If you need a dog trainer, this article is for you. Below we’ve featured 10 of the best dog trainers in Charlotte, NC.
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1. Mariah Hinds Dog Training
Committed dog trainer and owner Mariah Hinds offers a wide range of training services to pups and their owners in Charlotte, NC, and beyond. Mariah has over 18 years of training experience and is certified through the Council for Professional Dog Trainers. She is a CPDT-KA and a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.
In-home dog training is offered where you can either train your dog, or Mariah can train for you. Problem behaviors such as hyperactivity, jumping, excessive barking, or chewing can be addressed and your dog can also learn some basic manners such as verbal commands, how to pay attention to you, and leash walking skills.
Check out Mariah’s dog training services.
2. Allegiant K9s
Allegiant K9s offers a unique variety of dog training services throughout Charlotte, NC. Owner and head trainer Dave has over a decade of dog training experience including advanced off-leash training and behavior modification. Dave worked as a Certified Gudie Dog Trainer for Leader Dog for the Blind. Dave also volunteered at dog rescues.
Needless to say, we love this guy and we haven’t even met him (yet).
Dave offers a wide range of training options and sees fantastic results. They teach owners how to use e collars when necessary.
There is a 3-week board-and-train package that includes obedience, leash walking, and full off-leash training. Owners get regular updates on their dog’s progress with videos and pictures.
Allegiant K9s also hosts social events including hikes and camping trips so you and your pooch can train while having fun with other dog owners. (Sign us up!) These events are included for dog training clients. Then they take it one step further with overnight camps for dog graduates only.
You can check out Dave’s dog training programs for yourself if this sounds like a good fit for you.
3. Queen City Canine
At Queen City Canine your pup will enjoy training as well as socialization with other dogs. Founder and owner Alan Wooten has a large team of dog trainers.
One-on-one training is available through which your dog can learn basic commands and obedience. This package also provides you with access to group classes which can improve your dog’s self-control and socialization skills. Day camp, board-and-train, and puppy training services are all also offered.
Check out their dog training programs to learn more.
4. Star Dog
Star Dog is a giant 30,000 square foot urban dog facility that offers dog training just north of downtown Charlotte, North Carolina. Owner and lead trainer Andy Bunn runs the show. He and the team of trainers provide group dog training, boot camps, and exercise programs.
Check out their dog training programs here.
5. Canine Scholars Dog Training
The team at Canine Scholars Dog Training uses a wide variety of training methods to train dogs at their Charlotte location or remotely.
The training approach used depends on the dog’s needs. Methods include luring, capturing, systematic desensitization, marker, targeting, folding, and more! They also add in operant conditioning, modeling, behavioral extinction, and more, as needed.
Private in-home training is offered along with off leash training and group programs. Check out the details for each specific dog training format on their beautiful website.
6. Indian Trail Dog Training
It’s clear that the owner and trainer at Indian Trail Dog Training loves training dogs. She holds certifications from Karen Pryor and Animal Behavior College. They’ve been around since 2016 and serve multiple areas south of Charlotte, including Stallings and Monroe.
The trainers can come to your home so they can check out your dog in its own abode and tailor private programs around the specific needs of you and your dog. They also offer online training, and group dog training.
Be forewarned; their website has lots of precious photos and videos sure to lure all dog lovers like you and me.
7. The Dog Knowledge
The Dog Knowledge is a 10,000 sq. ft. facility in Charlotte, North Carolina that provides certified dog training for members and non-members. This unique dog trainer allows dog owners to combine their workouts with dog training and social time.
Members get access to dog daycare and boarding, and unlimited use of the play yard and human and dog treadmills. There’s even a lounge where you and your pooch can socialize! There are also group walks for dogs and their owners.
They offer three packages ranging from 4 weeks to 8 weeks as you can see on their dog training page. They provide service dog training as part of the 8 week package.
8. Sally Said So Dog Training
You might think someone named Sally owns Sally Said So Dog Training but it’s owned by an AKC CGC certified dog trainer named Shane Gentry. They have been serving Charlotte NC and the surrounding areas since 2009. They provide general puppy training, obedience training as well as aggressive dog training, and more.
Their approach is to come to your home and train your dog in each room so your pup learns the rules right then and there. Learn more about their dog training services. Note that they also have a cat trainer at Sally Said So Dog Training if your pooch has a feline sibling.
9. BetterDog Training of Charlotte
This is admittedly one of our favorite Charlotte dog trainers. BetterDog Training was established in 1989 and has been providing high-quality dog training services to the Charlotte metro area and beyond. Owner Mark Thompson has been training dogs for over 38 years.
Betterdog started a remarkable program whereby inmates could train unadoptable dogs. The pups would stay at the prison for 8 weeks and then get adopted by a family.
BetterDog Training provides training for behavioral problems. They also train service dogs and work with aggressive dogs.
Training is usually conducted in your home, and Mark encourages owners to be a part of the training sessions and learn alongside their dogs. They also have follow up training cleverly called “tune up training” as well as virtual dog training.
10. Hakuna Matata Dog Care & Training
This East Charlotte dog trainer got its’ start in 2015. The trainers are APDT and CCPDT certified. I’d love to see more about the trainers on their website, but the reviews make it clear that a guy named Michael is a pretty amazing dog trainer, and I’m guessing he’s the owner of this local business, too.
They teach with a Hakuna Matata approach, hence the name. Their foundational dog training program includes e-collar training. It also comes with a variety of supplies, such as a tactical dog collar with a little handle on it (like I use with Blanco and love!), a leash, ecollar, and more. These are two features you don’t find in most dog training programs.
They also work with aggressive dogs in their Adult Modification Training program as they try to work with all dogs.
As you may have guessed from the name, Hakuna Matata also offers certified master dog groomers.
I just have to share this awesome review from Will: “Hakuna Matada is by far the BEST training and daycare in Charlotte. The love that they have for dogs is amazing. 1,000% recommended.”
11. Keen Dog Training
Keen dog training is another one of those unique dog training organizations we love to see. Co-Founder and head trainer Katrina Kensington lists 9 certifications, courses, or canine memberships on her website, and Co-Founder Phillip Kensington lists 5. These aren’t your run of the mill programs and certifications; they include things like decoy development seminars, e collar training, marker training, and PTSD Service Dog Training through The Able Veteran, to name only a few.
When we see this, we see a level of dedication to dog training that is uncommon. It’s clear these people love and serve dogs. There are additional trainers at Keen Dog Training with more certifications and trainings. Keen dog training uses marker training, lure training, ecollar training, and other methods. They do what works because the same method doesn’t work with every dog. (This makes so much sense but we don’t see this with many dog trainers.)
Keen dog training offers “board and train” for both Charlotte residents as well as out of state dogs. They provide private “dog owner training”, will completely train your dog for you, or combine the two approaches. You can check out the many details on their dog training page.
Best Dog Trainers in Charlotte NC Summary
Wow! You’ve got a ton of great choices when it comes to dog training in Charlotte. In fact, there are so many good choices it may be hard to decide which trainer to use.
I suggest taking a minute to write down your 3 top goals for training your dog. Then consider if you want private, virtual, boarding, or group lessons. These factors will lead you to the ideal Charlotte dog trainer since most trainers tend to have concentrated areas of focus as well as certain course formats.
Should you decide to use any of the trainers in this article, I’d appreciate it if you let them know you read about them on PoochandHarmony.com.