Looking for the best way to train your dog in Calgary? According to the experts at the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviour, the verdict is in: reward-based training is the way to go for a happy, confident, and well-behaved dog—whether you’re training a new puppy, teaching a fun trick, or addressing behaviour issues. This type of training approach encourages good behaviour all while helping you build a stronger bond with your dog.
We’re ditching the old-school “bark and bite” methods and embracing the power of positive vibes. We’re talking treats, toys, praise, and a whole lot of tail-wagging! We’ve reviewed Calgary’s top trainers, and these five stand out for their expertise, compassion, and results. Whether you’re managing everyday challenges or something more serious and complex, these trainers use effective, stress-free methods that make the learning process enjoyable for everyone. Ready to get real results and form an amazing relationship with your dog? Here we reveal the best positive reinforcement training companies in Calgary!
| How much does positive reinforcement dog training cost in Calgary? On average, positive reinforcement dog training in Calgary costs $300. However, the final cost may change depending on your trainer’s experience and the specific needs of your dog. |
1. Raising Fido
— Media credit: raisingfido.dogtraining
Services:
- Private Training: Offers in-person sessions at your home or a designated mobile location in Calgary, as well as virtual appointment options.
- Group Training: Classes are held at various locations around Calgary, see website or contact company for details.
Location: In-home/mobile or virtual options for private training. Group classes take place at various locations around Calgary.
Contact: +587 534 0736
We’ve explored many positive reinforcement dog training options in Calgary, and Raising Fido truly stands out.
Their flexibility is a big advantage. They offer both in-person sessions at your home and virtual training, which is perfect for busy city life. This setup is particularly beneficial if you have a hectic schedule or prefer to avoid the commute.
Raising Fido specializes in puppy and adolescent dog development, and their puppy programs—both private and group—come highly recommended by former clients. Their puppy socialization curriculum is recognized as one of a kind in the city, reflecting their deep expertise in the field. What really impressed us is their Life Skills Program, which extends beyond Level 1 to include Level 2 and 3 courses on a monthly membership basis. This ongoing support is a worthwhile investment as your dog matures, helping both of you develop advanced skills that enhance everyday life.
They offer:
- Private Training: Offers in-person sessions at your home or a designated mobile location in Calgary, as well as virtual appointment options.
- Group Training: Classes are temporarily on hold.
Additionally, their participation in the “Project Trade” program, which was developed by the Pet Professional Guild, allows clients to exchange aversive tools like shock or prong collars for up to 20% off their services. This initiative underscores their commitment to humane training and collaborative goal-setting.
Booking a consultation is straightforward. Their website offers an easy process for creating an account on their client portal, so you can focus on raising a happy, well-trained dog.
Pros
- Safe puppy socialization group training program
- Life skills level 2 & 3 subscriptions for flexibility
- Life skills level 2 & 3 subscription
- Convenient online training
- Easy booking process
- Affordable rates
- Project trade
Cons
- Don’t have their own location anymore
Customer Reviews
Transforms your dog into a well-behaved companion
“Raising Fido dog training is the greatest gift you can give yourself and your dog. Our dog has become so wonderful, and we always know what to do when we encounter undesirable behaviours. Now, we have a dog who walks on a loose leash, is kind and friendly, and, more than that, we have saved a ton of time. Training is the fast track to knowing more about your dog and getting the most out of them. Don’t think twice, this is the best training in the city!”
— Kyle Marquardt, Google Review
Equips your puppy with essential life skills for everyday situations
“Highly recommend Raising Fido! We took our young pup to life skills level 1 &2 + Puppy socials. In the class, you are taught commands that help with everyday life skills that we use on our walks/home/public spaces. Jodi’s program is well thought out to set your puppy up for success. Our pup is 9 months old now and doing very well with loose leash walking(constantly keeping an eye on us during walks) and public commands with tons of distractions. Practice makes perfect, but without Jodi’s guidance, we wouldn’t be where we are with our pup! Our pup still has a lot to learn, but we learned so much from Jodi and the results of her training speaks for it self. Patience and consistency is absolutely key! Jodi truly cares for the dogs and is attentive to each individual dog’s needs. We couldn’t recommend Raising Fido enough!”
