Certified Dog Trainers in Chandler: Credentials and How to Choose

General training information. For aggression, sudden behavior changes or health concerns, see your veterinarian first.

If you live in Chandler and want help with a new puppy, a dog who pulls on the leash, or a dog who panics when the doorbell rings, you will find a lot of people offering training. Some hold professional certifications. Some do not. This guide explains what the common credentials mean, lists the certified trainers we could verify who work in or near Chandler, and gives you a checklist of questions to ask before you hire anyone.

We have not tested, hired or observed any of these trainers. We are not ranking them or telling you who is the best. We are laying out what each one publicly states so you can compare fairly.

Dog training is unregulated, so credentials matter

Dog training is generally not a licensed profession. In most places, anyone can call themselves a dog trainer, a behaviorist or a "certified" trainer without passing any independent exam. That is why it helps to ask what a title actually means and who issues it.

A credential does not guarantee a good fit or a particular result. It does tell you that someone chose to be assessed by an outside organization, and usually that they agreed to follow its standards. Treat it as one piece of information, along with the trainer's methods, communication style and how well they work with your dog.

What the common credentials mean

You will see several sets of letters. Here is a plain-language overview. For exact requirements, always check the issuing organization's own website, because these rules change.

CPDT-KA and CCPDT

CCPDT is the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. It is an independent certifying body, and it keeps an online directory of certified trainers. CPDT-KA is the title of Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed. The "knowledge assessed" part means the trainer passed an exam. Three of the four trainers listed below hold this credential, and the CCPDT directory profile for one of them also lists ABCSDT.

KPA-CTP

KPA-CTP stands for Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner. It comes from a school focused on reward-based, marker-style training. None of the trainers we could verify for the Chandler area lists this credential, so check the Karen Pryor Academy directory if this one matters to you.

IAABC

IAABC is the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. It certifies behavior consultants, which is a different role from a trainer who teaches manners and basic skills. If your dog has serious fear, anxiety or aggression, an IAABC-certified consultant is one type of professional to look for. We found no behavior professionals with a verified Chandler listing, so check the IAABC directory yourself.

Other letters you may see

Some of the listings below also mention ABCDT and ABCSDT, which are credentials from a separate certifying organization. Others mention being an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator or an APDT member. An evaluator role means the person can test dogs for the Canine Good Citizen program. Membership in an association is not the same as a certification. Ask what each one means and how it was earned.

Certified trainers listed for the Chandler area

These are the certified trainers we found whose listed service areas include Chandler or that sit close by. Only what each source states is reported here. We found no certified behavior professionals with a verified Chandler listing, so none appear below.

Trainer	Business	Credentials listed	Area listed
Julie Yvonne Davis	Kaleidoscope Dog Services LLC	CPDT-KA; the CCPDT directory profile also lists ABCSDT	Based in Gilbert; serves Gilbert, Queen Creek, Mesa and Chandler
Ashley Theis	See Ash Go Dog Training	CPDT-KA, ABCDT, ABCSDT; AKC CGC Approved Evaluator; APDT member	Queen Creek and surrounding cities
Staff of East Valley K9 Services (Steve Watson is the trainer named on the page)	East Valley K9 Services / Angel Dogs Animal Assisted Therapy & Intervention	CPDT-KA and AKC Canine Good Citizen Certified Evaluator, listed as other qualifications (not tied to one named person)	Mesa; a services page says classes are held in the Chandler area and that it serves Mesa, Chandler and Phoenix
Sharon Witherspoon	Not stated	CPDT-KA; also listed as a licensed Victoria Stilwell trainer	Gilbert

Several of these trainers are based in neighboring cities. If you are looking for a dog trainer near Chandler, that is normal in the East Valley, but it affects travel, scheduling and where lessons take place.

Pros and cons for each option

The points below come only from what each trainer's public listing says. They are not reviews. We cannot speak to anyone's teaching quality, so talk to each one directly.

Julie Yvonne Davis, Kaleidoscope Dog Services LLC

Pros: The CCPDT directory profile lists CPDT-KA and ABCSDT. Chandler is named in her service area.
Cons: She is based in Gilbert, so ask whether lessons happen at your home, a park or elsewhere, and whether travel to Chandler changes the schedule or cost. Check the business site for services and fees.

