Cathy MerrittHaving a dog at home is the best thing ever, but when I saw how much my pup struggled with separation anxiety, I knew I had to help her. She’d cry, pace, and even chew on furniture when I left. It broke my heart.
That’s when a dog trainer stepped in and taught me simple strategies like creating a routine, using puzzle toys to keep her busy, and easing her into being alone with short practice sessions. The change in her was incredible.
I found some amazing dog trainers in Toronto during this journey, so I’ve put together a list to help others going through the same thing. I hope it makes a difference for you and your furbaby!
How much does dog training cost in Toronto?
Most dog trainers in Toronto will charge $100 an hour for a private training session. Take note that this price can vary depending on the type of training and the trainer’s experience.
How We Chose
1. Born 2B Wild Canine Academy
Services offered: Aggressive reactivity rehabilitation, feral dog rehabilitation, obedience training, medical assistance training, adoption preparation, and more
Phone number: +1 416-903-9122
Business hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (MON-SUN)
If you’re struggling with a hostile pup, check out Born 2B Wild Canine Academy. It’s run by Laura Cavallin, who has over 20 years of experience in canine behaviour. She even has a solid list of certifications to back it up, including ones from The Centre for Canine Education and The Dunbar Academy.
They offer a wide range of services tailored to different training needs. While their specialty lies in addressing aggressive reactivity, they also provide other services like potty training, obedience training, and even medical assistance training for service dogs.
Furthermore, they can prepare adoptable dogs to adjust smoothly to their new forever homes.
It’s great is they offer a free initial assessment, so you can easily figure out which services your dog needs. Just keep in mind they’re not exactly the most budget-friendly option out there, especially since their services are so specialized.
Turned my spoiled brat toy poodle into a little angel in less than 7 days
“I cannot thank Laura enough – she turned my spoiled brat toy poodle into a little angel in less than 7 days. She’s simply an amazing trainer, highly highly recommended. Oliver came back as an obedient pup, and his separation anxiety was also reduced. Laura also sent me tons of pictures and videos during the boot camp which gave me peace of mind that my boy is in safe hands.”
-Lilian Szabo, Google Reviews
Definitely one of the best the city of Toronto has to offer
“Laura is a fantastic trainer. She knows exactly how to train a dog according to how they are behaving and provides top notch quality training. Make sure to follow her training guide and tips to continue the training with your pup at home, she sets you up to be successful with your animal so everyone is happier. I would recommend her a hundred times over. The pure amount of knowledge she has is just incredible and she is definitely one of the best the city of Toronto has to offer.”
-Kait Munro, Google Reviews
2. When Hounds Fly
Services offered: Socialisation for puppies, behavioural correction, separation anxiety, outdoor loose leash walking, introducing dog to baby, and more
Address: 1108 Dundas St W Lower Level
Phone number: +1 647-993-2275
Business hours:
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM (MON-THURS)
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (SAT and SUN)
When Hounds Fly is a dog training school that was founded in 2010 by Andrew Yeu, a certified training partner of the Karen Pryor Academy. They currently operate five locations across the GTA and can provide both group and private classes.
One of the best things about them is their approach—positive reinforcement all the way. They reward good behaviour to ensure their classes remain fun and stress-free for dogs and their owners.
Speaking of classes, they cover a lot, from puppy socialization to teaching older dogs good manners. On top of that, they’ve got some unique courses, like one that helps prepare dogs for a new baby in the family or an outdoor leash walking course to make walking time a breeze.
Sadly, their classes are almost always in high demand, so it would be wise to book a slot for your dog as soon as you can.
An excellent dog training centre
“An excellent dog training centre. Finished the foundation class with my pup; starting from basically zero, he can now sit very reliably, perform recall somewhat reliably, touch and sometimes drop on command, lie down, and chain short sequences of these behaviors. I’m more confident walking him on leash, though he still has a lot to learn, and generally have seen him improve and enjoy himself in class in the process. I think this was a very good outcome for a foundation class. The instructor, Luca, is a very good communicator, and is good at demonstrations, so you can help your pup learn and practice with online material at home. Overall, pretty happy I chose this class, and very happy for my pup for graduating.”
-Anshuman Krishna, Google Reviews
We all had so much fun!
