Maya RichardsonI have this dog who the neighbors adore and can’t get enough of. But before all the love she’s getting, people used to call her the “crazy dog” of the neighborhood.
And honestly, they weren’t wrong about that. She barked at everything, would pick fights with other dogs (way bigger than her, by the way), and no sitter could stand watching her for a day.
I was even called a bad owner for not “disciplining her,” but I swear, I have tried everything to teach her obedience. Everything I tried just left me frustrated and defeated.
Later on, I realized that I might not be the best teacher for her, so I looked into dog trainers in Columbus. And believe me when I say that these pros I found aren’t only helpful for your dog, but also in how you understand them, too.
How much does dog training cost in Columbus?
Dog training in Columbus usually costs from $100 to $300 for group classes, while it’s around $1,500 to $4,500 for board-and-train programs.
1. Off Leash K9 Training
Address: 5640 Groveport Rd, Unit 3, Groveport
Phone: +17404000236
Business Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8 AM–8 PM
Off Leash K9 Training is a global franchise that was founded by Nick White, who is a former U.S. Marine and Secret Service member. The Columbus team itself has certified trainers with backgrounds in animal care and behavior.
It also earned various recognitions over the years, including being a veteran-friendly business and one of the Best of Columbus’s dog trainers.
Their specialization pretty much covers all bases, from hyper puppies to aggressive adult dogs. Their programs are basically designed to handle work their way up from basic obedience to 100% off-leash control.
When it comes to their methods, we like that they offer a mix of everything, including voice commands and e-collars. While some are skeptical about the use of e-collars, it actually uses vibration to communicate over long distances rather than to punish.
Some clients even mentioned that the trainers would let them feel the collars on themselves first to reassure them that their pups aren’t being hurt in the process.
Their packages start at $450 and can go up to $2,795 for a more immersive training. It’s quite an expensive investment, but it seems worth it after hearing positive stories from the owners.
My timid little boy is now a confident and smart little guy
“My 7-month-old puppy, Schnitzel, completed the 2-week training program with his trainer, Carissa. She was absolutely wonderful to work with and Schnitzel grew pretty attached to her. He learned so much in that time and I’m so happy with the outcome. My timid little boy is now a confident and smart little guy with many skills. Carissa updated me every day with videos of what they were working on & their progress. I can’t say enough wonderful things about Carissa & Off Leash K-9. I would highly recommend them to anyone!”
- Erika Wehner, Google Review
Gave us the foundation we couldn’t seem to achieve on our own
“Sasha constantly pulled on the leash and would jump and bite at the leash when she was overwhelmed. It got to the point that we couldn’t take her anywhere! After working with Brook, we can walk Sasha again, take her to public places, she’s a different dog! There needs to be continued training at home, but Brook gave us the foundation we couldn’t seem to achieve on our own. First public place we took her I was told, that’s a well-trained dog! Brook was so patient, knowing how hard it was to give up our dog for two weeks. Brook checked in nightly to let us know how his day was with a simple text or video. We will always recommend Off Leash K9 Training! Thanks again, Brook.”
- Frank Donnelly, Google Review
2. All Purpose K9 LLC (APK-9)
Address: 510 E Main St.
Phone: +16146234593
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday, 7 AM–6:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM–12 PM
All Purpose K9 was founded in 2013 by a trainer who began working with dogs in 2007. Even the rest of the team includes certified master dog trainers specializing in behavior modification, with over 30 years of combined experience.
The team is particularly sought-after by owners dealing with severe aggression, anxiety, and resource guarding. Clients who had “out-of-control” dogs shared how APK-9’s training can completely shift behavior and make it more manageable within days.
They do this by tailoring the training method to each canine’s behavior and your lifestyle, which may include traditional obedience training, e-collars, and even medical intervention if necessary.
Aside from this, they can also provide puppy training, day school programs, and boarding. We also like that the team isn’t picky and they can work with any breed and age.
Plus, pricing seems to be on a higher range as well. Their bestselling “board and train” programs start at $2,550, while in-home private sessions range from $600 to $1,250.
Most of these don’t require a consultation fee. However, for dogs with behavioral issues, there’s usually a $300 comprehensive evaluation fee that includes detailed reports and veterinary referrals.
We love All Purpose K9
“We love All Purpose K9! Paige and Jordan have been so valuable in training our Great Pyrenees rescue pup, as well as teaching us how to continue working with him at home. He has learned so much at day school, and we’ve reinforced that learning with private lessons with Paige in our home/neighborhood. Paige has also worked with Teddy to acclimate him to being groomed, and he looked so great after! Highly recommend!”
- Tiffany Margolis, Google Review
The training results have been amazing
“Jordan and Paige have been an absolute pleasure to work with. We sent our 2-year-old Great Dane, Baba, for the intermediate board and train in July. We received lots of pictures and helpful updates during her stay and suffice to say, the training results have been amazing! Jordan’s lessons were easy to follow to help reinforce Baba’s new skills in a new environment and both Jordan and Paige are beyond helpful and responsive when I email them with training questions. I’d highly recommend All Purpose K-9 for anyone who is serious about dog training and looking to understand better and have a deeper relationship with their K-9 friend.”
- Alex Alfonso, Google Review
3. Columbus All-Breed Training Club (CATC)
Address: 2164 Williams Rd
Phone: +16144917407
Business Hours: Monday to Friday, Open 24 hours
We chose Columbus All-Breed Training Club due to its different feel compared to the typical private dog training company. It was established back in 1953, and it’s the only AKC-licensed training club in Central Ohio.
This means you get access to well-rounded training that can open doors to competitions, certifications, and advanced skill-building.
What we like most is that the training method here is built toward building better communication and teamwork between you and your pup. Meaning, owners are actively involved in every step.
