This is a list of the top dog trainers in Wisconsin, based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public.
Certified Professional Dog Trainer- Knowledge Assessed, CPDT-KA
Reactive dog training, Agility training, In home training, Puppy training
Oshkosh, Winnebago County, Northeastern WI
Lynsie Bernier is the owner of Ideal DOG and brings 30 years in the animal care field to the business. Lynsie has worked in nearly every capacity of professional animal care since 1993.
Over the last 18 years Lynsie has focused her career on dog training and behavior. Her credentials and memberships include:
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
Approved AKC Canine...
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Dane County and surrounding areas
With DBF since: 1999Areas of expertise: Families with dogs and children, general training, puppies and reactive/ aggressive dogsEducation: Bachelor's degree in zoology and psychology from UW-MadisonI have always had a passion for animals. My grandfather was a large animal veterinarian. As time went on I was going to pursue a degree as a veterinary technician. A local veterinarian directed me to...
CPDT-KA, ACDBC, Force Free Trainers of Wisconsin
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Milwaukee County, Waukesha County, Washington County, Ozaukee County
Brittany has always had a strong love of animals, which she fostered from an early age with her participation in horseback riding, as well as her volunteer work at the humane society.
After graduating high school, Brittany went to UW Madison to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. Dog training wasn't a popular career option at the time, so veterinary medicine was the career recommen...
CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Off leash training
Midwestern Wisconsin
Heather got her start in dogs at the age of 10 years old in 4H. Showing in local shows, and doing some grooming of the neighbor dogs prepped her for a life in the dog world. She has a degree in dietetics from UW Madison, and worked in healthcare for 13 years before leaving to go into dogs full time. She opened emBARK in 2006 and they offer dog daycare, group training classes, grooming, canin...
KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, Fear Free Trainer, Predation Substitute Trainer, Family Dog Mediator, Certified Trick Dog Instructor, Pro Dog Trainer
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Madison & Surrounding Communities
Jessica Cady-Bartholomew believes in training and educating efficiently with kindness and compassion. She uses the latest and best methods in animal learning to ensure that you and your pup are reaching your goals and having a great time doing it.
A Madison native, with a degrees in sociology & recreation, Jess has made the commitment to help people and their dogs lead their very best ...
CTC, CDBC, CSAT, SA PRO, CPDT-KA
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training, Puppy training
We are based in the Milwaukee, WI metro area, and work remotely with clients worldwide.
Jennifer Pratt, CTC, CSAT, SA Pro, CDBC, CPDT-KA, is the founder of Wag the Dog and Company. She is a graduate of Jean Donaldson's prestigious Academy for Dog Trainers where she earned her certificate in training and counseling (CTC) and honored to be on their speaker roster for conferences and seminars.Jennifer is also a graduate of two renowned trainers and authors widely-recognized as the a...
CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA
Reactive dog training, In home training, Puppy training
Waukesha County
I have been training people to train their dogs for 9 years at Best Paw Forward. I am a certified dog trainer through APDT and just recently received my certification in behavior. Prior to do dog training, I was a Registered Nurse for 25 years. I have 3 dogs at home, 2 Keeshonds and a Great Pyrenees/Hound mix.
M.S., CPDT-KA, IAABC-ADT, FFCP, LFDM-T, LFDM-L
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training, Puppy training
I am based in La Crosse, Wisconsin and serve the surrounding Wisconsin, Minnesota & Iowa communities with a 50-60 mile radius. La Crosse County (e.g., La Crosse, Onalaska, West Salem, Holmen), Jackson County (e.g., Mindoro, Melrose), Buffalo County (e.g., Alma, Fountain City), Monroe County (e.g., Sparta, Tomah, Warrens, Cashton), Trempealeau County (e.g., Trempealeau, Galesville, Whitehall), Vernon County (e.g., Stoddard, Viroqua, Westby), Winona County (e.g., Winona), Houston County (e.g., Houston, Hokah, Caledonia). I serve clients all over the country with virtual training sessions.
Prior to entering the world of dog training, I received two Bachelor of Science degrees (Biology and Animal Science) and a Master of Science degree in Biology from Montana State University. For over 20 years, I taught human anatomy and physiology at the university level. My dog training experience includes teaching in-person and virtual group classes and private in-home and virtual lessons for...
