Lin NormanEver feel like your dog is training you, not the other way around? Trust me, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there, giving commands that get more tail wags than actual results.
But guess what? You don’t have to settle for watching your pup ignore “sit” for the hundredth time, or for them to escape when they hear bath time.
Nashville is home to some all-star dog trainers who can transform your fluffy wild child into the best-behaved pup at the park. Ready to see who made our list? Let’s jump in!
How much does it cost to hire a dog trainer in Nashville?
In Nashville, you can expect to pay between $60 and $205 per private training session, while basic obedience group classes typically cost around $170 for a six-week course.More comprehensive board-and-train programs range from $1,700 to $3,500, depending on the trainer and length of stay.
Prices vary based on training format, dog age, and the level of customization you need.
1. Dog Training Elite Central Nashville
Address: Serving Nashville and nearby areas
Phone: +1 615 314 8514
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 8 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
For a solid dog trainer, Dog Training Elite stands out—especially if you want a hands-on, family-owned outfit with serious history (think 40+ years in the industry). When we explored their setup, we noticed how they don’t just churn dogs through a rigid program.
Instead, they’re really about tailoring everything so it works for your dog’s quirks, your household routines, and even any specific goals you’ve got. They cover a ton: puppy specialization, group classes, and even specialized options for therapy and service dogs.
The flexibility to work with any breed or age is a big plus, too. Plus, they offer in-home training—just note that this is popular, so you’ll need to book ahead to secure a slot.
Nevertheless, clients we heard from consistently pointed out just how patient and thorough trainers are. They seem to love the ongoing support, too—they’ll stick around for follow-ups if there’s a backslide or if you have questions.
Remarkable behavior transformation
“Thank you so much to Parker at dog training, elite for saving our sanity when it came to our dog. I was at my wits end with my dog, jumping all over everybody and pulling on the leash. Now she is so polite and walks like an angel. I loved my private in-home sessions with the trainers. Everybody was so amazing! Thank you, Dog Training Elite!”
Sadie Eyre, Google Review
Impressive results with challenging breeds
“I’m astonished at how much my dog has retained in the duration of this course. Parker, Kenna and Montana were FANTASTIC trainers for my boy. He is disciplined and loves to train- I can only thank the team for making it so fun. He is great with other dogs, very patient and obedient, which is hard to train into his breed. I’m very happy we went with Dog Training Elite Central Nashville, 5 stars.”
Mac Mullen, Google Review
2. The Dog Wizard Nashville
Address: 922 Main St.
Phone: +1 615 314 8437
Business Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 9 PM
The Dog Wizard is pretty well-known in the city, partly because their trainers are certified with the IACP and never stop learning new methods.
They’ve got a solid lineup of training programs, whether you’re starting with a puppy, trying to work on a dog’s social skills, tackling separation anxiety, or even dealing with rescue dog rehab.
One thing we liked is how flexible they are—you can do private lessons, join group classes, or even opt for their mobile training. Plus, their free consultation is actually super helpful for figuring out how much time and commitment it’ll take.
The trainers don’t push a one-size-fits-all toolkit, either. They’ll walk you through different training tools, from treats to remote collars, and help you figure out what’s best for both you and your dog.
Also, their lifetime support is a big draw for owners who want ongoing peace of mind. On the flip side, a few folks we spoke to said keeping up communication for this support was a hit or miss, especially after the main sessions wrapped up.
Effective aggression management
“We worked with Jessie P. who helped our dogs with some overprotective aggression inside the house. That started to escalate tremendously over last year or so. Our dogs are the best of friends outside but have to be separated inside due to fights breaking out. Working with Jess helped calm my nerves so much and the training goes both ways for the owners and the dogs. Their training techniques have helped our dogs tremendously. We can’t say enough good things about working with this service and Jess! All around we are so happy we decided to work with the Dog Wizard 🐕”
Mary Taylor Erskin, Google Review
Transformative approach for rescue dogs
“We worked with Jessie at the dog wizard and it was the best investment we could have made! We had never adopted a rescue dog before. Our new girl Nyx was super timid, scared and slightly reactive as a result. From lesson one Jessie gave us advice and tips that started to shape Nyx into a totally different dog. She no longer barks at everything, is calm when people come over and she knows we’re in charge but isn’t afraid. We are experienced dog owners but every dog is different and we would’ve been totally lost without Jessie. I highly recommend working with Jessie and the Dog Wizard team!”
Krystyna Russell, Google Review
3. Full Circle Canine
Address: Nashville and nearby areas
Phone: +1 401 935 5595
Business Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 7 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 6 PM
Full Circle Canine seems genuinely invested in making sure both dogs and their humans actually enjoy the process. They don’t just focus on fixing behaviors; they’re big on helping with reactivity, anxiety, and all those tricky issues that come up, especially with rescues or super-sensitive pups.
What’s cool is, they put a lot of emphasis on making training positive—lots of treats, play, and outdoor time rather than just repetitive drills. We also like their flexible options, especially that 10-day board and train package.
