Lena CaldwellI’m starting to think my dog’s the one wearing the pants in this relationship. My sweet girl drags me like a sack of potatoes, and I’m over here catching tree-to-tree whiplash every time a squirrel shows up.
Her hyper bursts and zero chill on walks have officially crossed into safety-hazard territory, so at this point, I need a neighborhood Cesar Millan.
With my team’s help, we’ve reviewed the best dog trainers in Charlotte. Keep reading to find out which one might finally help you get your dog—and your sanity—back on track.
How much do dog trainers charge in Charlotte?
Dog trainers in Charlotte usually charge around $170-$320 for a 4-6-week group class and around $110-$185 per session for a private 60-90 minute lesson.
1. Mango Dogs Carolinas
Address: 2982 Planters Pl
Phone: +1 704-666-2950
Business hours: Monday to Sunday: 8 AM – 10 PM
Easing the dogs into the program is what we like about Mango Dogs Carolinas. You see, they start with private lessons at your home and then transition to weekly group classes (for up to 12 months).
They train small to XL-sized dogs, including breeds that are seen to be “challenging.” On that note, their aggression rehabilitation program is designed for dogs with a history of aggression towards other dogs or humans, resource guarding, or fighting.
It’s also worth mentioning that their methods involve combining treats, praise, and toys for motivation. Here’s the thing, though; they also use a correction or e-collar if needed, which some owners may find harsh or uncomfortable.
Still, you can get more answers and see the chemistry your dog has with the trainer at the first meeting with their free in-home evaluation. Plus, they don’t charge by the hour or lesson; instead, clients pay for a full program, so surprises and hidden fees are unlikely.
Behaving better at home
“I have three dogs, which were very leash reactive when they saw other dogs. Now they are doing better on walks and behaving better at home. Can’t wait for group classes and keep practicing and getting better. I would definitely recommend mango dogs.”
– Maria Gironza, Google Review
Worth the investment
“We’ve had a few dogs but never got professional training. If I could go back I’d do it for every dog. Jackson is a pro and has made having this puppy more fun and enjoyable for the whole family. We can also now take him places we couldn’t take the other dogs before. We even took him around the neighborhood for trick or treat and he did amazing. Highly recommend and worth the investment!”
– Kirk Martin, Google Review
2. Obedient K9 Academy
Address: 1420 S Mint St Suite M
Phone: +1 704-741-4471
Business hours:
- Sunday to Friday: 7 AM – 8 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 3 PM
We’re happy to see that Obedient K9 Academy doesn’t pull impressive results by running the pets and their owners like the army. In fact, they evaluate each dog first and tailor each program based on the dog’s temperament and your goals.
To give you an idea, a fur parent shared how their rescue dog, without social cues, had difficulty keeping up with them, but thanks to the program, their dog fitted well into their daily lives. This can come in clutch, especially if walking and public spaces are big issues with you.
Their facility is also a feature in itself, especially since it’s a 5,000-square-foot training center where dogs can both train and socialize. It also makes for a good place that can help dogs adapt to distractions and everyday situations.
The catch? Their programs can be on the pricey side; for instance, their signature 6-week program is around $2,900. So, milking their free transformation session to see if they fit the bill can help you make an informed decision.
Did wonders
“Obedient K9 did wonders for our puppy! They are super attentive to every detail you share and committed to helping solve any problems. Highly recommend!!”
– Isabelle Boike, Google Review
Great training program
“Amazing work! Great training program and our dog Oakleys loved his days he got to be there!”
– Jared Desensi, Google Review
3. Hakuna Matata Dog Care & Training, LLC
Address: 9414 Albemarle Rd
Phone: +1 704-562-5631
Business hours: Monday to Sunday: 7 AM – 7 PM
True to their name, we like that Hakuna Matata Dog Care & Training provides lifetime follow-up sessions and ongoing support after training (board and train program), so you won’t have to worry about your dog regressing.
