23 dog trainers are listed in Mississippi, in 20 cities, so most places have a single trainer; Holly Springs, Tupelo and Nesbit have 2 each. 21 have a Bark Score. 10 are labelled Force-free, 1 Balanced and 1 E-collar-centric, and 11 don't state their methods. 13 offer private 1:1 sessions, 10 offer board and train and 9 run group classes.
Find the right trainer in Mississippi
Ranked by member recommendations, then Bark Score. Narrow the list down to what your dog needs.
Counted from all 23 trainers listed in Mississippi, from what their listings say.
Where they are
Where to find a dog trainer in Mississippi
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 Mississippi
What the 23 trainers listed in Mississippi offer, how to check them, and what to ask before you book.
01
What training methods do dog trainers in Mississippi use?
Of the 23 trainers listed in Mississippi, 10 say they train force-free, 1 balanced, 1 e-collar-centric, and 11 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 Mississippi?
Look for an independent credential. 1 of the 23 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 Mississippi:
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 Mississippi, private lessons are offered by 13 trainers, and board and train by 10.
Private lessons (13 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 (10 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 (9 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.
In your home (2 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 (2 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 (1 trainer)
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 Mississippi help with?
17 of the 23 trainers listed in Mississippi help with basic obedience, 15 with recall and 14 with leash pulling.
Fewer take on behaviour problems: 4 list reactivity, 5 list aggression, 3 list fear and 2 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
Which Mississippi trainers score highest?
Faithfully Yours Dog Training in Braxton has a Bark Score of 4.5. Holt’s Training Academy in Holly Springs and Awesome Dog Academy in Tupelo both have 4.2. All three are labelled Force-free.
How does the ranking work?
Trainers are 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, and none are hidden.
What tiers are trainers in?
1 trainer is Gold Rated and 9 are Silver Rated. 9 are Listed and 2 are Listed with limited data. 21 of the 23 trainers have a Bark Score.
How much does dog training cost in Mississippi?
We don’t show prices for Mississippi yet, because none of the 23 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 Mississippi offer board and train?
10 of the 23 trainers listed in Mississippi offer board and train, where your dog stays with the trainer for a set time. 1 offer day training instead, where you drop your dog off and pick them up the same day.
Can I find a dog trainer in Mississippi who trains online?
Yes. 2 trainers based in Mississippi also train online by video call, so you can work with them wherever you live in the state.
Are there dog trainers in Mississippi who help with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. 4 trainers listed in Mississippi help with reactivity and 5 with aggression. Filter the list above by what you need help with to see them.
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