Force-free trainers are well represented in Washington: 81 of the 206 trainers listed carry that label, against 15 Balanced and 2 E-collar-centric, with 108 not stating their methods. 185 have a Bark Score and 7 are Platinum Certified. Seattle has the most trainers with 22, followed by Tacoma with 12. Ahimsa Dog Training – Main Campus in Seattle has a Bark Score of 4.9.
Find the right trainer in Washington
Ranked by member recommendations, then Bark Score. Narrow the list down to what your dog needs.
Of the 22 trainers in Seattle, 12 say they train force-free, 1 e-collar-centric and 9 don’t say how they train. 17 offer private lessons, 13 group classes and 6 in your home. 6 name a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 12 trainers in Tacoma, 5 say they train force-free, 3 balanced and 4 don’t say how they train. 9 offer private lessons, 5 group classes and 3 board and train. 1 names a credential such as CBCC-KA.
Of the 9 trainers in Spokane Valley, 2 say they train force-free, 1 balanced and 6 don’t say how they train. 5 offer private lessons, 5 group classes and 2 board and train.
Of the 9 trainers in Vancouver, 3 say they train force-free, 1 balanced and 5 don’t say how they train. 4 offer group classes, 4 private lessons and 3 online.
Of the 8 trainers in Spokane, 3 say they train force-free and 5 don’t say how they train. 4 offer group classes, 3 private lessons and 1 in your home. 2 name a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 7 trainers in Olympia, 4 say they train force-free and 3 don’t say how they train. 5 offer group classes, 5 private lessons and 1 board and train. 2 name a credential such as KPA-CTP.
What the 206 trainers listed in Washington offer, how to check them, and what to ask before you book.
01
What training methods do dog trainers in Washington use?
Of the 206 trainers listed in Washington, 81 say they train force-free, 15 balanced, 2 e-collar-centric, and 108 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 Washington?
Look for an independent credential. 28 of the 206 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 Washington:
CPDT-KA (21 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.
KPA-CTP (8 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 (4 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.
IAABC-ADT (1 trainer)
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.
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 Washington, private lessons are offered by 128 trainers, and group classes by 109.
Private lessons (128 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 (109 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 (42 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 (23 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 (20 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 Washington help with?
148 of the 206 trainers listed in Washington help with basic obedience, 114 with recall and 112 with puppy training.
Fewer take on behaviour problems: 56 list reactivity, 33 list aggression, 26 list fear and 14 list separation anxiety. 4 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
Where are dog trainers located in Washington?
Trainers are listed in 86 cities across the state. Seattle has the most with 22, Tacoma has 12, Vancouver and Spokane Valley have 9 each and Spokane has 8.
How are the trainers on this page ordered?
By Bark Score, from 0 to 5. The four pillars are 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.
Is scent work or reactivity training available?
Yes. 41 trainers in the state teach scent work and 56 work with reactivity. Basic obedience is covered by 148 trainers, recall by 114, and lead walking and puppy training by 112 each.
How much does dog training cost in Washington?
We don’t show prices for Washington yet, because none of the 206 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 Washington offer board and train?
42 of the 206 trainers listed in Washington offer board and train, where your dog stays with the trainer for a set time. 20 offer day training instead, where you drop your dog off and pick them up the same day.
Can I find a dog trainer in Washington who trains online?
Yes. 23 trainers based in Washington also train online by video call, so you can work with them wherever you live in the state.
Are there dog trainers in Washington who help with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. 56 trainers listed in Washington help with reactivity and 33 with aggression. 4 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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