This is a list of the top dog trainers in Rochester, NY, based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public.
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training, Puppy training
Livingston County
I am a relationship based dog trainer teaching humans how to properly communicate with their dogs while building a trusting and respectful relationship from owner to canine.
Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed
Reactive dog training, In home training, Puppy training
Greater Rochester Area, Finger Lakes, and beyond
I received my Bachelor's degree in Animal Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation from Canisius College in 2015. During my time there, I studied the behavior of a captive population of beluga whales. This led to my first professional training position - with marine mammals! After graduating, I moved to a small island in Washington State where I worked for two seasons as a Marine Naturalist for a wh...
CATCH Canine Trainers AcademyCertified in Dog Training Knowledge‚Mark McCabe - Training Between The Ears (TBTE)Resolving Conflict in Human/Canine Relationships‚Ashley Sculac - Canine Resistance Training (CRT)Certified CRT InstructorAmerican Kennel Club (AKC)AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Certified Trainer & EvaluatorAKC Canine Good Citizen Certified Trainer & EvaluatorEmergency Care & Safety Institute Pet First Aid & Disaster Response Course CertifiedKaren Pryor Academy for Animal Training & BehaviorDog Trainer Foundations
Greater Rochester NY Area
My interest in dog training started over 20 years ago when some behavioral issues exhibited by my first two dogs required me to seek out a professional dog trainer. This experience opened the door to the world of dog training for me. I took what I learned from my training experience and sought out a Canine Good Citizen certification with one of those dogs. We passed with flying colors but whe...
Puppy training
My career started in pet dog training under the mentorship of one of Rochester's most talented trainers. In 2009, I was certified through the former DTIP program. I have continued my formal education through workshops and seminars with some of the world's greatest trainers, including Dr. Sophia Yin, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Suzanne Clothier, Sue Sternberg (to name a few). From 2014 to 2016, I lived in M...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training
Rich Allen is a certified dog trainer located in Rochester New York who started working with dogs over 27 years ago, working in the protection sports fields along with obedience using a spectrum of different training methods, including physical punishment and fearful methods. Over the years the more education he has received the more he realized the physical and fearful punishment methods were ...
Puppy training
For over 45 years, Denali Dog Obedience School has emphasized positive reinforcement when training puppies and dogs of all ages and breeds. We offer four levels of dog and puppy training taught by our AKC Certified instructors.Obedience for the HomeTherapy Dog TrainingTrick Dog TrainingTrackingAKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and AKC Canine Good Citizen TitlesWe take a holistic approach to training by incor...
In home training
My lifelong passion for dog training started with my family's Shi Tzu, Captain, in 4-H, where I competed in county and state fairs. I acquired my first dog, Ekko, who challenged and helped me grow to be the person I am today.
I currently own two Belgian Malinois, Ekko and Rhys, that I compete within French Ring. French Ring is a sport that contains a mix of personal protection, agilit...
Board and train, In home training, Puppy training
As a passionate dog lover and lifelong student of animal training, I look forward to helping you and your dog build a stronger, more communicative relationship. My approach centers strongly on the bond between dog and handler, and the canine learning theory behind strengthening this connection. Research shows us that animals learn best when motivated by reinforcement under low stress. For this ...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
John graduated with Honors from The Academy for Dog Trainers in August 2017, earning his CTC (Certificate in Training and Counseling). Having graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Networking & System Administration, John worked in the tech field for a short while. After several years in the Rochester animal welfare world, co-founding Rescue Pit, and serving as the ...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Allison graduated with honors from The Academy for Dog Trainers in June of 2020, earning her CTC. As of September 2021, Allison also became a Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer through Julie Naismith's program. Throughout all of her dog training career, Allison has been Fear Free Certified. Among all of this, she also works as clinical therapist, and volunteers for Rescue Pit, a local non...
Puppy training
I grew up in Wayland, NY on lots of acres where my mother raised Labrador Retrievers. It seemed we had as many dogs as acres! Dogs have always been a part of my life and I often connected with them a little differently than the rest of my family...lol!As I grew up and moved on with my life, I couldn't wait till the day I was responsible enough to have my own dog in my own place! It was only a f...
In home training
Let me introduce myself. My name is Glenna Godown and I have lived in the Walworth area for 40 years. My love of animals started at a young age as my family had hunting dogs that were friends of the family. I have owned dogs since I have had my own family.
In 1989 I started grooming dogs and my interests soon spread to the obedience and the good health of our canine friends. During thi...
