The Best Dog Trainers in Delaware of 2023

Welcome to the Delaware Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in Delaware based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used. To learn more about our dog trainer contest, feel free to view the dog trainer contest post.

Dog training is one of the most important activities someone can do with their dog. Many come to dog training through a specific issue they want addressed, anything from barking to separation anxiety. Some have adopted dogs from animal shelters with an abusive experience and some just have happy puppies looking for everyday life skills. Trainers can help with all kinds of specific skills and issues, from leash manners to territorial aggression to anxiety around skateboards to common puppy challenges. However, what many discover is that working with a trainer is actually a way for a pet owner to deepen their relationship with their dog. The enhanced communication skills that result can increase quality of life, be a rewarding experience, be a social experience and lead to more harmonious relationships. Knowing that one’s dog is having a happier life can dramatically improve peace of mind. As the saying goes: happy dog, happy life. And it extends further than just the dog, to the pet owners. Owner empowerment can actually improve the relationship between owners. And finding the right trainer can make all the difference in the experience.

This list is compiled by Sniffspot, which is the largest network of private dog parks for rent in the world. Each of the thousands of Sniffspot dog parks are hosted by locals on private land with 100% private bookings to maximize safety for guests and their dogs. Sniffspot offers various types of dog parks, including fenced, water parks, indoor dog parks, dog beaches and more. Sniffspot has worked closely with dog trainers to create safe spaces for dogs and our top trainer lists are a natural extension of that relationship. You can browse Sniffspot's local dog parks here.

The Best Delaware Dog Trainers in 2023

Sarah Weber

Sarah's background is pretty diverse in the animal field. She has worked in all aspects of canine behavior as a Sales Specialist for local pet stores as well as dog grooming. She has worked as a Boarding and Daycare Operations Manager, Canine Handler, and Shift Lead at Penn Vet Working Dog Center through the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Sarah works by accessing genetics, breed, lifestyle, physical and mental health in dogs to fully understand why they behave the way they do. Sarah puts a heavy focus on emotional well-being, calmness and engagement to help foster positive experiences with her canine and human clients

When Sarah is not working, she enjoys camping, hiking, yoga and rock-climbing, all while spending time with her two dogs.

Certifications: Certified Professional Dog Trainer- Knowledge Assessed, International Association of Animal Behavioral Consultants-Accredited Dog Trainer, Association of Pet Dog Trainers- Member, AKC Evaluator, Certified Canine Athletic Advisor, Certified Canine Conditioning Specialist, Professional Dog Trainer- Absolute Dogs, Pet First Aid Certified, The Dog Gurus- Member, Master in Aggression

Services include:

• Aggressive dog training
• Board and train
• In home training
• Reactive dog training
• Service dog training
• Off leash training
• Puppy training
• Agility training

More info about service provided:

Group Classes- 2 to 6 dogs 1-hour classes held weekly. Price Varies based on class type. Class will begin with a 10-minute warm up session, during which the trainer will greet and briefly check over each puppy. The main body of the class will focus on training goals appropriate to the dogs, and then finish with a cool down session, just like a gym class! All of our classes are "Drop In" which means you pay per class and can come to as many classes as you would like.

What to bring to group class:
Your Dog
A leash, Harness or Collar
200 dog treats
A treat pouch, we love this brand, Petsafe Treat Pouch
Your dog's favorite toy
Basic & Advanced Obedience Saturdays 10 am to 11 am
Perfect for dogs and owners who want to work on distance, duration and distraction skills. We have a new concept and skill list each week. A consultation session is required
Cost: $65 per class, per dog

Baby Prep 101 Class Expecting a tiny human? live with tiny humans? Just want your pup exposed to all things, tiny kiddos? This is the class for you! We will focus on positive interactions with cribs, strollers, bikes, toys, loud sounds, feeding time, handling skills, leash manners, management techniques and more. We do NOT require a consultation session for this class, but we do expect your dog to be able to work in the presence of other dogs
Cost: $45 per class, per dog

Puppy Prep 101 ClassLearn the basics in a fun twist! Work on engagement with your pet while around other puppies! Discussion and hands on skills for things like potty training, teething, nipping, play management and more!
Cost: $65 per class per dog
$20 for puppies enrolled in our weekly puppy prep program

Nose Work Class
Have a dog that loves to sniff? A pup that can’t keep their nose off the ground? Imprinting and teaching them to find odor is a fantastic way to work their brains by meeting biological needs! We imprint on Clove, Birch, Anise, Cypress.
Cost: $35 per class, per dog

