Welcome to the Sniffspot list of top-rated dog trainers for Puppy training in Houston, TX. Based on feedback and votes from our Puppy training community, we've curated a list of top-rated trainers in the Houston area.
CPDT-KA
Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Pasadena, Hobby area, Clear Lake, Pearland, Friendswood, Harris County, Heights, East End, Eado, South Houston, Webster
I've been training professionally for over 30 years. I hold a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M and will complete my master's degree in behavioral psychology in 2023. I've had my CPDT-KA certification for 10 years, meaning I had to show education, experience, and training results and pass a comprehensive exam on animal training. I've competed with my own dogs in conformation, obedience, and r...
CPDT-KA
Reactive dog training, In home training, Puppy training
Houston Heights
I'm one of the training managers at Believe in Dog Training in the Houston Heights area.
CPDT-KSA
Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Houston Heights
Stephanie Bennett, CPDT-KSA, is considered one of Houston's top dog trainers and behavioral experts, as well as one of the city's most innovative dog education and enrichment entrepreneurs, helping to create balance between mind, body, and spirit. Stephanie is recognized as Houston's original puppy expert and is the founder of the city's first all-encompassing, puppy-focused training programs. ...
CPDT-KA, CCBC, CCUI, Fear Free Certified Trainer
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training, Puppy training
Houston Heights, GOOF, Rice Military, Montrose, West University, Midtown, Downtown, River Oaks, Inside The Loop
Since starting my journey in animal behavior, first in Kuala Lumpur caring for abandoned dogs & cats, I've made it my mission to show pet parents just how easy it can be to solve behavior issues with the right combination of environment, detailed training plan, and guidance from a trained & certified professional.As a member of IAABC, Pet Professionals Guild, the Shock Free Coalition, and the ...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
DOGMAN training is a family-owned, local dog training company that specializes in rescue dogs and dogs with special needs. We believe in using positive, gentle training techniques to meet your whole family's needs. Each dog is different, and their behavioral modification training will fit their specific situation.Dog training is modifying 60% of all human behavior and 40% of the dogs. Your best...
Board and train, Puppy training
With over 17 years of dog handling and training experience plus education, Jose began his career with dogs in 2006 after joining the U.S. Marine Corps the year prior, and was chosen to serve as a Military Working Dog Handler. During his enlistment, Jose completed two tours of duty in Iraq in 2007 and 2008 alongside his Patrol & Explosives Detection Military Working Dog, Gris (The face on our lo...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Katelyn is a native Houstonian and lifelong dog-lover. Though she works in mental health full time, her passion is dog training (there's a lot of overlap in mental health and dog training philosophies)! In 2020 while on a long hike in the Sam Houston National Forest, a young dog popped out of the woods and followed her 7 miles back to her car; that's how LS became a part of Katelyn's family. LS...
Aggressive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Protection/guard dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
Before discovering her passion for training dogs, Naima received her Bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Houston and pursued graduate degrees and a professional career in the higher education, counseling and technology consulting industries. Her first dog inspired her to pursue training with Sweetwater Bark as a client, and she has since developed a keen interest in dog behavi...
Service dog training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Peace-time Navy veteran Paul, who is service-connected and disabled, has spent many long hours at the VA hospital in Houston over the years. During his time there, he had the opportunity to speak with numerous veterans and recognized a pressing need for assistance. Seeing this need and recognizing the opportunity to make a difference, Paul took action. He founded Give Us Paws, a nonprofit organ...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Joanna was one of Believe in Dog Training's first clients when the company was still a concept in Stephanie Bennett's head. She feels incredibly lucky to have joined the Believe in Dog client family so early with her reactive dog, River. The advice that Stephanie gave for handling a reactive dog changed her life. Plus her other dog, Pixel adores coming to any training class. Joanna has alway...
Aggressive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
With over 25 years of experience, I've dedicated my life to understanding and connecting with our four-legged companions. As a seasoned dog trainer, I've had the privilege of working with over 1000 dogs and their devoted owners. My journey has been filled with wagging tails, curious snouts, and countless aha moments. Balancing Love and LearningMy approach is simple yet powerful: balance, consis...
Aggressive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Protection/guard dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
Katie is a lifelong dog lover who has always been interested in animal behavior and training. She graduated in 2015 with a degree in animal science from Texas State University and worked at a dog boarding facility. During this time, she took a lot of classes with her dog. After graduation, Katie started her career working in veterinary and human diagnostic laboratories. She moved to Sugar Land ...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Megan always had a love for animals growing up. She would come home with toads, and turtles that she would find around her home in rural Illinois. Her love for animals grew with the cats and dogs that her family had throughout her childhood. She thought about pursuing a veterinary degree, but chose music instead.