Puppy training
I received my foundation in positive-reinforcement dog training while working and volunteering at the San Francisco SPCA. While there, I was able to learn from a wide variety of dogs, encompassing basic canine behavior, fear & anxiety as well as other serious behavior issues. I was SF SPCA certified by the in-house Academy for Dog Trainers with instructor Jean Donaldson in 1999. I have continu...
Puppy training, Agility training
Mike has been training in agility since 2017. It all started with his Australian Cattle Dog, Bebe. Now with his Border Collie Rush. Mike is a UKI Agility Judge and travels all over to bring challenging courses to those all over the US. Mike has trained along side with Daisy Peel, Susan Garrett, Justine Davenport, and currently Kayl McCann/Jamie Moreau. He travels to Canada often to train and co...
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Rebecca grew up on a farm in Illinois surrounded by dogs, cats, and cows. She loved following the animals around to study their behavior, scribbling down notes about their habits. Her love of animals was bolstered by time spent in her father's veterinary clinic, and she decided at a young age to work in the field of animal behavior. The pursuit of that dream started at Yale University where she...
In home training
Hi! My name is Erin Marie Nelson. Outside of being a dog trainer, I am a wife and a mother to two amazing human girls, some wonderful canines as well as a couple of precious felines too. I am the owner and sole trainer of E-DOT LLC. I got my first dog when I was 9 years old and she was beautifully trained with tricks, off-leash heeling, a solid recall, and more. I was that nine-year old that as...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Elissa graduated from The Academy for Dog Trainers, earning her CTC in February 2021. She also a Fear Free Certified Professional trainer through the Fear-Free Pets Program. She is a volunteer dog walker for Lollypop Farm and sits on the board of Rochester Area Media Partners (City Newspaper). Elissa's day job is Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Clinical and Translational Science Instit...
Puppy training
I was born with that horse/dog gene or as my mother would say anything with fur! Life was at its best when horseback riding with my best friend Colleen (bareback of course!) with our dogs in tow. We would gallop up and down 'mountains', through fields and ponds in the beautiful Naples-Cohocton countryside. We thoroughly enjoyed our time outdoors together and our horses and dogs were a huge part...
Aggressive dog training, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
Lisa gained a foundation in animal training through the Karen Pryor Academy in 2013, where she discovered a keen appetite for continued learning. Specifically interested in animal behavior, she went on to study under behavior expert, Jean Donaldson, at the highly acclaimed Academy for Dog Trainers, graduating in February of 2016. She is eternally grateful for such a thorough and stellar academi...
Welcome to Rochester’s list of top dog trainers. The Rochester, New York list is based on 207 votes from the New York Sniffspot community. Only the Rochester dog trainers with the top number of votes made this list. Trainers are ordered by number of votes, with Paige Sande at the top of this list with 118 votes. We also counted 1366 votes for New York, with the remaining trainers listed outside of Rochester.
Our rankings include trainers certified by Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed and CATCH Canine Trainers AcademyCertified in Dog Training Knowledge‚Mark McCabe - Training Between The Ears (TBTE)Resolving Conflict in Human/Canine Relationships‚Ashley Sculac - Canine Resistance Training (CRT)Certified CRT InstructorAmerican Kennel Club (AKC)AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Certified Trainer & EvaluatorAKC Canine Good Citizen Certified Trainer & EvaluatorEmergency Care & Safety Institute Pet First Aid & Disaster Response Course CertifiedKaren Pryor Academy for Animal Training & BehaviorDog Trainer Foundations. They also specialize in Puppy training, In home training amongst other training programs.
Rochester dog trainer services include:
Behind every successful Rochester training session lies a passionate professional. Paige Sande shares why they chose this path: I was inspired by my dog, Zena.. All 19 trainers on this Rochester list are committed to positive reinforcement. Trusted Rochester trainer, Alex Ferrente, uses the following methods: We adhere to the humane hierarchy and never use or recommend aversive training techniques. Private training always starts with an initial behavior consultation followed by a written training plan, and the type of follow-up sessions depend on the case. For clients who like to work more independently, we offer more intermittent coaching every few weeks. And for clients who prefer more accelerated, hands on guidance, we offer multiple times per week day training sessions - as well as some hybrid options between those two..
Explore the top dog trainers in Rochester as voted by our community:
Ordered alphabetically, only included cities where there is enough data to compile a list
Listen to your dog, they are always telling you something..
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.