Best Dog Trainers

The Best Dog Training in Durham, NC

BY DOGACADEMY PUBLISHED: April 7, 2023 UPDATED: April 18, 2023
8 minutes

North Carolina is a city on the East Coast of the United States. Durham isn’t the biggest city in North Carolina but it does have a lot of people and things to do. There are sights to see, hikes to go on, and plenty of activities to do during all of the seasons. Durham is also known for being a part of the Research Triangle Region, which is home to companies and universities that develop new technologies.

Durham is a great place to live, especially for dog owners. The low cost of living and the amount of suburbs makes it perfect for dogs of all sizes, provided you have the time to walk them. Durham is also perfect for dogs who live in the city because the size of apartments isn’t too small for the price.

That said, dog owners in Durham should always focus on having their dogs trained. Training your dog is essential in a place like Durham because you want your dog to be friendly with other pet owners. Furthermore, it’s important to prepare your dog for walks in the suburbs or other areas where you’ll be walking/hiking. Depending on the size of your dog and where you live it’s also a good idea to train your dog to handle urban living.

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While this may sound like a lot, the good news is that we’re here to help. Below we show you some of the best dog trainers in Durham. We’ll have more on these trainers below.

Trainer Price Training Types Online / In-Person
Dog Academy $49.99 – $349.99 Obedience Classes, Puppy Training, Psychiatric Service Dog Training Both
Dog Ability Dog Training $2,850 Boarding and Training, Behavioral Modification, Puppy Training In-Person
Always Pawsitive Contact for Details The Dream Dog, Manners, Unresolved Behavioral Training In-Person
Whole Dog Institute $180-$200 Board and Train, Agility Classes, Sports Courses In-Person
Bark Busters Home Dog Training Contact for Details Behavioral Issues, Puppy Management, Basic Obedience In-Person

Online vs. In-Person Training

When you’re looking for dog trainers there are a few options you have to choose from. The most common options are in-person and online dog training. Still, some dog trainers will offer hybrid courses for you. Hybrid courses may consist of online and in-person training or boarding and training. Regardless of the method you choose, there are some pros and cons of each type to consider.

First and foremost, we’ll start with in-person dog training. In-person dog training is the original method of dog training and has been around for thousands of years. What makes in-person dog training effective is how dog trainers can physically interact with dogs. In-person dog trainers may also offer boarding and grooming services that help people care for their dogs without being around. The drawbacks of in-person training are the cost and lack of flexibility.

Next, it’s important to focus on online dog training. Online dog training is great for pet owners who don’t have time to visit with trainers in-person. The benefits of online dog training include flexibility, affordability, and extra educational resources. There are some drawbacks to online dog training and they include less physical interaction with trainers and no boarding or grooming options.
two dogs being taught

Perks of Online and In-Person Training in Durham NC

Online Training In-Person Training
Cost Effective X
Flexible Schedule X
One-on-One Instruction
Study at Your Own Pace
Socializes Your Dog
Boarding X
Grooming X

The Best Dog Training in Durham NC

There are tons of options for dog training in Durham, NC. Still, some dog trainers are better than others. We’ll take you through a handful of the best dog trainers in Durham to help you narrow down your options.

Dog Academy

  • Online or In-Person: Online and In-Person
  • Types of Training Courses: Obedience Classes, Behavioral Issues, Puppy Training, Psychiatric Service Dog Training, Emotional Support Animal Training, Specialty Classes (e.g. Canine Confidence, Separation Anxiety)
  • Price Range: $49.99 – $349.99
  • Link to Website: Dog Academy Basic Obedience Training Program
  • Phone Number: 605-223-1971

When you want your dog trained by the best Dog Academy is always the best option. Dog Academy only works with the best trainers around the United States and all online trainers are certified by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Additionally, all in-person trainers have a professional background in training dogs and maintain a great record of success.

Dog Academy offers several services for dog training along with extra educational resources and convenient packages. Dog owners also have the liberty to learn at their own pace when working with Dog Academy.

