see is usually what you get - if you know how to look. Also, although we may fantasize about driving a racecar and may enjoy watching them, most of us are much better served in real life with an SUV or sedan. There are breeds out there that appear in movies or online videos showing off fantastic skills - but they are not made to be living in suburbia around families. They are not happy - and you won't be either.. This advice is particularly relevant for dog owners in Cleveland looking to improve their dog’s behavior.
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.