Kandice VincentWhether it’s your puppy’s first steps or your adult dog’s aggressive behavior, only the best dog training center in Toronto can help you!
In this review, we selected the best dog trainers in the city for your fur babies. See which ones made our list and discover what they can offer.
The Cost of Dog Training Services in Toronto
It depends on the type of lessons, the duration of the training, and the learning format you enrolled in. You can refer to the table below for a breakdown of the estimated costs of dog training services:
Top Dog Training Centers in Toronto
We assessed the dog training centers based on the following criteria:
1. Nicola Smith
| Training facilities | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Indoor and outdoor facilities | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Safety and cleanliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Size and location | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Areas of expertise | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Dog training techniques | ★★★★★(/5) |
| Years of experience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer satisfaction | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Fees and other related charges | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Nicola Smith stands out as a specialized dog trainer, focusing on obedience and behavior modification training. With a commitment to effective communication between dogs and their owners, Nicola aims to create well-balanced and joyful canine companions.
We like that Nicola Smith recognizes the uniqueness of each dog, offering a range of specialized services to cater to specific needs. Whether it’s one-on-one professional dog training, puppy training, or comprehensive board and train experiences, the services are tailored to the individual needs of each canine companion.
Furthermore, the availability of both in-person and online dog training sessions offers flexibility for dog owners. In-person sessions in Toronto and Chatham-Kent allow for specialized attention, while online sessions accommodate those who may not have the option for in-person training or prefer the convenience of virtual sessions.
While in-person sessions are available in Toronto and Chatham-Kent, individuals residing outside these areas may face limitations in accessing Nicola’s in-person training services. Expanding the geographical coverage could enhance accessibility for a broader audience.
Overall, Nicola Smith’s dog training services exhibit a commitment to individualized, specialized, and empowering approaches to canine behavior. Her focus on obedience, behavior modification, and relationship building contributes to the overall well-being of dogs and their owners.
Pros
- Specialization in Obedience and Behavior Modification
- Individualized Services
- Strong Emphasis on Relationship Building
Cons
- Geographic Limitations for In-Person Sessions
2. Gemini K9 Obedience & Training Equipment
| Training facilities | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Indoor and outdoor facilities | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Safety and cleanliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Size and location | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Areas of expertise | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Dog training techniques | ★★★☆☆(3/5) |
| Years of experience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer satisfaction | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Fees and other related charges | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
What we liked most about Gemini K9 Obedience is that they have comprehensive courses on offer. They provide everything from puppy training to basic obedience for dogs aged 6 months and older.
Apart from these courses, clients can also sign up for special training sessions. These include aggression control, behavior modification, personal protection, odor detection, and more.
Overall, we’re happy with what we’ve seen so far as lessons go. And we were even more impressed to find out how well their dog students improved after just a couple of lessons.
We’re just a bit iffy about the corrective tools that they use. The school believes in positive punishment and negative reinforcement, so they use slip and prong collars.
We honestly think that the technique it’s a bit old-school and could be updated. The only thing that’s keeping us positive about this is that it seems to be extremely effective as a supplement to positive reinforcement.
Other than that, they perform training sessions within controlled indoor and outdoor facilities. And with standby staff on the side, we have to give it to them in terms of dog safety.
The school accepts all dog breeds of all ages. The fees are quite expensive, but most clients we talked to say they’re worth every penny.
That sort of endorsement only strengthened the positive impression they left on us. Ultimately, they’re a solid choice if you can get over the issues we mentioned, especially if you need specialized training for your pet.
Pros
- Comprehensive training course
- Large outdoor facilities
- Offers online dog training services
- Accepts all breeds and all dog ages
- Provides skill-oriented training courses
- Free evaluations
Cons
- Uses corrective tools that some owners may dislike during training
- Expensive fees
Customer Reviews
Smooth training process
In a nutshell Excellent experience! My 7 months Belgian Malinois just graduated the basic obedience course and will be moving forward with scent tracking. Mark was our mentor throughout the training and his experience, patience and great tips were key elements which made this work so well and smooth. Viper and I are Very excited to continue working with him and the Gemini team moving forward. – Ilinca Nicolescu
Amazing trainer
Mark has been an amazing trainer! He helped with my Golden retriever/Lab mix dog’s aggression and basic obedience. He also instilled so much confidence in myself and my family when it comes to handling Ollie and Ollie is getting better and better every day! Definitely recommend to anyone looking for a dog trainer – Sonia Parmar
3. When Hounds Fly
| Training facilities | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Indoor and outdoor facilities | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Safety and cleanliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Size and location | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Areas of expertise | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Dog training techniques | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Years of experience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer satisfaction | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Fees and other related charges | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
One of the things we liked about When Hounds Fly is their set of training package options. Dog owners have the option to sign up for private classes or do group training with other dogs.
