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The Best Dog Trainers in Des Moines, IA of 2024

David Adams

July 10, 2024

Dog Trainers

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

Clint Knox
Animal Behavior College Graduate
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Greater Des Moines Area
I started my dog training career after graduating from Animal Behavior College in 2009. I opened Knox Canine Training in 2017 and we now have 6 employees

Sheila Williams
CPDT-KA
Reactive dog training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Greater Des Moines Metro
Sheila is certified and knowledge assessed through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.

Sheila has 20 years of experience working with dogs in different capacities including rescue, daycare, rehabilitation, group classes, and private training.

Sheila regularly attends training seminars and conferences to stay current on the latest practices, methods, and e...

Laura Amick
Board and train, Service dog training, Off leash training, Puppy training
An avid equestrian in her youth, Laura competed in the dressage and hunter/jumper disciplines through college. Her knowledge of equine body language & solid training techniques helped in starting young horses from the racetrack under saddle for pleasure riding. After an automobile accident left her horse training passions by the wayside, she was introduced to the Great Dane; a horse among dogs!...

Ankeny Avenue
In home training
Ankeny Bark Avenue, Bark Avenue West, and Waukee Bark Avenue are resort-style vacation facilities for dogs, providing dog boarding and dog daycare and combining homelike amenities with recreational, safe activity. Our inviting facilities feature clean, secure, and fun-filled environments exceeding pet care industry standards. Our well trained and dog-loving staff provide the highest levels of c...

Emily Blythe
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training
Homeward Bound Behavior and Training, LLC is owned by Emily Blythe. Emily has over 15 years of experience helping families and pets in need. She got her start in Nebraska, moved to Iowa, and now her journey has brought her to Wisconsin! She has extensive experience working in animal shelters and veterinary clinics. She specializes in feline, canine, and avian behavior and implements behavior m...

Nick Bochner
In home training, Puppy training
Nick Bochner has always loved dogs. He began his dog training career in 2019 when he started working as a dog trainer's apprentice at a local training facility.Nick's favorite part of training is helping families integrate dog's into their lifestyle. He loves to work with puppies and help their owners set them up for success! From potty training and crate training to socialization, Nick is your...

Natalie Caldwell
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Natalie Caldwell has been a part of the Knox Canine Training since the Fall 2018. Natalie adopted her boy, Rogue, a German Shorthair Pointer, in June 2015. Soon she had a mess with inconsistent handling, trainers wanting to utilize training techniques Natalie was not comfortable with using. When Clint Knox began Knox Canine Training, Natalie was one of the first in line. It wasn't long until Ro...

Kimberly Cameron
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Puppy training
I have always had a passion for animals and have groomed dogs since 2007. I became passionate about dog training while actually training my own dog to be a service dog. Since then I have gone to dog training school through catch academy and received my certification. I hold a certification as a CCDT and am working towards my IACP certification. I am attending the master aggression course with w...

Leah Carlson
Board and train, Off leash training, Puppy training
I spent years immersed in the world of dogs, initially through roles in boarding/daycare facilities and grooming salons. Working closely with these animals ignited a deep passion within me. However, it was a chance encounter with a female boxer mix named Genie, found wandering the streets of my neighborhood, that truly propelled me towards becoming a trainer.

Taking Genie into my care,...

Christine Fox
In home training
Christine Fox, CPDT-KA, began her career in dog training in 1989, researching both dog behavior and canine communication with professional behaviorists from all over the world. Throughout her career, she has helped thousands of dogs and pet parents as well as met some of the industry leaders including, Patricia McConnell, Kyra Sundance, Victoria Stilwell of It's Me or The Dog, and Dr. Ian Dunba...

Cannady Fritzjunker
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Puppy training
Cannady has worked as a social worker for 25 years serving the families of Des Moines, focusing her work on people with disabilities, community support programs, counseling, and managing teams. She earned a BS in Sociology and Criminal Justice from Iowa State. She has a passion for service-based programs and has realized the impact a service dog can have on someone needing to re-engage in his o...

Janis Gandy
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Janis joined Knox Canine Training in July 2020. She is on the board at Iowa Weimaraner Rescue and has been a big supporter of Knox Canine Training since the beginning. Accounting is her full time day job but her home life is dogs. Janis currently has 3 resident Weims and 2 fosters. They have fostered about 30 Weims through IWR. All ages, all personality types. Janis works hard to have good pack...

