Certified Dog Trainers in Chesapeake: Credentials and How to Choose

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

If you are looking for a certified dog trainer in Chesapeake, the first surprise is how many letters trainers put after their names. The second surprise is that anyone can print a business card that says "dog trainer."

This guide explains what the common credentials mean, lists the certified trainers we have on record for the Chesapeake area, and gives you a checklist of questions to ask before you book. We do not rank anyone. Many owners hope for a list of the best dog trainers in Chesapeake, but credentials and fit matter more than a ranking, and only you can judge fit for your dog.

Dog Training Is Unregulated in Virginia

Dog training is not a licensed profession the way veterinary medicine is. We have found no Chesapeake or Virginia licensing exam that a trainer must pass to charge for lessons. If you want to confirm that for yourself, check with the City of Chesapeake and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

That means a certification is a voluntary signal. It tells you a trainer chose to be tested, to follow a code of conduct, or to keep learning. It does not guarantee a good fit or a particular result. It is simply a better starting point than a trainer who offers no credentials at all.

What the Credentials Mean

Here is a plain-words guide to the letters you will see. For exact requirements, always read the certifying body's own website.

CCPDT

CCPDT stands for the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. It is an independent certifying body, not a trainer or a school. It runs a public directory of certified dog trainers, which is a handy place to confirm someone's status.

CPDT-KA

CPDT-KA means Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed. It is awarded by the CCPDT. A trainer earns it by passing an exam and meeting its requirements, and it is renewed over time through continuing education.

CBCC-KA

CBCC-KA means Certified Behavior Consultant Canine, Knowledge Assessed. It is also a CCPDT credential. It is aimed at people who work on behavior problems such as fear or reactivity, not just basic manners.

KPA-CTP

KPA-CTP means Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner. It comes from a school, the Karen Pryor Academy, rather than from an independent council. It reflects completion of that program's reward-based coursework. We have no KPA-CTP trainer on record for Chesapeake, but you may see the letters elsewhere.

IAABC

IAABC is the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. It is a membership and accreditation organization for behavior consultants. Some trainers hold IAABC accreditation and list it alongside other credentials.

Other credentials you may see

Some trainers list extras such as Fear Free Certified or a family-focused educator license. These show added training in specific areas. They are not a substitute for a core dog training or behavior credential, but they can tell you what a trainer cares about.

Certified Trainers on Record for Chesapeake

These are the only certified trainers we can point to. Credentials are described as the listing sources report them. This is not a complete picture of every trainer who works in or near Chesapeake, and we cannot vouch for anyone's results. Confirm each person's current status and service area directly.

Trainer	Business	Credentials listed	Area per source	Where listed
Andrea Marx	Freak On A Leash, LLC	CPDT-KA; CBCC-KA (CCPDT directory). The business team page also lists CDBC, FDM, FFCP.	CCPDT profile address is Virginia Beach. The business lists a Chesapeake location at 2536 Centerville Turnpike S, Chesapeake, VA 23322.	CCPDT directory; business website
Cheryl Shomo	Freak On A Leash (no business name on the CCPDT profile)	CPDT-KA; CBCC-KA; Fear Free Certified	CCPDT profile address is Virginia Beach. Offers private in-home training and virtual appointments. Chesapeake service area not confirmed.	CCPDT directory
Sarah Connor	Barks and Rec, Inc.	IAABC Accredited; Force-Free Dog Trainer (ADT); Licensed Family Paws Parent Educator; graduate of CATCH Canine Trainers Academy	3065 Tyre Neck Rd., Chesapeake, VA 23321, per a DogTrainerLocator profile	Trainer's own website
Scott Casino	Not stated	CPDT-KA	Chesapeake, VA	DogTrainerLocator.com, which is not the CCPDT's own directory

Behavior Professionals

We do not have a Chesapeake-based behavior professional on record. Two of the people above hold the CBCC-KA credential, and one holds IAABC accreditation, so those are worth asking about if your dog has a behavior problem. For a larger search, check the IAABC and CCPDT websites directly.

Pros and Cons of Each Option

Every option has trade-offs. These come only from what the listings say.

Andrea Marx, Freak On A Leash, LLC

Pros: Two credentials confirmed in the CCPDT directory, including a behavior credential. The business lists a Chesapeake location.
Cons: The CCPDT profile shows a Virginia Beach address, so ask which services happen at the Chesapeake location. Extra credentials on the team page come from the business itself, so verify any you care about.

