Dog Training in Reno, NV: 3 Real Options Compared

Searching for dog training in Reno turns up everything from national franchise chains to a 50-year-old volunteer club, and the right pick depends more on your dog’s specific needs than on which name is most familiar. A nervous rescue dog, a competition-minded owner, and someone who just wants a puppy to stop chewing shoes are looking for three different things, and Reno actually has distinct local options for each.

This guide compares three real dog training in Reno options — a nonprofit AKC club, a certified private training studio, and a multi-species trainer — by pricing, credentials, and what their reviews actually say.

Quick Answer

• Lowest cost, most structured sport options: Truckee Meadows Dog Training Club — nonprofit, AKC-certified, running since 1971
• Clearest pricing, small class sizes: Fur and Feather Works — $390 for a 6-week Puppy Kindergarten or Basic Manners course
• Certified behavior specialist, breed-specific classes: Dog Training By PJ — CPDT-KA certified, 65 years combined trainer experience
• All three are locally run rather than national franchises, and all use positive-reinforcement methods
• Ask about class size and whether you can observe a session before enrolling — a strong signal at any dog training in Reno facility

Dog Training in Reno Compared at a Glance

Facility	Type	Starting Price	Rating
Truckee Meadows Dog Training Club	Nonprofit club	Nominal cost (not published)	Strong reviews, small sample
Fur and Feather Works	Private studio	$390 / 6-week course	4.7–4.9★ across platforms
Dog Training By PJ	Private studio	Not published	4.5–4.7★, BBB A+

Truckee Meadows Dog Training Club: Budget Dog Training in Reno

Truckee Meadows Dog Training Club, at 1901 Silverada Blvd, describes itself as a not-for-profit, AKC-certified training club serving the Reno/Sparks area, and it’s been operating since 1971 — more than 50 years. It’s run on a volunteer basis by experienced dog trainers at what reviewers describe as a nominal cost, which makes it the most budget-friendly dog training in Reno option covered here.

Classes go well beyond basic obedience: Conformation, Rally, Agility, Tricks, Scent Work, and Carting are all offered, along with certification testing for STAR Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, and Therapy Dog programs. That breadth makes it a strong fit for an owner who wants to eventually compete or title a dog, not just fix everyday manners.

Reviews of this dog training in Reno club describe an “encouraging, knowledgeable, and supportive environment,” and one longtime member who joined in 2018 said they “cannot recommend them enough.” The club’s own site doesn’t publish specific pricing, and its Yelp review count is smaller than the two private studios below, so call or check the class schedule directly for current costs and availability.

Fur and Feather Works: Structured Dog Training in Reno With Clear Pricing

Fur and Feather Works, at 9475 Double R Blvd, Suite 12, runs group classes with published pricing — a real advantage if you want to compare costs before calling around. Puppy Kindergarten and Basic Manners each run $390 for a six-week course plus orientation, and shorter three-week field trip classes (leash skills, off-leash recall) run $170 each, with bundle discounts for combining multiple courses.

Trainers here carry credentials through APDT, CCPDT, and AFFP, among others, and the facility notably also offers cat and bird/parrot training — unusual for a dog-focused search, but a sign of broader animal-behavior expertise on staff. Reviews are strong (4.7 to 4.9 stars depending on the platform), with owners praising small class sizes and real, visible progress within weeks. One complaint worth noting for balance: a client described an instructor being sharply critical about treat use during a session, prompting a call to management — a single account, but worth asking about the instructor’s coaching style directly if that matters to you.

Dog Training By PJ: Certified, Behavior-Focused Dog Training in Reno

Dog Training By PJ operates near Meadowood Mall and is led by Susie Jensen, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer–Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and Certified Behavior Consultant, with the practice citing over 65 years of combined trainer experience across its team. It’s a BBB A+ accredited business, which is a modest but real signal of business legitimacy beyond star ratings alone.

Classes are organized by dog type and temperament — including a dedicated “Toy Dog/Puppy Class” and a “Pits & Bullies Class” — alongside four separate supervised play groups split by size and energy level, one-on-one behavior modification, and service dog training. Reviewers describe the training as gentle toward both dog and owner, and several specifically call the group classes reasonably priced and well-suited for safe socialization, even though exact prices aren’t published online.

