The Best Dog Training in Rochester, NY

Rochester is one of New York’s most populous cities. While it’s not as large as the five boroughs, it’s ranked 4th in total population, and its densely populated streets and skyline reinforce this data. Rochester is also a beautiful place to live with its unique landmarks and a gorgeous view of Lake Ontario. Plus, these locations provide you with plenty of hiking trails and places to travel. If you own a dog or plan on owning a dog in Rochester, having them appropriately trained can enhance your living experience.

With a well-trained dog, you can enjoy the trails that surround Lake Ontario, spend time in the mountains, and navigate Rochester’s packed city sidewalks. However, finding the best dog trainer in Rochester is not easy. With dozens of great options, it’s challenging to narrow them all down. Luckily, we’re here to help. We’re going to take you through several of the best dog trainers in Rochester. We’ll cover in-person and online dog training options, so there’s something for everyone.

A Look at the Best Dog Trainers in Rochester NY

Online vs. In-Person Training

Online dog training and in-person dog training are the types of training you’ll come across when searching for a dog trainer in Rochester. That said, online and in-person dog training are very different. Even if they share some similarities and goals, the method of training varies based on the trainer, facility, or platform. To help you better understand the differences between in-person and online dog training, we’ll take you through the perks of each method.

Perks of Online and In-Person Training

Online and in-person dog training are both great choices when it comes to dog training. Compared to attempting to train your dog on your own, using online or in-person trainers takes training to the next level. That said, the perks of each method vary. For online dog training, the perks are flexibility, affordability, and being able to take courses at your own pace. Online courses also provide you with video calls and instructors in some cases. On the other hand, in-person dog training is more about having a trainer come to your home or bringing your dog to a training facility. The perks of in-person training are bonding between dogs and trainers, the option to board and train, and in-home services. Still, we prefer online dog training because it allows you to test the waters without any risk.

The Best Online Dog Trainers in Rochester NY

If you’re looking for a dog trainer in Rochester, we always recommend starting with an online trainer. Working with online trainers helps you get an idea of how well your dog reacts to training. While we think online dog training is the best way to get started, in-person training is still valuable. Because trainers form a bond with dogs and you can board your dog with them, in-person dog training is the best option for some people. Below is the best online and in-person dog training in Rochester, NY.

1). Dog Academy

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

Phone Number: (605) 223-1971

Dog Academy is the best online or in-person dog training organization for the people of Rochester. We love Dog Academy because all of the courses have been crafted by AKC-certified dog trainers with over two decades of experience. While the basic obedience course is one of Dog Academy’s best options, the platform also has several other courses that focus on dog walking, leash training, and more – even psychiatric dog training. Dog Academy is also second-to-none when it comes to value because the prices are great, and their postive reinforcement methods are extremely effective. Dog Academy can also help with specialized training needs, like minimizing separation anxiety. Overall, Dog Academy is the most impressive online or in-person option.

2). Tuxedo’s K9 Training Camp

Online or In-Person: In-Person

Types of Training Courses: Dog Boarding, Dog Boarding and Training, Dog Daycare, Dog Walking, Animal Care, Animal Rescue, Basic Obedience, Dog Care Facilities, Dog Collar, Dog Handling, Group Classes, Pet Massages, Private Lessons, Puppy Socialization, Puppy Training

Price Range: $100-$175

Link to Website: https://tuxedosk9.com/

Address: 892 East Ridge Road, Rochester, NY 14621

Phone Number: 585-429-0320

Tuxedo’s K9 Training Camp offers many dog training programs but specializes in on-site training. This means that trainers at Tuxedo’s K9 Training Camp prefer to have the dog brought to their location. Moreover, they offer many programs that are designed to work with a dog’s behavior, and they’ve developed the facility to compensate for this. For example, the facility uses soundproofing to prevent dogs from getting anxious or excited when other dogs are being trained. Furthermore, the crumb rubber flooring is designed to keep dogs at ease because they won’t hear the pounding footsteps of other dogs. For a board and train program, Tuxedo’s K9 Training Camp is excellent.