Their flexibility when it comes to training formats is a plus in our books. You can go for basic obedience for a puppy, intensive rehab for a reactive dog, or gradual training over time, so your dog won’t be forced to just go with a “standard” format.
It’s also why they’re suitable for dogs with challenging behaviors, especially for ones you can’t bring to simple grooming or daycare. This is also a lifesaver for busy owners who have a hard time leaving their dogs with other people.
Heads up on their rates, though. Some owners might find their pricing quite expensive, so make sure you understand what you’re getting into by taking advantage of their free phone consultation.
Very impressed with their work
“Needed some help with refresher training and Jocelyn jumped in and saved the day! I highly recommend this team to all! Very impressed with their work!”
– Robert Cutler, Google Review
Very attentive
“We had our dog Faust at training for two weeks with Mike, and I swear he came back a new dog! His recall has improved tremendously, he heels and goes to “place” on command, and he is less anxious in his kennel. They were very attentive to my questions and concerns and he seemed to be having a wonderful time at camp!”
– Danielle Moore, Google Review
4. Canine Dimensions In-Home Dog Training
Address: Serves Charlotte
Phone: +1 704-912-4933
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 7 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Canine Dimensions is a solid pick if you’re not comfortable going to a training center or if you want your dog to be in a familiar surrounding and learn with real-life context from the get-go. Trainers conveniently go to your home, which helps make adjustments more natural and lasting.
We’re impressed that they cover a wide range of issues, from basic obedience to serious behavior problems like fear, aggression, and destructiveness. Many owners have shared how this has greatly helped their puppies, rescue, and reactive dogs.
Also, this might be a win for other owners: they don’t resort to shock collars or clickers. They emphasize natural, reward-based training to build trust and reduce stress for sensitive or fearful dogs.
The downside is that they don’t have a physical center, so busy owners might have difficulty fitting a schedule. But hey, having trainers at home also benefits you since they provide you with realistic guidance and help you go through the daily issues you face at home.
Very accommodating with our schedules
“We have been super pleased with Training are two golden retriever puppies have received! Adam is always very accommodating with our schedules and very knowledgeable with the dogs.”
– Joanna Patcha, Google Review
Wonderful experience
“We have had a wonderful experience working with Adam. We have twin pups and a puppy mill survivor and he has been incredibly helpful. I love that we can reach out to him any time a new issue, question, or concern arises. I highly recommend him!!!”
– Sandeep Berry, Google Review
5. Dog Training Elite Charlotte
Address: Serves Charlotte
Phone: +1 980-680-2030
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 4 PM
What we like most about Dog Training Elite is that their programs are customizable, so they basically adapt training to fit your dog’s breed, temperament, and goals.
Conveniently, they start training in your home, especially since this is where behavior issues often occur, and then they transition to group classes so dogs learn to obey even with distractions. This means they target how your dog behaves both at home and in public.
Speaking of behavior, they cover different behavior problems like reactivity, leash pulling, and hyperactivity. But keep in mind that they don’t have an actual, physical center, so don’t expect to drop your dogs off and come back after a class.
On a positive note, we have to give them kudos for offering service dog and therapy dog training options—not all dog trainers can offer this. They can train dogs to provide mobility assistance, therapy work, and public access.
Professional, accommodating, friendly
“Dog Training Elite Charlotte is an absolutely fantastic organization! Kimberly , Angela and Sharon are 100% professional, accommodating, friendly, and all around wonderful people, I can’t thank you enough because they are the one who trained my dog to be a service dog and I can take her everywhere I thank you”
– Kieu USA, Google Review
Results were instant
“Angela is phenomenal! She knows exactly what she is doing. My fur baby and I love her . This program has given me and my fur baby the confidence to navigate through life . The results were instant for my fur baby . Of course it takes time and overtime my fur baby has the confidence to thrive. Im so grateful I decided to get training through this program. It’s been 4 months and there is a major difference.”
– Sarah Nijman, Google Review