Day Training
30-minute training sessions without the owner present while your dog is boarding or in daycare at VCA Wellington. Focusing on agility, nose work and or training sessions!
30 minutes - $45

Puppy Prep Program-
For all puppies 9 weeks or older! This is a 12-week program including daycare and training three times a week, held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at VCA Wellington. This includes three training sessions, lunch break and three group play sessions. We also offer the program 1-3 days a week. However, pups get the biggest benefit coming all three days a week. School starts at 9 am and ends at 4 pm. Pups are welcome here 7 am to 6:45 pm

Puppy Daycare

Age Requirements: 10 weeks old to 6 months old

Vaccine Requirements to start: Require a minimum of 2 rounds of DHPP & 1 Round of Bordetella to START the program. We also require a clear fecal test.

Full Vaccine Requirements:
Rabies
DHPP Combination- Distemper, Adenovirus, Hepatitis, Parvo, Para-influenza
Bordetella
Bivalent Influenza (H3N2/H3N8)
Flea and Tick Preventative

We highly recommend:
Leptospirosis
Lyme

Puppy Daycare is held Monday- Friday at VCA Wellington & Family Pet Resort from 8 am until 4pm. This is separate from our group play daycare program. All Puppies play, rest and interact in a separate space from adult dogs for health and safety reasons.

Our Puppy Daycare is a more intimate, slower paced program to help the developing puppy brain. We have a heavy focus on puppy developmental stages:socialization period, fear impact period, juvenile period, adolescent period. We place our puppies with adolescent and adult dog’s who have graduated from our training programs. These are select dogs who are able to teach puppies how to safely and appropriately play.

Once your dog graduates from Puppy daycare, they are welcome to attend our adult group play! They will need to schedule an evaluation prior to joining our Adult group.

This program does NOT include teaching training skills like sit, down, leash manners, leave it, drop etc. Our Puppy Prep Training Program runs alongside our Puppy Daycare. If you prefer our Trainers work with your pup on training skills, you will be charged accordingly along with given homework.

Enrichment Daycare

Our Enrichment Daycare builds on genetically predisposed behaviors in a positive way. We challenge natural drives such as: chasing, sniffing, carrying objects, chewing, herding, climbing, etc. By challenging these natural behaviors, we help curb destructive or maladaptive behaviors such as chewing furniture, destroying objects, jumping, and more.
Each enrichment activity is designed to provide an engaging, natural outlet while working on your dog's physical and mental needs.
This program is appropriate for dogs who prefer the presence of humans only, smaller groups of dogs, or who get overstimulated in larger group settings.

This includes (3) enrichment sessions and a lunch break during the day. Enrichment sessions can include small group play, fitness & agility, massage, nose work, chase games, herding games, and more. We also use FitPAWS and Blue-9 equipment designed to tone up your dog's body, increase core strength, stabilize weak areas, improve body awareness, coordination, range of motion, confidence, our bond with your dog, etc. Our Certified Canine Conditioning Specialist also offers canine massage. This helps promote softer, more glossy coats. Canine massage can also help relax pets and calm hyperactivity.

Vaccine Requirements: Rabies DHPP Combination- Distemper, Adenovirus, Hepatitis, Parvo, Parainfluenza Bordetella Bivalent Influenza (H3N2/H3N8) Flea and Tick Preventative

Behavioral issue focus: Aggression to dogs, strangers, humans in the home, dogs in the home, puppy training, separation anxiety, obsessive compulsive behavior, reactivity to: familiar/unfamiliar dogs/people, objects,novelty, dog to dog behavior, group play evaluations, dog to baby relationship, herding, nipping, biting, attention seeking barking

Training methods:

The first step to scheduling would be a Consultation Session. This would be held at our facility in Newtown Square 3921 Miller Road, Newtown Square, PA, 19073. It is an hour-long session with the dog and owners, designed to better understand your dog, family and overall training goals. During this session, we will teach you about canine behavior, why your dog does what it does, and how to prevent & manage behavioral concerns. Afterwards, we will prepare a full training plan tailored to your dog and send it to you via email.
We offer day school, private lessons, group classes, board and trains based on what we feel is best for the dog. we offer 24/7 365 day support for our clientele

Why I became a dog trainer: amazing question! I became a dog trainer for a lot of reasons. The first, I actually really wanted to go to vet school. however, being dyslexic, I did not have the support at 17 that I have at 25. I transitioned into law enforcement studies to be a canine handler when I feel in love with dog training at penn vet working dog center as a volunteer and then kennel lead.

