Pennsylvania's 235 listed dog trainers are spread across 152 cities, with Philadelphia (17) and Pittsburgh (16) well ahead of the rest. 213 have a Bark Score. In Us They Trust, LLC in West Chester has a Bark Score of 4.9. 83 trainers are labelled Force-free, 18 Balanced and 9 E-collar-centric, and 125 don't state their methods. Group classes (124 trainers) are nearly as common as private 1:1 sessions (126).
Find the right trainer in Pennsylvania
Ranked by member recommendations, then Bark Score. Narrow the list down to what your dog needs.
Of the 17 trainers in Philadelphia, 8 say they train force-free, 1 e-collar-centric and 8 don’t say how they train. 12 offer private lessons, 9 group classes and 4 online. 3 name a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 16 trainers in Pittsburgh, 9 say they train force-free, 1 balanced and 6 don’t say how they train. 11 offer private lessons, 8 group classes and 5 in your home. 3 name a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 5 trainers in Erie, 2 say they train force-free and 3 don’t say how they train. 5 offer group classes, 2 private lessons and 1 in your home. 1 names a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 5 trainers in West Chester, 1 says it trains force-free and 4 don’t say how they train. 3 offer private lessons, 2 online and 1 in your home. 1 names a credential such as IAABC-CDBC.
What the 235 trainers listed in Pennsylvania offer, how to check them, and what to ask before you book.
01
What training methods do dog trainers in Pennsylvania use?
Of the 235 trainers listed in Pennsylvania, 83 say they train force-free, 18 balanced, 9 e-collar-centric, and 125 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 Pennsylvania?
Look for an independent credential. 31 of the 235 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 Pennsylvania:
CPDT-KA (27 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.
CBCC-KA (6 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.
KPA-CTP (2 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.
IACP (1 trainer)
International Association of Canine Professionals, from the International Association of Canine Professionals. A membership association for dog professionals. It also runs its own certifications, so ask which one, if any, the trainer holds.
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.
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 Pennsylvania, private lessons are offered by 126 trainers, and group classes by 124.
Private lessons (126 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 (124 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 (51 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 (32 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 (26 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 (16 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 Pennsylvania help with?
184 of the 235 trainers listed in Pennsylvania help with basic obedience, 134 with recall and 132 with leash pulling.
Fewer take on behaviour problems: 45 list reactivity, 34 list aggression, 21 list fear and 21 list separation anxiety. 7 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
How many dog trainers in Pennsylvania hold a credential?
27 trainers hold the CPDT-KA credential, the most common in the state. 6 hold CBCC-KA, 2 hold KPA-CTP and 1 holds CPDT-KSA. Credentials count for 25% of a trainer's Bark Score.
Which trainers have the highest Bark Scores?
In Us They Trust, LLC in West Chester has a Bark Score of 4.9. Awesome Dawgs Dog Training LLC in Temple and North Pittsburgh Animal Behavior in Gibsonia both have 4.8. All three are labelled Force-free.
What training formats are available?
126 trainers offer private 1:1 sessions and 124 run group classes. 51 offer board and train, 32 train in the home and 26 offer online sessions. 43 trainers also offer AKC CGC Test Prep.
How much does dog training cost in Pennsylvania?
We don’t show prices for Pennsylvania yet, because none of the 235 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 Pennsylvania offer board and train?
51 of the 235 trainers listed in Pennsylvania offer board and train, where your dog stays with the trainer for a set time. 16 offer day training instead, where you drop your dog off and pick them up the same day.
Can I find a dog trainer in Pennsylvania who trains online?
Yes. 26 trainers based in Pennsylvania also train online by video call, so you can work with them wherever you live in the state.
Are there dog trainers in Pennsylvania who help with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. 45 trainers listed in Pennsylvania help with reactivity and 34 with aggression. 7 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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