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97 Dog Trainers in Minneapolis, MN — Compared & Ranked (2026)

Dog Trainers in Minneapolis, MN

GDBy the GetDogSchool team·Updated 2026·Expert-reviewed
Dog training in Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis grew up around St. Anthony Falls on the Mississippi, and this side of the Twin Cities spreads out from it in three directions. Edina, Bloomington, Eden Prairie and Minnetonka fill the southwest, Plymouth, Maple Grove and Brooklyn Park run northwest toward the Crow River, and Blaine, Coon Rapids and Ham Lake lead north into Anoka County and on to Elk River. The Minnesota River towns of Burnsville, Savage and Prior Lake close the south edge. Trainers are spread across the city and those suburbs, and many of them travel, so a trainer based a few towns away may still come to you.Group classes have deep roots here. Two long-running volunteer obedience clubs, a locally owned school with several locations, an indoor training gym and a training and event center in Ham Lake run puppy, obedience, agility, rally, scent-work and competition courses, and many prepare dogs for Canine Good Citizen or therapy work. In-home trainers are just as common, from puppy specialists to behavior consultants who take fear, reactivity and aggression cases, and board-and-train programs range from off-leash obedience to working-dog, protection and gun-dog training. Daycares, kennels and pet resorts across the suburbs fold training into a dog’s stay.Methods cover the full range. Force-free and positive-reinforcement trainers, several following the least-intrusive LIMA approach, work alongside balanced trainers who use e-collars for off-leash reliability, and relationship-based programs focus on how owners communicate with their dogs. Read each profile and ask how a trainer handles mistakes before you commit.

On this page

This page is your starting point. Whether you need puppy socialization, basic obedience, off-leash training, or help with a serious behavior problem, we’ll help you understand your options, what to expect, and how to connect with the right professional in Minneapolis.

Top-Rated Dog Trainers in Minneapolis

Compare Minneapolis’s top-rated dog trainers below — each listing shows real Google reviews and, where we’ve checked them, certified credentials, so you can reach out with confidence.

Warren's Dog Stop — dog trainer in Minneapolis, MN
Warren's Dog Stop
★ 5.0 (64 reviews)
Basic Obedience & Manners
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Real Life Dog Training — dog trainer in Minneapolis, MN
Real Life Dog Training
★ 5.0 (62 reviews)
Basic Obedience & Manners
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Waters Edge Dog Center — dog trainer in Minneapolis, MN
Waters Edge Dog Center
★ 5.0 (49 reviews)
Puppy Training & Socialization
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The Good Dog Co. — dog trainer in Minneapolis, MN
The Good Dog Co.
★ 5.0 (42 reviews)
Aggression & Bite Prevention
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River Valley D.O.G.S — dog trainer in Minneapolis, MN
River Valley D.O.G.S
★ 5.0 (41 reviews)
Aggression & Bite Prevention
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Pawzitive Outcomes — dog trainer in Minneapolis, MN
Pawzitive Outcomes
★ 5.0 (33 reviews)
Puppy Training & Socialization
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Bad Habit K9 Training — dog trainer in Minneapolis, MN
Bad Habit K9 Training
★ 5.0 (33 reviews)
Basic Obedience & Manners
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Total wags — dog trainer in Minneapolis, MN
Total wags
★ 5.0 (26 reviews)
Puppy Training & Socialization
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Adventure is Barking: Exploring Tails & Social Club — dog trainer in Minneapolis, MN
Adventure is Barking: Exploring Tails & Social Club
★ 5.0 (22 reviews)
Puppy Training & Socialization
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Browse all 97 Minneapolis dog trainers →

What Kind of Training Does Your Dog Need?

Before you start comparing trainers, figure out which category your dog falls into. This determines the type of training, the format, and the realistic timeline.

Puppy (8 weeks to 5 months)

Priority: socialization and foundation habits. This is the most time-sensitive stage — the critical socialization window closes around 16 weeks, and what your puppy is exposed to during this period shapes their temperament permanently. Group puppy classes are ideal. Read our full guide: Puppy Training in Minneapolis.

Adolescent dog (5 to 18 months)

Priority: obedience and impulse control. This is the stage where most owners hit the wall — the cute puppy has turned into a teenager who jumps on guests, pulls on the leash, and has developed selective hearing. Group obedience classes or private lessons work well here. Consistency is everything.

