Maryland's 123 listed dog trainers are spread evenly: Pasadena, Columbia, Baltimore and Annapolis each have 5, out of 74 cities. 104 have a Bark Score. 27 are labelled Force-free, 19 Balanced and 8 E-collar-centric, and 69 don't state their methods. Best Buddy Dog Trainer in Leonardtown and High Five Dog Training, LLC in Silver Spring both have a Bark Score of 4.9.
Find the right trainer in Maryland
Ranked by member recommendations, then Bark Score. Narrow the list down to what your dog needs.
Of the 5 trainers in Baltimore, 2 say they train force-free, 1 balanced, 1 e-collar-centric and 1 doesn’t say how they train. 4 offer private lessons, 2 group classes and 2 online.
Of the 5 trainers in Pasadena, 2 say they train force-free, 1 e-collar-centric and 2 don’t say how they train. 4 offer private lessons, 3 in your home and 2 group classes. 2 name a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 4 trainers in Frederick, 1 says it trains force-free, 1 balanced and 2 don’t say how they train. 4 offer group classes, 3 private lessons and 1 board and train. 1 names a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 4 trainers in Rockville, 1 says it trains force-free, 1 balanced and 2 don’t say how they train. 2 offer private lessons, 1 in your home and 1 board and train.
What the 123 trainers listed in Maryland offer, how to check them, and what to ask before you book.
01
What training methods do dog trainers in Maryland use?
Of the 123 trainers listed in Maryland, 27 say they train force-free, 19 balanced, 8 e-collar-centric, and 69 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 Maryland?
Look for an independent credential. 11 of the 123 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 Maryland:
CPDT-KA (11 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.
CBCC-KA (1 trainer)
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 Maryland, private lessons are offered by 71 trainers, and group classes by 55.
Private lessons (71 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 (55 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 (38 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.
Online (17 trainers)
Sessions by video call. Handy for puppy questions and coaching you between visits, harder for problems a trainer needs to see in person.
In your home (17 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.
Day training (14 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 Maryland help with?
90 of the 123 trainers listed in Maryland help with basic obedience, 68 with recall and 65 with puppy training.
Fewer take on behaviour problems: 19 list reactivity, 27 list aggression, 13 list fear and 6 list separation anxiety. 1 holds 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
How are trainers in Maryland ranked?
By Bark Score, from 0 to 5: 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.
What formats do trainers offer?
71 offer private 1:1 training, 55 run group classes and 38 offer board and train. 17 train in the home and 17 offer online sessions.
How many trainers hold the CPDT-KA credential?
11 trainers in the state hold CPDT-KA, and 1 holds CBCC-KA. By tier, 3 trainers are Platinum Certified, 10 are Gold Rated and 17 are Silver Rated.
How much does dog training cost in Maryland?
We don’t show prices for Maryland yet, because none of the 123 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 Maryland offer board and train?
38 of the 123 trainers listed in Maryland offer board and train, where your dog stays with the trainer for a set time. 14 offer day training instead, where you drop your dog off and pick them up the same day.
Can I find a dog trainer in Maryland who trains online?
Yes. 17 trainers based in Maryland also train online by video call, so you can work with them wherever you live in the state.
Are there dog trainers in Maryland who help with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. 19 trainers listed in Maryland help with reactivity and 27 with aggression. 1 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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