If you’re looking for providers of puppy training in Toronto, we’ve featured 10 of the best in the list below.
1. Raising Rover
Raising Rover is a Toronto-based dog and puppy trainer that utilizes positive reinforcement techniques to train your pup. They have both online and in-person training options, and trainer Caroline Applebee has a B.Sc. degree with a focus on Animal Behavior and has been a certified professional dog trainer since 2004.
At Raising Rover, your puppy can either join group classes or private one-on-one sessions. Puppy group classes are aimed at pups between 9 and 14 weeks of age, and focus on socialization, preventing problem behaviors, and developing good manners. Contact Raising Rover for a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation.
2. Mellow Vibes Dog Training
Based in the High Park region of Toronto, Mellow Vibes Dog Training provides board-and-train packages where your dog is taken into their care, trained, then returned to you. Following their board-and-train visit, a trainer will work with you and your dog to explain everything your dog has learned and teach you how to keep improving and working on their training.
Mellow Vibes Dog Training offers a vast array of services, including puppy obedience training. An obedience package ranges from $1,800 to $2,500, which includes the initial board-and-train, your session afterwards, and free unlimited follow-up help and advice for the rest of your dog’s life. Contact Mellow Vibes Dog Training to get started.
3. When Hounds Fly
When Hounds Fly first opened their doors in 2010 and have helped train over 10,000 dogs in the years since. They have four separate locations across Toronto for extra convenience, and also have virtual training options so that you can join in from wherever you are. They use clicker training techniques and strive to build and strengthen your relationship with your pup.
For new puppies, When Hounds Fly offers a Puppy Start Right Program for $225. This consists of five weekly classes, and is designed to be completed by the time your puppy is 17 weeks old (for larger breeds) or 21 weeks old (for smaller breeds). These weekly classes focus on socialization, leash walking, basic obedience/commands, housetraining, and dealing with unwanted behaviors. Contact When Hounds Fly to learn more. Contact When Hounds Fly here.
4. Deena Speaks Dog
Deena Speaks Dog is run by dog trainer and behavior specialist Deena Cooper. Deena has over 20 years of professional training experience and her Toronto-based training business uses positive reinforcement to boost your dog’s confidence and encourage good behavior. Deena is a member of the Association of Canadian Professional Dog Trainers and also a certified evaluator for CKC programs.
For puppies, Deena Speaks Dog offers group classes that focus on basic obedience, learning voice commands, socialization, and how to prevent unwanted behaviors. These classes are open to all puppies who have had their second set of shots, with each class typically designed for 4-8 puppies. A five-week program is available for $175. Contact Deena Speaks Dog for more details.
5. DogGone Right!
DogGone Right! is a Toronto-based obedience trainer run by owner and professional dog trainer Margaret Pender. Margaret uses positive reinforcement techniques based on what specifically motivates your dog (whether it be praise, toys, or treats, and also uses clicker training methods.
For puppies, DogGone Right! offers a Puppy Learn & Play Class which is perfect for pups aged 9-18 weeks. These classes focus on socialization and use games to start introducing your puppy to obedience. For puppies aged over four months, basic obedience classes are also offered, which will teach your pup verbal commands and leash walking. Contact DogGone Right! to learn more.
6. freshpuppy
freshpuppy is a trainer that specifically focuses on puppy training. Professional trainer and owner-operator of freshpuppy Sydney Bleicher is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and has almost 30 years of professional training experience. Since 2000, she has been focusing specifically on puppy training and new puppy owner education.
Three separate four-week courses are available, typically designed for puppies 15-weeks and younger. Puppy Level 1 costs $480 and also includes a 30-minute online class before the first group session. Puppy Levels 2 and 3 are each $460. For pups aged 16-weeks and over, a Puppy Reset course is offered for $560, which can cover specific issues and teenage puppy behavior. Contact freshpuppy for a free 15-minute consultation.
7. Follow The Leader
Follow The Leader is a Toronto-based trainer with dog behaviorists and trainers who strive to see positive changes in your pup. Each of their trainers are certified professional dog trainers, and their flexible training options make them a great choice for busy pup owners.
For puppies aged 8-20 weeks, Follow The Leader offers puppy socialization classes where pups can learn to safely play in a supervised environment. Separate classes are also offered for shy puppies. Puppies aged under 18 weeks can also participate in Puppy Pupils, which is a five-week course for $125 covering basic obedience, leash walking, and how to deal with unwanted behaviors. Contact Follow The Leader to find out more.
8. Meghan D’Arcy Dog Training & Behavior
Megan D’Arcy is a certified professional dog trainer, a certified separation anxiety trainer, and an associated certified dog behavior consultant. She has over 15 years of industry experience and her Toronto-based training business helps dogs learn basic obedience, as well as addressing any specific behavioral issues your dog may experience.
For puppies aged 2-5 months, Megan D’Arcy Dog Training and Behavior offers Puppy Playschool where pups can learn to safely socialize for $125/day. Puppy Coaching is available for new puppy owners for $170/week and includes a one-hour weekly consultation, session notes to ensure your puppy training is on track, custom training exercises, and lots of support and resources. Pre-puppy preparation consultations are also offered for $140 – contact Megan D’Arcy Dog Training to get started.
9. All About Dogs
As their name suggests, All About Dogs really is all about dogs! They have a huge 16,000 sq. ft. training facility with lots of space for obedience training, as well as agility courses, show handling training, and more. They offer everything from grooming to daycare to puppy obedience training and their certified trainers will really help your puppy take their first training steps.
For puppies aged 8-18 weeks, the First Paw Forward course is perfect to teach proper socialization and basic commands. You’ll also learn how to handle unwanted behavior like nipping and excessive barking. For puppies who have already had some basic training/socialization, obedience classes are offered that focus on following commands even in distracting environments and more advanced skills.
10. SitStayLearn
SitStayLearn is run by certified professional dog trainer Janis Mikelberg, who uses positive reinforcement techniques and offers puppy training in your own home. This is great if classes don’t suit your schedule, and also teaches you how to train your puppy in their own environment, where they may behave differently.
The “Puppy Start Right” package starts with an initial 1.5-hour visit to cover some of the basics of owning a new puppy, including housebreaking, crate training, bite inhibition, and more. The next four sessions focus on obedience, basic commands, leash walking, and other necessary skills. This is available for $500 and is designed for puppies aged between 8 and 16 weeks. Other training options are also offered – contact SitStayLearn for more details.
