Best Dog Trainers

The Best Dog Training in Honolulu, HI

BY DOGACADEMY PUBLISHED: February 28, 2023 UPDATED: April 24, 2023
7 minutes

Honolulu is a city in Hawaii that’s known for its gorgeous views. Millions of people travel to Hawaii yearly, and over a million residents live on Hawaii’s islands. Because of Hawaii’s laidback style and great hiking trails and beaches, Honolulu is one of the best places to settle down with a dog, especially when you’re looking for adequate trainers.

Dog trainers in Honolulu focus on several training methods. The basic training methods include training for puppies and boarding services. There are also behavioral training methods and even behavioral modification classes. These courses are usually available online or in person. Therefore, there are training options for everyone – even people who have busy schedules.

Dog trainers in Honolulu also focus on some unique training methods. These include training for avoiding wildlife, protection services, service dog options, and exploration. Trainers focus on these training methods in Hawaii to help dogs avoid strangers or getting lost in the dense wilderness.

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Dog trainers in Honolulu will also focus on training dogs to manage walking and relaxing on the beach. The beach may seem like it’s the same as your average backyard, but sand and water are obstacles for dogs. Some trainers in Hawaii will even train your dog to swim in the ocean.

Below we list some of the best dog trainers in Honolulu to help you narrow down your options. We’ve selected each trainer based on their services, reviews, and success stories.

A Quick Look at the Best Dog Training in Honolulu

Here we’ve compiled a quick glimpse of the best dog training in Honolulu.

Trainer Price Training Types Online / In-Person
Dog Academy $49.99 – $349.99 Obedience Classes, Puppy Training, Psychiatric Service Dog Training Both
Balanced Obedience N/A Puppy Training, Dog Training, Service Dog Training Both
Island Dog Obedience $65 – $3,500 Board and Train, In-Home Lessons, Online Sessions Both
Off-Leash K9 Training $199 – $5,200 Board and Train, Obedience, Socialization Both
Aloha K9 Training Call for a Quote Behavioral Training, Off-Leash Training, Socialization In-Person

Online vs. In-Person Training

In-person and online training are the best methods for dog training and are usually the only options available. In many cases, some dog trainers will use a combination of in-person or online dog training to maximize their time with your dog. That said, having access to only in-person or online dog training is not uncommon.

As the original method of dog training, a lot of evidence supports in-person dog training. In-person dog training has existed for thousands of years, and people continue to improve it. Most in-person dog trainers are also flexible enough to do in-home visits, which allows them to train your dog at your preferred location. That said, there are also boarding and daycare options that come with in-person dog training.

The only drawbacks to in-person dog training are that it’s more expensive than online dog training and less flexible. Many dog trainers will also require deposits or a predetermined amount of classes.

On the opposite side of the dog training spectrum, there’s online dog training. In many cases, dog training online is just as effective as in-person dog training. Still, the lack of physical interaction may lead to less trust and worse results. Otherwise, the positives outweigh the drawbacks.

The positives of online dog training usually include a flexible schedule, online educational materials, and more sessions at a reduced cost. Depending on your needs, both in-person and online dog training are viable options.
French bulldog laying infront of door with leash

Perks of Online and In-Person Training in Honolulu

Online and in-person training each have their pros and cons. We break them down for you below.

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

The Best Dog Training in Honolulu

Dog training in Honolulu isn’t hard to find when you know where to look. While there are a lot of options in Honolulu, we’ve compiled a list of the best dog trainers. When considering these dog trainers, you don’t have to worry about wasting your time or money, so always choose the trainer that best suits your needs.

1). Dog Academy

dog tag saying dog academy #1 pick

  • 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

Dog Academy is always the best when it comes to premium dog training services. Whether training is online or in-person, there are professional trainers available. Online trainers all maintain AKC certifications for training, and in-person trainers have unique professional certifications for their specific state.

Additionally, Dog Academy has in-person options available in most states, even Hawaii. They also understand the importance of region-specific training. This includes training methods specific to Honolulu, like swimming and spending time on the beach. Training packages vary, and there are affordable options for everyone.