Agility training
Southeastern Wisconsin
Rachel began her professional life as a dancer and K-12 educator, and has been teaching workshops for children and adults since 1995. She made the leap to dog training in 2006, and found a natural fit for her experience in dance, education, and psychology. Helping students to develop an awareness of themselves and their canine teammates through movement and clear communication is an integral pa...
ITA Therapy Dog Evaluator, AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, a member of The Pet Professional Guild, a member of Force Free Trainers of Wisconsin
Lisa's life-long love of dogs began at an early age, when she always had a stray dog in tow as a child. As an adult, she has had the pleasure of being owned by four dogs all shelties and has served as a professional dog trainer since 2006. She is an ITA Therapy Dog Evaluator, AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, a member of The Pet Profess...
CBCC, CBDT
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Madison, WI and surrounding communities/rural areas. Remote, too.
Certified Behavior ConsultantEducation: UW-Madison B.S. in Psychology and Zoology, Apprenticed with Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., Graduate of Susan Friedman Ph.D.'s Living and Learning with Animal ProgramCertifications: CBCC-KA CPDT-KA Chelse has always been passionate about animals and started her professional career in sheltering in 1994, working for the Dane County Humane Society where she was...
School for the Dog Certified Professional Trainer
Reactive dog training, In home training, Puppy training
Milwaukee, WI and the greater Milwaukee area
Sara Caron is a School For The Dogs Certified Professional Trainer.
Sara completed SFTD's rigorous, 6 month long apprenticeship program focusing on the fundamentals of animal behavior and learning and practical dog training skills in 2021.
She shares a home with a husky mix, Bun Chan, terrier puppy, Chilli, and cats Little Oatie and Goo.
She holds a BFA in Integrate...
CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed)
Claudia is a member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) and an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Claudia spends many hours listening to training podcasts, taking on-line courses, and webinars, as well as attending as many seminars and conferences as she can.In Claudia's words: "I have enjoyed my time and experience with all of the dogs with which I have been privileged to share my life. They h...
BS, CVT, CPDT
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Madison, Dane County
I have been in the dog behavior business for over 20 years.
Agility training
Elaine joined the team at the beginning of 2021 as an assistant and became a lead instructor by the end of 2021.
In Elaine's words: "All of my dogs are so special. My yellow lab rescue, Bo, has been a therapy dog for many years. We visited a local elementary school for over 13 years teaching kindergarteners and first graders the love of reading. Bo and I trained at Best Paw Forward many yea...
Associate Certified Cat Behavior Consultant - IAABC Associate Certified Dog Behavior Consultant - IAABC Fear Free Certified Professional - Trainer Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer Bachelor of Science in Animal Ecology
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training, Puppy training
In-person services within a 40 mile radius of Wyocena, WI. Virtual training is offered worldwide!
Homeward Bound Behavior and Training, LLC is owned by Emily Blythe. Emily has over 15 years of experience helping families and pets in need. She got her start in Nebraska, moved to Iowa, and now her journey has brought her to Wisconsin! She has extensive experience working in animal shelters and veterinary clinics. She specializes in feline, canine, and avian behavior and implements behavior m...
ABC Certified Dog Trainer
Puppy training
Baraboo & it's surrounding areas, Wisconsin Dells
My name is Pam Collar and I am a graduate of Animal Behavior College (ABC) where I earned my certification as an ABC Certified Dog Trainer. Animal Behavior College (ABC) is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education and is an internationally recognized school. My year long commitment to this program has provided me with a formal education in canine obedience train...
CPDT-KA
Agility training
Greater Madison Area
Brianne first joined Teacher's Pet in 2004. While her training journey took her away from Teacher's Pet for a bit, we are so delighted to welcome her back in 2022! Brianne's love for animals started young and when she went to college at UW Madison, she got her bachelor of science in Zoology. She became a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) in 2006 and has diligently kept up on her co...
Service dog training, Board and train, Puppy training
Benton, WI
Here's the story where you learn about a girl with a Master's in mechanical engineering who ended up running Angelic Paws Dog Training. While the two may not seem to have a lot in common on the outside, I found that my love of problem-solving was a perfect fit for helping dogs become better pets and for humans to become better owners.