Dog Ability Dog Training

  • Online or In-Person: In-Person
  • Types of Training Courses: Dog Boarding, Boarding and Training, Behavioral Modification, Puppy Training
  • Price Range: $2,850
  • Link to Website: https://www.dogabilitync.com/
  • Address: 3215 Old Chapel Hill Rd, Durham, NC 27707
  • Phone Number: 919-809-2542

Dog Ability Dog Training focuses on positive reinforcement dog training. Trainers focus on the dog’s natural abilities and tendencies to modify behavior. Therefore, behavioral modification is at the forefront of treatment at Dog Ability Dog Training. Behaviors can be modified to help dogs become more friendly, stop jumping, reduce biting, and even prevent bouts of loud and rapid barking.

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Training Consult Today!
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While the programs are more expensive than some of the competition, the prices are worth it for the outcome. Based on reviews and testimonials Dog Ability Dog Training is one of the best options in the United States. There are also basic or advanced programs to choose from. Boarding and training are also available with unique GPS technology, so you can keep an eye on your furry companion.

Always Pawsitive Dog Training

  • Online or In-Person: In-Person
  • Types of Training Courses: The Dream Dog, Amazing Dog, Well Mannered Dog, Manners, Obedience, Unresolved Behavioral Training, Puppy Training
  • Price Range: Contact for Details
  • Link to Website: http://www.alwayspawsitive.com/
  • Address: Turmeric Ln, Durham, NC 27713
  • Phone Number: 919-457-7956

Always Pawsitive Dog Training is owned by Kassondra, who loves playing with and training dogs. In fact, her passion is working with dogs and training out bad behavior that causes owners to abandon them at shelters. Her programs are in-depth and last for a few weeks but there are shorter classes that are focused on puppies.

Kassondra has certifications from the Animal Behavior College and is even verified in pet CPR, so she can save your pet’s life if trouble happens. Kassondra also has two dogs of her own that are well-trained because of the principles she focuses on in her courses.

Whole Dog Institute

  • Online or In-Person: In-Person
  • Types of Training Courses: Boarding, Board and Train, Behavioral Modification, Agility Classes, Sports Courses
  • Price Range: $180-$200
  • Link to Website: https://wholedoginstitute.com/
  • Address: 5922 US-70 BUS, Durham, NC 27705
  • Phone Number: 919-452-3764

The Whole Dog Institute has been in business for more than a decade and has helped thousands of dogs. Primarily, the organization focuses on helping dog owners and dogs build long-lasting relationships based on trust and respect.

Some specialty courses are available for pet owners who want more advanced dogs. Agility training prepares dogs for sports, shows, and police work but there is also nosework training. Nosework training is designed to help dog owners train dogs that can track down specific scents. These services are excellent for pet owners who have more advanced dogs.

Bark Busters Home Dog Training

  • Online or In-Person: In-Person
  • Types of Training Courses: Behavioral Issues, Puppy Management, Basic Obedience, Behavioral Quizzes
  • Price Range: Contact for Details
  • Link to Website: https://www.barkbusters.com/dog-training-raleigh-durham
  • Address: In-Home: Services Durham and Nearby Areas
  • Phone Number: 877-500-2275

Bark Busters Home Dog Training is a type of in-home training that’s available in Durham, NC. Bark Busters has been around for more than 10 years and continues to help dozens of dogs every year. In-home dog training is great because it helps dogs remain calm and comfortable during the training process.

What makes Bark Busters Home Dog Training unique is that there are free behavior quizzes available. These quizzes help you identify what type of training your dog needs, which reduces the cost of consultations and helps you avoid getting the wrong training for your dog.

Find the Right Dog Training for You in Durham

When you want to find the right dog trainer for you it’s important to consider a few things. The first thing to consider is what your dog needs and how old they are. From there, you can narrow down trainers based on the types of programs they offer. For example, some dog trainers are better suited for puppies, while others are better for older dogs.

It’s also not a bad idea to look for dog trainers that offer specific courses that you need. For example, you may want to socialize your dog with group training or select a group training option.

Another factor to consider is the reputation of the dog trainer. Always check their certifications and evaluate how they’ve helped dogs in the past. A great example of a trainer that has the right credentials is Dog Academy. Dog Academy always has you covered with the best trainers around whether you need in-person or online help.