Best Dog Trainers

The Best Dog Training in Houston, TX

BY DOGACADEMY PUBLISHED: June 20, 2022 UPDATED: April 24, 2023
7 minutes

Dog training is often hit or miss. Even if you train your dog on your own, there’s a chance that the training doesn’t stick. Furthermore, the training might simply not be effective. When living in a city like Houston, getting the best dog training is important for yourself and others. A well-trained dog is a pleasure to have around the streets and sidewalks of Houston, but an untrained dog can be a nightmare.

Houston is quickly becoming a crowded city, so getting proper training for your furry little friend is essential. With the appropriate training, your dog will have an easier time walking through packed sidewalks and crowded alleyways. Furthermore, training for larger dogs is vital to ensure the safety of yourself and others. However, it is also necessary for smaller dogs to prevent barking and other gestures that can annoy bystanders. Read on to discover the best dog trainers in Houston.

A Quick Look at the Best Dog Training in Houston

Trainer Price Range Training Types Online In-Person
Dog Academy $49.99-$349.99 Obedience Training, Puppy Training, Service Dog Training Yes Yes
Believe in DOG Training $275/6 classes Boarding, CGC Test, Behavior Counseling  Yes Yes
Spirit Dog $49.99-$1,700 Obedience Training, Puppy Training, Masterclass Yes No
Peace Love Dogs Appointment-based Doggie Daycare, CGC Certification, Puppy Training Yes Yes
Puptown Houston Financing Support Dog Training, Obedience Training, Canine Sports  Yes  Yes
Petco $99-$229 Puppy Basics, Training Basics, Separation Anxiety Yes Yes

 

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Online vs. In-Person Training

Online and in-person dog training are the common methods of dog training in Houston. In-person dog training is a traditional way of training dogs, which involves having someone come to your home or meeting someone at a location. While it’s tough to beat the quality of in-person dog training, the lack of flexibility makes it less viable than online training. Plus, online training is becoming just as effective as in-person training with innovations in video calls. Given these factors, online dog training is typically the best route to take.

Perks of Online and In-Person Training

Online and in-person dog training methods have pros and cons. However, online training has more benefits with fewer drawbacks than in-person training. For example, online dog training is more affordable than in-person dog training. Online training is also more flexible and less risky than in-person training. That said, in-person dog training in Houston does have the benefit of in-person interaction. In-person interaction can be great for dogs and the training process.

Online Training In-Person Training
One-on-One Instruction ✔️ ✔️
Flexible Schedule ✔️ X
Affordable ✔️ X
Trainers can come to your home X ✔️
Socialize with other dogs X ✔️
Hundreds of options ✔️ X

 

The Best Dog Training in Houston

In Houston, online dog training is becoming popular, but you may find that you still need back-up from an in-person trainer. Here’s our breakdown of the best online and in-person dog training in Houston.

1). Dog Academy

dog tag saying dog academy #1 pick

Online or In-Person: Both

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

Schedule a Free Dog
Training Consult Today!
No credit card required. Free means free.

Phone Number: (605) 223-1971

DogAcademy is the best online an in-person dog training platform in Houston. DogAcademy earns the top spot because it’s a well-rounded training service. While DogAcademy has several courses and instructors to help train your dog, the service is unique because there are basic obedience courses that are simple courses that teach dog owners how to train their dogs on their own, as well as advanced courses, like how to train your own psychiatric service dog. This means you can learn everything you need to know to take your dog’s behavior to the next level, whether you want in-person or online training – or a combination of both!

2). Believe in DOG Training

Online or In-Person: Both

Types of Training Courses: Boarding, Dog Training, Dog Walking, AKC CGC Test, Obedience Training, Behavior Counseling, Custom Training Programs, Puppy Services, Group Courses, Group Classes, In-Home Sessions, Loose Leash, Therapy Dog Preparation, Dog Tricks

Price Range: $275 for 6 classes

Link to Website: https://www.believeindogtraining.com/

Address: 1029 W 26th St, Houston, TX 77008

Phone Number: 713-364-4439

Believe in DOG Training is a private dog training service that operates in the Houston area. Operated by Stephanie Bennett, the training service offers a wide spectrum of courses that range from basic obedience to training for trick-based events. At Believe in DOG Training, the fundamental training philosophy is unique compared to other dog training services in Houston. It’s unique because the focus is on the feelings of the dog and how those feelings can be used to address, alter, and create dog behaviors. Plus, Believe in DOG Training focuses on playing and positive reinforcement instead of reprimanding dogs.