Michelle Hoile
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Michelle began her dog training passion in 2013 after adopting two bully mix dogs, Joe and Nina, from the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. She is a graduate of Iowa State University and was an educator for many years, but became even more passionate about learning all she could about science driven learning for dogs and their human companions. Beginning in 2014, she began teaching dog and puppy c...

Clint Knox
Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, In home training
Clint Knox began his dog training career in 2006 after getting two American Bulldog puppies, Vega and Cash. A graduate of Animal Behavior College and an ABC Certified Dog Trainer, Clint has taught both private and group training classes using positive reinforcement training to help thousands of dogs and owners solve their behavioral problems. In 2017, Clint launched Knox Canine Training to focu...

Holly Leas
Board and train, Service dog training, Off leash training, Puppy training
A Guinness World Record title holder, Holly, has trained and shown dogs in 40 countries on 5 continents for 37 years. Leas is an Expert trainer, Behaviorist, and Professional Handler who specializes training All Breeds of Dogs in Obedience, Conformation, Therapy, Service, & Canine Good Citizen curriculums with the family business, All Breed Dog Obedience, for over 70 years.Holly Leas started tr...

Sharon Leas
Board and train, Service dog training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Sharon has trained dogs as part of All Breed Dog Obedience for over fifty years. Her husband Neal D. Leas originated program and she has been an integral part of the Leas lineage, Lutzhaus Kennels. She has owned and shown German Shepherds on 4 continents with F.C.I. International 4 Continent 10 Champion Clayfield's Mon Ami, who was inducted into the Guinness World Record Book in 1988 as 'Greate...

Em Muench
In home training, Puppy training
Em Muench is a dog lover who began her dog training journey in 2019. She fell in love with learning how to understand and better communicate with dogs while training service dogs for a local nonprofit.Em's passion lies in helping owners enjoy life with their dog. She finds it extremely rewarding to see the transformation that takes place not only with the dog, but with the owner, as well. From ...

Karissa Roach
Board and train, Puppy training
When you're shopping for a place your pup can thrive when you can't be there, you have a lot to consider. And It's not all just fun. This is what we offer:Daycare Overnight Boarding Long Term Boarding, Special Needs Care, Private Quarters, Perfect Safety Record, Spa Packages, Grooming, Training, Curated play groups, Small Class Sizes . Orthopedic Beds , Cushioned Floors , Strict Adherence To S...

Tiffany Saenz
Board and train, Off leash training, Puppy training
Since childhood, my passion for animals has been unwavering. Initially, I set my sights on becoming a veterinarian, but fate led me down a different path when I stumbled upon the world of dog training. It all started in high school when my mom welcomed a Doberman puppy into our home. accompanying her to a local training center, I felt an instant connection to the world of dog training, realizin...

Jolene Short
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training
Jolene is a certified behavior consultant and professional dog trainer who began her journey in the behavior world over a decade ago and works with clients across the country on a range of hurdles such as nuisance behaviors, reactivity, resource guarding, generalized anxiety, fear-based aggression, noise phobias and separation anxiety. She also loves to focus on educational resources and worksh...

Erica Sullivan
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Erica has been assisting with Knox Canine Training since Spring 2022. She works full time as a Legal Assistant, but her passion is improving the relationship between dogs and their handlers through positive training. Having had various animals throughout her life, Erica's interest in dog training sprouted when her Mom, who has a physical disability, adopted two puppies. Knowing there may be cha...

Janee Wise
Puppy training, In home training
Hi! My name is Janee Wise and I have loved dogs ever since I can remember! It has always been my dream to help dogs in one capacity or another and while it took me trying out a couple different industries in the dog world to land in this one - boy am I happy to be here! I am a dog educator and advocate. I coach clients on how to better communicate and interact with their dogs. Obedience always ...

Welcome to Des Moines’s list of top dog trainers. The Des Moines, Iowa list is based on 31 votes from the Iowa Sniffspot community. Only the Des Moines dog trainers with the top number of votes made this list. Trainers are ordered by number of votes, with Clint Knox at the top of this list with 30 votes. We also counted 90 votes for Iowa, with the remaining trainers listed outside of Des Moines.

Our rankings include trainers certified by CPDT-KA and Animal Behavior College Graduate. They also specialize in Puppy training, In home training amongst other training programs.