You and your dog deserve to have a great life toget...
With DBF since: 1999Areas of expertise: Families with dogs and children, general training, puppies and reactive/ aggressive dogsEducation: Bachelor's degree in zoology and psychology from UW-MadisonI have always had a passion for animals. My grandfather was a large animal veterinarian. As time went on I was going to pursue a degree as a veterinary technician. A local veterinarian directed me to...
Jessica Cady-Bartholomew believes in training and educating efficiently with kindness and compassion. She uses the latest and best methods in animal learning to ensure that you and your pup are reaching your goals and having a great time doing it.
A Madison native, with a degrees in sociology & recreation, Jess has made the commitment to help people and their dogs lead their very best ...
Certified Behavior ConsultantEducation: UW-Madison B.S. in Psychology and Zoology, Apprenticed with Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., Graduate of Susan Friedman Ph.D.'s Living and Learning with Animal ProgramCertifications: CBCC-KA CPDT-KA Chelse has always been passionate about animals and started her professional career in sheltering in 1994, working for the Dane County Humane Society where she was...
Brittany has always had a strong love of animals, which she fostered from an early age with her participation in horseback riding, as well as her volunteer work at the humane society.
After graduating high school, Brittany went to UW Madison to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. Dog training wasn't a popular career option at the time, so veterinary medicine was the career recommen...
Jennifer Pratt, CTC, CSAT, SA Pro, CDBC, CPDT-KA, is the founder of Wag the Dog and Company. She is a graduate of Jean Donaldson's prestigious Academy for Dog Trainers where she earned her certificate in training and counseling (CTC) and honored to be on their speaker roster for conferences and seminars.Jennifer is also a graduate of two renowned trainers and authors widely-recognized as the a...
I have been training people to train their dogs for 9 years at Best Paw Forward. I am a certified dog trainer through APDT and just recently received my certification in behavior. Prior to do dog training, I was a Registered Nurse for 25 years. I have 3 dogs at home, 2 Keeshonds and a Great Pyrenees/Hound mix.
Welcome to Wisconsin’s list of top dog trainers. The Wisconsin list is based on 943 votes from the Sniffspot community. Only the Wisconsin dog trainers with the top number of votes made this list. Trainers are ordered by number of votes, with Lynsie Bernier at the top of this list with 215 votes.
Our rankings include trainers certified by CPDT-KA and CPDT-KA. They also specialize in Puppy training, In home training amongst other training programs.
Wisconsin dog trainer services include:
Dog trainers in Wisconsin selflessly set pets up for success. Lynsie Bernier shares why they chose this path: A lifetime of working in the animal care field including sheltering, I realized the best way to help animals and people was from the ground up. Teaching animals and people effective communication leads to happier pets and people in everything we do together. From sharing our home, getting the health care and grooming they need, to sharing the outside world, training makes life with dogs the best it can be!. All 34 trainers on this Wisconsin list are committed to positive reinforcement. Trusted Wisconsin trainer, Shannon Skolaski, uses the following methods: The term positive has at least two meanings in dog training. One is positive, as in dog-friendly. In that sense, Dog's Best Friend Training is all about positive dog training. We train with food reinforcement or clicker training and do not use force, shouting, or other negative forms of coercion to train dogs. The other use of positive in dog training is as a technical Learning Theory term. In that sense, there is positive reinforcement and positive punishment, among other things. In those terms, positive just means you're giving the dog something, in the mathematical sense of addition. You're giving treats or giving pain/annoyance. So in that usage, positive dog trainer doesn't make sense. Positive dog training is the way to go!.
Explore the top dog trainers in Wisconsin as voted by our community:
Be keen observers of your dog's communication and voice, listen closely and respond compassionately always..
A lifetime of working in the animal care field including sheltering, I realized the best way to help animals and people was from the ground up. Teaching animals and people effective communication leads to happier pets and people in everything we do together. From sharing our home, getting the health care and grooming they need, to sharing the outside world, training makes life with dogs the best it can be!.
Teaching humans about dog behavior, body language and learning/communication turns on a lightbulb so everything is clearer..
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.