Live a Happier Life with Your Furry Friend
How It Works
We offer a wide range of dog training programs designed to fit your goals, whether you need board and train, private lessons, puppy training, or group classes. Each program is led by certified trainers, with flexible scheduling and lifetime support after graduation.
Free Evaluation
We assess your dog’s needs and create a personalized plan that fits your lifestyle.
Customized Training Plan
Certified trainers guide you and your dog through proven, positive methods for behavior improvement.
Hands-On Training
Choose from in-home, mobile, or facility-based programs designed for lasting results.
Ongoing Support
Receive tools, guidance, and follow-ups to maintain progress and reinforce skills at home.
Our Dog Training Programs
and Services
Meet Your Dog Trainers
Every dog trainer on the The Dog Wizard Sarasota team is extensively trained and experienced in balanced training techniques that address a range of behavioral issues to help your dog reach their full potential.
Josh Wubenna
Manager
Josh is a Florida native, born and raised in the Clearwater area. His love and passion for animals came from a young age. Growing up on a farm he has experienced the ins and outs of animal care and behavior since a kid. Specifically, his affinity for dogs came from the family fostering dogs on their property, as many as 13 at a time! As an adult he has held different positions in the business world, but his love for dogs brought him back to working with the Dog Wizard. "Working with dogs has been the most rewarding job, seeing the positive change in not only the dog's behavior, but the relationship between human and dog changing for the better is amazing.
Emily West
Trainer
Emily was born and raised in San Diego, California before moving to Florida. She has always had a passion for animals, from riding horses at a young age and always having dogs in the family. She has been in the animal industry for 9+ years, ranging from managing a successful dog daycare, to animal nutrition, and now dog training at The Dog Wizard. Dog training is a passion for Emily and has been such a rewarding job for her. Helping dogs become the best version of themselves and live a happy stress free life is what brings her great joy!
Liz Colon
Trainer
Hello, I?m Liz and I?ve been working as a dog behavioralist for well over 20 years. Originally from NYC, I began my career as a pet trainer teaching basic obedience and leash manners. It wasn't until I was fully emerged in the pet industry that I saw a need to help owners and their aggressive or anxious dogs. Helping a dog work through fear or anxiety has been the cornerstone of my career. Teaching an owner and a dog to relate in a new relationship is the joy that continuously gives back. The one thing I've learned from dogs is living in the moment, and if we stop to live that moment with them and view the world through their eyes we would have a better appreciation of all the small wonders in life.
See What Other Dog Owners are Saying
Our trainer, Emily, was truly exceptional. From the very first conversation, she took the time to listen to our family’s concerns about Raven as well as our goals for her. It was clear that every part of Raven’s program was thoughtfully designed with intention and expertise.
Raven completed the 10-day board-and-train, and the level of care she received was absolutely top-notch. Not only did she come home in amazing condition, but she returned with so many new skills and a level of confidence we’d been hoping to see. The transformation was remarkable.
One of the things I appreciated most was the outstanding communication throughout Raven’s stay. We were out of town during her training, and receiving consistent updates and detailed training videos made us feel connected, informed, and completely reassured the entire time.
The support doesn’t end after drop off, either. The ongoing support group is such an awesome resource, and we are genuinely excited to be part of it as we continue Raven’s training journey at home.
Thank you, Emily, for your time, your patience, and your dedication to helping Raven and our family. This experience exceeded every expectation we had. Highly recommend to anyone looking for trustworthy, compassionate, and effective dog training.
Josh is amazing. The bond he built with Marvin to ensure trust on all sides, his consistent communication, and the confidence he gave us as owners were unmatched.
Now, Marvin is a completely different dog. He’s calm, confident, and actually listens (!!!). The lifetime support this place offers: bi-weekly group sessions, at-home visits, Facebook community, and always being available for questions—is just incredible.
Truly, go here for any and all dog training needs, you can trust them. Brain, the owner, has such amazing values and has built a team that takes such care of the animals. We started with the school drop-off program but later switched to board and train to better match Marvin and our needs. They were so flexible and supportive every step of the way.
This place truly changed our lives with Marvin, and I can’t recommend them enough.
About The Dog Wizard Sarasota
Our dog training goes beyond basic commands like Sit, Come, and Down. Our approach focuses on helping your dog make better choices and respond to you instead of their impulses.
We cover all the essential obedience commands you need to communicate effectively with your dog. But more importantly, we teach your dog to stay engaged and follow through with these commands, even in the most distracting environments.
Our goal is to enhance your dog’s understanding of obedience, making it a natural part of their behavior, not just a few tricks they perform when they feel like it.
Why Choose The Dog Wizard
Magical Methodologies
All of our trainers use balanced training techniques that are proven to be effective in and out of the classroom.
Everywhere Dogs Are
With over 100 locations — the majority of them being mobile — we have the ability to bring balanced dog training right to you.
Trained to Transform
Our knowledgeable trainers complete a rigorous dog training curriculum through The Dog Wizard Academy that teaches them methods that truly work
A Lifetime of Support
Those who complete our obedience programs have access to indefinite group class training support.