It’s difficult to match Montreal Dogs when we’re talking about dog trainers. Headed by Jordan Schacter, a certified behaviour analyst, he focuses on science-based programs to build a solid, positive foundation.

His tailored programs are all about positive reinforcement dog training that prioritise the pup’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It’s bound to create a fun and safe space for your pooch, boosting confidence and motivation.

Additionally, he handles various behavioural concerns of puppies and adult dogs, from obedience training to aggression and reactivity issues.

We want to highlight the 72-acre facility, where dogs can get used to all sorts of sights, smells, and sounds. Conveniently, there are flexible in-home and virtual dog training sessions, but free discovery calls are only available on weekdays.

The overall experience we’ve seen has been a walk in the park, including 24/7 coaching and private video sessions, as well as ongoing support for dog owners who may need extra pointers. All these for prices that won’t break the bank, starting at $120.

It is apparent that he cares deeply about the dogs he works with

“Jordan is an amazing dog trainer. It is apparent that he cares deeply about the dogs he works with and the work that he does. I would highly recommend for all of your canine needs.”

– Sascha Smith, Google Review

He has an amazing way with dogs

“Jordan is so incredibly wonderful to work with, and I have never met a dog that didn’t love him (and listen to him!).  He has an amazing way with dogs, so much so that my family calls him “the dog whisperer”. Thank you Jordan for giving me so much confidence in welcoming a new puppy to the family- I cannot recommend him enough!”

– Jenna West, Google Review

Southwest Dog Training shines in packaged options, from puppy classes to specialty courses. They handle all breeds, starting at 8 weeks old.

The spotlight goes to their positive training using proven methods that lead to more sustainable results. It’s not just about the dog, but also helps its owners navigate behaviours and breed-specific challenges.

As for availability, we like what we see. They offer private and 4-week group dog training programs in Montreal and its nearby areas, but do note that the latter only has limited spots since they focus on small class sizes.

Furthermore, they offer training walks, a unique offering that can speed up the original program. It’s basically a 1-hour walk with added homework for the dogs. Their busy clients appreciated this, as it added consistency to training.

Impressively, their dog training programs don’t stop there. There are several courses to accommodate advanced training, such as agility and scent training, which bring physical and mental stimulation.

They genuinely care about your pup

“The team at southwest are wonderful! After attending 4 weeks of puppy courses my is puppy well behaved and our bond has never been stronger! Puppyhood can be an overwhelming time and the team at southwest training really helped shape and navigate the quirks that came with my hyperactive Australian shepherd! They always offer additional advice and tips outside of the course content when needed so you never have to worry. You can tell that they genuinely care about your pup and overall experience! I will definitely be back for teen courses in the near future :)”

– Francesca M-P, Google Review

The team was very attentive

“Came here for a puppy class, when we started my poodle puppy was just 11 weeks! Needless to say – the change in her behavior, week after week after practicing with them in class and by doing our weekly homework were so great to see!  The team also was very attentive, answered all of our questions during class and provided great feedback 🙂 would definitely recommend to any puppy owners, especially those first-time owners like myself.”

– L McGill, Google Review

Guides Canins is an all-in-one spot for dog owners, as they offer dog training, boarding, grooming, and ethical breeding. But it’s their training school that we want to highlight here, located in a 90-acre site that’s well-equipped for dog sports.

They specialise in building a solid dog-human bond, where dog training focuses on physical and mental stimulation. Of course, they handle the basics for puppies and adult dogs, such as house training, socialisation, and tricks.

As far as availability goes, they’re not exactly a solid 10. While they offer private, group, and virtual dog training, their location in Saint-Lazare is off-island, so you’re going to have to hit the road to bring your pup to classes.

They’re still in Greater Montreal, though, but do expect higher travel costs for private training for Montreal addresses. It’s safe to say that they’re an investment, where positive reinforcement is the focus to build trust and instill confidence.

