11 dog trainers are listed in Hawaii, spread over 9 cities, with 2 each in Lahaina and Haiku. 9 have a Bark Score. 2 are labelled Force-free, 2 Balanced and 2 E-collar-centric, and 5 don't state their methods. 7 offer private 1:1 training, and board and train and group classes are each offered by 5. Such Good Dogs in Lahaina has a Bark Score of 4.6.
Find the right trainer in Hawaii
Ranked by member recommendations, then Bark Score. Narrow the list down to what your dog needs.
Counted from all 11 trainers listed in Hawaii, from what their listings say.
Where they are
Where to find a dog trainer in Hawaii
Each circle is a town with trainers listed, sized by how many. Tap one to see its trainers.
Guide
How to choose a dog trainer in Hawaii
What the 11 trainers listed in Hawaii offer, how to check them, and what to ask before you book.
01
What training methods do dog trainers in Hawaii use?
Of the 11 trainers listed in Hawaii, 2 say they train force-free, 2 balanced, 2 e-collar-centric, and 5 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 Hawaii?
Look for an independent credential. 1 of the 11 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 Hawaii:
CPDT-KA (1 trainer)
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.
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 Hawaii, private lessons are offered by 7 trainers, and board and train by 5.
Private lessons (7 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.
Board and train (5 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.
Group classes (5 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.
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 (1 trainer)
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 Hawaii help with?
7 of the 11 trainers listed in Hawaii help with basic obedience, 7 with recall and 6 with puppy training.
Fewer take on behaviour problems: 1 lists reactivity, 2 list aggression and 1 lists fear.
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
Who has the highest Bark Score in Hawaii?
Such Good Dogs in Lahaina has a Bark Score of 4.6 and is labelled Force-free. A Pet Perspective, LLC in Waimanalo has 4.0 and doesn't state its methods. Petco Dog Training in Kapolei has 3.8 and is labelled Force-free.
How are trainers ranked?
By Bark Score, from 0 to 5, weighing Reputation 30%, Ethics (training methods) 40%, Credentials 25% and Service breadth 5%. Nobody can pay for a higher score, and every trainer is listed and labelled by method.
What training formats are available?
7 trainers offer private 1:1 training. Board and train and group classes are each offered by 5, day school by 3 and in-home training by 1. 1 trainer offers online sessions.
How much does dog training cost in Hawaii?
We don’t show prices for Hawaii yet, because none of the 11 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 Hawaii offer board and train?
5 of the 11 trainers listed in Hawaii 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 Hawaii who trains online?
Yes. 1 trainer based in Hawaii also train online by video call, so you can work with them wherever you live in the state.
Are there dog trainers in Hawaii who help with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. 1 trainers listed in Hawaii help with reactivity and 2 with aggression. Filter the list above by what you need help with to see them.
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