Portland has 33 of the 111 dog trainers listed in Oregon, far more than Eugene or Bend with 6 each. Force-free is the most common label in the state, on 49 trainers, compared with 10 Balanced and 6 E-collar-centric; 46 don't state their methods. 101 have a Bark Score and 24 are Gold Rated. Barklandia in Beaverton has a Bark Score of 4.9. 23 trainers hold CPDT-KA.
Find the right trainer in Oregon
Ranked by member recommendations, then Bark Score. Narrow the list down to what your dog needs.
Of the 33 trainers in Portland, 19 say they train force-free, 2 balanced, 2 e-collar-centric and 10 don’t say how they train. 25 offer private lessons, 10 group classes and 9 board and train. 13 name a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Highest Bark Score in Portland: Wonder Puppy, 4.8.
Of the 6 trainers in Bend, 1 says it trains force-free, 1 balanced and 4 don’t say how they train. 6 offer private lessons, 4 group classes and 2 day training. 1 names a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 6 trainers in Eugene, 4 say they train force-free and 2 don’t say how they train. 5 offer private lessons, 2 online and 2 board and train. 1 names a credential such as KPA-CTP.
Of the 4 trainers in Milwaukie, 3 say they train force-free and 1 doesn’t say how they train. 4 offer group classes, 3 private lessons and 2 day training. 3 name a credential such as KPA-CTP.
Highest Bark Score in Milwaukie: Dog3 Training, 4.7.
Of the 4 trainers in Sherwood, 1 says it trains force-free, 1 balanced, 1 e-collar-centric and 1 doesn’t say how they train. 2 offer private lessons, 2 group classes and 1 in your home. 1 names a credential such as CPDT-KA.
What the 111 trainers listed in Oregon offer, how to check them, and what to ask before you book.
01
What training methods do dog trainers in Oregon use?
Of the 111 trainers listed in Oregon, 49 say they train force-free, 10 balanced, 6 e-collar-centric, and 46 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 Oregon?
Look for an independent credential. 27 of the 111 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 Oregon:
CPDT-KA (23 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 (8 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 (4 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.
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 Oregon, private lessons are offered by 75 trainers, and group classes by 47.
Private lessons (75 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 (47 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 (32 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 (18 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 (18 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 (17 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 Oregon help with?
90 of the 111 trainers listed in Oregon help with basic obedience, 74 with recall and 69 with leash pulling.
Fewer take on behaviour problems: 30 list reactivity, 20 list aggression, 19 list fear and 12 list separation anxiety. 4 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
Which credentials do Oregon trainers hold?
23 trainers hold the CPDT-KA credential, 8 hold KPA-CTP and 4 hold CBCC-KA. Credentials make up 25% of the Bark Score, so they count towards where a trainer appears on this page.
Who has the highest score?
Barklandia in Beaverton has a Bark Score of 4.9. DogTown in Gresham and Noble Woof Dog Training PDX in Portland both have 4.8. All three are labelled Force-free.
Where in the state can I find a trainer?
Trainers are listed in 43 cities across the state. Portland has the most by far with 33, Eugene and Bend have 6 each, and Milwaukie and Sherwood have 4 each.
How much does dog training cost in Oregon?
We don’t show prices for Oregon yet, because none of the 111 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 Oregon offer board and train?
32 of the 111 trainers listed in Oregon offer board and train, where your dog stays with the trainer for a set time. 17 offer day training instead, where you drop your dog off and pick them up the same day.
Can I find a dog trainer in Oregon who trains online?
Yes. 18 trainers based in Oregon also train online by video call, so you can work with them wherever you live in the state.
Are there dog trainers in Oregon who help with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. 30 trainers listed in Oregon help with reactivity and 20 with aggression. 4 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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