This page lists 186 dog trainers in Virginia, 169 of them with a Bark Score. Virginia Beach has the most with 15, then Richmond with 10 and Chesapeake with 8, out of 93 cities in all. 58 trainers are labelled Force-free, 20 Balanced and 10 E-collar-centric, and 98 don't state their methods. 110 offer private 1:1 training, 75 run group classes and 61 offer board and train.
Find the right trainer in Virginia
Ranked by member recommendations, then Bark Score. Narrow the list down to what your dog needs.
Of the 15 trainers in Virginia Beach, 6 say they train force-free, 1 balanced and 8 don’t say how they train. 9 offer private lessons, 8 group classes and 4 in your home. 1 names a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 10 trainers in Richmond, 3 say they train force-free, 1 balanced, 3 e-collar-centric and 3 don’t say how they train. 6 offer private lessons, 4 group classes and 3 board and train. 1 names a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 8 trainers in Chesapeake, 3 say they train force-free, 2 balanced and 3 don’t say how they train. 6 offer group classes, 5 private lessons and 3 board and train.
Of the 7 trainers in Alexandria, 2 say they train force-free and 5 don’t say how they train. 6 offer private lessons, 3 group classes and 2 day training. 1 names a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Highest Bark Score in Alexandria: Core Canine, 4.7.
Of the 7 trainers in Arlington, 3 say they train force-free and 4 don’t say how they train. 4 offer private lessons, 4 group classes and 3 board and train. 3 name a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 5 trainers in Winchester, 2 say they train force-free, 1 balanced and 2 don’t say how they train. 4 offer private lessons, 2 group classes and 1 board and train. 2 name a credential such as IAABC-ADT.
What the 186 trainers listed in Virginia offer, how to check them, and what to ask before you book.
01
What training methods do dog trainers in Virginia use?
Of the 186 trainers listed in Virginia, 58 say they train force-free, 20 balanced, 10 e-collar-centric, and 98 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 Virginia?
Look for an independent credential. 19 of the 186 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 Virginia:
CPDT-KA (16 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.
IAABC-ADT (3 trainers)
Accredited Dog Trainer, from the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). Accredited by IAABC after a review of their training knowledge and case work.
CPDT-KSA (3 trainers)
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.
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.
CBCC-KA (1 trainer)
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 Virginia, private lessons are offered by 110 trainers, and group classes by 75.
Private lessons (110 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 (75 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 (61 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 (26 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 (25 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 (23 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 Virginia help with?
136 of the 186 trainers listed in Virginia help with basic obedience, 111 with puppy training and 102 with recall.
Fewer take on behaviour problems: 46 list reactivity, 31 list aggression, 22 list fear and 14 list separation anxiety. 1 holds 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 Virginia cities have the most dog trainers?
Virginia Beach has 15 trainers listed, Richmond has 10 and Chesapeake has 8. Arlington and Alexandria have 7 each. The state has trainers in 93 cities.
Who has the highest Bark Score?
Fur-Get Me Not Pet Care in Arlington has a Bark Score of 4.8 and is labelled Force-free. In the state, 2 trainers are Platinum Certified, 18 are Gold Rated and 40 are Silver Rated.
Do any trainers offer online sessions?
Yes, 25 trainers in the state offer online sessions. For in-person work, 110 offer private 1:1 training, 75 run group classes, 61 offer board and train and 26 train in the home.
How much does dog training cost in Virginia?
We don’t show prices for Virginia yet, because none of the 186 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 Virginia offer board and train?
61 of the 186 trainers listed in Virginia offer board and train, where your dog stays with the trainer for a set time. 23 offer day training instead, where you drop your dog off and pick them up the same day.
Can I find a dog trainer in Virginia who trains online?
Yes. 25 trainers based in Virginia also train online by video call, so you can work with them wherever you live in the state.
Are there dog trainers in Virginia who help with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. 46 trainers listed in Virginia help with reactivity and 31 with aggression. 1 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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