166 dog trainers are listed in New Jersey, across 113 cities. Toms River has 8 and Jersey City 7, and 145 trainers have a Bark Score. 56 are labelled Force-free, 12 Balanced and 3 E-collar-centric, with 95 not stating their methods. Private 1:1 sessions are offered by 93 trainers, group classes by 72 and board and train by 54. Hudson Barks in Jersey City has a Bark Score of 4.8.
Find the right trainer in New Jersey
Ranked by member recommendations, then Bark Score. Narrow the list down to what your dog needs.
Of the 8 trainers in Toms River, 1 says it trains force-free, 2 balanced and 5 don’t say how they train. 5 offer private lessons, 4 group classes and 4 board and train. 1 names a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 7 trainers in Jersey City, 3 say they train force-free, 1 balanced and 3 don’t say how they train. 5 offer private lessons, 2 board and train and 2 online. 3 name a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Highest Bark Score in Jersey City: Hudson Barks, 4.8.
Of the 4 trainers in Medford, 1 says it trains force-free, 1 balanced and 2 don’t say how they train. 2 offer private lessons, 2 group classes and 2 board and train. 1 names a credential such as CPDT-KA.
What the 166 trainers listed in New Jersey offer, how to check them, and what to ask before you book.
01
What training methods do dog trainers in New Jersey use?
Of the 166 trainers listed in New Jersey, 56 say they train force-free, 12 balanced, 3 e-collar-centric, and 95 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 New Jersey?
Look for an independent credential. 18 of the 166 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 New Jersey:
CPDT-KA (15 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 (4 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 (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 New Jersey, private lessons are offered by 93 trainers, and group classes by 72.
Private lessons (93 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 (72 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 (54 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 (29 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 (19 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 (19 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 New Jersey help with?
115 of the 166 trainers listed in New Jersey help with basic obedience, 100 with recall and 96 with leash pulling.
Fewer take on behaviour problems: 23 list reactivity, 22 list aggression, 19 list fear and 16 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 dog trainers in New Jersey ranked?
By Bark Score, from 0 to 5. The score weighs 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.
How many trainers have reached the higher tiers?
3 trainers in the state are Platinum Certified, 21 are Gold Rated and 35 are Silver Rated. 82 are Listed and 4 are Listed with limited data.
Is AKC CGC test preparation available?
Yes, 25 trainers offer AKC CGC Test Prep. Basic obedience is covered by 115 trainers, recall by 100, lead walking by 96 and puppy training by 91.
How much does dog training cost in New Jersey?
We don’t show prices for New Jersey yet, because none of the 166 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 New Jersey offer board and train?
54 of the 166 trainers listed in New Jersey offer board and train, where your dog stays with the trainer for a set time. 19 offer day training instead, where you drop your dog off and pick them up the same day.
Can I find a dog trainer in New Jersey who trains online?
Yes. 19 trainers based in New Jersey also train online by video call, so you can work with them wherever you live in the state.
Are there dog trainers in New Jersey who help with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. 23 trainers listed in New Jersey help with reactivity and 22 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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