4.9Bark Score
- How you can train
- In your home, Private lessons, Board and train, Group classes
- Helps with
- Basic obedience, Recall, Leash pulling, AKC Canine Good Citizen, Service dog work
- Credentials
- KPA-CTP
KPA dog training and the KPA CTP
KPA dog training means training taught by the Karen Pryor Academy, which uses marker-based positive reinforcement, often called clicker training. Trainers who graduate from its professional program can call themselves a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, or KPA CTP. Here is what that involves, plus the trainers in our directory who list it.
- Awarded by
- Karen Pryor Academy (KPA)
- On Barklopedia
- 104 trainers list KPA CTP among their credentials
What is a KPA CTP?
A KPA CTP is a trainer who has completed the Karen Pryor Academy’s Dog Trainer Professional program and met its graduation standards. KPA says finishing the program does not guarantee certification: students have to pass its assessments.
How does a trainer become a KPA CTP?
At the time of writing, the program works like this:
- Before they start
- Dog training experience and familiarity with clicker training, plus an interview and reference checks
- Length
- About 6 months, at 10 to 20 hours a week
- What they study
- 21 lessons with 100 learning goals, 250 videos and 40 hands-on exercises
- Workshops
- Online or in person, with a maximum of 10 students
- Assessment
- Quizzes, assignments, video submissions and practical assessments
- Tuition
- $5,600 to $6,600, depending on the format
Do KPA CTPs train force-free?
Yes, that is part of the title: KPA CTPs pledge to teach and train using force-free principles. On Barklopedia, check each trainer’s method label too.
What does a KPA CTP mean for you as a dog owner?
It tells you the trainer completed a structured six-month program in reward-based training, passed practical assessments, and has pledged to train force-free. If you are looking for a positive reinforcement trainer, it is a useful sign to look for.
How can you check a trainer holds the KPA CTP?
Search the Karen Pryor Academy’s “Find a Trainer” directory: karenpryoracademy.com/find-a-trainer/.
The credentials on Barklopedia come from what trainers publish themselves. We haven’t confirmed each one with the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA), so it’s worth checking before you book.
Trainers on Barklopedia who list KPA CTP among their credentials
104 trainers, highest Bark Score first. Nobody can pay to move up.
4.9Bark Score
- How you can train
- Private lessons, Group classes
- Helps with
- Puppy training, Agility, Basic obedience, Recall, Leash pulling and 1 more
- Credentials
- CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP
4.9Bark Score
- How you can train
- Board and train, Private lessons, Day training, Online
- Helps with
- Basic obedience, Recall, Leash pulling, Puppy training, Aggression and 2 more
- Credentials
- CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, KPA-CTP
4.8Bark Score
- How you can train
- Group classes, Private lessons
- Helps with
- Puppy training, Basic obedience, Recall, Leash pulling, Agility and 1 more
- Credentials
- KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA
- In business since
- 1991
4.8Bark Score
- How you can train
- Private lessons, Board and train, Online
- Helps with
- AKC Canine Good Citizen, Puppy training, Basic obedience, Reactivity, Aggression and 4 more
- Credentials
- CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP
4.8Bark Score
- How you can train
- Private lessons, Board and train
- Helps with
- Basic obedience, Puppy training, Recall, Leash pulling
- Credentials
- KPA-CTP
- How you can train
- Board and train, Private lessons, Day training, Online
- Helps with
- Basic obedience, Recall, Leash pulling, Puppy training, Aggression and 2 more
- Credentials
- CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, KPA-CTP
4.8Bark Score
- How you can train
- Private lessons, Group classes
- Helps with
- Puppy training, Basic obedience, Reactivity, Recall, Leash pulling and 2 more
- Credentials
- KPA-CTP
4.8Bark Score
- How you can train
- Private lessons, Group classes
- Helps with
- Puppy training, Basic obedience, Agility, Recall, Leash pulling and 5 more
- Credentials
- KPA-CTP, CPDT-KSA
- In business since
- 2006
4.8Bark Score
- How you can train
- Private lessons, Group classes
- Helps with
- Puppy training, Basic obedience, Recall, Leash pulling, AKC Canine Good Citizen
- Credentials
- CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP
4.7Bark Score
- How you can train
- Board and train, Private lessons, Day training, Online
- Helps with
- Basic obedience, Recall, Leash pulling, Puppy training, Aggression and 2 more
- Credentials
- CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, KPA-CTP
4.7Bark Score
- How you can train
- Private lessons, Group classes, Online
- Helps with
- Puppy training, Basic obedience, Recall, Leash pulling
- Credentials
- KPA-CTP
All 104, by state
Arizona1
- Modern Day Dog Training, LLC San Tan Valley
California12
- Top Notch Kennels Turlock
- Top Notch Kennels Modesto
- Get Pawsitive Dog Training Encinitas
- Dog Pause Truckee
- Midtown Mutts Sacramento
- Canine Connection Chico
- Cooperative Care Training and Behavior Service Walnut Creek
- Alliance Dog Training Santa Maria
- Pet Project Dog Training Escondido
- Mary’s Angels Dog Training San Rafael
- Prancing Pony Maremma Sheepdogs and Livestock Guardian Dog Training Lemoore
- Canine Learning Academy Huntington Beach
Colorado6
- K9 Wisdom Training & Consulting, LLC Berthoud
- Brilliant Pup Behavior Boulder
- K9To5 Dog Training Colorado Springs
- The Cooperative Canine, LLC Longmont
- Beyond Elevation K9 Training Berthoud
- Colorado Springs Dog Training Company Colorado Springs
Connecticut1
Delaware1
- BlackDog Behavior and Training, LLC Wilmington
District Of Columbia2
- Dog Trained LLC Washington
- Dog Trained LLC Washington
Florida2
- Daniel De La Rosa – Dogs Fort Lauderdale
- Pet’s Behave LLC Niceville
Illinois7
- Coachable Canines Highland Park
- Canine In Focus Dog & Puppy Training Rockford
- Play All Day Dog Daycare East Peoria
- Pet Harmony Lisle
- I Got This SIT, LLC Huntley
- Kudos for Canines Normal
- Radical Rover Dog Training Chicago
Indiana3
- Uptown Pup Indianapolis
- Patient Paws Positive Dog Training Valparaiso
- Paw Partner Dog Training & Grooming Noblesville
Kansas3
- Canine Solutions Dog Training Spring Hill
- Wagmore Canine Enrichment: Daycare and Boarding Lawrence
- Wagmore Canine Enrichment: Training Center Lawrence
Kentucky1
- Manners Matter Dog Training and Daycare, LLC Nicholasville
Massachusetts6
- Gemini Dogs Littleton
- Bark n’ Roll North Reading
- PAWSitively Obedient Hanover
- Canine Head Start Montague
- Right Vibe Dog Training Westhampton
- Tail Waggin’ Dog Training South Dennis
Michigan5
- Barks and Rec Traverse City
- Drop the Leash LLC Dog Training and Behavior Consultant Johannesburg
- Dream Dogs Training Alto
- K9 Translations Whitmore Lake
- Click!Pawsitive Dog Training Haslett
Minnesota2
- Giffy dog Roseville
- The Family Fido Racine
Missouri4
- The Dogs’ Spot – Dog Training Center and Boutique North Kansas City
- The Persuaded Pooch Webster Groves
- Greater Saint Louis Training Club St. Louis
- The Devoted Dog Columbia
Nevada1
- Impetus Animal Training Las Vegas
New Jersey4
- Instinct Dog Behavior & Training, New Jersey and Philadelphia Englewood
- The Dog Clicker, LLC Cranford
- Canine Partnership Dog Training ,Nose Work & Trac Flemington
- My Positive Pup Hoboken
New York6
North Carolina4
- Carolina Ranch Dog Training Garner
- Family Paws, LLC Cary
- Hole In the Wall Dog Training Morehead City
- Learning to Dog Training and Enrichment Durham
North Dakota1
- Down Dog Studios Fargo
Ohio4
- Toledo’s PET Bull Project Toledo
- Jackie the Dog Trainer / SouthPaw Pet Care & Training Akron
- One Smart Dog Seville
- Ready, Set?Train! Holland
Oklahoma1
- ROC Animal Training and Behavior Oklahoma City
Oregon8
- Instinct Dog Behavior & Training Portland Portland
- Training Spot Eugene
- Dog3 Training Milwaukie
- Dog3 Training Milwaukie
- For the Love of Dogs Training, LLC Hillsboro
- Zen Critter, LLC Rockaway Beach
- True Bond Canine Portland
- Dancin’ Woofs Bend
Pennsylvania2
- Paula’s Dog Services Finleyville
- Points of Wisdom Dog Training, LLC Walnutport
Rhode Island1
Texas3
- Every Dog Behavior and Training Austin
- Lubbock Family Dog Training Lubbock
- Cowtown Dog Sports Hudson Oaks
Utah1
- Clementine Dog Training Riverton
Virginia2
- WOOFS! Dog Training Center Arlington
- Animal Behavior Wellness Center Fairfax
Washington8
- Lead Me On, Inc Olympia
- Happy Pup Training Mount Vernon
- Dog Barn Training Chimacum
- Notre Dog Academy Tacoma
- K9 Companion Academy Gig Harbor
- Sea Change Canine Carlsborg
- Let’s Talk Dogs Olympia
- Four Paw Sports Center Lynnwood
Wisconsin1
Wyoming1
- PAWSitive Training Sheridan
Sources, checked October 19, 2026
Other dog training certifications
CPDT-KACPDT-KSAIAABCCDTAll certifications comparedCertified dog trainers near you