The regular photo and video check-ins are a small but surprisingly big deal if you’re at work or just worried—a lot of clients loved this too!
Their custom app is worth mentioning too; it makes everything easier, from booking and talking to staff to making payments. Plus, their mobile car service for pickup and drop-off is a lifesaver for anyone scrambling between meetings or kids’ soccer.
The only thing the lack is group classes—so socialization gets tricky unless you’re piecing things together elsewhere.
Supportive guidance and reliable care
“We are so grateful that friends recommended Full Circle Canine when we unexpectedly adopted a puppy right before the holidays last year. Not only do Kevin and his team take amazing care of Ethel when we travel, they’ve also been trusted advisors as she’s grown. Kevin’s guidance on everything from leash and crate training to building a relationship with your dog has helped us establish trust and communication with our pup. We love getting photos and videos when we’re away and know she’s in great hands with all of the team!”
Mary Beth Harding, Google Review
Tremendous results for reactive dogs
“The absolute best for reactive dogs! Kevin and his team have been working with our dog Frankie over the last year and the changes in his behavior have been tremendous. Having also the option to board with FCC while we are away gives us the peace of mind that Frankie is in good hands!”
Natalie H, Google Review
4. Instinct Dog Behavior & Training Nashville
Address: Serving Davidson County and nearby areas
Phone: +1 615 994 8447
Business Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 8 PM
Instinct Dog Behavior & Training’s trainers have a solid reputation in the community for handling pretty much any challenge—fear, reactivity, separation, you name it—so we felt comfortable bringing any kind of dog through their doors.
If you’re after one-on-one help, their private coaching and homeschool options are super hands-on. Their board & train programs (including a dedicated puppy route) also take the pressure off if you need more immersive help.
One thing that genuinely impresses us is their Nature-Driven Nurture™ approach. It actually seems to strike that balance between structure and a dog’s instincts, so it’s not just about the dog following rules but actually thriving.
Services go way beyond training, too, with their daycare and boarding. And the support is honestly next level, with lifetime access to alumni group classes, biweekly Zoom calls, a client Facebook group, and a library of free online learning tools.
However, they only take a limited number of dogs to keep quality up, so their sessions book out fast.
Expert training and transformative results
“Highly recommend Instinct Dog Training here in Nashville! We brought a young Vizsla puppy into our home and she definitely came with a lot more energy than we expected. Terri has been working both in-home with her and we boarded her under Terri’s care for puppy camp. We could not be happier with the results! Terri has a full understanding of the best methods on training and has helped us get some calm back in our home. She has been a life saver; we highly recommend their services!”
Julie Henry, Google Review
Clear guidance for happier dogs and owners
“5+ star operation. Terri, our trainer came in and restored calm to our 2 dogs and our house. She was a patient and professional trainer and was great at explaining her methods so that we could easily reinforce what the dogs learned. Both Dogs and owners are much happier! Highly Recommend!”
Ann Delevante, Google Review
5. Ridgeside K9 Nashville
Address: Serving Nashville and nearby areas
Phone: +1 615 878 0380
Business Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Ridgeside K9 Nashville stood out for us because they’re all about results, and they’ve been training dogs for over 25 years.
They offer one-on-one attention for all breeds and ages, including specialized training for deaf dogs, and even have a prep program for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test if you want your pup to ace those public manners.
Ridgeside K9 leans on balanced methods (so yes, e-collars are part of their toolkit). While this got positive results with most dogs, this may not vibe for owners firmly focused on strictly positive, fear-free training.
Despite this, we commend their Board & Train’s policy of sending daily photo and video updates, so you get a play-by-play of your dog’s progress instead of being in the dark until pickup day.
Aside from offering a lifetime support guarantee, they’re also the only folks we came across who offer financing options, which is a lifesaver for those bigger training commitments.
Heartfelt care and impressive transformation
“Jeff is amazing! My dog Moose stayed with him for three weeks, and he came back like a whole new dog. You can really see the time, effort and love Jeff puts into every dog he works with. Moose learned so much, and it was obvious he was genuinely cared for the entire time. Jeff also took the most incredible photos of Moose! Not just regular iPhone snaps but actual professional quality pictures. He even dressed him up for the holidays as a cute little reindeer! Moose is definitely going to miss him, and I’ll for sure be using Jeff for boarding in the future. If you love your pup leave them with Jeff. He’s the best!!”
Katie Jarvis, Google Review
Outstanding results with constant updates
“”From Muzzles to Snuggles.” 1000/10 recommend Nashville Ridgside K9! We needed help with our Belgian Malinois and Jeff did such an amazing job! We have had our pup since he was 4 months old and recently (now a year and a half old) he had become aggressive towards strangers and having behavioral problems. Jasper did a 3 week board and train with Jeff. We got videos and pictures on his training every night and he kept us updated every step of the way. After his training, Jeff brought him home and showed us everything he learned and walked us through it. It is like night and day, we are so thankful. We feel so much safer with the help we have received. It was also super affordable and they had payment options which helped out tons!”
Chelsea Breeden, Google Review