But the real highlight in these courses is the fact that they’re in an open-enrollment setup. This means you can start your dog at any time, according to what’s most convenient for you.
Another thing that earned our favor was their positive reinforcement method. Their style always involves the fur parent in the process, which is what we’re looking for.
Apart from that, they currently have a growing team of 12 dog instructors. So if you want to book private lessons, we’re sure they can accommodate you.
Finally, they have one of the most impressive track records we’ve encountered so far. Since 2019, the school has already trained over 12,000, which is an impressive number of graduates.
One thing that we’re not too stoked about is their virtual training sessions. Actually, they’re quite fun and effective – just a bit expensive at $150 for 1.5 hours.
Another concern that we have is they’re quite hard to reach at times unless you visit them in person. Fortunately, they have 5 locations in Toronto, so it’s easy to drop by any of them if you live close by.
Pros
- Pros
- Puppy socialization and foundation skills programs are open-enrollment
- Accepts all breeds and all dog ages
- Has 12 instructors for private training
- Has trained over 12,000 dogs
- Five locations in Toronto
- Uses positive reinforcement for dog training
Cons
- Issues with customer service and promptness
- Expensive virtual training sessions
Customer Reviews
Knowledgeable instructors
We LOVE When Hounds Fly – the instructors are super knowledgeable and make the training fun, the schedules are flexible and convenient and we have learned so much! Definitely recommend this place to anyone with a dog of any age/breed/skill level! – Alex Howard
Great bonding experience
Absolutely loved coming here. Signed up originally as my boyfriend and I got a pup and neither of us knew how to train him. We learned so much and it was an awesome bonding experience for both us and the pup. Loved that the max class size was only 4 dogs as it allowed the training to feel very personalized. Would recommend it to anyone who is even considering coming here! – N. Sherba
4. Zendog
| Training facilities | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Indoor and outdoor facilities | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Safety and cleanliness | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Size and location | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Areas of expertise | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Dog training techniques | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Years of experience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer satisfaction | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Fees and other related charges | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Zendog is a one-stop-shop for all pet needs from dog daycare, grooming services, and all pet products. But of course, one of their best services is the training sessions that they offer.
One of the things we liked is that they offer flexible one-on-one training options. You can basically book them for 30 minutes or 60 minutes, or even 5 sessions of 60-minute classes.
Speaking of classes, we also liked their approach to dog training. Each class starts with a personalized training plan and a strict methodology for dogs to follow.
The first session starts with clicker training and then the remainder will focus on the issues that the dog might have. It’s quite basic but at least they get into the specific issues, which we like.
As a whole, the classes are concentrated on positive reinforcement, and by now, you probably already know that that’s what we favor. Other than that, we also appreciate that the classes are a hybrid of zoom and in-person classes.
One more fun thing that we like is that they hold in-person play dates. It’s a great way for dogs (and their owners) to socialize so we give them a point for that.
If we have one concern it’s only the fact that the center isn’t specifically focused on dog training only. So that’s not their exact specialty, but they’re as good as the ones that do.
Pros
- One-stop shop for all dog needs
- Flexible schedule options
- Affordable rates
- Hybrid classes
- Offers in-person play dates
Cons
- No structure set of classes offered
- Doesn’t specialize in puppy training
Customer Reviews
Excellent care for dogs
William and his team go above and beyond to take excellent care of my girl . I have a large breed dog that is under 2yrs . His walker Irena has met up with us on multiple occasions to review commands and walking technique In order to keep her training consistent . I love receiving updates and photos of my girl and the other dogs out walking .I would highly suggest zen dog services for walking and boarding your furry loved ones. – Stella Oram
Has everything you need
As a first-time dog owner, having a new puppy at home was amazing, but also a little overwhelming! I wanted to get everything right while my little monkey struggled through toilet training, teething, socialization and managing his boundless energy. Zen Dog had everything I needed to raise a happy, healthy pupper: the best-rated dog food, teething toys, harnesses, training classes, dog walking and a daycare with constant, loving supervision. Most importantly, they provided expert advice on how to survive the most frustrating stages of puppyhood with patience and kindness. Highly recommended, especially for first-time dog owners! – Zeena Abdulla
5. Raising Rover
| Training facilities | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Indoor and outdoor facilities | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Safety and cleanliness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Size and location | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Areas of expertise | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Dog training techniques | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Years of experience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer satisfaction | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Fees and other related charges | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
Raising Rover has all the things we’re looking for in a dog training center. Let’s walk through their offerings so you get a comprehensive idea.
For starters, they offer a wide range of classes suited for various types of clients. There are group classes for dogs as well as in-home classes that are customized for your dogs’ needs.
