The Best Dog Training in Vancouver, WA

Vancouver has many parks and walking trails that are pet-friendly, like the Columbia River Trail, but you can also take a short drive to Portland, Oregon where you can enjoy the International Rose Test Garden, the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, Cycle Dog (a bar and dog park), or the Portland Saturday Market.

Though all of these attractions are dog-friendly, you’ll be hard-pressed to have a good time if your dog is tugging your arm off, barking up a storm, or lunging aggressively at other dogs or people. However, this doesn’t mean your dog is destined to live their entire life without leaving home.

There are many amazing trainers in Vancouver who can help transform your pup into a well-mannered companion who can even accompany you on outings. Whether you just need help with basic skills and obedience or your dog could use some behavioral rehabilitation, we’ve compiled a list of the best trainers in Vancouver who can help you achieve your dog training goals. Keep reading to find out more about these trainers!

A Quick Look at the Best Dog Training in Vancouver

Here, we’ve put together a chart that provides a quick overview of the top training options in Vancouver. We’ll share in-depth information on each trainer later in the article, so keep reading.

Online vs. In-Person Training in Vancouver

Some people believe that online training is not as effective as in-person training, but this is not the case. Instead, both come with their pros and cons. Online training tends to be the most affordable and the most convenient as it can be done from anywhere with an internet connection. However, it may not be a great choice for those who aren’t tech-savvy.

In-person training is a great way for both you and your dog to socialize and make new friends. Your dog can also learn in the presence of distractions. However, for dogs that are easily overwhelmed by strangers, in-person training may not be the best option.

Perks of Online and In-Person Training in Vancouver

Both online and in-person training have their pros and cons, here’s a quick chart outlining the common ones.

The Best Dog Training in Vancouver

There are many great dog trainers in Vancouver, but it can be hard to sort through them all. Therefore, we’ve compiled a list of all the best dog trainers that includes brief descriptions of their services as well as their rates and contact info. Check it out!

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

Dog Academy offers private training, group classes, and online courses. They have a dozen experienced trainers servicing every city in the United States, including Vancouver. However, if in-person training isn’t the right choice for you, then take a look at Dog Academy’s extensive catalog of online training classes.

You can find training for puppies, basic obedience, psychiatric service dog, emotional support, leash manners, tricks, and more. There are even courses that address problem behaviors such as barking, reactivity, and separation anxiety.

Dog Academy doesn’t just have dog training classes — they also teach important skills to dog owners. You can learn how to groom your dog at home and even how to administer canine CPR or apply first aid. All of Dog Academy’s online courses are designed by AKC-certified trainers with over 25 years of experience. If you need help with an online course, you can easily contact Dog Academy via phone, email, or the contact form.

Dog Days Dog Training

• Online or In-Person: In-Person
• Types of Training Courses: Puppy Training, Obedience, Manners, Canine Good Citizen, Tricks, Reactivity, Aggression, Nose Work, Rally & Competition Obedience, Conformation
• Price Range: $150-$275 for 4-6 weeks of group classes
• Link to Website: https://www.dogdaysnw.com/
• Address: 7206 NE 37th Ave., Unit A Vancouver, WA 98665
• Phone Number: (360) 241-1844

Dog Days Dog Training offers a plethora of different group training classes. All Dog Days instructors use positive reinforcement training methods.

Available general training classes include Puppy Kindergarten, Canine Good Citizen, Reliable Recall, Loose-Leash Walking, Multi-Dog Household, and Tricks.

Dog Days also offers competition courses, including rally obedience, competition obedience, conformation handling, and nose work. For dogs that have trouble focusing in the presence of distractions, Dog Days offers the Control Unleashed course.

There is also an Over Reactors class for dogs with behavioral issues such as reactivity and aggression. If one’s dog is too reactive or aggressive to attend class, owners can come alone to learn the training techniques, receive homework, and have access to instructors for questions.

Devotions Dogs

• Online or In-Person: In-Person
• Types of Training Courses: Puppy Training, Obedience, Manners, Recall, Loose-Leash Walking, Behavior Modification
• Price Range: Day Training – $2200-$4800; 6-week Group Classes – $170-$200; Private Training $100-$150/hr; Play-and-Train $32-$42
• Link to Website: https://www.devotionsdogs.com/
• Address: 8910 NE 45th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98665
• Phone Number: (360) 219-6084

Devotions Dogs is a boutique doggy daycare that also offers dog training. They only host 10 dogs at a time, with five dogs assigned to a single staff member. This allows them to offer a play and train service, which is essentially daycare, but the staff member in charge of your dog will be using a training method called capturing, which rewards any desirable behaviors your dog offers naturally.

Devotions Dogs also offers more direct training through day training, group classes, and private lessons. Group classes offered include four levels of obedience and manners training, heel training, and recall.

Private lessons are great for addressing behavioral issues such as barking, door dashing, jumping, loose-leash walking, and more. Lessons can be done in your home or at Devotions Dogs’ facility; their facility is fenced and thus a great place for working on off-leash obedience.

A Canine Understanding

• Online or In-Person: In-Person
• Types of Training Courses: Puppy Training (Including AKC S.T.A.R.), Obedience, Manners, Behavior Modification, Canine Good Citizen Prep
• Price Range: 6-week Group Classes $220-$225; 12-day Board and Train $2,400
• Link to Website: https://www.acanineunderstanding.com/
• Phone Number: (360) 991-6584

A Canine Understanding specializes in behavioral modification, obedience training, puppy socialization and development, and fear-free grooming. They offer private training, group classes, and boarding and training. A Canine Understanding does not believe in forced compliance and instead believes in positive reinforcement, calm leadership, and trust between dog and human.