Extremely thorough and attentive

“Vincent was our instructor and he was amazing. He was extremely thorough and attentive. We enrolled our 11 month old puppy Lemmy in the basic obedience classes and it exceeded our expectations. We (and Lemmy) learned so much from Vincent and the rest of the team. We’d highly recommend this training school! 😊”

– Nina Lauber, Google Review

Very professional facility

“My partner and I brought my puppy there for so far 2 obedience classes. Love the way they teach the humans 😋. Everyone starts the class in their cubical with their dog. Very professional facility and we had Vincent as the teacher for both classes. HE is an awesome teacher! I look forward in taking more classes and workshops there! The dog swimming lesson looks interesting 😁”

– Peggy Chen, Google Review

One of our trusted dog training providers is Canine Education for their strong understanding of various dog breeds. One example is passing rigorous training to earn a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) certification.

We were pleased to learn that they only use humane, science-based dog training programs, where they have a strong grasp of both positive reinforcement and behaviour modification.

Plus, they’re equipped to work with aggressive dogs and have experience working with rescue groups to give neglected pups a chance. Their dedication truly is incredible, and it’s elevated by offering private training in the West Island and nearby communities.

They’ve set up the program nicely by coming straight to your house for $600 for 5 hours—that’s $120 per session, which is quite normal for Montreal dog training. However, it’s quite steep for centre-ville addresses, costing $800 for 5 hours.

Group training is available, though. There are limited spots because they get booked fast, but that’s because they focus on small class sizes for less stress.

His firm but gentle approach to dog training is kind and effective

“Josh Taylor is not only a great dog trainer he is also a great human! His firm but gentle approach to dog training is not only kind but very effective even for the most difficult cases! Josh came highly recommended and I have used him for many years for all 3 of my rescue dogs. I can’t say enough good things!!!”

– Tina Himal, Google Review

His knowledge, patience, and dedication make all the difference

“Josh is absolutely incredible. He has been doing one-on-one training with Mabel for quite some time now, and the progress we’ve seen in her is nothing short of amazing. The positive changes in her behavior and confidence speak for themselves. We truly can’t say enough good things about Josh—his knowledge, patience, and dedication make all the difference.”

– Lynn Rick, Google Review

It’s Montreal Canine Training’s comprehensive dog training program that hooked us in. Their services are personalised for every furry companion, with a mix of pet obedience training and dog sport training.

Service-wise, they’ve nailed it down to a T, ensuring that the dog-human relationship will be a positive one. And the fact that they offer various dog training programs is top-notch, such as obedience training, agility courses, and behaviour modification.

We also like their flexible services, providing in-facility, in-home, group, and day training. Just a quick note: they’re not the most affordable dog trainer in Montreal, with a 3-session in-home training costing $480.

They’re worth every dollar, though. During our surveys, the doggie parents we spoke with had positive things to say, as their dogs managed to kick unpleasant habits, like resource guarding and separation anxiety.

It was expected, TBH. Their specialised training targets a variety of behaviours, complete with realistic scenarios to ensure Fido knows how to handle the real world.

We had a great experience with private classes

“We highly recommend Montreal Canine Training!  We had a great experience with private classes with Nick for our 1 year old Lab/GSD, Luna.   Walking her now is night and day, she has a nice “heel” and is so much more engaged with us. We will continue the training to keep working on her jumping and recall, can’t wait!! Thanks Nick!”

– Anne-Marie, Google Review

Super knowledgeable

“MTL Canine Training is awesome! Nick and his team are super knowledgeable, and they really helped us out. Nick’s private classes fixed his leash reactivity, resource guarding, and crate training. Jessica’s reactivity class with Tyson was also amazing for my reactive beagle. He used to bark and lunge at other dogs,  but now we can actually walk him and go places! I totally recommend MTL Canine Training if you need help, especially if your dog is reactive. They really know their stuff, and their Instagram shows it.”

– M Best, Google Review