Balanced trainers outnumber force-free ones among those who state their methods in Tennessee: 29 are labelled Balanced, 23 Force-free and 5 E-collar-centric, with 62 not stating. The state has 119 trainers in 56 cities, 105 with a Bark Score. Nashville has 15, Knoxville 10 and Memphis 9. Board and train is offered by 56 trainers, slightly more than the 53 who run group classes.
Find the right trainer in Tennessee
Ranked by member recommendations, then Bark Score. Narrow the list down to what your dog needs.
Of the 15 trainers in Nashville, 1 says it trains force-free, 4 balanced and 10 don’t say how they train. 8 offer private lessons, 8 board and train and 5 group classes. 1 names a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Highest Bark Score in Nashville: Dogs and Kat, 4.7.
Of the 10 trainers in Knoxville, 2 say they train force-free, 2 balanced, 1 e-collar-centric and 5 don’t say how they train. 6 offer private lessons, 6 group classes and 3 online.
Of the 5 trainers in Chattanooga, 1 says it trains force-free, 2 balanced and 2 don’t say how they train. 4 offer private lessons, 3 group classes and 2 board and train.
Of the 5 trainers in Murfreesboro, 2 say they train force-free, 1 balanced and 2 don’t say how they train. 4 offer board and train, 3 group classes and 2 private lessons. 1 names a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 4 trainers in Cookeville, 1 says it trains force-free and 3 don’t say how they train. 3 offer in your home, 3 group classes and 2 private lessons.
What the 119 trainers listed in Tennessee offer, how to check them, and what to ask before you book.
01
What training methods do dog trainers in Tennessee use?
Of the 119 trainers listed in Tennessee, 23 say they train force-free, 29 balanced, 5 e-collar-centric, and 62 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 Tennessee?
Look for an independent credential. 3 of the 119 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 Tennessee:
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.
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 Tennessee, private lessons are offered by 62 trainers, and board and train by 56.
Private lessons (62 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.
Board and train (56 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.
Group classes (53 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.
Day training (26 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.
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.
Online (17 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 Tennessee help with?
88 of the 119 trainers listed in Tennessee help with basic obedience, 64 with puppy training and 50 with recall.
Fewer take on behaviour problems: 27 list reactivity, 23 list aggression, 4 list fear and 12 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
Which Tennessee trainers have the highest Bark Scores?
Wag It Better Family Dog Training and Boutique in Murfreesboro and Dogs and Kat in Nashville both have a Bark Score of 4.7. Allegiance Canine in Collierville has 4.4. All three are labelled Force-free.
Where are most of the trainers?
Nashville has 15 trainers, Knoxville has 10 and Memphis has 9. Murfreesboro and Chattanooga have 5 each. Trainers are listed in 56 cities across the state, so there are options outside the big cities too.
Is day school available?
Yes, 26 trainers run a day school. 62 offer private 1:1 training, 56 offer board and train, 53 run group classes and 18 train in the home. 17 offer online sessions.
How much does dog training cost in Tennessee?
We don’t show prices for Tennessee yet, because none of the 119 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 Tennessee offer board and train?
56 of the 119 trainers listed in Tennessee offer board and train, where your dog stays with the trainer for a set time. 26 offer day training instead, where you drop your dog off and pick them up the same day.
Can I find a dog trainer in Tennessee who trains online?
Yes. 17 trainers based in Tennessee also train online by video call, so you can work with them wherever you live in the state.
Are there dog trainers in Tennessee who help with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. 27 trainers listed in Tennessee help with reactivity and 23 with aggression. Filter the list above by what you need help with to see them.
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