Des Moines dog trainer services include:

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

Behind every successful Des Moines training session lies a passionate professional. Clint Knox shares why they chose this path: 2009. All 22 trainers on this Des Moines list are committed to positive reinforcement. Trusted Des Moines trainer, Sheila Williams, uses the following methods: .

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

Get safe exercise for your dog by renting a private dog park near you

See The Best Dog Trainers In Other Cities Near Des Moines

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

Davenport, IA

See The Best Dog Trainers By Type In Des Moines

FAQ: Top Dog Training Services in Des Moines, Iowa

How were the best dog trainers in Des Moines, Iowa selected?

We gathered 31 votes from local dog owners to identify the top trainers in Des Moines. These trainers, including Clint Knox, are experts in Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, and other diverse areas of training and offer tailored services in Des Moines to meet your dog’s needs.

What services does Clint Knox provide in Des Moines?

In Des Moines, Clint Knox specializes in offering Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training. Their services are designed to address a variety of behavioral issues, including: Dog to dog reactivity, dog to human reactivity, manners, obedience, loose leash walking, puppy, rescue dogs.

What are the qualifications of Des Moines’s top dog trainers?

Clint Knox and other leading trainers in Des Moines hold certifications such as CPDT-KA, Animal Behavior College Graduate, which demonstrate their commitment to excellence in Des Moines dog training.

What is the most important tip from Clint Knox?

According to Clint Knox, the key to successful training is Smaller steps.

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

Clint Knox and others in Des Moines are the best choice for dog owners because of their specialized services, including Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, Off leash dog training. Their methods are effective in helping dogs overcome behavioral challenges.

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

Trainers in Des Moines regularly participate in continuing education and certification programs, such as CPDT-KA, Animal Behavior College Graduate, to ensure they are providing the most effective and current training methods. Clint Knox and their colleagues also frequently work with animals at Des Moines shelters, rescues, and so on.

Get your dog the safe enrichment they need by renting a Sniffspot

David Adams

July 10, 2024

Dog Trainers

David Adams

About the author

David Adams is a man of many passions, but his love for dogs stands above all. He is not only a dog lover, but also the founder of an innovative platform called Sniffspot. This unique platform connects dog owners with private property owners who are willing to rent out their space for off-leash playtime. While the idea of Sniffspot was initially conceived by his wife, Rebecca, David has been the driving force behind its remarkable success, tirelessly overseeing its growth and development. David's dedication to providing safe and enjoyable spaces for dogs to play, explore, and socialize is evident in his unwavering commitment to Sniffspot. He strongly believes that dogs need ample space and opportunities to stretch their legs and have fun. As a result, he has worked tirelessly to build a network of private property owners across the country who share his vision and are willing to offer their space for the benefit of dogs and their owners. Despite his busy schedule, David always finds time to indulge in his passion for the great outdoors. He loves nothing more than exploring new hiking trails and embarking on thrilling outdoor adventures. Whenever he is not working on Sniffspot, he can often be found hiking or visiting multi-acre fenced sniffspots with his two beloved dogs, Soba and Toshii. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys the fresh air, breathtaking scenery, and the sense of freedom that comes with being in nature. David is based in Salem, MA.

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About Sniffspot

Sniffspot provides the best experiences and fun for you and your dog. Our dog parks are designed for the ultimate dog exercise. Our private spaces help you minimize distractions or triggers and maximize time with your dog. We provide off leash enrichment - exploration and activities you can't get anywhere else; wear your dog out for days. We make it easy to have playdates. Socialize your pup in a controlled, private spot - it's great exercise and it's fun for you and your dog.

The Best Dog Trainers in Des Moines, IA of 2024

Clint Knox

Sheila Williams

Laura Amick

Ankeny Avenue

Emily Blythe

Nick Bochner

Natalie Caldwell

Kimberly Cameron

Leah Carlson

Christine Fox

Cannady Fritzjunker

Janis Gandy

Michelle Hoile

Clint Knox

Holly Leas

Sharon Leas

Em Muench

Karissa Roach

Tiffany Saenz

Jolene Short

Erica Sullivan

Janee Wise

See The Best Dog Trainers In Other Cities Near Des Moines

See The Best Dog Trainers By Type In Des Moines

FAQ: Top Dog Training Services in Des Moines, Iowa

How were the best dog trainers in Des Moines, Iowa selected?

What services does Clint Knox provide in Des Moines?

What are the qualifications of Des Moines’s top dog trainers?

What is the most important tip from Clint Knox?

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

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

David Adams

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