Looking for the best dog trainers in Tauranga? Whether you have a new puppy, a teenage dog pulling on the lead or a reactive adult dog, the dog trainers in Tauranga below run puppy school, weekly obedience classes, in-home sessions and behaviour modification using reward-based methods. Journey Dog Training and Dogs Are Us are good starting points for puppy classes, with behaviour specialists covering reactivity and aggression from Papamoa to Mount Maunganui.
1Journey Dog Training
Journey Dog Training is a Tauranga dog training business founded by Sarah Endres in 2020, running the Prime Pups School group courses alongside private in-home training for puppies, teens and adult dogs. Training uses positive reinforcement, and the team covers Tauranga plus Mount Maunganui, Papamoa, Omokoroa and Katikati. It suits owners who want structured weekly classes with a clear path from puppyhood through adolescence.
Services
- Prime Pups School group courses: Early Learning Pups, School Pups and Top Teens
- In-home puppy training, including a Puppy Foundations Package
- Private one-on-one dog training for adult dogs
- Public training walks for real-world consistency
- Trick workshops and alumni group training
Highlights
- Founder holds a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Behaviour from Waikato University
- Big Feelings Club: private 45-minute sessions for reactive dogs, open to alumni, including farm animal exposure and stranger desensitisation
- Team of three, including a trainer with a Fear Free certification
- Runs Prime Pups School, a puppy class programme gifted by the founder of Allsorts Dog Training
Location & Contact
Name: Journey Dog Training
Address: Tauranga
Phone: 027 310 3390
Website: journeydogtraining.co.nz
2Dogs Are Us
Dogs Are Us is run by Kat Stephenson, a Tauranga dog trainer who completed her professional studies with the National Dog Trainers Federation (NDTF) Australia and has worked with dogs and their families since 2013. Training is positive and practical, with private sessions held in your own home so problems are tackled where they actually happen. It suits new puppy owners and anyone wanting one-on-one help with obedience or behaviour.
Services
- Puppy Training Development Class for pups aged 8 weeks to 8 months
- One-on-one in-home training sessions
- Behavioural training and support
- Puppy board and train
- Video consults
Highlights
- NDTF qualified trainer
- Free 10-minute puppy prep call, including advice on choosing a breed
- Mini seminar series on adolescent dogs, recall, loose lead walking and over-excitement
- Online shop of collars, leads, treats and training accessories
Location & Contact
Name: Dogs Are Us
Address: Tauranga
Phone: 027 471 1332
Website: dogsareus.co.nz
3Canine Academy & Co
Canine Academy & Co is a dog training and behaviour modification service based in Tauranga, working across Papamoa and Mount Maunganui and travelling into the wider Bay of Plenty and Waikato. Trainer Wendy specialises in behaviour cases, from reactivity, fear and over-arousal through to serious aggression, as well as loose lead walking and general obedience. It suits owners of dogs with established behaviour problems who want a hands-on behaviourist.
Services
- Behaviour consultations, in person or online
- Day Stay and Train sessions with pickup
- One-on-one training and owner coaching
- Reactivity bootcamp programmes
- Responsible Dog Owner (RDO) Club group classes
Highlights
- Trainer holds a BSc in Animal Behaviour (Waikato, 2002) and a Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Animal Behaviour
- Background in USAR search dogs, SPCA work and odour detection
- Scent work and detection training available
Location & Contact
Name: Canine Academy & Co
Address: Tauranga
Phone: 021 0294 8953
Website: canineacademy.co.nz
4Roma Dog Behaviour Academy
Roma Dog Behaviour Academy is a Papamoa-based dog training business led by founder and head trainer Misha, offering in-person lessons across Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Te Puke, Welcome Bay and Papamoa, plus online consultations. The focus is on helping owners understand why their dog behaves the way it does, with training tailored to each household. It suits puppy owners preparing for a new arrival and families working through behaviour problems.
