113 dog trainers are listed in South Carolina, 99 of them with a Bark Score. Columbia and Summerville have 7 each and Greenville has 6, among 57 cities. 26 trainers are labelled Force-free, 18 Balanced and 5 E-collar-centric, and 64 don't state their methods. Purely Positive Dog Training in Mt Pleasant has a Bark Score of 4.7. 68 trainers offer private 1:1 sessions and 47 offer board and train.
Find the right trainer in South Carolina
Ranked by member recommendations, then Bark Score. Narrow the list down to what your dog needs.
Of the 7 trainers in Columbia, 2 say they train force-free, 2 balanced and 3 don’t say how they train. 5 offer group classes, 4 private lessons and 2 in your home. 1 names a credential such as IACP.
Of the 6 trainers in Greenville, 3 say they train force-free, 1 balanced and 2 don’t say how they train. 6 offer private lessons, 3 group classes and 2 in your home.
Of the 4 trainers in Clover, 2 say they train force-free and 2 don’t say how they train. 4 offer private lessons, 2 board and train and 1 group classes.
What the 113 trainers listed in South Carolina offer, how to check them, and what to ask before you book.
01
What training methods do dog trainers in South Carolina use?
Of the 113 trainers listed in South Carolina, 26 say they train force-free, 18 balanced, 5 e-collar-centric, and 64 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 South Carolina?
Look for an independent credential. 4 of the 113 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 South Carolina:
CPDT-KA (3 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.
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.
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 South Carolina, private lessons are offered by 68 trainers, and group classes by 55.
Private lessons (68 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 (55 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 (47 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.
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.
Online (12 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 (11 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.
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 South Carolina help with?
92 of the 113 trainers listed in South Carolina help with basic obedience, 72 with recall and 68 with leash pulling.
Fewer take on behaviour problems: 24 list reactivity, 26 list aggression, 9 list fear and 15 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
How does Barklopedia rank trainers in South Carolina?
By Bark Score, from 0 to 5. It is made up of 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.
What tiers have trainers reached?
5 trainers in the state are Gold Rated and 22 are Silver Rated. 67 are Listed and 5 are Listed with limited data. Of the 113 trainers listed, 99 have a Bark Score.
Who helps with aggression or reactivity?
26 trainers in the state work with aggression and 24 with reactivity. Basic obedience is covered by 92 trainers, recall by 72, lead walking by 68 and puppy training by 63.
How much does dog training cost in South Carolina?
We don’t show prices for South Carolina yet, because none of the 113 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 South Carolina offer board and train?
47 of the 113 trainers listed in South Carolina 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 South Carolina who trains online?
Yes. 12 trainers based in South Carolina also train online by video call, so you can work with them wherever you live in the state.
Are there dog trainers in South Carolina who help with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. 24 trainers listed in South Carolina help with reactivity and 26 with aggression. Filter the list above by what you need help with to see them.
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