Dog Training & Behavior Counseling

At the Humane Society of Charlotte, our training philosophy is based on behavioral science, positive reinforcement and strengthening the human animal bond. We offer private training lessons and phone/email consultations to help mitigate the behavior challenges you are having with your pet. 

If you have any questions about pet training in Charlotte, contact our Behavior and Training Team at training@humanecharlotte.org.

What Can I Expect From Pet Training?*

The goal of any pet training class is to help you forge a healthy and harmonious bond with your pup. Pet training classes afford insight into how your dog’s mind works, allowing you to understand how to encourage positive behavior.

The following vaccines are required to attend training classes: DHPP, Rabies, and Bordetella. Email vaccine documentation to training@humanecharlotte.org, or bring them to your first class.

*HSC’s training lessons are not suitable for dogs with extreme fear issues, exclusively in-home behaviors such as housetraining or crate training, separation anxiety, or aggression. Please refer to an in-home trainer for these issues. Additionally, your dog may not be responsive during the lesson due to the distracting environment.

At the Humane Society of Charlotte, we offer:

Dog Basics for Everyone

Do you want to learn more about dog training in a relaxed environment without the commitment of signing up for a group class?

If so, join us for a free orientation where we’ll cover topics like:

• Training equipment
• Reinforcement tools
• Crate training tips
• Enrichment ideas

This orientation is for owners only. Please leave your pup at home.

Private Training Sessions

Our private training lessons are a learning session for both dog and owner! During our lessons, we discuss the reason why the behavior is happening, how to manage the problem, and training exercises to help improve the issues. 

These lessons are $60 for 1 or $150 for a package of 3 (saving you $30!), last about 45 minutes to an hour, and are held at the Humane Society of Charlotte. Our package of 3 is a great choice for more difficult behavioral issues such as reactivity, if you have multiple behaviors you’d like to work on, or if you feel you need all the help you can get! 

Six-Week Group Classes

These classes meet for one hour, once a week for six weeks. Group classes are intended for friendly, healthy dogs. You’ll be learning about:

• Socialization: By being around other humans and dogs, your pup will understand how to react to its environment in a healthy way, without fear or aggression.
• Manners: Your pup will learn basic commands like sit, stay, down, come, wait, leave it and touch. 
• Leash Training: Dogs will be introduced to collars/harnesses, and practice walking on a leash without pulling, lunging, or barking. 

Puppy Power

This is a 45-minute class for new puppy (six months or younger) owners. You’ll be learning about:

• Puppy socialization
• The importance of training
• Potty training techniques
• Name recognition and recall
• Training tools and supplies

How Much Does Pet Training in Charlotte Cost?

Pet training is an investment in both you and your dog’s future. How much pet training costs depends on whether you opt for group classes or private, one-on-one training sessions. 

At the Humane Society of Charlotte, you can expect to pay:

• Dog Basics for Everyone – FREE
• Private Training Lessons – $60 for one private session or $150 for a package of three 
• Puppy Power – $25
• Six-week group classes – $185

If you are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to afford pet training in Charlotte, contact our Community Outreach Team at outreach@humanecharlotte.org.

Meet Our Dog Trainer

Hello everyone! My name is Olivia. I am a Charlotte area resident with my dog, Yuki. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a strong passion for animals. I have over 5 years of personal and professional experience training dogs. Through my experience, I’ve gained exposure working with dogs of all ages and temperaments.

My mission is to spread my knowledge of dog training and behavior to benefit both pup and parent. I believe that having a thorough understanding of your dog’s behavior will increase your ability to train, therefore strengthening the bond between you and your dog. Through using force-free and positive reinforcement methods, I believe any dog is able to make significant progress with the right techniques. 

Charlotte Pet Training FAQs

If you have any questions about pet training with HSC, contact our Behavior and Training Team at training@humanecharlotte.org.