Both types of training setups earned our favor by providing great results to hundreds of clients. During our survey, past clients shared with us the significant progress that they noticed among their pets, and it was pretty strong as far as anecdotal support goes.
And while other schools tend to lack in the online setup area, we prefer this one for a better experience. So far, everything we’ve heard is great, so we’re considering this as a good sign of high-quality lessons.
Apart from this, we also value the 20 years of experience that the dog trainer has. Plus, she’s trained over 6,000 days throughout her career and is a Board Certified trainer through the CPDT.
Overall, we see the center as a more fitting one for dogs that are just starting out in the training process. Just take note that the courses are a bit expensive, which can be an issue for some clients.
Pros
- Comprehensive dog training class
- Customized dog training program
- Board certified dog trainer
- 20 years of experience
- Group classes and private classes available
Cons
- Expensive services
Customer Reviews
Absolute game changer
Caroline was an absolute game changer for our puppy. She helped us transform an anxious, reactive pup into a loving, confident part of our family. She did what many others couldn’t – she figured out specifically what style and approach Huey needed and helped us show up for him so we could all succeed. She’s the best! Highly recommend working with Raising Rover whatever stage your dog is in. – Amy Douglas
Provides excellent practical advice
We have trained two dogs (both labradors) with Caroline and she is fabulous with both dogs and human clients (who I expect may be more difficult). She really cares about all the dogs she works with, she provides excellent practical advice and is always available for follow up. Working with Raising Rover is one of the best investments we have made with our dogs and she provides excellent value for the cost. – Derek Vesey
6. Hairy Tales
| Training facilities | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Indoor and outdoor facilities | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Safety and cleanliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Size and location | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Areas of expertise | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Dog training techniques | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Years of experience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer satisfaction | ★★★★★ (455) |
| Fees and other related charges | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Hairy Tales is a facility that accommodates a wide range of sessions to help owners train their dogs to be well-behaved. Headed and operated by Kristina she also aids to foster a better relationship between dogs and the people around them.
We like that her sessions are versatile and easy to follow since clients not only is she highly recognized but is also able to accommodate both virtual and in-person training sessions.
Furthermore, with her positive client feedback, she is also very amicable and pleasant to both the owner and the dog to ensure that clients get the most out of every session.
Note though that she charges a travel fee for all in home sessions and her slots might be limited due to her being a one-man team.
Nonetheless, with her expertise and knowledge in the field of dog training, well-equipped facilities, and consistent practical advice, we highly recommend her to clients in the area looking for professional dog training services.
Pros
- Specialize in behavior modification and rescue dogs
- Versatile training sessions
- Experienced and knowledgeable instructor
- Effective methods
Cons
- Do not hold regular group classes
- Do not do board and train programs
Customer Reviews
Here are some reviews from their clients:
“We got a rescue dog a little while back and we were having some minor behavioural issues with him and he seemed to have no training as well. Kristina was very professional and patient with not only our dog Willi but also with us, she helped us notice behaviours and explained why he had them and set up an easy to follow training routine for him. Willi has come a long way in the short time we had him. I will continue to use Kristina’s services and I and Willi think she’s great.”
“Kristina has been a constant resource in my now two-year old puppy’s life – both my pup and I love working with her. She’s patient, kind, and always willing to go beyond your session to offer advice or help. I’ve enjoyed working with her and will continue to use her help whenever there is something that needs adjusting. Thank you Kristina from all of us!! 🙂”
7. Anji Barton Dog Training
| Training facilities | — |
| Indoor and outdoor facilities | — |
| Safety and cleanliness | — |
| Size and location | — |
| Areas of expertise | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Dog training techniques | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Years of experience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer satisfaction | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Fees and other related charges | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
A professional who has certifications for training and empathy for their doggy trainees is what you will find when working with Anji Barton of Anji Barton Dog Training.
Anji has over five years of experience training dogs, both for tricks and adjustments of bad behavior. She believes that a humane, reward-base approach is the best way to train dogs and help them develop good behaviors.
Anji also has extensive knowledge of canine body language, which aids her in understanding a dog’s wants and needs during training.
In addition, Anji is passionate about making sure that both owners and their pets have a great experience.
Her dedication to customer service, combined with her certifications in Dog Training, make her an excellent choice for those looking for one of the top Dog Trainers in Toronto. Whether you are looking to teach your pup some new tricks or just need help with basic obedience, Anji Barton Dog Training can provide an easy and effective solution.
Pros
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI)
- Private dog training
- Offers free discovery call
- Training experience for more than 5 years
- Pet First Aid Certified
- Website features store for training equipment
Cons
- May be booked and busy depending on the date
FAQs About Dog Training in Toronto
If you want to find more dog-related services, start with our review on the best dog grooming services in Toronto to learn more!