Megan attended Illinois State University and double majored in music educ...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Kate was an early client of Believe In Dog after rescuing an anxious puppy off the street. Already the owner of a leash reactive standard poodle, Peaches, her interest and drive to learn about canine behavior and training is strong! The positive reinforcement and relationship-focused methods utilized at Believe In Dog are in direct alignment with her personal values for interacting with all sen...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Like other employees, Ashley was a client before coming to work with the Believe in Dog team. After a private training session and a group class, she was a believer. She is forever grateful for the way the Believe in Dog team helped Monte, her rescue, come out of his shell and build his confidence. As a foster and volunteer with K-9 Angels Rescue, she has experience working with dogs from a var...
Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training, In home training
Alexa graduated from Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology and a Chemistry minor. She worked at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium where she assisted with animal husbandry and training in the Aquarium. Upon graduating Alexa moved to Houston and worked as the District Dog Training Mentor for Petco. While at Petco, she became a certified AKC Evalua...
Aggressive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Protection/guard dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
Mayra embarked on her journey in dog training back in 2013 at Petco Animal Supply Co. Her passion and dedication earned her the role of a dog training mentor for the district within a year. Expanding her expertise, Mayra sought further training opportunities under another dog training company. Here, she honed her skills, aiding countless dogs and their owners in overcoming a spectrum of behavio...
Aggressive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Reactive dog training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Since the time he trained his first dog at the young age of 14, Nick May has trained more than 2,000 dogs and taught their humans how to maintain the obedience through positive reinforcement.His knowledge, experience, confidence, and love of animals quickly becomes apparent when the dog's owner sees immediate results.He later returned home to the Katy area to start his own training school, Mayd...
Aggressive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Protection/guard dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
Abby graduated from Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior in 2012 and is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner. She received her B.A. in Business Management from the University of Houston, Victoria.She found her passion for training dogs when she began working with her first Australian Shepherd in high school. She has professionally trained dogs since 2009 and has work...
Aggressive dog training, Puppy training, Herding training
Kelsey attended Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. In 2015, she received a Bachelors degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences with a concentration in Vertebrate Zoology. Following college graduation, she attended an extensive 12 week training program through Starmark's School for Professional Dog Trainers. This is where she gained amazing knowledge and experience and received her ...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Valerie's appreciation for dog training started her freshman year of high school when she started volunteering with Guide Dogs for the Blind. She raised and took care of puppies from the time they were 8 weeks old until they were around 15 months, providing them with socialization experiences and teaching them good manners while at home and in public. These puppies went with her everywhere fro...
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Lorena, is a certified Dog Trainer, with years of experience training dogs of different breeds and sizes in a variety of sports like Nosework, Obedience, Rally, Agility and Flyball.
Being a dog owner herself, she is passionate to have the best tools and positive rewards-based training techniques for her dogs and her students.
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Wendy is a devoted dog mom who loves creating and capturing memories as she road-trips all over the United States with her husband and dogs. She believes that it's up to you to show your pups the world and expose them to different environments as long as they're comfortable, healthy, and happy. She stumbled upon Believe in Dog Training after extensive research, trying to find training that alig...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Puppy training
I grew up on a cattle farm in Virginia. I have owned and trained our family dogs since I was 8. I have worked in the restaurant industry for the last 10 years-both as a Franchisee and for the Corporate office where I trained franchise owners and their teams. I have always loved working with animals, and now I get to help families build a better relationship with their dogs!
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Since a young age, Alyssa has always had a passion for both animals and teaching. Growing up she spent most of her time caring for her family pets which included an array of animals such as your average household pets, to farm animals, and exotics. This early exposure lead to ambitions of one day pursuing a career with animals. However, shortly after graduating, Alyssa found herself pursuing a ...
Aggressive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
With over 17 years of dog handling and training experience plus education, Jose began his career with dogs in 2006 after joining the U.S. Marine Corps the year prior, and was chosen to serve as a Military Working Dog Handler. During his enlistment, Jose completed two tours of duty in Iraq in 2007 and 2008 alongside his Patrol & Explosives Detection Military Working Dog, Gris (The face on our lo...
Aggressive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Protection/guard dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
Nicole has been training dogs for as long as she can remember. Granted, in the beginning, it was make-believe with stuffed dogs! She carried her passion for animals as she went on to get her B.S. in Animal Behavior at the University of Texas in Austin and worked at a vet clinic before joining the Sweetwater Bark team. She earned the Karen Pryor Academy, Certified Training Partner certification ...
Aggressive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
Elissa is the founder and owner of Paw & Order Dog Training. She is a certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and a member of the IACP and the APDT. She has earned a number of certifications and has been recognized many times for her work. Elissa has even been recognized as VIP Woman of the Year by the National Association of Professional Women.She has also attended many seminars and training c...