— Chi, Google Review
2. Raising Canine
— Media credit: raisingcanine
Location: 20 Crowfoot Crescent NW #520, Calgary, AB T3G 2P6, Canada
Contact: +1 403-984-3644
Operating hours: Monday to Friday – 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
We’ve got to say, Raising Canine has really impressed us with how they’ve made dog training a positive experience for both pups and their owners.
Their approach is all about rewards, not fear, and that’s something we really appreciate. It makes the training process not just effective, but genuinely enjoyable for the dogs.
We particularly like their Puppy Training Classes, which are priced at $285 for a six-week course. These classes cover all the basics like sit, stay, coming when called, and walking on a loose leash.
What we love about this setup is the small group size – just 5 to 7 dogs per class. It’s a more intimate environment, ensuring that each puppy gets the attention they need to really nail those foundational behaviours.
For those of you with dogs that struggle with reactive behaviours, Raising Canine’s Reactive Dog Recovery Program is worth checking out. It’s a bit pricier at $450 for a six-week course, but it’s designed specifically for dogs that tend to bark, lunge, or growl excessively
The program focuses on teaching these dogs to stay calm in situations that usually cause them stress or anxiety.
Another thing we liked is their blog section on the website since it’s packed with useful tips and advice for dog owners. Plus, their online contact form makes it super easy to get in touch with them if you have any questions or want to sign up for a class.
Pros
- Specialised reactive dog program
- Comprehensive puppy training
- Positive reinforcement focus
- Informative blog section
- Easy online contact
- Small class sizes
Cons
- Pricey reactive dog program
Customer Reviews
Helps your dog learn through clear and nuanced guidance
“We had a genuine great time doing the puppy class. Jake was unbelievably responsive, thoughtful, funny and clear. We learned several nuances of things we didn’t realise we were doing and were really happy with the way the whole class turned out! Thanks Jake for making this process as smooth as it can go with our energetic little friends. Furthermore I would like to also add a thanks to Raising Canine for making the process clean and safe for everyone. There were no incidents and it was 100% positive. The space was basically perfect vs the size of the class and the dogs in the class were all very individually interesting and enriched the whole experience.”
— Philippe Durand, Google Review
Equips your dog with effective techniques that truly work
“We absolutely love Raising Canines and we love Justine! We have taken both our dogs to classes on separate occasions. We had Justine for both classes and you leave with a new sense of confidence and love for your pup. It is worth everything. The environment is very relaxing and well set up to ensure success for you and your fur babies. The techniques and knowledge you leave with are beyond helpful. You not only learn about dog training and bonding, but you also learn about the dog brain and why certain techniques work over others. I cannot wait to go in again for more classes!”
— Mykale Hastie, Google Review
3. ImPAWSible Possible Inc.
— Media credit: exploringkali
Location: 2231 Longridge Dr SW 2nd Floor, Calgary, AB T3E 5N5, Canada
Contact: +1 403-472-7297
Operating hours: Monday to Saturday – 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
ImPAWSible Possible caught our attention with their innovative approach to dog training. With over 15 years of experience under their belt, they’ve crafted a method that blends science, art, and a bit of intuition.
What we really like about them is their PAWS training philosophy – Precision, Adaptability, Wisdom, and Synergy.
They’re all about tailoring the process to fit your dog’s unique needs while building a deep bond of trust and communication between you and your furry friend.
Their Puppy Potential classes are a standout for us. Aimed at pups between 12 to 20 weeks, these classes focus on socialisation, obedience, and all those essential life skills that get your pup off to a great start.
For those dealing with more challenging behaviours, their Reactive Dog Training programs, like Feisty Fido and Canine Catalyst, are worth checking out. Starting at $199.50, these programs are designed to help you manage and reduce reactivity and aggression.
We also appreciate that they offer workshops and clinics like Pooch Peacekeeping and Walk Wise. These are great if you’re looking to tackle specific issues like leash pulling or over-excitability.
Plus, their Canine Complexity Academy is a handy resource for continuing training at home with online courses and materials.