Growing up, I always wanted to work with animals, I was a pet sitter, dog walker, kennel attendant, vet assistant etc. My first family dog was really was set the story for becoming a dog trainer. One of my clients tells me that I have the best "Why you should hire me" story. I was raised one of 7 kids. We were all under the age of 14 when my parents got us our first family dog. A 10 week old "native American Indian dog" if you know anything about the breed- not a good match for young kids and first time as adult dog owners. He was a loving dog to me.... he hated everyone else. I was in 2nd & 3rd grade when we had him. Looking back... he resources guarded spaces, food, objects, people (me), he had stranger directed aggression, conflict aggression and handling concerns. He absolutely hated my father.

Long story, short. One night he ended up biting my youngest brother in the eye and he was medvaced to CHOP in philadelphia for emergency surgery. He thankfully retained his eyesight and healed! As for our dog, Lucas, He went on a 10 day bite hold. He relastically should have been euthanized then. At 9 days, they found a single guy, unmarried, no kids to take him... life happens and he ended up getting married and having a baby. He surreneded Lucas to a local sheltered where he was deemed unadoptable and behaviorally euthanized. I became a dog trainer to make sure history doesnt repeat itself. That we have dogs in the correct homes, that we keep dogs and humans safe. I became a dog trainer to support the best quality of life dog all dogs, and humans.

My favorite part of being a dog trainer: There are so many things. It is very difficult to pick a favorite. I think the joy I can help bring to dogs lives. Whether it is a foster/shelter dog or a dog already placed in a home. There are so many wonderful people I have met through dog training!

My #1 dog training tip: The rules of engagement! Eye contact, clear communication, and passion for your partner (dog or human) are key

Service areas: Montgomery County, Delaware County, Bucks County, Newtown Square, Wayne, Radnor, Upper Merion, Eagleville, Havertown, Lower Merion

Website: https://vcahospitals.com

Angie Greenway

Angie resides in Fair Hill, Maryland and has been helping dogs and their people since 2005. She is a graduate of the Karen Pryor Professional Animal Training Program (KPA-CTP), and an AKC Evaluator for Canine Good Citizen, STAR Puppy, and Trick Dog Program. She is also a member of the IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants), is a professional service dog trainer, and teaches group classes for The Academy of Dog Training and Agility in Newark, DE.

She has competed in USBCHA sheep dog trials all over the country in addition to her passion for Agility, Rally Obedience, Canine Musical Freestyle, and Trick Dog Training with her 4 border collies.

She is dedicated to helping dogs stay with their families by strengthening the relationship and opening the communication between dogs and their people. She is passionate about canine behavior and keeps her education current by attending national conferences, seminars, and workshops throughout the year.

Certifications: KPA-CTP

Services include:

• Board and train
• In home training
• Reactive dog training
• Service dog training
• Puppy training

More info about service provided:

Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant with over 15 years of experience training pet dogs, sport dogs, and service dogs.

I offer private in-home coaching, online coaching, in-person group classes, puppy jump start (board and train foundations), puppy adventure outings, as well as day training options while you are at work.

Behavioral issue focus: Some of the common behavior challenges that I work with are leash reactivity (barking and lunging at people or animals on leash), fearful dogs that display shy or aggressive behavior towards strangers, resource guarding of food/toys/spaces, overly excitable/inability to settle, and cooperative care training for dogs that have big feelings about handling their nails, ears, eyes, etc.

Training methods:

All of my training methods are taught with games and positive reinforcement. I focus on the relationship between the dog and their person. My goal is to meet the goals of the human side while also meeting the needs of the canine. Everyone is happier once our needs are being met!

I prefer to meet on a weekly basis initially, and then taper off to a monthly check in, as needed. A written training plan is provided for the client to reference after each session.

Why I became a dog trainer:

I "accidentally" rescued a dog that was running loose in the street. I could not find his owners and ended up keeping him until I could find him a home. He turned out to have every behavior challenge possible! I knew nothing about dog behavior at that time, so I dug into every book and internet chat group I could find (there wasn't as much information available as there is on the internet today!). I learned so much and became so fascinated with learning theory and behavior change that I began to volunteer for a rescue organization to learn as much as I could about canine behavior.

I just never stopped learning and finally took the plunge and changed careers so that I could share my passion with other dog owners in need of help with their own dogs' behavior challenges.

My favorite part of being a dog trainer: I love helping people see the amazing things that their dogs are capable of. I enjoy watching the team develop between the dog and their person.