Services
- Basic manners dog training
- Behavioural consultations
- Puppy training programmes and pre-puppy classes
- Puppy and adult dog socialising playdates (Papamoa)
Highlights
- Around six years running in the Tauranga area
- Founder ran an animal rescue for 15 years, rehoming more than 400 animals
- Pack dog walker intensive training course
- Co-created the free SocialDog socialisation app with a veterinarian
- Video call consultations for owners outside the area
Location & Contact
Name: Roma Dog Behaviour Academy
Address: Papamoa, Tauranga
Website: romadogbehaviouracademy.com
5Arrows Canine
Arrows Canine is a Tauranga dog training business run by Lauren, who has worked with dogs for over 15 years across animal control, boarding kennels, daycare and professional training. Group obedience classes are held outdoors, including a beginner course at Sulphur Point, alongside puppy daycare and adventure walks. It suits owners who want group classes and extra exercise and socialisation for their dog. Enquiries are handled by email rather than phone.
Services
- Level 1 Obedience: Everyday Life Skills group course
- Level 2 Obedience: Real-World Progression
- Sports Foundations class, covering nose work and introductory agility
- K9 Kindy puppy-only daycare for dogs under 5 months
- Adventure walks
Highlights
- Trainer holds a Bachelor of Animal Behaviour, Ecology and Biodiversity from Waikato University
- President of the Mount Maunganui Dog Training Club
- Six-week outdoor courses with a reduced rate for returning clients
Location & Contact
Name: Arrows Canine
Address: Tauranga
Website: arrowscanines.co.nz
Dog Trainers in Tauranga at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Journey Dog Training | Founder holds a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Behaviour from... |
| Dogs Are Us | NDTF qualified trainer |
| Canine Academy & Co | Trainer holds a BSc in Animal Behaviour (Waikato |
| Roma Dog Behaviour Academy | Around six years running in the Tauranga area |
| Arrows Canine | Trainer holds a Bachelor of Animal Behaviour |
How to Choose the Right Dog Trainer in Tauranga
- Training methods: ask how the trainer uses rewards and what tools they recommend. Positive reinforcement and clear communication are the standard for modern pet dog training.
- Qualifications and experience: look for formal study in animal behaviour or a recognised dog trainer qualification, plus hands-on experience with dogs like yours.
- Group class or private session: puppy school and obedience classes suit social learning, while reactivity, aggression and anxiety are usually better handled one-on-one.
- Behaviour versus obedience: for serious problems such as aggression or separation anxiety, choose a trainer who specialises in behaviour modification and will work with your vet if needed.
- Location and format: check whether sessions are in your home, at an outdoor venue or online, and whether your suburb falls within the trainer’s travel area.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tauranga Dog Trainers
When should I start puppy training?
Most puppy classes take pups from around 8 weeks once they have had their second vaccination, and some trainers offer pre-puppy sessions before your puppy comes home. Starting early makes the most of the socialisation window, when puppies adapt most easily to new people, dogs and places.
How much does dog training cost in Tauranga?
Pricing varies by format. Group courses are usually charged per multi-week course, while private in-home sessions and behaviour consultations cost more per hour because they are tailored to one dog. Many trainers publish their rates or packages online, so compare what each session includes before booking.
Can a dog trainer help with a reactive or aggressive dog?
Yes, but look for a trainer who specialises in behaviour modification rather than general obedience. Reactivity and aggression are normally worked on in private sessions, at your dog’s pace, and progress depends on consistent practice at home between visits.
Do I need to register my dog before attending training?
Every dog in Tauranga must be registered with the council by three months of age, and registration is renewed each year. You can check the rules and register online through Tauranga City Council dog registration.
What are an owner’s legal responsibilities for dog control?
Owners must keep their dog under control, register it and prevent it from causing a nuisance or danger. The full obligations are set out in the Dog Control Act 1996, and good obedience training makes meeting them far easier.
Is there a dog trainer near Papamoa or Mount Maunganui?
Yes. Several dog trainers in Tauranga travel to homes in Papamoa, Mount Maunganui and Welcome Bay, and some run outdoor group classes at venues around the city, such as Sulphur Point. Check each trainer’s service area when you enquire, as travel charges can apply beyond a set distance.
Is online dog training worth it?
Video consultations work well for questions, puppy preparation and follow-up support, and are useful if you live outside a trainer’s travel area. For hands-on handling, loose lead walking and complex behaviour cases, in-person sessions are usually more effective.
How long does it take to see results?
Basic obedience skills often improve within a few weeks of consistent practice. Behaviour problems take longer, and results depend on your dog’s temperament, history and how consistently the plan is followed at home.
How We Chose the Best Dog Trainers in Tauranga
Every business in this guide was found by searching for dog trainers in Tauranga, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Tauranga, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.