South Dakota has 14 dog trainers listed and all 14 have a Bark Score. Sioux Falls has 4 and Rapid City has 3, with the rest spread over 9 cities in total. 2 trainers are labelled Force-free and 1 Balanced, while 11 don't state their methods. Group classes and private 1:1 sessions are each offered by 5 trainers, and 4 offer board and train.
Find the right trainer in South Dakota
Ranked by member recommendations, then Bark Score. Narrow the list down to what your dog needs.
Of the 3 trainers in Rapid City, 1 says it trains force-free and 2 don’t say how they train. 1 offers private lessons, 1 group classes and 1 board and train. 1 names a credential such as CPDT-KA.
What the 14 trainers listed in South Dakota offer, how to check them, and what to ask before you book.
01
What training methods do dog trainers in South Dakota use?
Of the 14 trainers listed in South Dakota, 2 say they train force-free, 1 balanced, and 11 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 Dakota?
Look for an independent credential. 1 of the 14 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 Dakota:
CPDT-KA (1 trainer)
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.
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 Dakota, private lessons are offered by 5 trainers, and group classes by 5.
Private lessons (5 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 (5 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 (4 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 (2 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 South Dakota help with?
8 of the 14 trainers listed in South Dakota help with basic obedience, 7 with puppy training and 7 with recall.
Fewer take on behaviour problems: 4 list reactivity, 3 list aggression, 2 list fear and 1 lists 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
Which South Dakota trainers have the highest Bark Scores?
Happy Tails Dog Training Center in Rapid City has a Bark Score of 4.6 and Dog Academy in Sioux Falls has 4.0. Both are labelled Force-free. Happy Tails K-9 Training and Supplies in Watertown has 3.5 and doesn't state its methods.
How does the Bark Score work?
It runs from 0 to 5 and is built from Reputation 30%, Ethics (training methods) 40%, Credentials 25% and Service breadth 5%. Nobody can pay for a higher score, and none are hidden.
Do most trainers state their methods?
No. 11 of the 14 trainers don't state their methods. 2 are labelled Force-free and 1 is Balanced, so it is worth asking a trainer how they work.
How much does dog training cost in South Dakota?
We don’t show prices for South Dakota yet, because none of the 14 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 Dakota offer board and train?
4 of the 14 trainers listed in South Dakota offer board and train, where your dog stays with the trainer for a set time.
Can I find a dog trainer in South Dakota who trains online?
Yes. 2 trainers based in South Dakota also train online by video call, so you can work with them wherever you live in the state.
Are there dog trainers in South Dakota who help with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. 4 trainers listed in South Dakota help with reactivity and 3 with aggression. Filter the list above by what you need help with to see them.
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