My #1 dog training tip:

Reward your dog for every behavior you like.
Both dogs and humans will repeat what they are reinforced for. So if you want your dog to pay attention to you on walks, reinforce them every time they offer you eye contact, and they will do it again ;-)

Service areas: New Castle County Delaware, Cecil County Maryland, and South Eastern Pennsylvania

Website: https://www.mindyourpawz.com

Sandy Issler

PhD research scientist who changed careers to become a positive reinforcement dog trainer. Years of experience training dogs and horses.

Certifications: Karen Pryor Academy of Animal Training and Behavior (KPA-CTP, #81511)

Services include:

• Aggressive dog training
• In home training
• Reactive dog training
• Service dog training
• Puppy training

More info about service provided: Basic Manners, Life Skills, Puppies, Reactivity (over-arousal, aggression), Emotional Regulation, Adolescent challenges. Behavior Modification. In home private lessons. Teach classes (Puppy, Basic, Therapy Dog) at Academy of Dog Training and Agility, Newark, DE

Behavioral issue focus: Jumping, mouthing, barking, leash walking, emotional regulation, reactivity, house breaking, some aggression cases.

Training methods: Initial behavior consult. Identify training needs. Custom training plans for each individual client to address training needs and behavior issues.

Why I became a dog trainer: To learn more about how to help dogs (and their owners) through clear communication and how dogs learn most effectively.

My favorite part of being a dog trainer: Helping people and their dogs build a better relationship and helping dogs learn how to cope and live in our chaotic modern world.

My #1 dog training tip: Communication with your dog is a 2-way conversation. Learn to listen to your dog.

Service areas: North Delaware and surround states (PA, MD)

Carrie Eicher

Owner
Instructor:
Beginners Obedience
Intermediate Agility
Puppy Head Start
Swimming Paws
Trainer

Certifications: CPDT-KA, CGC & ACT Evaluator

Services include:

• Puppy training
• Agility training

More info about service provided: Obedience

Service areas: Newark, Delaware

Website: https://academyofdogtraining.com/

Nancy Weller

Nancy WellerPawsitively Fabulous! LLC Owner, Nancy Weller, CPDT-KA CTC, is an honors graduate of the prestigious San Francisco SPCA's Academy for Dog Trainers, created and led by Jean Donaldson and widely considered the Harvard for companion dog professionals.

Nancy is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA). She is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. She is the founder of the San Francisco Bay Area Dog Professionals. She is a professional member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG). She holds a certificate in pet first aid and CPR from CParf! She is a graduate of the Clickin' Canines Dog Trainer Mentoring Program for Diabetic Alert Dogs & Hearing Alert Dogs.

Nancy spent over 15 years professionally training thousands of dogs and their owners through classes, puppy socials and private training in the south bay area of San Francisco. In 2015 she relocated to Lewes, Delaware where she primarily offers private training and some classes. In early 2013 she teamed with Pet Food Express, providing classes in four of their locations in Northern California.

Prior to that she served as Director of Training for A Dog's Life, an award winning daycare facility. There she created and implemented a comprehensive training program for them in three locations with eight trainers. Offerings included Puppy and Adult Obedience, Canine Good Citizen, Agility, K9 Nose Work, Rally, Multi-dog Households, Conformation, Freestyle, as well as a wide variety of seminars and workshops. Early in her career she spent six years as one of the top trainers for Ian Dunbar's Sirius- Dog Training.

Nancy fostered many puppies for the Humane Society Silicon Valley, and, along with her husband and dogs, has provided pet-assisted therapy services to nursing homes and a children's shelter. She has participated in numerous fund-raising events for a variety of organizations.She lives with her husband, Bill, and their two Bichon Frises, Iniki and Makani, and a Lawchen, Samba. Iniki is an AKC and International Champion and is a trained diabetic alert dog who has enjoyed nosework, agility, tricks and freestyle through the years.

Makani is an International Champion, a trained hearing assistant dog and enjoys nosework, agility, tricks, rally obedience, and Fast CAT. Samba, an AKC Champion, loves agility, tricks and Fast CAT and brings light and laughter into the house every day!

Certifications: Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA). She is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. She is the founder of the San Francisco Bay Area Dog Professionals. She is a professional member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG). She holds a certificate in pet first aid and CPR from CParf! She is a graduate of the Clickin' Canines Dog Trainer Mentoring Program for Diabetic Alert Dogs & Hearing Alert Dogs

Website: https://pawsitivelyfabulous.com/

Sniffspot Delaware Top Trainer Frequently Asked Questions

How are Delaware dog trainers selected for this list?

