This is a list of the top dog trainers in Alabama, based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public.
NADOI certified, SF/SPCA certification, IAABD Accredited Dog Trainer
Deaf dog training, Agility training, Puppy training
Mobile, Fairhope, Daphne, Theodore, Grand Bay, Irvington, Malbis, Spanish Fort
I believe it is vital to keep current with the most modern aspects of dog training and behavior; therefore I am active every day on discussion lists with Professional Dog Trainers, Veterinarians, Certified Pet Behavior Counselors, and other canine professionals worldwide!
Online webinars, seminars etc. are also on my weekly to-do list!
ACDBC with IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants)
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Board and train, In home training, Puppy training
Serving West Mobile, Theodore, Tillman's Corner, Dawes, Semmes, Bayou La Batre, Grand Bay, and select areas in Mobile County, Alabama
30+ years of dog training and behavior experience ranging from training my own dogs to providing foster care and training to numerous rescue dogs. Thousands of temperament tests performed in shelter settings. Complete dog behavior geek. Having trained dogs using aversive methods in the past (pre 1989) I have successfully continued training and modifying behaviors without them. I continue to mai...
CPDT-KA
Reactive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Puppy training
Mobile, Theodore, Tillmans Corner
With over 10 years of experience working with animals, and 5+ years in the field of professional dog training, I have trained various breeds of all ages and temperaments. I am certified through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers and a member of the Pet Professional Guild and the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.
CPDT-KA
Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Off leash training
Kirsten is a graduate of St. Mary's College in Maryland with a BA in Sociology and Anthropology. One of her first jobs was with the Montgomery County, Md. Humane Society where part of her duties were to euthanize unwanted companion animals. Working with the Humane Society began a lifelong journey for Kirsten to educate herself and others in the art and science of training and living with dogs a...
Victoria Stilwell Professional Dog TrainerCertified Canine Behavior ConsultantCertified Professional Dog TrainerLicensed Family Paws Parent EducatorPet Professional Guild MemberAssociation of Professional Dog TrainersPet Sitter International ProfessionalPet Professional Guild Member‚BA
Peltham, Birmingham
Abigail is the founder and owner of Roverchase and has been a professional dog trainer for nearly two decades. As one of the most certified dog trainers in the southeastern U.S., she a certified canine behavior consultant, a certified professional dog trainer, and one of just 70 trainers worldwide selected by Victoria Stilwell to hold the prestigious title of Victoria Stilwell Professional Dog ...
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
Beth has clicker training dogs since 2004. She has been an Instructor with Island Dog since 2008. She is a member of the Pet Professional Guild.
She loves watching her dogs figure things out, and that the training is based on maintaining strong relationships with the dogs.
Her older dog is Coco, a 7-year-old rescue who is named for Chanel but is a tomboy, and Cooper. These...
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
Stephanie discovered her passion for working with animals when she started a pet-sitting business at age 14.
She is a certified trainer through ABC Animal Behavior College. And is working on a degree in biology with the goal of becoming an Animal Behaviorist.
Stephanie loves watching dogs learn and grow and finds it very rewarding to see the bond that develops between dogs a...
In home training, Puppy training
My name is Dale, and I am the CEO and Founder of Top Gun Dog Training. In 2008, while living in Florence, AL, I rescued an amazing 3-month-old Lab Husky Mix named Spaulding. After working with many top dog trainers in AL and FL and using the tools learned to train Spaulding, I took several professional Dog Trainer Courses and created Top Gun Dog Training. I specialize in training puppies starti...
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
Mimi brings to Island Dog a rich combination of administrative experience as well as 40 years of experience teaching dogs and their guardians.
Over the last two decades, Mimi has shared her life with a variety of 'doglets' - Natchez, a chocolate lab, was her first therapy partner, followed by a gentle German Shepherd, Tess, and a pair of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Lilly and Abbey...
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
Kay has completed the K9 Nose-work Instructor certification classes and is a member of APDT, PPG, and is an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizenship and S.T.A.R Puppy Instructor/Evaluator. She has been an Instructor since June 2008. Kay has 2 rescue dogs and supports various pet rescue organizations.
When she's not training dogs you'll find her photographing people, places, and p...
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
Scott and Marianne have two Australian Shepherds, Tilly and Molly. He has been an Instructor since March 2018.
Scott came to us with his sensitive dog Tilly. Based on the successes that had with her, Scott decided to join us to help others experience the same success!
Scott is an Instructor for Playground Class and assists in our Family Manners, Foundations, and Reactive D...
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
Alexis graduated from UAH with a BS in Biological Science, with a minor in Psychology. The perfect combination for dog /people training! She is an AKC Canine Good Citizenship, S.T.A.R Puppy, and Fit Dog Instructor/Evaluator. Alexis began working with Island Dog in October 2021
Woody, is an alumnus of Huntsville Animal Services. He’s a friendly, outgoing German Shepherd / Labrador Ret...
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
Amata holds a Masters of Science and loves studying canine behavior and learning theory. Her Australian Shepherd, Edraith, has animal acting experience, is a Trick Dog Champion, recently earned her NATCH (NADAC Agility Trial Champion), and, most importantly, is NASAR Search & Rescue certified.
Amata is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and a member of the Pet Profession...
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
Jennifer brought her dog, Marley, to Reactive Dog Class. They were able to move into a regular group Foundations class with time and patience.
She is a member of the Pet Professional Guild and is an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizenship and S.T.A.R Puppy Instructor/Evaluator. She has worked with Island Dog since January 2017.
Jennifer teaches Family Manners and Puppy ...