Adult dog — new to training

Priority: basic obedience and household manners. It’s never too late. Adult dogs are often faster learners than puppies because they have longer attention spans.

Adult dog — specific behavior issue

Priority: targeted behavior modification. Reactivity, aggression, separation anxiety, resource guarding, excessive barking. These issues need a qualified trainer or behaviorist — not a group class. Start with a behavior consultation.

Any dog — intensive training needed fast

Priority: results on a compressed timeline. Board-and-train programs offer intensive daily training over 2 to 6 weeks — the fastest path to results when done right.

Training Formats and Typical US Dog-Training Prices

The formats below are the same everywhere; the figures are national ranges, not Minneapolis rates. Prices vary by city and by trainer — confirm directly with the trainer before you book.

Group classes

Best for socialization and foundation obedience. Meet once a week for 5 to 6 weeks with other dogs. Most affordable option. Typical US range: $150 to $300 for a full course.

Private lessons

One-on-one with a trainer at their facility or your home. Best for specific goals, reactive dogs, or customized plans. Typical US range: $100 to $175 per session (facility) or $125 to $200 (in-home).

Day training

Your dog goes to the trainer during the day and comes home at night. Great for working professionals. Typical US range: $75 to $125 per day.

Board and train

Your dog stays with the trainer for 2 to 6 weeks. Most intensive option. Typical US range: $1,500 to $6,000+ depending on length and complexity.

Behavior consultation

A diagnostic assessment for serious behavioral issues — a professional evaluation that produces a treatment plan. Typical US range: $200 to $400 for the initial assessment.

Dog Training Schools & Classes in Minneapolis

Looking for a dog training school or group obedience classes in Minneapolis? Plenty of local trainers and facilities run weekly group classes — a structured, affordable way to cover socialization and basic obedience alongside other dogs. Browse dog obedience classes in Minneapolis, or use the trainer directory above to compare every dog school and trainer in the Minneapolis area by specialty, reviews and price.

How to Pick the Right Trainer

Choosing a dog trainer is a lot like choosing a doctor — credentials matter, but so does communication style, philosophy, and whether you trust them with someone you care about.

Training methodology

This is the most important factor and the one most people skip. Dog training ranges from purely positive reinforcement (rewards only) to balanced training (rewards plus corrections). There is no single “right” approach — but there IS a right approach for your dog. A fearful rescue needs a different approach than a confident, drive-y working breed. Ask every trainer what tools and methods they use, and don’t commit until you understand and agree with their philosophy.

Credentials

Look for recognized certifications — CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer), KPA-CTP (Karen Pryor Academy), IACP, AKC CGC Evaluator, or for complex behavior, a CAAB or veterinary behaviorist. Credentials aren’t everything — some of the best trainers built their skills through decades of hands-on experience — but a trainer with no credentials AND no verifiable track record is a risk.

Transparency — red flags and green flags

Red flags: won’t let you observe a class or tour the facility, gets defensive about methodology, guarantees specific results, pressures you to sign up immediately, or trash-talks every other trainer. Green flags: welcomes questions, offers to let you observe a class first, gives references, is honest about what training can and cannot achieve, and tells you upfront if your dog’s issue is outside their expertise.

Dog Training by Minneapolis Neighborhood

The Minneapolis metro is large, and driving 45 minutes for a weekly class isn’t sustainable for most people. Here’s a quick overview of training availability by area:

Minneapolis

The city and the center of the market. A volunteer-run nonprofit club in Northeast teaches clicker-based obedience, agility, flyball, rally, tracking and scent work, and a locally owned school runs group classes, day programs and in-home training from several city locations. Balanced trainers offer phone assessments, private lessons and board-and-train with off-leash and e-collar work, relationship-based programs run puppy-raising, shy-dog and reactive-dog classes, and pet clubs combine daycare and boarding with training. Positive-reinforcement trainers also work in homes and virtually.

Edina, Bloomington, Richfield and the southwest

The inner southwest suburbs, taking in St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Golden Valley, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie. A volunteer obedience club in Bloomington teaches positive motivational classes through competition obedience, agility and rally, an Eden Prairie puppy school holds off-leash classes and home visits, and a Richfield behavior practice uses LIMA methods for aggression, separation anxiety and service or therapy work. In-home training runs out of Edina, daycare facilities run manners and reactive-dog classes, structured board-and-train serves Golden Valley and Hopkins, and a behavior consultant takes fear and aggression cases in dogs and cats.