Cheryl Shomo, Freak On A Leash

Pros: CPDT-KA and CBCC-KA in the CCPDT directory, plus Fear Free Certified. Private in-home and virtual appointments can suit busy households or dogs who struggle in busy places.
Cons: Chesapeake service is not confirmed, so you would need to ask whether travel to your address is offered. Group classes are not mentioned in the listing.

Sarah Connor, Barks and Rec, Inc.

Pros: A Chesapeake address on a directory profile. Credentials include IAABC accreditation and a force-free designation, which fits the humane approach we recommend. Family Paws education may interest expecting parents.
Cons: Credentials are taken from the trainer's own website, so check them with the issuing bodies. The business site gives no street address, so confirm where sessions happen.

Scott Casino

Pros: CPDT-KA and a Chesapeake listing.
Cons: The listing names no business and comes from a directory that is not the CCPDT's own. Confirm the credential in the CCPDT directory and ask how to reach the trainer and what services are offered.

Best For: Matching a Trainer to Your Situation

No trainer fits every dog. Here is how the listings line up with common needs.

Behavior concerns such as fear or reactivity: Look first at those holding behavior credentials, which are the CBCC-KA holders and the IAABC accredited trainer on the list.
Training at home or by video: Cheryl Shomo's listing mentions in-home and virtual appointments. Ask whether that includes your part of Chesapeake.
A trainer with a Chesapeake address: Barks and Rec has one on its directory profile, and Freak On A Leash lists a Centerville Turnpike location. Confirm either before you drive.
Families with a new baby on the way: The Family Paws educator license in Sarah Connor's listing may be relevant. Ask what it involves.
Basic manners and a general credential: Any of the CPDT-KA holders could fit. Ask about their class format and what a typical session looks like.

If you are comparing prices and formats, our guide to dog training in Chesapeake, where to train and what it costs covers the wider picture. We do not have published trainer prices for these four, so ask each one directly.

A Checklist of Questions to Ask Any Trainer

Whether you pick someone from this page or someone you found elsewhere, ask these before you book.

Which certifications do you hold, and can I look you up in the issuing body's directory?
Are you still current on your continuing education?
What training methods do you use? Look for reward-based, force-free answers.
Do you use shock, prong or choke collars? A good answer is no. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior advises against aversive methods, and so do we.
What happens in a first session, and what will I practice at home?
Do you teach private sessions, group classes or both? How many dogs are in a class?
Where do sessions take place, and do you come to my home in Chesapeake?
What vaccines do you require, and how far ahead of class?
What will it cost, how many sessions do most dogs need, and what is your cancellation policy?
How do you handle a dog who is scared or overwhelmed?
Will you work with my veterinarian if my dog has a health concern?
Can you describe your experience with my dog's age, size or breed?

Be cautious about anyone who promises guaranteed results, uses dominance language, or will not explain their methods. A good trainer welcomes your questions.

When to Call a Veterinarian First

Sudden changes in behavior can have a medical cause. Pain, illness and injury can all show up as snapping, hiding, house soiling or restlessness. If your dog is hurt, suddenly acts differently or seems unwell, call your veterinarian.

If your dog has shown aggression toward people, see your veterinarian and also work with a certified behavior professional. Do not rely on group classes or a quick fix for that. Keep everyone safe while you arrange help.

Local Rules to Sort Out Before Training Starts

A few Chesapeake basics are worth having in order before any class. The City of Chesapeake Laws page summarizes Sec. 10-43, which requires dogs four months and older to be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. It also summarizes Sec. 10-62, which requires dogs four months and older to be licensed each calendar year.

PetData, the city's licensing portal, lists a 1-year license at $10.00 for an unaltered dog and $7.00 for a spayed or neutered dog. Licenses expire December 31, and the rabies vaccination must be valid on the date of payment.

The same Laws page summarizes Sec. 10-42, which says dogs must be restrained by a collar or harness and a chain or leash when off the owner's property. That is a good reason to practice loose leash walking early.

Our Verdict

There is no single winner here, and we would be wary of any page that named one. The people listed above each hold a recognized credential, but their listings differ in what they confirm about Chesapeake service, format and specialty.

Our reasoning is simple. For general manners, a CPDT-KA holder with a Chesapeake location or confirmed service area is a sensible start. For fear, reactivity or other behavior concerns, lean toward a behavior credential such as CBCC-KA or IAABC accreditation, and involve your veterinarian. For convenience, ask about in-home or virtual sessions.

Whoever you choose, verify the credential with the issuing body, watch a session if you can, and trust your dog's body language. If your dog looks stressed and the trainer pushes on, it is fine to walk away. Humane, reward-based training should leave both of you more confident.