Puppy training is the most common subject among Montana's 31 listed dog trainers, covered by 19, ahead of basic obedience at 17. Billings has 6 trainers, Bozeman 5 and Belgrade 3, among 15 cities. 28 have a Bark Score. 8 are labelled Force-free, 4 Balanced and 1 E-collar-centric, and 18 don't state their methods. 19 offer private 1:1 sessions, and board and train and group classes have 12 each.
Find the right trainer in Montana
Ranked by member recommendations, then Bark Score. Narrow the list down to what your dog needs.
Of the 6 trainers in Billings, 1 says it trains force-free, 1 balanced and 4 don’t say how they train. 3 offer board and train, 3 group classes and 2 day training.
Of the 5 trainers in Bozeman, 1 says it trains force-free, 2 balanced and 2 don’t say how they train. 4 offer private lessons, 3 group classes and 3 board and train.
What the 31 trainers listed in Montana offer, how to check them, and what to ask before you book.
01
What training methods do dog trainers in Montana use?
Of the 31 trainers listed in Montana, 8 say they train force-free, 4 balanced, 1 e-collar-centric, and 18 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 Montana?
Look for an independent credential. 2 of the 31 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 Montana:
CPDT-KA (2 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.
IAABC-CDBC (1 trainer)
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, from the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). Certified to work on behaviour problems, after a review of their knowledge and written case studies.
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 Montana, private lessons are offered by 19 trainers, and board and train by 12.
Private lessons (19 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 (12 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 (12 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 (3 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 (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.
Online (3 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 Montana help with?
19 of the 31 trainers listed in Montana help with puppy training, 17 with basic obedience and 15 with recall.
Fewer take on behaviour problems: 6 list reactivity, 4 list aggression, 3 list fear and 2 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
Which Montana trainers have the highest Bark Scores?
Blue Sky Behavior in Missoula has a Bark Score of 4.7. All Day Dog Adventures in Columbia Falls has 4.3 and Three Dog Ranch in Whitefish has 4.2. All three are labelled Force-free.
How are they ranked?
By Bark Score, from 0 to 5. It combines 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.
Is agility taught in the state?
Yes, 7 trainers teach agility and 6 work with reactivity. For everyday skills, 19 work with puppies, 17 cover basic obedience, 15 recall and 11 lead walking.
How much does dog training cost in Montana?
We don’t show prices for Montana yet, because none of the 31 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 Montana offer board and train?
12 of the 31 trainers listed in Montana 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 Montana who trains online?
Yes. 3 trainers based in Montana also train online by video call, so you can work with them wherever you live in the state.
Are there dog trainers in Montana who help with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. 6 trainers listed in Montana help with reactivity and 4 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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