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Best Dog Training Classes in Santa Clarita, CA

Our Recommended Top 8

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Santa Clarita Dog Training Classes on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

43Reviewed

29Curated

8Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

PO Box 2814, Santa Clarita, CA 91386

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (12)
Google
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Gentle Guidance Dog Training is a Santa Clarita-based business that has served the community since 1994. Its owner, Nicole Wilde, is a canine behavior specialist and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. She uses positive, reward-based training techniques to help dogs achieve desirable behaviors. The business offers private, in-home training sessions to address puppy problems, basic and more advanced obedience skills, and behavioral issues such as aggression, fear, and separation anxiety.

Castaic, CA 91384

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (12)
Yelp
5.0 (11)
Google
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Located in Santa Clarita, California, A Paw Above Dog Training is a certified dog and puppy training business that serves dogs and their owners in the Valencia, Stevenson Ranch, Newhall, Saugus, Canyon Country, and Castaic areas. Owner and lead trainer Beth Harrison is a certified dog trainer with over 10 years of experience in the business. Using only positive methods within a safe and supervised environment she has trained hundreds of dogs ranging from energetic puppies to aggressive adults and rescues. Her training classes focus on socialization, as she feels that it helps reduce discomfort and fear in dogs that struggle with anxiety.

Santa Clarita, CA 91387

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (25)

Why choose this provider?

AngelDogs Training is located in Santa Clarita, California and provides a range of obedience and training classes to dogs and their owners in the area. Owner and lead trainer Mark Tipton offers a variety of programs including off-leash obedience, group classes, behavior modification, behavior management, aggression control, and agility training. Mike believes that every dog has a unique personality and requires a unique training plan and his more than 10 years of experience allows him to tailor his sessions to a wide range of dogs. Past clients of Mark’s speak highly of his commitment and passion for dogs and appreciated his exclusive use of positive reinforcement.

Simi Valley, CA 93065

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Why choose this provider?

Located in Simi Valley, California, 3 Dog Training is dedicated to fostering the best possible relationship between dogs and their owners. Providing both private and group obedience classes along with temperament testing and puppy-specific training, clients can find a variety of services to meet a wide range of needs. Owner and lead trainer Jennifer Davenport has over 16 years of experience in animal training and rescuing and has worked with all breeds and temperaments. She strives to pass along her knowledge and experience to each client so that communication with pets becomes a natural exchange. Past customers of Jennifer’s speak highly of her patience and friendliness and comment on how well their dogs behave after going through training.

Canoga Park, CA 91304

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (31)

Why choose this provider?

Pet Peeves Training is a dog behavior and training specialist in Canoga Park, California. They offer a broad range of training for a variety of undesirable dog behavior including barking, jumping, potty training, leash and house manners, and much more. Additionally, Pet Peeves Training offers specializations in socializing training, so your dog behaves better in social situations, as well as training on reducing aggression and improving reactivity. Previous clients of Pet Peeves Training praise the transformative behaviors they saw in their dog after attending their training. Pet Peeves Training is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals, and they are fully licensed and insured.

Woodland Hills, CA 91367

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (16)
Google
5.0 (7)
Facebook
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Animal Attraction Unlimited provides customized, in-home dog training for clients in several areas in California including the San Fernando Valley, Woodland Hills, Westlake Village, Malibu, Brentwood, and Calabasas. Using only positive and humane training techniques the training team offers classes for common puppy behaviors, basic obedience skills, on-leash reactivity, barking, food guarding, and much more. Owner and lead trainer Laura will work with dogs and their owners to customize a plan that meets their unique needs and focuses on the biggest areas for improvement. Past clients of Laura’s comment on how quickly some of the training techniques she provided kicked in and appreciated her patient help and guidance.