Ashley Theis, See Ash Go Dog Training

Pros: The business site lists the most credentials of anyone here: CPDT-KA, ABCDT, ABCSDT, plus AKC CGC Approved Evaluator and APDT membership. The AKC evaluator role may suit owners working toward the Canine Good Citizen test.
Cons: The listing names Queen Creek and surrounding cities, not Chandler specifically. Ask whether she works with Chandler clients and where.

East Valley K9 Services

Pros: A services page says classes are held in the Chandler area, and the business serves Mesa, Chandler and Phoenix. CPDT-KA and AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator are listed as qualifications.
Cons: The credential list is not attributed to one person. Steve Watson is the trainer named on the page, so ask who would actually work with your dog and which credentials that person holds.

Sharon Witherspoon

Pros: A directory listing shows CPDT-KA and a Victoria Stilwell trainer license.
Cons: The listing gives no business name, and it places her in Gilbert without naming Chandler. Ask about service area, format and fees before you plan around her.

Good fit by use case

This is not a ranking. It is a way to match what a listing says to what you need.

You want a trainer who lists Chandler as a service area: Julie Yvonne Davis lists Chandler directly, and East Valley K9 Services lists Chandler classes and service.
You want the longest list of credentials: Ashley Theis lists the most, including the AKC evaluator role. Confirm her Chandler availability.
You are working toward a Canine Good Citizen title: Ashley Theis and East Valley K9 Services both list AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator status.
You prefer a group class setting: East Valley K9 Services mentions classes in the Chandler area. Ask about class size, schedule and vaccine requirements.
Your dog has serious aggression or fear: Start with your veterinarian, then ask for a referral to a certified behavior professional. A general obedience trainer may not be the right first step.

A checklist of questions to ask any trainer

Use these with every trainer you speak to, certified or not. A good trainer will be happy to answer them.

Which certifications do you hold, and can I look you up in the issuing organization's directory?
What training methods do you use? Do you use only reward-based, humane methods?
Do you ever use shock, prong or choke collars, or physical corrections? (The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior advises against aversive methods, and you should walk away if the answer is yes.)
What happens in a first session, and how will you assess my dog?
Will you work with me and my family, or only with the dog?
Where do lessons take place, and do you travel to Chandler?
What are your fees, what do they include, and is there a package or cancellation policy?
What vaccines and veterinary clearance do you require?
How do you handle a dog who is scared or overwhelmed during training?
What happens if the training is not working? Who do you refer to for behavior concerns?
Are you insured, and do you carry first-aid knowledge for pets?
Can I watch a class or a session before committing?

Be cautious of anyone who promises guaranteed results or fast fixes. Dogs are individuals, and progress depends on practice at home.

Chandler rules to keep in mind while you train

Training goes more smoothly when you have the basics covered. Maricopa County Animal Care and Control says dogs over three months old must be licensed, and that a current rabies vaccination is required to get or renew a license. The county also says a dog off the owner's property must be on a leash of no more than six feet and under the owner's control. Chandler's own city code was not available for us to confirm, so check with the county or the City of Chandler for the current rules.

The City of Chandler lists dog parks at Paseo Vista Recreation Area, Shawnee Park, Snedigar Sportsplex and Nozomi Park. The city's dog park rules say dogs must be licensed and vaccinated and kept on a leash until they are inside the fenced area. These parks can be a useful place to practice recall, but your dog should have solid basics first.

Summer heat matters too. Mesa Animal Control, quoted by KJZZ, advises checking pavement before walks and walking dogs in cooler parts of the day. Schedule outdoor lessons accordingly.

Verdict: how to choose

There is no single right answer, and we are not naming a winner. Every trainer in this list holds at least one recognized credential, so the credential is a good starting point but not a decision-maker.

Narrow your choices by service area first, then by methods, then by format. A trainer who lists Chandler, uses humane reward-based methods, and fits your schedule and budget is a stronger match than the longest list of letters. Speak to two or three people, use the checklist above, and pay attention to how comfortable your dog is in the first meeting.

If your dog bites, lunges at people or shows sudden behavior changes, see your veterinarian first. Pain and illness can cause behavior problems. For aggression toward people, work with both a veterinarian and a certified behavior professional rather than a general obedience class.

Credentials, service areas and fees can change. Confirm everything directly with each trainer and with the certifying organizations.