These are the top dog trainers in Delaware as selected by broad voting from the Sniffspot community and the general public. These trainers are expert dog trainers, who received votes from their delighted customers, due to their excellent dedication to customer service, excellent results and general care they exhibit for their clients. Many have worked with thousands of dogs and are highly experienced trainers.

How can I get in touch with dog trainers? 

Each of the trainer profiles contains a link to their website. You can click through to their website where you can find more contact information.

Are these Delaware dog trainers certified professionals? 

Dog training is not regulated at the federal or state level, so there is no standard dog training certification and professional trainers are not required to be certified. However, certifications are important to show that a professional dog trainer has a standard of expertise to help train your dog. Each trainer’s certifications are listed on their profile. 

What are the top certifications for Dog Trainers in Delaware?

Some of the top certifications in the dog training industry are CPDT- KA, IAABC, Karen Pryor Academy - KPA certification, Jean Donaldson's Academy - CTC certification and Fear Free Certification. You can review the dog trainer certifications for each specific dog trainer on their profile on this page.

What methods are used in the dog training sessions?

There are many methods for teaching dogs and a lot of disagreement about the correct training approach. All of the Delaware trainers included on this list use positive reinforcement training only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used. This includes not using any specifically aversive approach to training or training aid, such as a prong or electronic dog training collar (also called remote dog training collar or shock collars). As for specific training programs and specialties, such as day training / doggie daycare or obedience training, you can see more information in each trainer’s profile.

Are dog training lessons in a training facility or are virtual options available?

Some dog trainers operate exclusively from a training facility, some do house calls and some offer video calls or other virtual options. There are pros and cons to each option and the most efficient behavioral training option depends on specific circumstances, for instance, what hours work best for you. A training center or training ranch can be a good option if your training plan requires facilities, training equipment or dedicated space. We recommend reaching out to the specific trainer you are interested in or browsing their website for more information. 

Are dog training lessons private or in a group setting?

Every different circumstance of dog and owners may require a different setting, whether it’s housebreaking issues, anxiety issues, lack of proper socialization, food aggression or just bad habits. Each trainer has different offerings as far as whether they can offer clients a private training session or a group class. Trainers provide information about their private class and group class offerings in their profiles and you can browse their website for more information as well. It may make sense for your specific circumstance to reach out to the trainer to ask if they recommend group or private dog training classes. Some trainers also have a team of specialists that can provide even higher levels of service, or provide specialized sessions, such as pack walks.

How much does dog training in Delaware cost?

Delaware dog trainers have a wide range of costs for different services and phases of training. For instance behavioral modification that involves boarding is often more expensive than day training, and private lessons are generally more expensive than group lessons. Prices can also vary depending on specific behavioral issues. Lastly, some trainers have more overhead than others, We recommend first picking a trainer that provides the services that you are looking for, then reaching out to them to get up to date pricing.

Is training a dog good for the dog?

Yes! Training has many benefits for dogs. Whether with basic training skills or complex training techniques, going through behavior training with your dog can improve the bond that you share with them. Also, training can do a lot to improve the level of confidence enabling of a dog (and it can also help with building customer confidence!). Rather than being about exerting maximum control over them, it gives them more certainty that they understand how the world around them works. For instance, crate training can help a dog feel safe and at home in a crate vs fearful and uncertain. Dog training can teach important skills, such as leash control, potty training or a general level of obedience skills. And lastly, it’s just fun for the dog to learn life skills and for their family. Training can be very stimulating and enriching for a dog and serve them throughout their entire healthy life!

Can an aggressive dog be trained?

Yes! Any dog behavior can be worked on through training and coaching. Aggression in dogs is a serious issue, but it is also a term that is used very broadly. Many dogs that are thought to be aggressive are actually reactive, which is a different behavior altogether. A trainer can help you interpret signs of aggression, such as excessive barking, fear aggression and leash aggression, and type of aggression. If you believe you have a dog with aggressive behaviors, we recommend reaching out to one of your local top trainers to get their diagnosis and advice. 

I am a Delaware dog trainer. How can I get listed here?

As long as you have a training facility or do in person training in Delaware you can be considered for this list. We update this list once per year, normally starting in January. Make sure to keep an eye on our social media and sign up for email updates with Sniffspot in order to be in the loop on the next round of nominations.

How much do dog trainers make in Delaware?

Dog trainer earnings vary widely depending on many factors, such as whether a dog trainer is an employee or owns their own full-service professional dog training business. According to ZipRecruiter, the average dog trainer salary in Delaware was $34,606 per year and $16.64 per hour. It is impossible to say how much a dog trainer can earn with a full-service professional dog training company, because the size and profitability of companies can vary widely.

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