Group classes offered include obedience, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen Prep, and Urban Obedience, which works on training in public areas for dogs that are well-behaved at home but not when out and about.

Private lessons or boarding and training are useful for addressing behavioral issues.

Paws Down Pets

• Online or In-Person: Both
• Types of Training Courses: Puppy Training, Obedience, Manners, Canine Good Citizen, Scent Detection, Behavior Modification
• Price Range: Private Training $95/hour (In-Home) or $85/hour (Virtual); 5-week Group Classes $155; Day Training $450 for 5 sessions
• Link to Website: https://www.pawsdownpets.com/
• Address: 2804 NE 155th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98682
• Phone Number: (360) 936-6129

Paws Down Pets offers private training, day training, video classes, and group classes. Their training methods are positive and fear-free and focus on teaching dog owners how to understand and communicate with their dogs.

Group classes available include three levels of puppy training, two levels of basic skills training for adult dogs, Canine Good Citizen training, scent detection training, and an Out-and-About class that focuses on training in public places.

Private training can be done in-home or over Zoom and is best for dogs that are not able to be around other dogs or have specific problems that need addressing. Paws Down Pets can help with numerous behavioral issues such as shyness, reactivity, jumping, pulling on the leash, house-soiling, and overexcitability.

High Expectations Dog Training

• Online or In-Person: Both
• Types of Training Courses: Obedience, Manners, Canine Good Citizen, Agility, Doggy Parkour, Behavior Modification, Rally, Conformation Handling, Tricks
• Price Range: 5-week Group Classes $170-250; Private Training $120/hr or $550/5 hrs
• Link to Website: https://hedogtraining.com/
• Address: 1605 NW 6th Ave, Camas, WA 98608
• Phone Number: (360) 600-1620

High expectations dog training strives to create a positive relationship between dog owners and their pups by using training techniques such as luring, capturing, shaping, and marker training. They offer group classes, day training, and private lessons.

Group classes available include classes for puppies, manners, community training, Canine Good Citizen, competitive obedience, agility, doggie parkour, rally, conformation handling, and tricks. There are also group classes for reactivity and socialization.

Private training is another option for dogs in need of behavior modification. High Expectations Dog Training is comfortable and able to help with numerous behavioral issues, including aggression. Private training can be done in-home, in-facility, or virtually.

Clockwork Canine Dog Training

• Online or In-Person: Both
• Types of Training Courses: Puppy Training, Obedience, Manners, Reactivity, Aggression, Behavior Modification
• Price Range: Obedience Training $499/four sessions; Reactive Training $599/four sessions; Online Training $250/four sessions
• Link to Website: https://www.clockworkcanine.com/
• Phone Number: (360) 818-4003

Clockwork Canine Dog Training offers private, one-on-one dog training in the comfort of your own home or via virtual lessons. They use positive reinforcement techniques that are completely force free.

Clockwork Canine offers a couple of packages: puppy/adult obedience training and reactive dog training. The former course teaches basic skills such as sit, come, down, and stay and also addresses crate training, proper greeting of guests, and begging.

Reactive dog training is for fearful, aggressive, or reactive dogs, and it helps teach them to be at ease around things that usually trigger them. Aside from these packages, Clockwork Canine is happy to customize training to your dog’s particular needs.

Patient Pawz

• Online or In-Person: In-Person
• Types of Training Courses: Behavior Modification, Obedience, Manners, Canine Good Citizen, Loose-Leash Walking, Pack Walks
• Price Range: 4-week Group Classes $150; Private Training – Contact for details
• Link to Website: https://www.patientpawz.com/
• Phone Number: (971) 236-7299

Patient Pawz offers private training, group classes, and pack walks. They use positive reinforcement training methods and specialize in dealing with problem behaviors. Behaviors they can help with include pulling on the leash, jumping, biting, chewing, barking, door dashing, counter surfing, leash aggression, potty training, and not coming when called.

Group classes offered include loose leash walking, play dates, and Canine Good Citizen prep. Pack walks are completely free and allow dog owners a chance to socialize their dogs and work on loose-leash walking while in the presence of distractions and with the guidance of a trainer.

Find the Right Dog Training for You

It can be difficult to find the right trainer when there are so many to choose from. It’s important to consider the following factors: your budget, how far you’re willing to travel (if at all), how involved you want to be in your dog’s training, and what training goals you’d like to achieve.

If you don’t want to travel, consider High Expectations, Paws Down Pets, A Canine Understanding, or Dog Academy. If you’d prefer a trainer to do most of the work for you, then check out Devotions Dogs, Paws Down Pets, and High Expectations for day training; A Canine Understanding offers a board and train program as well.

If you need specialized training, check out Dog Academy as they offer Psychiatric Service Dog training, Emotional Support Dog training, and other specialty classes. For dog sports, your best options are Dog Days Dog Training and High Expectations Dog Training.

Finally, if you need behavioral modification, High Expectations, Clockwork Canine, Patient Pawz, and A Canine Understanding are all great options. No matter which dog trainer you choose, we know that with a little patience, consistency, and love, you’ll be able to achieve your dog training goals.