Delaware has 18 dog trainers listed in 11 cities, and 17 have a Bark Score. Wilmington has 6, and Dover and Frankford have 2 each. 7 trainers are labelled Force-free and 3 Balanced, while 8 don't state their methods. 3 are Platinum Certified. 11 offer private 1:1 training, 8 run group classes and 7 offer board and train. Farmhouse Pet Lodge in Georgetown has a Bark Score of 4.8.
Find the right trainer in Delaware
Ranked by member recommendations, then Bark Score. Narrow the list down to what your dog needs.
Of the 6 trainers in Wilmington, 3 say they train force-free and 3 don’t say how they train. 4 offer group classes, 4 board and train and 3 private lessons. 3 name a credential such as CPDT-KA.
What the 18 trainers listed in Delaware offer, how to check them, and what to ask before you book.
01
What training methods do dog trainers in Delaware use?
Of the 18 trainers listed in Delaware, 7 say they train force-free, 3 balanced, and 8 don’t say how they train.
It’s worth knowing a trainer’s method before you book, rather than finding out in the first session. Every trainer on this page carries one of four labels, and nobody is hidden because of their method:
Force-free
Rewards and positive reinforcement, with no aversive tools such as prong, choke or shock collars.
Balanced
Rewards combined with corrections when a dog gets something wrong.
E-collar-centric
Training built around an electronic collar.
Not stated
The listing doesn’t say, and we couldn’t check it yet.
If a trainer’s method isn’t stated, ask them what happens when a dog gets something wrong. Their answer will tell you more than any label.
02
How do you check a dog trainer’s qualifications in Delaware?
Look for an independent credential. 5 of the 18 trainers listed here name one on their listing.
A credential doesn’t guarantee a good trainer, but it means someone outside their business has tested what they know. That’s why credentials make up a quarter of the Bark Score.
The credentials held by trainers in Delaware:
CPDT-KA (5 trainers)
Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed, from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). Passed an independent exam on training and behaviour, after logging hours of training experience. Kept up with continuing education.
KPA-CTP (1 trainer)
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, from the Karen Pryor Academy. Completed the academy’s dog trainer programme, which teaches reward-based training, and passed its practical assessments.
03
Private lessons, group classes or board and train: which suits your dog?
It depends on the problem and on how much time you can give it. In Delaware, private lessons are offered by 11 trainers, and group classes by 8.
Private lessons (11 trainers)
One to one with the trainer, so the whole session goes on your dog’s problem. A good fit for a specific issue, or a dog who can’t cope around other dogs yet.
Group classes (8 trainers)
A class with other dogs and owners. Your dog learns to listen around distractions, though each dog gets less of the trainer’s time.
Board and train (7 trainers)
Your dog stays with the trainer for a set time and is trained for you. Ask how they will hand the skills over, because a dog who listens to the trainer won’t automatically listen to you at home.
Day training (3 trainers)
You drop your dog off and pick them up the same day, with the trainer working with them in between. Ask how many handover sessions with you are included.
In your home (2 trainers)
The trainer comes to you, so you work on problems where they happen: at the front door, in the yard or on your usual walk.
Online (1 trainer)
Sessions by video call. Handy for puppy questions and coaching you between visits, harder for problems a trainer needs to see in person.
Whichever you choose, the training only sticks if you practise between sessions, so ask what you’ll need to do at home and how long it should take each day.
04
What can a dog trainer in Delaware help with?
14 of the 18 trainers listed in Delaware help with basic obedience, 11 with recall and 9 with leash pulling.
Fewer take on behaviour problems: 3 list reactivity, 5 list aggression, 2 list fear and 4 list separation anxiety.
If the behaviour is new, or your dog has started growling, snapping or hiding, see your vet before you book a trainer. Pain and illness can cause behaviour changes, and a good trainer will ask about it anyway.
05
What should you ask a dog trainer before you book?
Ask these before you pay for anything. A good trainer will be happy to answer all of them.
1How do you train, and what happens when a dog gets something wrong?
2What training or credentials do you have?
3Have you worked with dogs like mine, with this problem?
4What does it cost, and how many sessions are included?
5What will I need to practise between sessions?
6What support do I get once the sessions are over?
Questions people ask
How are dog trainers in Delaware ranked?
By Bark Score, from 0 to 5. The four pillars are Reputation 30%, Ethics (training methods) 40%, Credentials 25% and Service breadth 5%. Nobody can pay for a higher score, and none are hidden.
Which credentials do trainers hold?
5 trainers hold the CPDT-KA credential and 1 holds KPA-CTP. By tier, 3 trainers are Platinum Certified, 2 are Gold Rated, 2 are Silver Rated and 10 are Listed.
What problems do trainers work with?
5 trainers work with aggression and 4 with separation anxiety. For everyday skills, 14 cover basic obedience, 11 recall, 9 lead walking and 6 puppy training.
How much does dog training cost in Delaware?
We don’t show prices for Delaware yet, because none of the 18 trainers listed here publish prices on their listing, and we’d rather show you nothing than a guess. When you ask for a quote, check how long each session is, how many sessions are included, and whether help after the program ends is part of the price.
How many dog trainers in Delaware offer board and train?
7 of the 18 trainers listed in Delaware offer board and train, where your dog stays with the trainer for a set time. 3 offer day training instead, where you drop your dog off and pick them up the same day.
Can I find a dog trainer in Delaware who trains online?
Yes. 1 trainer based in Delaware also train online by video call, so you can work with them wherever you live in the state.
Are there dog trainers in Delaware who help with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. 3 trainers listed in Delaware help with reactivity and 5 with aggression. Filter the list above by what you need help with to see them.
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