Louisville has 13 of the 64 dog trainers listed in Kentucky; no other city has more than 3. Trainers are found in 39 cities and 52 have a Bark Score. 24 are labelled Force-free, 6 Balanced and 1 E-collar-centric, while 33 don't state their methods. Group classes lead the formats with 40 trainers, then private 1:1 sessions with 33 and board and train with 22.
Find the right trainer in Kentucky
Ranked by member recommendations, then Bark Score. Narrow the list down to what your dog needs.
Of the 13 trainers in Louisville, 5 say they train force-free, 1 balanced and 7 don’t say how they train. 8 offer group classes, 5 private lessons and 3 board and train. 1 names a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 3 trainers in Bowling Green, 1 says it trains force-free and 2 don’t say how they train. 1 offers in your home, 1 private lessons and 1 group classes.
Highest Bark Score in Bowling Green: Good Boy, 4.3.
What the 64 trainers listed in Kentucky offer, how to check them, and what to ask before you book.
01
What training methods do dog trainers in Kentucky use?
Of the 64 trainers listed in Kentucky, 24 say they train force-free, 6 balanced, 1 e-collar-centric, and 33 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 Kentucky?
Look for an independent credential. 5 of the 64 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 Kentucky:
CPDT-KA (3 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.
CPDT-KSA (1 trainer)
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.
IACP (1 trainer)
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.
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 Kentucky, group classes are offered by 40 trainers, and private lessons by 33.
Group classes (40 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.
Private lessons (33 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 (22 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 (8 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 (8 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 (5 trainers)
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 Kentucky help with?
47 of the 64 trainers listed in Kentucky help with basic obedience, 38 with puppy training and 36 with leash pulling.
Fewer take on behaviour problems: 12 list reactivity, 13 list aggression, 4 list fear and 8 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
Who has the highest Bark Score in Kentucky?
Kentucky Humane Society East Campus in Louisville has a Bark Score of 4.8. Manners Matter Dog Training and Daycare, LLC in Nicholasville has 4.7. Both are labelled Force-free.
What tiers have trainers reached?
1 trainer in the state is Platinum Certified, 7 are Gold Rated and 16 are Silver Rated. 28 are Listed. Of the 64 trainers listed, 52 have a Bark Score.
Can I prepare for the AKC CGC test?
Yes, 16 trainers offer AKC CGC Test Prep. 47 cover basic obedience, 38 puppy training, and 36 each cover lead walking and recall. 13 work with aggression.
How much does dog training cost in Kentucky?
We don’t show prices for Kentucky yet, because none of the 64 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 Kentucky offer board and train?
22 of the 64 trainers listed in Kentucky offer board and train, where your dog stays with the trainer for a set time. 8 offer day training instead, where you drop your dog off and pick them up the same day.
Can I find a dog trainer in Kentucky who trains online?
Yes. 5 trainers based in Kentucky also train online by video call, so you can work with them wherever you live in the state.
Are there dog trainers in Kentucky who help with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. 12 trainers listed in Kentucky help with reactivity and 13 with aggression. Filter the list above by what you need help with to see them.
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