High Five Dog Training in Baltimore: Positive-Reinforcement Classes for Obedience and Behavior
High Five Dog Training operates group obedience classes and private behavior consultations in Baltimore, focusing on force-free, reward-based methods. The business caters to owners of dogs at any age or training stage, from puppies learning basic commands to adult dogs working through behavioral issues like reactivity or leash pulling. It sits between the large, multipurpose pet chains and the solo trainer working from a home garage.
What High Five Dog Training actually is
High Five uses operant conditioning: dogs earn rewards (treats, toys, play) for correct behavior rather than experiencing corrections for mistakes. The method aligns with certification standards set by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). Classes are held in Baltimore proper, not in a suburb or franchise network, and the training space is dedicated to dogs only. This matters because a shared facility (say, a room at a larger pet center) often means background noise, interruptions, and less control over the training environment.
Services and pricing
Group obedience classes run four weeks per session. Fundamental courses cover sit, down, stay, leave-it, and leash manners; advanced classes layer in impulse control and off-leash work. Group class costs range from $150 to $250 per four-week session depending on class level, with sessions starting regularly enough that a new owner does not wait months to enroll. Private one-on-one sessions are priced at $75 to $125 per hour and are used for behavior problems (aggression, excessive barking, separation anxiety) or dogs that struggle in a group setting.
A typical owner buying four group sessions over a year spends less than $1,000; a dog requiring six to ten private sessions for a specific behavior issue runs $450 to $1,250. Both options cost considerably less than board-and-train programs (where a trainer takes your dog for two to four weeks at $1,500 to $3,000), but they require owner participation and homework.
How it compares to other Baltimore training options
Bark Baltimore, located in Canton, offers similar positive-reinforcement group classes at a comparable price point ($160 to $200 per four-week session). The key difference: Bark Baltimore has a larger facility and multiple instructors, which means more class times to fit around your schedule, but less personalization in a group setting. High Five's smaller scale allows trainers to know each dog's history and adjust exercises mid-session; Bark's size and throughput make that harder.
Other trainers operating in Baltimore advertise aversive methods (choke chains, shock collars, alpha-dog concepts). These are cheaper upfront ($80 to $120 per group session) but contradict current animal behavior science and often produce dogs that suppress behavior rather than understand it. High Five's force-free approach prevents the anxiety and fear responses that aversive training can create.
For board-and-train programs, Meadowvale Kennels (Parkton, outside Baltimore city limits) offers four-week intensive programs at $2,800, with your dog living on-site and the trainer handling all work. This is faster and removes owner inconsistency from the equation, but it does not teach your dog to respond to you specifically, and it is expensive. Board-and-train makes sense only if you are severely time-constrained or your dog has aggression requiring professional management; for most owners, classes at High Five build the relationship and skills you actually need.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
High Five works well for first-time dog owners, owners committed to learning training mechanics alongside their dog, and dogs with mild-to-moderate behavioral issues. Group classes work best for puppies and socially confident dogs; shy or fearful dogs benefit from private sessions first to build confidence before group exposure.
High Five is not the right fit if you need results in days (board-and-train is the only option for that), if your dog has severe aggression toward people or other dogs (that requires a licensed behaviorist, not a trainer, and possibly medication), or if you want a trainer who will use corrections. If your philosophy favors aversive methods, High Five's approach will feel too permissive.
What the first visit involves
A group class typically starts with a 10-minute orientation where the trainer explains the method, shows how to hold the leash, and clarifies what "leaving it" or "releasing" looks like. The remaining 40 to 50 minutes are spent working through a single command, with the trainer moving between handlers to correct leash position or reward timing. You do the handling; the trainer coaches. Expect to take notes or video the demo so you can practice at home.
A private consultation begins with a 15-minute history (age, past training, when the behavior started, what makes it worse or better). The next 45 minutes involve watching your dog and you interact, then the trainer demonstrates a specific exercise and has you repeat it while they coach. You leave with a written plan and, often, a short video of the exercise to reference at home.
Hours, parking, and logistics
High Five holds classes weekday evenings (5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.) and Saturday mornings (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.). The facility sits on a side street in Baltimore with street parking; confirm current address and parking details directly, as venue changes occur occasionally. Private consultations are by appointment and more flexible, available some weekday afternoons and Saturdays. Bring your dog on a standard leash and collar (not a retractable leash), and bring small, soft treats your dog loves.
High Five earns its place in Baltimore because it prioritizes owner education over the illusion of a quick fix. Owners learn how dogs actually learn, and the relationship between handler and dog improves, not just obedience.