Santa Clarita, CA 91322

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Serving the Greater Los Angeles areas, Barks and Boundaries is a dog training and rehabilitation business that specializes in fixing dog aggression, resource guarding, separation anxiety, fear issues, leash aggression and much more. Offering services for any breed, size, or age the team of professional services provides board and train programs, one-on-one sessions, and lessons for appropriate walking behaviors. Barks and Boundaries has one of the highest success rates in the country with fixing aggression issues and offers on-going support and after-care for the entire life of the owners’ dogs. Past clients speak highly of the trainers’ expertise and passion for dogs and appreciated how thorough they were with demonstrating commands.

Granada Hills, CA 91344

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (18)

Why choose this provider?

LA Dog Behaviorist is located in Granada Hills, California and serves dogs and their owners in the Greater Los Angeles and Southern California areas. The business specializes in rehabilitating dogs who are aggressive, anxious, and fearful and offers dog behavior modification, aggressive dog rehabilitation, and dog walking/boarding. The team works with dogs of any severity, size, age, or breed and is committed to understanding canine body language and psychology. It believes in having a balanced relationship with dogs that allows them freedom without out of control behavior. Past clients speak highly of the company’s skilled training methods and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend its services to family and friends.

Compare our Top Dog Training Classes

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Gentle Guidance Dog Training
PO Box 2814, Santa Clarita, CA 91386
A Paw Above Dog Training
Castaic, CA 91384
AngelDogs Training
Santa Clarita, CA 91387
3 Dog Training
Simi Valley, CA 93065
Pet Peeves Training
Canoga Park, CA 91304
Animal Attraction Unlimited
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Barks and Boundaries
Santa Clarita, CA 91322
LA Dog Behaviorist
Granada Hills, CA 91344

FAQs

  • Introduction

    Dog trainers are professional instructors who use a wide range of training techniques to help dogs adapt to their environments, respond to cues and commands, and modify behavior patterns. Training methods include alpha dog dominance for aggressive dogs, positive reinforcement that's often utilized with puppies and younger dogs, relationship-based, and classic, conditional training.

    Schutzhund, the German word for “protection dog,” is a specialized type of instruction in which dogs are trained to attack on command, and it's commonly used in K9 Academies for police and security dogs. Depending on their skill sets and certifications, dog trainers may offer programs that incorporate several methods, or they may focus on a single method such as behavioral training, which focuses on changing dogs' behavior, or obedience training, where dogs are rewarded for following commands.
  • What is a dog trainer called?

    They’re referred to as dog trainers or behaviorists, depending on their skill sets and credentials. A dog trainer may refer to themselves as a canine behavioral specialist or a certified veterinary behaviorist.

  • What is the difference between a dog trainer and a behaviorist?

    Dog trainers and behaviorists practice the same profession, and many dog trainers refer to themselves as behaviorists. However, true animal behaviorists hold M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in animal behavior. The full title for an animal behaviorist is an Applied Animal Behaviorist or Certified Animal Behaviorist.

  • Does my dog need training?

    All dogs benefit from training, whether through their owners or a professional trainer. Owners can teach their dogs simple commands, and they can practice positive reinforcement techniques, such as providing treats when dogs follow basic instructions. Professional trainers are essential when dogs exhibit behavioral problems, such as aggression, excessive barking, and an inability to respond to basic commands.

  • What does dog training include?

    Some dog training classes focus on specific methods, such as obedience training or alpha training, while others offer a mix of multiple training techniques. Dog training activities can include brain games, clicker commands with positive reinforcement, relationship-based exercises between dogs and their owners, and socialization exercises.

  • Can you train a dog yourself?

    Dog owners can train their dogs themselves with the help of guidebooks and online tutorials that offer instruction in areas that include simple obedience commands and positive reinforcement techniques. When dogs are overly aggressive or display problematic behavior, such as biting or excessive barking, professional training can be extremely beneficial.

  • Is dog training easy?

    There are many methods of dog training. Teaching a dog simple commands is a fairly simple technique to learn, whether through guidebooks, online tutorials, or common sense. However, overly aggressive dogs often require professional training in which a trainer is certified and educated.