“We worked with Andre years ago with our reactive dog, and he was so good. Now we are back with our puppy for puppy classes and had our first class with Rachael! My husband and I attended with our 9 year old daughter and 9 week old puppy, and we all had so much fun! It was amazing for all of us to see our new pup learn the touch command, and she did so well 🙂 We are all excited for the next class, especially my daughter!”
-Julie Waldman, Google Reviews
3. Mellow Vibes Dog Training
Services offered: Puppy training, obedience training, dog aggression rehabilitation, fear rehabilitation, and more
Address: 129 Glendale Ave
Phone number: +1 416-537-7022
Business hours: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM (MON-SUN)
Mellow Vibes Dog Training is a family-owned business that started way back in 2001. What makes them great is how they keep things practical—they train dogs in home-like settings and make sure it feels just like real-life situations.
They offer a bunch of services, like puppy training, obedience training, and even helping dogs with anxiety or aggression. They also have dog walking services, which is a nice way to give dogs a chance to exercise and pick up some good habits along the way.
It’s also good that they have the Mellow Vibes Lifetime Guarantee. You only pay if you see results, and they’re always there to help down the road if you need extra support to keep your dog on track.
However, please note that they require a $150 initial consultation to assess if they’re the right fit for training your dog.
Our dog made incredible progress at Mellow Vibes
“Even at 5 years old, our dog made incredible progress at Mellow Vibes. He’s so much more obedient now, and we finally understand how to communicate with him effectively. Paul was amazing – hands-on, patient, and truly invested in our success. We got exactly what we wanted – a well-trained dog and the tools to maintain his good behavior. If you’re looking for a dog training center that can work wonders, even with older dogs, look no further than Mellow Vibes!”
-Surya Raman, Google Reviews
Wonderful experience with Mellow Vibes
“Wonderful experience with Mellow Vibes. Our rescue dog has always been fearful of strangers and unpredictable with other dogs. Over time I tried different ways of managing her aggressive tendencies. She was about 7 years old when I discovered the Mellow Vibes website. After meeting with Paul, I decided to put her into his care for a few weeks. Consistent training made a big difference in terms of her difficult behaviours which are now less frequent and easier to address. Do I wish I had found Mellow Vibes sooner? Yes. Was it worth sending our older dog for intensive training? Absolutely. Do I trust her unconditionally now? No but I’m better equipped to be in control and manage any aggression. Our dog clearly loved Paul by the end of her stay, and Paul continues to provide me with help by text when I reach out with questions. Thank you Mellow Vibes!”
-Jennifer Young, Google Reviews
4. Anji Barton Dog Training
Services offered: Puppy training, separation anxiety rehabilitation, good manners training, dog aggression rehabilitation, and pet loss support
Address: 381 Front St W
Business hours:
5:00 PM – 10:00 PM (MON-THURS)
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM (FRI and SAT)
Anji Barton was the one who helped my dog deal with her separation anxiety. She uses a positive reinforcement approach, which means plenty of treats, praise, and absolutely no fear-based methods.
What really impressed me was how knowledgeable she is about dog behaviour. Anji has all these certifications, including one specifically for separation anxiety.
She didn’t just help my dog feel more comfortable; she helped me become a more confident dog parent. Thanks to her Serenity Squad membership program, I had access to practical tips and tutorials that taught me how to create a safe environment for my dog.
Her Solo Serenity app was also a nice feature. It made tracking my dog’s progress simpler and a lot easier to understand.
The only thing I found tricky was booking an appointment at first. Since she works solo, her schedule can fill up pretty quickly.
I have nothing but praise and good things to share!
“I booked some puppy training sessions with Anji for my 4 month old mini golden doodle, and I have nothing but praise and good things to share!! My pup was very responsive to the training, and he’s very well behaved at just 6 months. Anji was amazing with him.. and he picked up what she taught almost immediately. The training plan she put together was a great resource for after training and we’ve continued to learn more commands and tricks with her positive reinforcement methods. I plan to book some more lessons for harder tricks.. 100% recommend her service. Thank you Anji!!”