However, we do wish they offered online booking. It would make things a bit easier, especially for those of us who like to handle everything from our phones.
Pros
- Innovative training philosophy
- Canine complexity academy
- Puppy potential classes
- 15 years of experience
- Workshops and clinics
Cons
- No online booking
Customer Reviews
Makes your dog calm and well-behaved by reducing reactivity
“I want to share how happy I am with Bianco’s behaviour after being consistent with the knowledge that Cat gave us in the lessons she provided for reactive dogs. Bianco is no longer barking through my neighbours’ fence. Bianco is enjoying walking and not pulling on his leash. I am proud of him and even myself for persevering in his learning. Moreover, my other dog, Lulu, is gaining more confidence in herself while walking. We are still working with her, but she is doing 70% better.”
— Jessica B, Google Review
Guides your dog to be more responsive
“We did Feisty Fidos in June. As my husband occasionally works away, we opted for the bootcamp in the hopes he’d be there for both sessions. The course was 3 hours on two Saturdays. Cat is very knowledgeable and though the course didn’t address our specific issue which is extremely rare but fiery dog to dog aggression, she gave us many tools to implement to understand our dog better. We landed in a place of acceptance and understanding with the pup, and all our lives have improved from that fact alone. The dog is our kid, and I know some will roll their eyes at that. But we love her so much and all we wanted out of this was to find ways to lower her stress levels and learn to understand her better. In those regards, the course was a massive success for us. I’ve even been able to call her off quickly escalating situations because she trusts me more to take the lead. I loved this approach. No reprimands, no negativity. Just seeking to understand and build trust. Highly recommend it.”
— Mykayla Bergie, Google Review
4. Sit Happens!
— Media credit: sit_happens_calgary
Location: 2180 Pegasus Way NE #4, Calgary, AB T2E 8M5, Canada
Contact: +1 403-408-7309
Operating hours: Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
We’ve got to say, Sit Happens! really made an impression on us with their commitment to force-free training methods. It’s clear that they’re all about helping people build strong, positive bonds with their dogs, and we’re all for that.
One of the things we like most is their “Canine Calm” class, which is perfect if your dog needs a little extra help managing emotions in stressful situations.
Depending on what you’re looking for, the class runs between $200 and $350, and we’ve heard from some folks that it’s been a game-changer for their anxious pups.
If your dog’s got a bit of an athlete in them, their agility and nose work classes are worth checking out. These sessions, which range from $35 to $150, offer both physical and mental stimulation.
It’s a great way to keep your dog engaged and happy, and honestly, it’s just a lot of fun to watch them in action.
We also love that they occasionally host community events where dog owners can connect, share experiences, and support each other on their training journeys. It’s a great way to build a little community around shared experiences, and from what we’ve seen, people really appreciate that.
They’ve even got a blog section packed with helpful tips and advice. But, we have to admit, we’re just a bit iffy about the fact that they don’t offer online booking.
Pros
- Agility and nose work classes
- Force-free training methods
- Informative blog section
- Canine calm class
- Community events
Cons
- No online booking
- A few reports of being difficult to contact
Customer Reviews
Encourages your dog to thrive in a structured group setting
“My partner and I have been attending classes at Sit Happens with our rescue puppy, Xena, since August. She was very fearful of other dogs when we got her, and we wanted to be able to socialise her in controlled settings, so the structure of the group classes here have been perfect! She absolutely adores the classes here, and the instructors usually give her additional challenges because she learns so quickly. We plan on signing her up for dog sports such as agility and scent hurdle when our schedules allow it in the near future. Highly recommended for rescue and easily distracted dogs!”
— Kyla Couture, Google Review
Guides your pup to thrive in a professional training environment
“Sit happens is has such good training methods. Concentrating on focus and relaxation as well as real life obedience. I can not recommend Sit happens enough. The trainers are very professional and knowledgeable as well as approachable. My Aussie puppy can lay quietly in an off leash park while I chat with another dog owner. The puppy, and adolescent classes last a year and you can choose from a variety of times that are suitable for your schedule. We go 4 times a week.”
— AnnyLaurie, Google Review
