Madison and Milwaukee each have 9 of the 150 dog trainers listed in Wisconsin, which reach across 100 cities. 131 have a Bark Score, with 19 Gold Rated and 39 Silver Rated. 54 trainers are labelled Force-free, 10 Balanced and 4 E-collar-centric, and 82 don't state their methods. 76 offer private 1:1 training and 69 run group classes. 25 teach agility.
Find the right trainer in Wisconsin
Ranked by member recommendations, then Bark Score. Narrow the list down to what your dog needs.
Of the 9 trainers in Madison, 4 say they train force-free, 1 balanced and 4 don’t say how they train. 7 offer private lessons, 5 group classes and 2 board and train. 2 name a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 9 trainers in Milwaukee, 5 say they train force-free, 1 e-collar-centric and 3 don’t say how they train. 6 offer private lessons, 2 group classes and 2 board and train.
Highest Bark Score in Milwaukee: Bay View Bark, 4.3.
Of the 4 trainers in Waukesha, 2 say they train force-free, 1 balanced and 1 doesn’t say how they train. 3 offer private lessons, 3 group classes and 2 board and train. 1 names a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 3 trainers in Grafton, 2 say they train force-free and 1 doesn’t say how they train. 3 offer private lessons, 3 group classes and 1 day training.
What the 150 trainers listed in Wisconsin offer, how to check them, and what to ask before you book.
01
What training methods do dog trainers in Wisconsin use?
Of the 150 trainers listed in Wisconsin, 54 say they train force-free, 10 balanced, 4 e-collar-centric, and 82 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 Wisconsin?
Look for an independent credential. 15 of the 150 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 Wisconsin:
CPDT-KA (12 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.
CBCC-KA (3 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.
KPA-CTP (1 trainer)
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.
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 Wisconsin, private lessons are offered by 76 trainers, and group classes by 69.
Private lessons (76 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 (69 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 (31 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 (15 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 (13 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 (12 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 Wisconsin help with?
113 of the 150 trainers listed in Wisconsin help with basic obedience, 89 with recall and 85 with leash pulling.
Fewer take on behaviour problems: 21 list reactivity, 13 list aggression, 15 list fear and 11 list separation anxiety. 3 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
Who has the highest Bark Score in Wisconsin?
Three trainers share a Bark Score of 4.7. Ideal DOG LLC Training Facility in Oshkosh is labelled Force-free, and Best Friend Companion Dog Training in Little Chute doesn't state its methods. The third is in Waukesha and is also labelled Force-free.
Which cities have the most trainers?
Madison and Milwaukee have 9 trainers each. Waukesha has 4, and Oshkosh and Kenosha have 3 each. Altogether the state has trainers listed in 100 cities, so many towns have one nearby.
Are day school and online sessions offered?
Yes. 15 trainers run a day school and 13 offer online sessions. 31 offer board and train, 69 run group classes and 76 offer private 1:1 training.
How much does dog training cost in Wisconsin?
We don’t show prices for Wisconsin yet, because none of the 150 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 Wisconsin offer board and train?
31 of the 150 trainers listed in Wisconsin offer board and train, where your dog stays with the trainer for a set time. 15 offer day training instead, where you drop your dog off and pick them up the same day.
Can I find a dog trainer in Wisconsin who trains online?
Yes. 13 trainers based in Wisconsin also train online by video call, so you can work with them wherever you live in the state.
Are there dog trainers in Wisconsin who help with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. 21 trainers listed in Wisconsin help with reactivity and 13 with aggression. 3 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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