Plymouth, Maple Grove and the northwest

The northwest suburbs out to Osseo, Brooklyn Park, Medina, Long Lake, Rockford and Buffalo. An indoor training gym in Plymouth teaches owners alongside their dogs with positive reinforcement only, a reward-based school in Maple Grove runs obedience, agility, rally, tracking and reactive-dog classes, and a home-based trainer in Brooklyn Park uses clicker and communication-based methods. Balanced programs in Osseo and Buffalo cover detection, protection and service-dog work, and pet resorts and kennel-free daycares add training to daycare and boarding.

Blaine, Coon Rapids and the north metro

Anoka County and the towns toward Elk River, including Spring Lake Park, Ham Lake, Ramsey, Oak Grove, St. Francis and Nowthen. A training and event center in Ham Lake hosts classes from pet manners to competition along with trials, a Ramsey training center runs puppy, obedience and Canine Good Citizen classes, and a Ramsey gun-dog facility trains for upland game and waterfowl. Force-free family trainers in Oak Grove work on recall, reactivity and deaf-dog training, while balanced trainers offer off-leash obedience, protection sports and board-and-train. Elk River adds a training shop with pack walks and stop-in classes, and daycare with on-site training.

Burnsville, Prior Lake and the southwest edge

The Minnesota River towns and Carver County beyond them, from Savage, Lakeville and Jordan to Chaska, Victoria, Waconia and Watertown. Private in-home training leads here, with positive-reinforcement and science-based trainers based in Prior Lake, Burnsville, Chaska and Victoria covering puppies, manners, reactivity and behavior problems. A family-owned Burnsville kennel runs puppy and obedience classes and training while boarding, a Prior Lake kennel trains hunting dogs for game-bird retrieval, and a Waconia pet store holds force-free group training and open gym.

Minneapolis Dog Training Resources

Beyond professional training, Minneapolis has some excellent resources for dog owners.

Parks and off-leash areas

  • Minnehaha Off-Leash Dog Park — A Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board dog park near Minnehaha Park in South Minneapolis, with a fenced off-leash area for dogs.
  • Lake of the Isles Off-Leash Dog Park — A Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board dog park by Lake of the Isles, with a fenced off-leash area for dogs.
  • Bryant Lake Dog Off-leash Area — A nine-acre fenced off-leash area in Bryant Lake Regional Park at 6402 Rowland Road in Eden Prairie, run by Three Rivers Park District. It has a double-gated entry, an area for small dogs, and shelter and water, and is open 5 am to 10 pm. A daily or annual pass is required, valid at all Three Rivers off-leash areas; each family member needs their own pass, handlers must carry proof of rabies vaccination, and each handler may bring at most two dogs.
  • Elm Creek Dog Off-leash Area — A 29-acre fenced off-leash area in Elm Creek Park Reserve at 11750 Zachary Lane N in Champlin, run by Three Rivers Park District, with a separate area for small and frail dogs and a fenced wetland pond. It is open 5 am to 10 pm, and a daily or annual pass is required. Dogs must be leashed everywhere outside the off-leash area.

These parks are great for socialization practice AFTER your dog has a foundation of training. Taking an untrained dog to an off-leash park is asking for trouble.

Veterinary behaviorists

For complex behavior cases that may require medication alongside training, ask your primary vet for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist serving the Minneapolis area.

Dog Trainers by Community in the Minneapolis Area

Looking for a trainer in a specific Minneapolis-area community? Here are the local options town by town.