3). SpiritDog

Online or In-Person: Online

Types of Training Courses: Tackling Reactivity Bundle, Ultimate Puppy Bundle, Perfect Focus Bundle, Perfect Obedience Bundle, Loose Leash Walking Bundle, Fantastic Focus bundle, Listening Bundle, Home Games bundle, Games Unlimited Bundle, Ultimate Masterclass Bundle

Price Range: $49.99-$1,700

Link to Website: https://spiritdogtraining.com/online-dog-training/

Phone Number: 505-278-5348

SpiritDog is a well-known online dog training service that offers many training levels and options. While it’s not as good as DogAcademy, the platform is easy to use and affordable for all budgets. While some courses are on the expensive side, there are also cheap training sessions that focus more on the basics and give the user tools to train their dog. SpiritDog is also a customizable dog training resource. For example, people can combine the Ultimate Puppy Bundle with the Tackling Reactivity Bundle or the Perfect Focus Bundle. Ultimately, the type of training program is up to the user.

4). Peace Love Dogs

Online or In-Person: Both

Types of Training Courses: Dog Boarding, Dog Training With Boarding, Doggie Daycare, Canine Good Citizen Certification, Basic Obedience, Day-Training, K9 Nose Work, Leash Training, Puppy School, Refresher Courses, Dog Tricks

Price Range: N/A

Link to Website: https://peacelovedogshouston.com/

Address: 9619 Yupondale Dr, Houston, TX 77080

Phone Number: 713-467-1177

Peace Love Dogs is one of the best dog training services in Houston because it’s a personal organization. Instead of having prices listed on the website for basic training courses, the instructors reach out to potential customers via email to get additional information before coming up with a personalized training program. Doing business this way (being thorough), sets up the experience to be one that benefits all of the parties involved, including your dog. Plus, the organization prefers to know the basics about yourself and your dog before getting started. Compared to other in-person dog trainers in Houston, being this in-depth with the process sets the organization apart.

5). Puptown Houston

Online or In-Person: Both

Types of Training Courses: Dog Boarding, Dog Boarding With Training, Dog Daycare, Dog Walking, ESA Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Service Dogs, Companion Dogs, Basic Obedience, Behavior Modification, Dog Safety, Group Classes, Free Evaluations, Ear Cleaning, General Grooming, Dog Sports

Price Range: N/A, Financing Available

Link to Website: https://puptownhouston.com/

Address: 1723 Campbell Rd, Houston, TX 77080

Phone Number: 832-930-0073

Puptown Houston is a specialized dog training service that handles all of your dog training needs. The company focuses on putting dogs first, so there is a thorough vetting process before coming up with a training schedule, price, and style. However, Puptown has several training options that are unique compared to similar in-person Houston-based dog trainers. The best example is the program that’s made for dog sports. This program teaches dogs to play sports, get along with other dogs, and play in new ways with pet owners. Overall, it’s a fun option that’s not typical of many dog trainers in the Houston area.

6). Petco

Online or In-Person: Both/Location Pending

Types of Training Courses: Puppy Basics, Adult Basics, Separation Anxiety

Price Range: $99-$229

Link to Website: https://www.petco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/PetcoServicesBookDogTrainingView?langId=-1&catalogId=10051&storeId=10151

Phone Number: 1-800-222-1111

While Petco is known for its in-person training and pet supplies, Petco also has several online training options. The benefit of working with Petco is that you’re working with a reputable company. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about getting bad service or losing money; it’s low-risk. Petco can also recommend tools to help with training and supply you with those products. While Petco has simplified programs compared to other online dog training services in Houston, Petco is reputable and hassle-free to work with.

Find the Right Houston Dog Trainer for You

Finding the right dog trainer or training service is not always easy. While there are tons of options available, it’s important to get your dog high-quality training. Otherwise, you’ll end up wasting time and money. The good news is that our comprehensive list has the best dog trainers in Houston. We’ve vetted each option, so each choice is viable depending on your situation.

Speaking of your situation, make sure you choose a dog trainer that’s right for you. Just because one dog trainer works well for some people, that doesn’t mean they’ll work well for you and your dog. In fact, it might take a few different trainers before you find the right one. Therefore, don’t be afraid to try a few trainers from our list. Still, we always recommend starting with an online dog training service like Dog Academy to see how your dog responds to training.