Puppy training
My love for dogs really started when I was working on a cattle ranch in New Mexico. I had always grown up with dogs, but my true obsession began when I witnessed my first working Red Heeler in action. It was incredible to see a 40-pound dog fearlessly chase after a large and angry mother cow – that moment had me hooked. From then on training dogs is all I ever thought about. Pet dogs to start...
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
Melissa wanted to train her own service dog. She and Winston came to puppy classes at Island Dog and the rest, as they say, is history. Sir Winston Churchill is a certified Service Dog.
Melissa assists in Puppy and Family Manners Classes. Her intimate knowledge of living with and training a service dog is invaluable for our clients.
Melissa is on a leave of absence.
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
Archer and Julia have three rescue dogs, Hazel, Grace, and Jayda.
Archer brought one of his dogs to reactive dog training and had a lot of success with the class. All three of his dogs have now taken classes at Island Dog.
Enjoying watching his own dogs learn he decided to become an assistant instructor. He began working with us in February 2020.
Archer is an assistan...
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
MariBeth started training her first dog using traditional obedience training but after becoming a therapy dog handler, she quickly learned the value of clicker training. Both of her therapy dogs went deaf while they were still working and the hand signals she taught them through clicker training were what allowed her to continue working with them.
She believes that behavioral issues c...
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training, Agility training
Julie has two dogs in her family. Annie is pictured.
Holly, now deceased, came to her as a little black lab puppy that she raised for a Florida guide dog school.
As a puppy raiser, she learned the importance of exposing Holly to a variety of people and places. Clicker training was invaluable in teaching Holly the essentials of becoming a polite dog in society in a fun and re...
Puppy training
Candice Scheibel is a Certified Training Partner through the Karen Pryor Academy for professional dog trainers- KPA-CTP. Candice is driven by her passion to help owners better communicate and understand their dog's behavior. Her goal is to empower owners through positive teaching and training techniques while fostering a stronger human-canine bond.
Candice embarked on her animal train...
Abigail is the founder and owner of Roverchase and has been a professional dog trainer for nearly two decades. As one of the most certified dog trainers in the southeastern U.S., she a certified canine behavior consultant, a certified professional dog trainer, and one of just 70 trainers worldwide selected by Victoria Stilwell to hold the prestigious title of Victoria Stilwell Professional Dog ...
Beth has clicker training dogs since 2004. She has been an Instructor with Island Dog since 2008. She is a member of the Pet Professional Guild.
She loves watching her dogs figure things out, and that the training is based on maintaining strong relationships with the dogs.
Her older dog is Coco, a 7-year-old rescue who is named for Chanel but is a tomboy, and Cooper. These...
Stephanie discovered her passion for working with animals when she started a pet-sitting business at age 14.
She is a certified trainer through ABC Animal Behavior College. And is working on a degree in biology with the goal of becoming an Animal Behaviorist.
Stephanie loves watching dogs learn and grow and finds it very rewarding to see the bond that develops between dogs a...
My name is Dale, and I am the CEO and Founder of Top Gun Dog Training. In 2008, while living in Florence, AL, I rescued an amazing 3-month-old Lab Husky Mix named Spaulding. After working with many top dog trainers in AL and FL and using the tools learned to train Spaulding, I took several professional Dog Trainer Courses and created Top Gun Dog Training. I specialize in training puppies starti...
30+ years of dog training and behavior experience ranging from training my own dogs to providing foster care and training to numerous rescue dogs. Thousands of temperament tests performed in shelter settings. Complete dog behavior geek. Having trained dogs using aversive methods in the past (pre 1989) I have successfully continued training and modifying behaviors without them. I continue to mai...
With over 10 years of experience working with animals, and 5+ years in the field of professional dog training, I have trained various breeds of all ages and temperaments. I am certified through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers and a member of the Pet Professional Guild and the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.
Kirsten is a graduate of St. Mary's College in Maryland with a BA in Sociology and Anthropology. One of her first jobs was with the Montgomery County, Md. Humane Society where part of her duties were to euthanize unwanted companion animals. Working with the Humane Society began a lifelong journey for Kirsten to educate herself and others in the art and science of training and living with dogs a...
Welcome to Alabama’s list of top dog trainers. The Alabama list is based on 369 votes from the Sniffspot community. Only the Alabama dog trainers with the top number of votes made this list. Trainers are ordered by number of votes, with Frances Dauster Dauster at the top of this list with 175 votes.
Our rankings include trainers certified by CPDT-KA and SF/SPCA certification. They also specialize in Puppy training, Reactive dog training amongst other training programs.
Alabama dog trainer services include:
Dog trainers in Alabama selflessly set pets up for success. Frances Dauster Dauster shares why they chose this path: When I see the 'lightbulb' go off in both dogs' and owners' minds... incredible. Now I'm doing that for my career ;-). All 23 trainers on this Alabama list are committed to positive reinforcement. Trusted Alabama trainer, Jessica Hudson, uses the following methods: My services are completely customized to each client. We begin with a consultation which allows me to assess behavior, environment, and get to know my clients (human and canine). From there I determine the changes which need to be made and implement a plan to meet the needs of both my client and their pets. My goal is to provide sensible, simple solutions which reduce stress and make life better in general. Each client is offered the best options for them in regards to homework and resources. I provide emailed support and on-going guidance for my clients. I often consult with clients' veterinarians if a behavior plan requires. Often my clients are relieved that simple changes are all it takes to vastly improve their situation..
Explore the top dog trainers in Alabama as voted by our community:
When I see the 'lightbulb' go off in both dogs' and owners' minds... incredible. Now I'm doing that for my career ;-).
training is like a wonderful dance - both have to be happy doing it!.
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.