Group classes are the most common format among the 182 dog trainers listed in Michigan, offered by 94, just ahead of private 1:1 sessions at 91. The trainers are spread over 120 cities, with no more than 5 in any one. 160 have a Bark Score. 48 are labelled Force-free, 17 Balanced and 9 E-collar-centric, and 108 don't state their methods.
Find the right trainer in Michigan
Ranked by member recommendations, then Bark Score. Narrow the list down to what your dog needs.
Of the 5 trainers in Grand Rapids, 1 says it trains force-free, 1 e-collar-centric and 3 don’t say how they train. 2 offer private lessons, 1 online and 1 in your home.
Highest Bark Score in Grand Rapids: A Pleasant Dog, 4.8.
Of the 5 trainers in Midland, 1 says it trains force-free, 1 balanced and 3 don’t say how they train. 4 offer private lessons, 3 board and train and 2 group classes. 1 names a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 4 trainers in Kalamazoo, 2 say they train force-free and 2 don’t say how they train. 3 offer group classes, 2 private lessons and 1 day training.
Of the 4 trainers in Sterling Heights, 2 say they train force-free and 2 don’t say how they train. 2 offer private lessons, 2 group classes and 1 board and train.
Of the 4 trainers in Whitmore Lake, 2 say they train force-free and 2 don’t say how they train. 3 offer group classes and 1 private lessons. 1 names a credential such as CPDT-KA.
What the 182 trainers listed in Michigan offer, how to check them, and what to ask before you book.
01
What training methods do dog trainers in Michigan use?
Of the 182 trainers listed in Michigan, 48 say they train force-free, 17 balanced, 9 e-collar-centric, and 108 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 Michigan?
Look for an independent credential. 13 of the 182 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 Michigan:
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.
KPA-CTP (5 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.
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.
IAABC-ADT (1 trainer)
Accredited Dog Trainer, from the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). Accredited by IAABC after a review of their training knowledge and case work.
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.
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 Michigan, group classes are offered by 94 trainers, and private lessons by 91.
Group classes (94 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 (91 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 (55 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 (21 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 (16 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 (15 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 Michigan help with?
143 of the 182 trainers listed in Michigan help with basic obedience, 109 with recall and 108 with puppy training.
Fewer take on behaviour problems: 29 list reactivity, 27 list aggression, 16 list fear and 9 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
Who has the highest Bark Score in Michigan?
Three trainers have a Bark Score of 4.8: Dog Star Ranch in Muskegon, A Pleasant Dog in Grand Rapids and K9 Turbo Training in Ferndale. Dog Star Ranch and K9 Turbo Training are labelled Force-free, and A Pleasant Dog doesn't state its methods.
How is a trainer's position decided?
By Bark Score, a figure from 0 to 5 made up of Reputation 30%, Ethics (training methods) 40%, Credentials 25% and Service breadth 5%. Nobody can pay for a higher score, and no trainer is hidden.
Where are the trainers?
They are listed in 120 cities across the state. Grand Rapids and Midland have 5 each, and Whitmore Lake, Sterling Heights and Kalamazoo have 4 each, so trainers are spread widely.
How much does dog training cost in Michigan?
We don’t show prices for Michigan yet, because none of the 182 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 Michigan offer board and train?
55 of the 182 trainers listed in Michigan offer board and train, where your dog stays with the trainer for a set time. 15 offer day training instead, where you drop your dog off and pick them up the same day.
Can I find a dog trainer in Michigan who trains online?
Yes. 16 trainers based in Michigan also train online by video call, so you can work with them wherever you live in the state.
Are there dog trainers in Michigan who help with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. 29 trainers listed in Michigan help with reactivity and 27 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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