-Duncan Jones, Google Reviews
She teaches positive reinforcement only and our little boy responded well
“Just finished a four week foundation course with Anji and our 2 year old rescue, Odie. Anji is a lovely, calm and focused young woman who loves dogs and absolutely knows her craft. She teaches positive reinforcement only and our little boy responded well. Anji provided a four week training plan, and we worked through it with great success – she also provided so many resources, links, and recommendations. She also left me feeling so much more in control of Odie’s and my interactions. Mat training in particular! Thank you Anji.”
-Janet Hall, Google Reviews
5. Hairy Tales Training
Services offered: Puppy training, e-collar training, rescue dog rehabilitation, resource guarding rehabilitation, separation anxiety rehabilitation, and more
Address: 160 Erskine Ave
Phone number: +1 416-320-8710
Business hours:
10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (WED-FRI)
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (SAT)
11:15 AM – 5:00 PM (SUN)
Hairy Tales Training is another solid pick for dog owners in Toronto. Their founder, Kristina Rapson, is a highly experienced trainer and has won the Canadian Choice Awards for Best Dog Trainer in 2024.
She’s also backed by impressive certifications like Cynopraxic training and LIMA principles, which focus on humane and positive training methods.
They offer a range of services, from teaching puppies good manners to rehabilitating rescue dogs. For more specific needs, they provide help with resource guarding and even e-collar training, which can be of huge help if your dog struggles with aggressive tendencies.
Unfortunately, they have a pricey initial consultation that’s required to assess whether they’re the best match for your dog. You can alleviate this cost somewhat by taking advantage of their flexible payment options through Klarna.
Both me AND my dog are 1000x happier
“I’ve been to many trainers in the city and saw little to no progress with my dog. I finally found Kristina and saw immediate results! She was able to assess what my expectations were, what my dog needed, and set me up with the right tools and techniques for my dog to succeed. Previously I had seen “positive only” trainers and I can attest that with a balanced approach both me AND my dog are 1000x happier. My dog now has the structure he was craving and is so much more content with his life. And I’m not getting dragged down the street. With Kristina’s help, I can also now trust my dog off-leash pretty much anywhere which has been a game changer and increased the quality of both our lives. Don’t throw your money away like I did, just see Kristina first!”
-Frank Beirne, Google Reviews
Gives me all the tools I need to best support my pup!
“As a first time dog owner, Kristina gives me all the tools I need to best support my pup! She is super knowledgeable and understanding of my pups needs and has so many helpful resources. She is also great with humans – professional, kind, and easy to work with. She has checked in with me throughout my training journey making me feel very supported!”
-Faith Gallant, Google Reviews
6. Marley’s Misfits Dog Training
Services offered: Puppy training, obedience training, scent work training, trick training, and behavioural rehabilitation
Address: 2283 Dundas St W
Phone number: +1 647-975-2739
Marley’s Misfits Dog Training is a good choice for those looking to teach their dogs a lot of things. With over ten years of experience, they’ve worked with all kinds of dogs and offer services like puppy training, obedience training, and behavioural rehabilitation.
One of the best things about them is their private, custom courses. They tailor the training to your dog’s unique needs, so you get a personalized plan that works best for your pup.
They also offer specialized courses for skills like tracking and finding items. If you’re looking for fun activities, their trick training can teach your dog playful moves like twirling, orbiting, and sitting pretty.
However, one downside is that they don’t have set business hours, which can make scheduling tricky.
They were great to work with!
“I had a great experience working with Joseph and Kayla! They helped my dog manage her negative behaviors toward other dogs and kids and taught us how to handle those situations properly. They were great to work with!”
-Gabriella Buzzelli, Google Reviews
It is a great feeling to know that we are part of the Misfit family!
“We started our training journey with Marley’s Misfits in February of 2022 with then little guy Max, our german/Dutch shepherd. Joseph and Kayla gave us the tools to ensure we became strong handlers; they guided us on how to build his confidence in/out of our home. It has been a joy watching him mature and tackle new and exciting training goals and we could not have accomplished any of it without the fantastic guidance of Joseph and Kayla. The pack walks are a fantastic training option and have helped Max with his confidence and poise when walking and being around other dogs. It is a great feeling to know that we are part of the Misfit family!! 👊🏼”
-Paul Andreoli, Google Reviews