3). Petco

Online or In-Person: Both (Location Pending)

Types of Training Courses: Dog Grooming, Dog Boarding, Dog Boarding and Training, Dog Daycare, Online Training, Private Sessions, Video Calls, Dog Obedience Courses, Dog Walking, Off-Leash Training, Separation Anxiety, Behavior Modification

Price Range: $99-$229

Link to Website:  https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/c/online-dog-training-courses

Phone Number: 1-800-222-1111

Petco is a solid choice for online and in-person dog training. However, the biggest drawback of in-person training with Petco is scheduling and cost. Today, Petco has moved many of its dog training services online. These are courses and 1-on-1 sessions with affordable, flexible, and trustworthy trainers. When working with Petco, you also get the benefit of working with a big company. This means there’s less risk, more reviews to read, and more access to trainers and training resources. We also love that Petco has a great online store you can use to obtain items for helping your dog with training.

4). Tails of Success

Online or In-Person: In-Person

Types of Training Courses: Dog Boarding and Training, Dog Training and Grooming, Behavior Programs, Basic Obedience, Advanced Obedience, Private Training, Puppy Classes, Real-Life Training

Price Range: $55-$500

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

Address: 999 East Ridge Road #200, Rochester, NY, 14621

Phone Number: 585-360-0030

Tails of Success is a well-rounded dog trainer that focuses on giving the dog owner power. While many trainers focus on altering a dog’s behavior, Tails of Success teaches dogs about manners and how to respond to commands. This allows dog owners to use those commands and expand them with techniques that trainers teach to people. Tails of Success also has private sessions and can help dogs that have been exposed to trauma early in life. We also like that Tails of Success provided dog owners with a list of what’s needed to successfully train their dogs. This includes what types of leashes are needed and other dog training accessories.

5). Regional K-9

Online or In-Person: In-Person

Types of Training Courses: Behavior Counseling, Private Lessons, Residency Programs Behavior Modification, Leash Training, E-Collar Training, Dog Hiking, Urban Agility

Price Range: $1,000-$2,500

Link to Website:  https://www.regionalk9.com/

Address: 116 Landing Park, Rochester, NY 14625

Phone Number:  585-789-7323

Regional K-9 is operated by Pat Curran, who is a certified dog trainer. He’s been in the business of dog training for several years and has developed his own techniques to provide a superior style of obedience training. Regional K-9 is great for Rochester because Pat Curran can teach a dog about urban navigation and hiking all within the same program. While he’s not the most inexpensive dog trainer in Rochester, he spends a lot of time with dog owners and their dogs and is thorough. As one of the smaller dog training organizations in Rochester, Pat Curran needs to do great work, and his reviews and ratings prove he’s one of the best.

6). Home School the Dog

Online or In-Person: Online

Types of Training Courses: Dog Training, Dog Walking, Dog Games, Off-Leash Training, Tutorial-Based Training, Positive Reinforcement Training, Behavior Modification, Basic Obedience, Advanced Obedience

Price Range: $47

Link to Website: https://dogsthat.com/hstd-joinnow/

Email Address: wag@dogsthat.com

Home School the Dog is a unique online training platform that makes dog training fun. There are dozens of games pet owners learn to play with their dogs and video tutorials to take dog training to new heights. Home School the Dog also features video tutorials from professional instructors that can work with your dog and provide positive reinforcement through a computer or tablet. While Home School the Dog is all about having fun and playing games, the service proves that dog training can be fun and inexpensive while being effective and worth your time. Therefore, if you’re looking to have fun with dog training and be less serious about the process, Home School the Dog is great.

Find the Right Dog Trainer for You

Dog training is not easy to come across, especially good dog training. Depending on where you live, each dog has unique needs. For example, dogs in Rochester need urban agility, hiking skills, and good manners. For this reason, we always recommend getting your dog trained.

Still, that doesn’t mean you should settle for the first dog trainer you come across. When it comes to dog training in Rochester, NY, our favorite choice is almost always DogAcademy. DogAcademy has several unique programs and tools to help you make the most out of dog training. Plus, there’s less risk, and you can see if your dog takes to the training. Ultimately, take your time to carefully evaluate each option and make sure you choose the best dog training program for your needs.