And as a non-profit and all-volunteer club, CATC offers one of the most affordable dog training programs there is, with multi-week classes ranging from $100 to $150.
There’s also a membership program that costs about $125 to $150 annually. This allows you to take as many “members-only” classes as you want for no additional cost.
Plus, they have a roster of over 75 instructors, many of whom are long-time club members with backgrounds in animal care and dog sports.
However, this also means that the training quality can vary depending on the experience of the instructor you’re assigned to. Owners also noted that the instructor isn’t always the same as in the previous session.
Amazing facility and trainers
“Amazing facility and trainers! My dog and I completed the 8-week beginner course, which was super reasonably priced and she graduated with many new skills! The trainers are willing to help you out, so take advantage and ask questions! Also, remember that you need to practice too. Don’t expect to just show up 8x and be perfect. Practice makes progress! I will definitely be going back!”
- Emily F, Google Review
Best place in the city for dog training
“It’s a non-profit organization. Everyone who helps is a volunteer and I appreciate their love for dogs and working with them. Best place in the city for dog training. It’s all positive reinforcement, no harsh tactics. You learn to train the dog, which is so important to form the bond.”
- Jonathan Yardley, Google Review
4. Zoom Room Dog Training
Address: 5332 Warner Rd, Westerville
Phone: +16143041176
Business Hours:
- Monday, 5–8:30 PM
- Tuesday to Thursday, 1–8:30 PM
- Friday, 12–7 PM
- Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM–5 PM
Zoom Room Dog Training is part of a national franchise founded in 2007. For the local branch, it started in 2023 and is known for its fundraisers for local animal shelters.
We appreciate that Zoom Room is strictly “force-free,” meaning you won’t see any prongs or e-collars used on your dogs. They entirely use treats, praise, and play to motivate your pups.
In fact, this is a science-backed approach that follows the guidelines of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, which prioritizes positive and low-stress learning.
Owners also love that they’re required to be present during sessions. They get to experience the hands-on training and bond with their canine friend at the same time.
You can start with a $25 evaluation fee, followed by a membership for around $199 a month, which already includes five sessions. There’s also an annual plan for $749 and inclusive of 20 group classes and 2 complimentary private sessions.
Plus, their training programs are available for all dogs starting at two months old. But it’s also worth noting that while they do train mildly reactive dogs, they explicitly note that they may not be the best option for ones with severe anxiety and aggression.
Everyone is very friendly and kind to the puppies
“My puppy loves it at this ZoomRoom. Everyone is very friendly, kind to the puppies, and the trainers use only positive reinforcement. Trainers allow for individual preferences in training techniques. I prefer not to use a clicker. Rather, I use a verbal marker because I always have my voice with me, and arthritis in my thumb makes using clickers painful. This was not an issue. Facility is clean, and extra care is taken to keep very young, not yet fully vaccinated puppies safe.”
- Cherylann R, Google Review
The trainers are knowledgeable and approachable
“My dogs and I love Zoom Room! Having a safe environment to do puppy classes before my pup was fully vaccinated was a lifesaver. And having dedicated playgroups where the play is monitored has been a great introduction to playing with other dogs before he goes to daycare. My older dog loves the agility class, and we have dabbled in some of the others as well, including the Pup-lates. All of them are engaging and keep us learning new things. The trainers are knowledgeable and approachable, would highly recommend trying a class.”
- Kelsey D, Google Review
5. Canine Academy Columbus
Address: 332 Mt Zion Rd NW, Lancaster
Phone: +16147061828
Business Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday, 1–7 PM
- Friday, 10 AM–2 PM
- Saturday and Sunday, 1–5 PM
Canine Academy Columbus has over 30 years of experience in dog training. In 2023, the company was featured by Bloomberg as the “World’s Greatest Dog Trainers — Best Canine Companions”.
The center offers a mix of board-and-train programs and small group lessons, incorporating reward-based training with low-level e-collar stimulation for communication.
These programs typically last for 8 to 10 days on-campus with a 90-day follow-up training, which requires owner involvement. And we like that even after graduating, “graduates” still receive ongoing support, including free group classes to maintain skills.
They pretty much offer training programs for every dog, including puppies and those with behavioral issues like separation anxiety. In fact, owners who had dogs considered “safety hazards” before shared that their pups became friendly companions.
It’s also worth considering that the academy’s prices fall on the higher end. Their small group classes cost $695 for 5 sessions, while their boarding programs range from $2,800 to $3,400.
They do offer financing options through their partner, Lenmark Financial. Just note that you’ll be required to pay a down payment, and you can pay the rest up to 36 months with no interest for the first 12 months.
Spending a little more felt worth it
“Such a great experience. I had shopped around a bit and yes, Canine Academy was on the more expensive side, but none are cheap and after speaking with them, I felt much more confident that we would see results vs some of the others. Spending a little more felt worth it, and it was. My very high-energy Bernedoodle puppy learned a solid foundation for us to continue her training at home. Alex is such a kind person and a wonderful dog trainer. The care team was also wonderful. They would send photos and updates daily, and honestly, they’re some of the best pics we have of our girl!! Will continue to come back. 10/10”
- Kelli Shonk, Google Review
They’re the best of the best
“They’re the best of the best! We had them trained and boarded here and they give exceptional care and training. We were gone on a 2-week trip and every day we were not only sent updates, but photos as well, which made the separation a little easier to cope with! Super accommodating and just all around, you can tell they love what they do and genuinely care about doggos. My girl Golden won’t tolerate anyone else… even for daycare. They’re always so excited to come here and are always smiling. One of their happy places! Which speaks volumes, especially since my male Golden Retriever has a bit of anxiety. He’s come such a long way, though, after his training… they really worked on confidence with him, and now he’s our big protector!”
- Jessica Likens, Google Review
