Dog Trainers in Savannah

Finding the best Dog Trainers in Savannah starts with knowing your options. Below you'll find local trainers plus a guide to help you make the right choice for your dog.

Savannah Dog Trainer Directory

Type of Dog Training

Training Delivery Format

Your Dog's Age

Specializations

Your Complete Guide to Choosing a Dog Trainer in Savannah, GA and Surrounding Areas

Living with a dog in Savannah means navigating historic cobblestone streets, visiting sprawling squares filled with tourists, and managing the unique challenges of a coastal Southern city. Your dog needs to stay calm when carriages pass by on River Street, handle crowded festivals in Forsyth Park, and remain polite during outdoor dining on Broughton Street.

Since Savannah sits in Chatham County, understanding local requirements helps you find a professional dog trainer who knows the area. The right trainer will prepare your dog for real Savannah life, from the busy Historic District to the quieter neighborhoods in Ardsley Park and Midtown.

How to Choose the Right Trainer

Start by looking for someone who uses positive reinforcement training and understands what daily life looks like in Savannah. Your dog should learn to walk calmly through crowded squares, ignore the constant stream of tourists and their pets, and stay focused despite the distractions of horse-drawn carriages and waterfront activity.

Credentials help you quickly compare experience levels among local trainers. Common dog trainer certifications include KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA, or IAABC-CDBC for serious behavior issues. If your dog shows aggression or extreme fear, look for someone with CBCC-KA or similar advanced credentials.

In-home dog training works well for puppy training, door manners, and teaching your dog to handle delivery people in your neighborhood. Group classes make sense once your dog can focus around other dogs, especially before attempting busy spots like Forsyth Park or the River Street area.

A free consultation gives you a chance to meet the trainer, discuss your goals, and see if their approach matches what your dog needs.

Common Dog Training Methods Explained

Dog Training In Savannah, Ga Usa

Positive reinforcement training builds trust while creating lasting changes in your dog’s behavior. This approach also helps you follow Savannah’s local rules about keeping dogs under control in public spaces.

Basic obedience covers sit, down, stay, place, recall, and leash training so your dog can handle sidewalk cafes, weekend markets, and park visits without pulling or jumping on strangers. These skills are essential when you live in a tourist-heavy city.

Puppy classes focus on socialization, potty training, bite control, crate comfort, and early leash manners. Starting young prevents problems before they develop, especially in a city with constant noise and activity.

Behavior modification addresses fear, reactivity, resource guarding, or separation anxiety through careful desensitization and counterconditioning. For serious cases, ask if your trainer works with local veterinarians who can support the training program.

Private lessons and in-home sessions let you customize everything around your daily routines and specific neighborhood challenges. Day training can speed up results when your schedule is packed.

Group classes help your dog practice good manners around other dogs and people in a controlled setting. The best classes screen participants carefully, give dogs plenty of space, and teach calm behavior rather than excitement.

Board and train programs can work for families who need faster results, but make sure the facility uses only reward-based methods and includes handoff sessions to teach you how to maintain the progress.

Specialized training like service dog training or therapy dog training requires extra structure, public-access skills, and a very clear step-by-step training program with measurable goals.

Stay away from trainers who rely on fear, intimidation, or pain to get results. Humane methods are safer for everyone, easier to maintain long-term, and better for keeping peace with neighbors and tourists alike.

Average Cost of Dog Training in Savannah, GA (Updated for 2025)

Prices around Savannah and Chatham County depend on the trainer’s experience, session length, and whether training happens at your home or another location. Here’s what most local dog owners are paying in 2025.

Service TypeAverage Cost (Savannah/Chatham County)
Puppy classes (4-6 weeks)$140-$260 total
Group obedience classes (4-6 weeks)$150-$280 total
Private lessons (60-90 min)$100-$180 per session
In-home coaching packages (4-6 visits)$400-$850 total
Day training (trainer works your dog + handoff)$425-$900 per week
Behavior consult for reactivity/anxiety (initial)$140-$240
Board and train (2-4 weeks)$1,900-$4,200 total

You may pay extra travel fees if you live outside central Savannah, and expect higher rates for complex behavior work or aggressive dog training.

Make sure you understand what’s included in the price, how the trainer tracks progress, and whether they offer follow-up support after the initial training sessions.

Questions to Ask a Potential Dog Trainer

  • What training methods do you use, and how do you keep sessions positive and stress-free?
  • What credentials do you have, like CPDT-KA or KPA-CTP? Do you keep up with continuing education such as CPDT-KSA?
  • How will you customize the training plan for my dog’s specific needs and our life in Savannah?
  • Do you offer in-home visits, group classes, or day training, and which approach fits my goals best?
  • How will we measure my dog’s progress and know when to add more distractions?
  • What are the total costs, including any travel fees, and what’s your cancellation policy?
  • Do you carry liability insurance, and can you show me proof?
  • For behavior problems, will you work with my veterinarian if needed?
  • What should I practice between our sessions to help my dog keep improving?
  • Have you worked with dogs in the Historic District or other high-distraction Savannah environments?

Local Savannah Rules and Considerations

Savannah enforces leash laws and animal control ordinances to keep parks, squares, and neighborhoods safe for residents and the millions of tourists who visit each year. Chatham County follows Georgia’s public health requirements too.

Leashes are required in all public spaces except inside designated off-leash dog parks. Keep a standard 6-foot leash with you for the squares, River Street, and any public events or festivals.