Dog Trainers in Eden Prairie, MN

Dog Trainers in Blaine, MN

Dog Trainers in Buffalo, MN

Dog Trainers in Elk River, MN

Dog Trainers in Plymouth, MN

Dog Trainers in Maple Grove, MN

Dog Trainers in Prior Lake, MN

Dog Trainers in St Louis Park, MN

Dog Trainers in Osseo, MN

Dog Trainers in Richfield, MN

Dog Trainers in Minnetonka, MN

Dog Trainers in Oak Grove, MN

Dog Trainers in Ramsey, MN

Dog Trainers in Long Lake, MN

Dog Trainers in Brooklyn Park, MN

Dog Trainers in Dayton, MN

Dog Trainers in Hopkins, MN

Dog Trainers in Ham Lake, MN

Dog Trainers in Burnsville, MN

Dog Trainers in St Francis, MN

Dog Trainers in Watertown, MN

Dog Trainers in Lakeville, MN

Dog Trainers in Coon Rapids, MN

Dog Trainers in Golden Valley, MN

Dog Trainers in Bloomington, MN

Dog Trainers in Edina, MN

Dog Trainers in Medina, MN

Dog Trainers in Rockford, MN

Dog Trainers in Spring Lake Park, MN

Dog Trainers in Chaska, MN

Dog Trainers in Victoria, MN

Dog Trainers in Jordan, MN

Dog Trainers in Nowthen, MN

Dog Trainers in Savage, MN

Dog Trainers in Waconia, MN

Larger nearby communities

These have their own dedicated trainer pages: St Cloud.

Also in Minneapolis: Bark Busters Home Dog Training Minneapolis-St. Paul, Dog Training Elite Twin Cities, The Good Dog Co., Total wags, Brody’s Buddies MN, Teachable Tails, All Walks Dog Training, Trinity Dogs, In Tune Canine, The Clever Canine, Triple C Dog Training, Freddie the Dog Trainer, A Great Dog Now, Cherry Hoggs, Paw & Order Dog Training Twin Cities, Canine Chris Dog Training, The Canine Coach – NE Minneapolis, North Star Family K-9, City Paws Pet Club – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Training & Grooming, The Canine Coach – South Minneapolis, Your Dog’s Best Friend, City Paws Pet Club – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Training & Grooming, Twin Cities Obedience Training Club

Common Questions About Dog Training in Minneapolis

How much does dog training cost in the Minneapolis area?

It depends mostly on the format. A group class series usually costs the least, a package of private or in-home lessons costs more, and a multi-week board-and-train program costs the most. Training gyms and pet resorts may sell training by the session or alongside daycare and boarding. Many trainers quote after a free phone assessment or consultation, so confirm current prices directly.

Should I choose group classes, private lessons or board-and-train?

Group classes are plentiful here and suit puppies and dogs that can focus around other dogs, and they train you along with the dog. Private lessons, at home or at a facility, suit problems that happen at home or on walks. Board-and-train buys concentrated training time; if you choose it, ask how the program hands the skills back, such as follow-up lessons or ongoing support for graduates.

Will a trainer come to my home in the suburbs?

Often, yes. In-home trainers are based across the metro, from Minneapolis and Edina to Eden Prairie, Brooklyn Park, Prior Lake, Burnsville, Chaska and St. Francis, and many list service areas that cover the neighboring counties. Some also offer virtual sessions. Ask which towns they cover before you book.

My dog is reactive or aggressive. Where do I start?

With an assessment, not a group class and not the dog park. Several trainers here specialize in fear, reactivity and aggression, including force-free behavior consultants, LIMA-based practices and balanced trainers, and some schools run dedicated reactive-dog classes for dogs ready for a group setting. Say plainly what your dog has done when you first call so the trainer can recommend the right starting point.

Where can my dog be off leash?

In fenced dog parks: the Minnehaha and Lake of the Isles off-leash dog parks in Minneapolis, the Bryant Lake off-leash area in Eden Prairie and the Elm Creek off-leash area in Champlin. The Three Rivers areas at Bryant Lake and Elm Creek require a daily or annual pass and proof of rabies vaccination, so check the rules for each park before you go. A reliable recall is worth training for safety everywhere, not only for park days.

When should I start training a puppy?

As soon as the puppy comes home. Puppy classes, including AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy courses, run at clubs, schools and training gyms across the metro, pet resorts offer puppy preschool, and in-home trainers cover house training, crate training, biting and socialization. Some programs also offer puppy outings to practice in real-world settings.

Start Here

The best time to start training is today. Whether your puppy needs socialization, your adolescent dog needs impulse control, or your adult dog has a behavior issue that’s been building for years — the sooner you start, the faster things improve.

Browse dog trainers in Minneapolis on GetDogSchool.com. Compare programs, read reviews, and connect with professionals who fit your dog’s needs and your budget.

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