Getting your dog proper training is not only good for their mental health, but also allows you to bring your pup on all of your adventures, like hiking, shopping, or dining at a dog-friendly restaurant.
Training your dog might seem like a chore you want to keep ignoring, but you don’t have to do it all on your own. There are plenty of high-quality dog training centers where you can safely leave your dog to gain the skills they need to become more self-sufficient and well-behaved. If your dog struggled to learn what you were trying to teach them in the past, it’s not because they didn’t want to. In fact, many intelligent dog breeds actually need training to stay stimulated and as healthy as possible throughout the duration of their life.
Check out these nine dog training centers in Philadelphia that can totally transform your pet for the better, and even help teach you some tips and tricks to do at home to keep up the progress. Here’s the lowdown on the hottest spots in Philly to train your dog.
The best dog training in Philadelphia
1. Stronghaus Dog Training Center
12323 Wyndom Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19154
Certified trainer and behavioral expert Chris Carr leads the pack at this dog training center in Philly. Stronghaus provides different options to get your dog trained, based on their needs. You can opt for private one-on-one training sessions or enter your dog into a larger group training course.
Either way, your pup will come out with lifelong skills that will make cohabiting together easier and more enjoyable for both of you.
2. DareDevil Dog Training
3222 Latona St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
One thing that might be unexpected when you adopt a new furry friend is learned behaviors from their previous home. This might include fear of certain objects or anxiety that feels impossible to manage. DareDevil training helps with correcting past learned behaviors or simply training your dog for the very first time.
There are three different training programs to choose from at DareDevil to perfectly suit your dog’s unique needs.
3. Lightpaws Dog Training
348 Krams Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19128
If you’re looking for AKC-approved training titles, Lightpaws is the perfect place to go for your CGC, ATT, and other certificates. Of course, even if you’re just looking for basic training skills like potty training or leash walking, Lightpaws can handle that as well.
No matter what you’re looking for, Lightpaws has you covered. They even offer a bonus service of puppy party planning!
4. Opportunity Barks Behavior & Training
3510 Scotts Ln #3112, Philadelphia, PA 19129
If you missed the boat on training your dog as a puppy or adopted a dog that’s a bit older, Opportunity Barks has a program that’ll meet your dog exactly where they’re at with their training levels.
They offer courses for puppies that are under 6 months of age and dogs that are over 6 months. They even offer virtual training if you just want to learn a few tips and tricks to practice at home.
5. Sit Means Sit Dog Training Philadelphia
530 S Henderson Rd, King of Prussia, PA 19406
Sit Means Sit caters to the entire Montgomery County area and custom fits each training session to your dog’s personal needs. Their popular daycare training option allows your dog to fast-track their training while letting you run errands in the process.
Your dog spends the day at the Sit Means Sit 10,000-square-foot facility, and when you pick them up, a trainer will explain everything your dog learned that day and how to keep it up from home.
6. Pant Dog Center
1134 Dickinson St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Day training at Pant Dog Center includes enrichment activities to focus on mental stimulation, treadmill training to get your dog to walk on a leash confidently, and more. They even offer level one obedience training for puppies. If you love your experience, you can even bring your dog and all of his furry friends back to the facility for an epic dog party thrown by the Pant Dog professionals.
7. At Attention Dog Training
808 N Henderson Rd #100, King of Prussia, PA 19406
At Attention uses positive reinforcement methods to get your dog to grow confident over time and therefore become more responsive to commands. Training is led by Army veteran Dave who combined his love for structure and puppies into this one-stop program.
8. HD Dog Training
450 N 18th Street Apt# 416, Philadelphia, PA 19130
HD Dog Training specializes in a handful of course options that will get your dog on track within weeks. You can choose from private training lessons, puppy training, virtual courses, and even unique training that’s specifically tailored to different behavioral issues.
HD Dog Training won Philadelphia magazine’s top spot for best dog training center in Philly in 2018, and it’s been expanding its client base ever since.
9. Penn Vet Working Dog Center
3401 Grays Ferry Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Penn Vet does everything from basic-training new puppies to training military and police dogs to help keep the Philadelphia area safe. With a training repertoire that expansive, it makes sense why so many people choose them to get their dogs on track.
They even offer agility training if you have big dreams of your canine becoming a show dog.