2). Balanced Obedience

  • Online or In-Person: In-Person and Online
  • Types of Training Courses: Puppy Training, Dog Training, Service Dog Training
  • Price Range: N/A
  • Link to Website: http://balancedobedience.com/
  • Address: 2440 Campus Rd #308, Honolulu, HI 96822
  • Phone Number: (808) 746-9626

Balanced Obedience offers a combination of online and in-person training to help dogs across Hawaii. The online component of the training is important because it’s not always easy to find in-person options with flexible scheduling in places like Honolulu.

Regardless of the type of training, the team at Balanced Obedience is suitable for service dog training, puppy training, and most other behavioral options. In addition, some behavioral modification courses are also available. Balanced Obedience also uses force and fear-free methods.

3). Island Dog Obedience

  • Online or In-Person: Online and In-Person
  • Types of Training Courses: Board and Train, In-Home Lessons, Online Sessions
  • Price Range: $65-3,500
  • Link to Website: https://islanddogobedience.com/
  • Address: 401 Kamakee St, Honolulu, HI 96814
  • Phone Number: (808) 428-9917

Island Dog Obedience focuses on obedience training and in-home lessons. Focusing on these training methods helps owners build a relationship with their dogs that’s based on trust and respect. The primary goal of most sessions is to focus on training good behaviors and getting rid of bad ones, like pulling on a leash or jumping.

All training programs are specialized for each dog, and in-person and online hybrid programs help pet owners maximize their training time. It’s also possible to board your dog with Island Dog Obedience, which is perfect for owners with less free time.

4). Off-Leash K9 Training Hawaii

  • Online or In-Person: In-Person
  • Types of Training Courses: Board and Train, Basic Obedience Training, Socialization, Advanced Obedience
  • Price Range: $199-5,200
  • Link to Website: https://www.hawaiidogtrainers.com/
  • Address: 2333 Alahao Pl UNIT 2E, Honolulu, HI 96819
  • Phone Number: (808) 859-1200

Off-Leash K9 Training is a small dog training company owned by Sherry Valmoja, who came to Honolulu as a certified trainer of bomb-sniffing dogs for the TSA. Therefore, she doesn’t stop at basic training programs like obedience training. Valmoja can train service dogs, police dogs, and even military dogs.

Their other experienced trainer, Loren Kearney, used to be a diver, but now he has years of experience with dogs. The two trainers focus on individualized training sessions for dogs, but there are also boarding options and group classes for socialization.

5). Aloha K9 Training

  • Online or In-Person: In-Person
  • Types of Training Courses: Behavioral Training, Off-Leash Training, Socialization, Group Classes
  • Price Range: Call for Quote
  • Link to Website: https://www.alohak9traininghi.com/
  • Address: #1, Honolulu, HI 96815
  • Phone Number: (513) 460-3830

Aloha K9 Training is newer than some of the other dog trainers on this list. However, Katie is one of the best trainers in Honolulu for dogs of all ages. She’s great with puppies and even older dogs who have developed bad habits. Furthermore, Katie can teach dogs to interact with cats and other pets. Plus, she offers group sessions for dogs that need more socialization.

Overall, her courses are simple and affordable, depending on the type of training. Most basic packages will include a combination of behavioral alteration and obedience training.

Find the Right Dog Training for You in Honolulu

Honolulu is a wonderful place to settle down and raise a dog. While it’s a beautiful place to live with unique challenges, there are dog trainers that can help you and your dog make the most of your time in Honolulu. There are plenty of training options for the beach, swimming, walking in the sand, and being around people. Furthermore, there are aversion classes to keep your dog from chasing wildlife.

Honolulu also has plenty of in-person and online options, so even people with busy schedules can be accommodated. All that said, our favorite choice is always Dog Academy. You can’t go wrong with dog trainers that have professional backgrounds and verifications. Plus, there are trainers in each city across the country if you happen to move.