Georgia law requires current rabies vaccination and a valid rabies tag for all dogs. You can get these through Chatham County Animal Services or your regular vet.

Excessive barking can be considered a nuisance under city noise ordinances, so work with your trainer on alert barking and separation anxiety before neighbors start complaining. This is especially important in the Historic District where homes are close together.

Georgia doesn’t require special licenses for dog trainers, but if a business boards dogs for payment, the state’s Department of Agriculture oversees kennel licensing requirements.

Chatham County Animal Services handles licensing, lost pets, microchips, and other county resources for dog owners.

Local Savannah Resources for Dog Owners

These spots give you great places to practice polite manners, work on recalls, and provide safe enrichment for your dog. Always follow posted rules and etiquette guidelines.

  • Savannah Bark District Dog Park off Whitemarsh Island Road offers fenced areas with separate sections for large and small dogs. Practice recalls and calm greetings during quieter weekday mornings.
  • Lake Mayer Community Park Dog Park on Sallie Mood Drive provides a well-maintained off-leash area with water stations and plenty of shade.
  • Forsyth Park welcomes leashed dogs and gives you perfect opportunities to work on focus around joggers, families, and other dogs. The wide paths and open spaces make it ideal for training sessions.
  • Tybee Island beaches allow leashed dogs year-round before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m., offering excellent distraction training around seagulls, waves, and beachgoers.
  • Skidaway Island State Park trails welcome leashed dogs and provide quieter settings to build your dog’s confidence around wildlife and natural environments.
Dog Training In Savannah, Ga

FAQs

How much does in-home dog training cost?

Most Savannah trainers charge $100-$180 per in-home visit, with discounts available when you buy packages. Behavior problems typically start at the higher end of that range.

Is in-home dog training worth it?

Absolutely, because you’re working on problems exactly where they happen. Your trainer can fix door manners, jumping on guests, and yard reactivity right at home, then step outside to practice leash skills on your actual neighborhood streets with real Savannah distractions.

Can you pay someone to house train your dog?

Yes, many trainers offer puppy training programs that include potty training, crate routines, and daily schedules. Day training can speed up the process while teaching you how to maintain the progress.

What is the 3-3-3 rule for dog training?

This is a helpful timeline for new or adopted dogs: expect about 3 days for your dog to decompress, 3 weeks to learn your routines, and 3 months to feel completely settled. Good training sessions work with this natural adjustment period.

How long will it take to reach my training goals?

Most puppies and friendly adult dogs show solid progress within 4-8 weeks if you practice daily. Fear, reactivity, or aggression typically requires several months of careful behavior modification with gradual increases in difficulty.

What should I bring to group classes?

Pack a flat collar or harness, a 6-foot leash, high-value treats, water, and current vaccination records if your trainer requests them. Leave retractable leashes at home for safety reasons.

What’s the leash law in Savannah?

Dogs must be leashed and under control in all public areas, except inside designated off-leash dog parks. Keep that 6-foot leash handy for the squares, River Street, Forsyth Park, and all community events.

Do I need a dog license in Savannah or Chatham County?

Yes, Chatham County requires dog licenses. You can register your dog through Chatham County Animal Services, and you’ll need proof of current rabies vaccination to get the license.

What shots does my dog need in Chatham County or Georgia?

Rabies vaccination is required throughout the state. Your veterinarian may also recommend distemper-parvo and bordetella based on your dog’s lifestyle and exposure to other dogs. Check state guidelines through the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Are dog trainers required to be licensed in Savannah or Chatham County or Georgia?

No special trainer licenses exist in Georgia. Trainers follow normal business regulations, but if they offer board and train services, their facility may need to be licensed as a boarding kennel under the state’s Department of Agriculture regulations.

Where can I practice off-leash recall?

Use fenced dog parks like Savannah Bark District or Lake Mayer Community Park to keep things safe and legal. Try visiting during quieter hours when you’re starting out.

Which dog parks allow training around Savannah?

Savannah Bark District Dog Park and Lake Mayer Community Park Dog Park both allow off-leash play within their fenced areas. These locations work well for practicing recalls, socialization, and calm greetings.

What beaches or trails allow dogs for training?

Tybee Island beaches allow leashed dogs year-round during early morning and evening hours, making them perfect for distraction training. Skidaway Island State Park welcomes leashed dogs on trails, giving you quieter settings to build focus around wildlife. Fort Pulaski National Monument also allows leashed dogs on grounds and trails, though not inside historic structures.

How do I help my dog adjust to the Historic District?

Start training on quieter side streets before tackling busy areas like River Street or City Market. Practice loose-leash walking when tourist traffic is lighter, and gradually increase distractions as your dog gains confidence. A certified dog trainer familiar with the area can help build a training program that prepares your dog for cobblestones, carriages, and crowds.

What if my dog is reactive to horse-drawn carriages?

Reactivity to carriages is common in Savannah since horses are everywhere in the Historic District. Work with a trainer who specializes in behavior modification and can help you gradually desensitize your dog to the sight, sound, and smell of horses and carriages through positive reinforcement training.

The right combination of thoughtful planning, humane methods, and consistent practice around Savannah’s squares and neighborhoods will help your dog become a confident, well-behaved dog. If credentials matter to you, don’t hesitate to ask about dog trainer certifications and how your trainer stays current with new techniques. With the right dog training services and regular practice, your top dog will thrive in this beautiful coastal city.

4 Dog Trainer Profiles