Aggressive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
In 2014, Steve Sentner hired Elissa to train his Shiba Inu, who was showing signs of aggression as a 6-month-old puppy. He would turn out to be more than just a client; the two started dating after their training was completed and they got married in 2015. In 2016, Elissa chose to change her business name to Paw & Order, at which time, Steve retired from his corporate career to manage all marke...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Y'know, in life there are just things that come naturally or are reflex‚ breathing, crawling, basic motor skills. Dogs and music were like this for me. While as a child I thought "rock star" was absolutely attainable (lol) for some reason, I saw dog trainers as somewhat supernatural and unattainable. Didn't even consider it, although my rapport with dogs was unlike anyone in my family. I had a ...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Jessica grew up with pets and volunteered at shelters in high school for fun. She always knew she wanted to work with animals in some way. When she got her first dog on her own, Juliet, an adorable pug, she watched positive reinforcement training videos online to teach basic obedience.
After holding several jobs that she was not passionate about, Jessica entered the pet industry. ...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Kate van Rensburg hails from Houston, TX and has had a deep love of animals her whole life. From a very young age, she was the one who trained all the family pets in everything from basic obedience and potty training to swimming pool safety! Kate spent years riding American Saddlebreds competitively and later working in the horse business as everything from a groom to an assistant trainer and r...
Aggressive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Protection/guard dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
When Susan added Prince, a rescue German Shepherd, to her family, she wanted to train him well, especially because she is a mother of three young children. Her veterinarian recommended Sweetwater Bark, and after working with Mayra, Susan fell in love with dog training.
She works part-time for Sweetwater Bark while completing her CDTK credential through CATCH Canine Trainers Academy. Be...
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Puppy training
Our founder Ryan grew up with many different dogs as a child. As a child he had a Vizsla that would climb the swing set / fort with him in the backyard and go down the slide with him, all on her own just from coaxing! His father's side of the family always had bird dogs and his Uncle was a bird dog trainer. He began training dogs in high school because he hated seeing dogs left in the backya...
Sniffspot’s top-rated list of dog trainers for Puppy training in Houston, TX is based on rankings from our community of dog owners as well as the general public. For Puppy training, we received 255 total votes, resulting in 34 dog trainers who focus on Puppy training. Our top-ranked dog trainers are listed in order of votes, with the top-ranked trainer for Puppy training listed first.
Dog trainers for Puppy training on this list are certified by CPDT-KA, FDM, or another trusted organization. We're proud to feature Nancy Kelly, who has been voted the top dog trainer for Puppy training in Houston, TX. Nancy Kelly’s favorite part of their job is: My favorite part of being a dog trainer is the immense satisfaction and fulfillment I get from my students. When, at the last session of a training package, a student asks me how to approach their next training challenge and starts answering their own question using what I've taught and applying it to a new problem, I am ecstatic. I'm proud of myself but even more thrilled that this human is now able to use behavior science to solve training problems in a way that is fun and functional for the dog. That's what I'm here to do - teach the science of behavior in a way that is useful to my students.
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At Sniffspot, we prioritize trust and expertise. Nancy Kelly, as well as the other dog trainers on this Puppy training list, ensures they bring the highest standards of care and training to your dog. Nancy Kelly encourages owners with this dog training tip: My #1 dog training tip is 'Make it easy for the dog to understand what you want.' If it seems like the dog is not 'listening,' stop, look, and listen yourself - What did you say? What did you do? What else is going on? Your dog is 'listening' to filter out the noise and find something that is meaningful to him; if nothing you say is meaningful, it's your job to make it so - and it's not hard to do. Be aware of what you're doing and use positive reinforcement to pair a few, specific words that you want to be meaningful with good things, and this problem will go away.
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I am committed to science-based, positive reinforcement training and I'll teach you to do it skillfully. I start with an initial consultation in which we analyze problems and characterize your household and lifestyle, and then I'll recommend a training package, often the Beyond Basic Manners Curriculum. I often begin directly with Beyond Basic Manners if foundation skills are not where they need to be, because we need those foundation skills to solve behavioral problems. I provide detailed training plans and homework assignments that are easy to understand and perform and that give long-lasting results. The best training happens in small, detailed successes that we can build on. I stay in close communication with you throughout your training package through virtual training sessions, telephone homework reviews and coaching, and daily check-ins as needed., while others like Lily Conine adopt:
Positive reinforcement, LIMA, behavior consultations, training plans. Each approach is customized to suit local dogs.
My #1 dog training tip is 'Make it easy for the dog to understand what you want.' If it seems like the dog is not 'listening,' stop, look, and listen yourself - What did you say? What did you do? What else is going on? Your dog is 'listening' to filter out the noise and find something that is meaningful to him; if nothing you say is meaningful, it's your job to make it so - and it's not hard to do. Be aware of what you're doing and use positive reinforcement to pair a few, specific words that you want to be meaningful with good things, and this problem will go away.which is crucial for enhancing your dog’s behavior in Houston.
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.
So: Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (cars, bikes, skateboards, and other fast-moving objects are also common triggers) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling not only feels embarrassing for you — 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.