What to Ask Before Choosing Dog Training in Reno

• What specific credentials does my trainer hold, and how are they continuing their education?
• Can I observe a class before enrolling, and is that offer made without hesitation?
• What’s the actual class size, and how much individual attention will my dog get?
• What training method is used, and will you explain it clearly before I commit?
• Is there a plan for a dog with existing behavior issues, or is this general obedience only?

The American Kennel Club’s guide to choosing a dog trainer recommends exactly these questions — positive-reinforcement methods, relevant credentials like CCPDT certification, and the chance to sit in on a class before signing up — and every dog training in Reno option above holds up reasonably well against that checklist.

Nonprofit Club vs. Private Studio: Which Fits Your Dog?

The core tradeoff among these three options for dog training in Reno isn’t really about quality — all three have real, positive reviews — it’s about structure and goals. A nonprofit club like Truckee Meadows is volunteer-run and built around dog sports and titling, which suits an owner willing to attend regularly and eventually compete. A private studio like Fur and Feather Works or Dog Training By PJ offers a more structured, paid curriculum with defined start and end dates, which often suits an owner who wants a predictable path from puppy chaos to basic manners in six weeks.

If your dog also needs a strong foundation before formal classes even start, our guide to dog obedience training covers the basic commands and reward-based principles worth practicing at home first, regardless of which Reno facility you eventually choose.

Puppy-Specific vs. Adult Dog Training

Two of the three — Fur and Feather Works and Dog Training By PJ — run dedicated puppy-only classes (Puppy Kindergarten and Toy Dog/Puppy Class, respectively), which matters because puppies and adult dogs learn differently and socialize with different risks. A young puppy benefits most from structured exposure to other vaccinated puppies in a controlled setting, while an adult dog with established habits often needs more individualized behavior work. If your dog is under four months old, ask specifically whether a class requires proof of at least a first round of vaccines before enrolling, since a responsible dog training in Reno facility should require this before mixing puppies together.

What a First Class Looks Like for Dog Training in Reno

Walking into a first session usually starts the same way regardless of which of these three you pick: a short intake conversation about your dog’s age, history, and specific goals, followed by an assessment of where the dog is starting from before any actual instruction begins. Expect to be asked about your dog’s health, any prior training, and what specific behaviors you want to address — vague goals like “be better behaved” are harder to train toward than something concrete like “stop pulling on leash” or “come when called off-leash.”

Bring your dog’s regular treats or a small bag of especially high-value ones (string cheese, small bits of chicken) unless the facility tells you otherwise, along with a well-fitted collar or harness and a standard six-foot leash — retractable leashes are frequently discouraged in group class settings since they make consistent handling harder. Most dog training in Reno group classes also expect basic vaccination records before your dog can start, especially for puppy classes where multiple young dogs are mixing in close quarters.

Group Classes vs. Private Sessions for Dog Training in Reno

None of the three dog training in Reno facilities covered here forces you into a single format. Group classes are generally cheaper per session and add real socialization value, which matters for a young or under-socialized dog, but they move at the pace of the whole group rather than your dog specifically. Private sessions, offered by both Fur and Feather Works and Dog Training By PJ, cost more per hour but let a trainer focus entirely on your dog’s specific issue — useful for reactivity, fear-based behavior, or anything that would be disruptive or unsafe in a group setting. A reasonable approach for a dog with real behavior problems is a few private sessions first, then a group class once the dog can handle being around others calmly.

Dog Training in Reno: The Bottom Line

Reno has genuinely different options once you look past the first search results page: Truckee Meadows Dog Training Club for budget-conscious owners who want sport and titling opportunities, Fur and Feather Works for transparent pricing and small, credentialed classes, and Dog Training By PJ for a certified behavior specialist with breed-specific class options. None of the three is a bad choice on the numbers — the right one depends on whether you want a nonprofit community club or a structured paid program, and whether your dog needs basic manners or more targeted behavior work.

FAQ

---

Pricing, class schedules, and instructors change — confirm current details directly before enrolling. Last verified September 2026.