Florida has 422 dog trainers listed across 155 cities, and 360 of them have a Bark Score. Miami has the most with 23, followed by Jacksonville with 21 and Orlando with 18. 123 trainers are labelled Force-free, 45 Balanced and 14 E-collar-centric, while 240 don't state their methods. Private 1:1 training is the most common format, offered by 248 trainers, and 44 offer online sessions.
Find the right trainer in Florida
Ranked by member recommendations, then Bark Score. Narrow the list down to what your dog needs.
Of the 23 trainers in Miami, 8 say they train force-free, 2 e-collar-centric and 13 don’t say how they train. 13 offer private lessons, 7 group classes and 6 board and train.
Of the 21 trainers in Jacksonville, 5 say they train force-free, 1 balanced and 15 don’t say how they train. 14 offer private lessons, 9 board and train and 6 group classes. 1 names a credential such as IACP.
Highest Bark Score in Jacksonville: D.O.G. of Jax, 4.8.
Of the 18 trainers in Orlando, 7 say they train force-free, 2 balanced, 1 e-collar-centric and 8 don’t say how they train. 10 offer group classes, 9 private lessons and 7 board and train.
Of the 15 trainers in Tampa, 2 say they train force-free, 3 balanced and 10 don’t say how they train. 11 offer private lessons, 10 group classes and 5 board and train.
Of the 13 trainers in West Palm Beach, 3 say they train force-free, 2 balanced and 8 don’t say how they train. 6 offer group classes, 6 private lessons and 2 board and train.
Of the 11 trainers in Gainesville, 3 say they train force-free, 1 balanced and 7 don’t say how they train. 4 offer in your home, 4 private lessons and 4 group classes. 2 name a credential such as CPDT-KA.
What the 422 trainers listed in Florida offer, how to check them, and what to ask before you book.
01
What training methods do dog trainers in Florida use?
Of the 422 trainers listed in Florida, 123 say they train force-free, 45 balanced, 14 e-collar-centric, and 240 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 Florida?
Look for an independent credential. 25 of the 422 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 Florida:
CPDT-KA (20 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.
CPDT-KSA (2 trainers)
Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge and Skills Assessed, from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). As the CPDT-KA, plus a hands-on assessment of their training skills.
KPA-CTP (2 trainers)
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.
IACP (2 trainers)
International Association of Canine Professionals, from the International Association of Canine Professionals. A membership association for dog professionals. It also runs its own certifications, so ask which one, if any, the trainer holds.
CBCC-KA (2 trainers)
Certified Behavior Consultant Canine, Knowledge Assessed, from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). Passed an exam focused on behaviour problems such as fear, aggression and anxiety, after logging hours of behaviour consulting.
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 Florida, private lessons are offered by 248 trainers, and group classes by 187.
Private lessons (248 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 (187 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 (142 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.
In your home (76 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 (44 trainers)
Sessions by video call. Handy for puppy questions and coaching you between visits, harder for problems a trainer needs to see in person.
Day training (30 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.
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 Florida help with?
312 of the 422 trainers listed in Florida help with basic obedience, 246 with recall and 234 with leash pulling.
Fewer take on behaviour problems: 81 list reactivity, 81 list aggression, 38 list fear and 40 list separation anxiety. 2 hold a behaviour credential (CBCC-KA or IAABC-CDBC), which means they’ve been tested on exactly this kind of work.
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
Which Florida cities have the most dog trainers?
Miami has the most, with 23 trainers listed. Jacksonville follows with 21, then Orlando with 18, Tampa with 15 and West Palm Beach with 13. In all, 155 cities in the state have at least one trainer on Barklopedia.
Who has the highest Bark Score in Florida?
East Bay Dog Spot Dog Training in Gulf Breeze and Daniel De La Rosa – Dogs in Fort Lauderdale both have a Bark Score of 4.9. Both are labelled Force-free. Across the state, 7 trainers are Platinum Certified and 30 are Gold Rated.
How is the ranking worked out?
Trainers are ranked by Bark Score, from 0 to 5. It is built from four pillars: Reputation 30%, Ethics (training methods) 40%, Credentials 25% and Service breadth 5%. Nobody can pay for a higher score. Every trainer is listed and labelled by method, and none are hidden.
Can I find board and train or group classes in Florida?
Yes. 142 trainers in the state offer board and train and 187 run group classes. Private 1:1 training is the most common format with 248 trainers, 76 train in the home and 44 offer online sessions.
How much does dog training cost in Florida?
We don’t show prices for Florida yet, because none of the 422 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 Florida offer board and train?
142 of the 422 trainers listed in Florida offer board and train, where your dog stays with the trainer for a set time. 30 offer day training instead, where you drop your dog off and pick them up the same day.
Can I find a dog trainer in Florida who trains online?
Yes. 44 trainers based in Florida also train online by video call, so you can work with them wherever you live in the state.
Are there dog trainers in Florida who help with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. 81 trainers listed in Florida help with reactivity and 81 with aggression. 2 hold a behaviour credential (CBCC-KA or IAABC-CDBC). Filter the list above by what you need help with to see them.
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