Analyzing 8,043,4988M ReviewsFor 22,80322.8K Experts
We graded 7 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.
From 12,387 Google reviews of 82 top-rated dog trainers nationwide; 7 of them in Syracuse, NY. Updated November 3, 2026.
Pick the job — we re-rank companies by how customers rated that exact job.
Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of dog trainers).
| # | Company | ScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. | FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Reliability (24%): How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Craft & service (0%): Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Replies to reviews (7%): How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20. | ★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps. | Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews). |
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| 1 |  Sit Means Sit Dog Training SyracuseSyracuse, NY | A 93How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%96+52.4Reliability 24%97+23.5Value 14%95+13.4Replies to reviews 7%48+3.4Experts Score= 93Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAC | 4.92 | — |
| 2 |  Blue Prints Dog StudioSyracuse, NY | A 92How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%96+56.3Reliability 26%94+24.5Value 15%73+11.1Experts Score= 92Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–BA– | 4.94 | — |
| 3 |  The Pawsitive Center for Dogs IncSyracuse, NY | A 84How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%84+49.3Reliability 26%75+19.6Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 84Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | ABAAA– | 4.85 | — |
| 4 |  Syracuse Obedience Training ClubSyracuse, NY | A 81How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%85+46.4Reliability 24%97+23.5Value 14%87+12.3Replies to reviews 7%13+0.9Momentum penalty80−2Experts Score= 81Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AAF | 4.86 | — |
| 5 |  Master's Way Dog TrainingSyracuse, NY | B 79How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%83+45.3Reliability 24%76+18.4Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%24+1.7Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 79Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | ABAAAD | 4.86 | — |
| 6 |  Off Leash K9 Training, SyracuseSyracuse, NY | B 69How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%75+40.9Reliability 24%47+11.4Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%30+2.1Experts Score= 69Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BCAA–D | 4.81 | — |
| 7 |  CNY Canine AcademySyracuse, NY | B 63How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%67+36.5Reliability 24%46+11.2Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%37+2.6Craft & service penalty85−1.5Momentum penalty96−0.4Experts Score= 63Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BCAAAD | 4.76 | — |
What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.
| Job | Low25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this. | TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range). | High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this. | FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”. |
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How the 7 dog trainers we rated in Syracuse, NY compare, and what customers praise most.
A = score 80+, F = below 20.
Average stars per company.
Share of Google review highlights.
All price verdicts left with reviews.
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.
Reliability (24%) — How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.
Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.
Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.
Replies to reviews (7%) — How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
The 7 best-rated dog trainers in Syracuse, NY average 4.9★ on Google across 981 reviews. Sit Means Sit Dog Training Syracuse has the top rating (4.9★). Updated November 3, 2026.
7 companies that meet our bar: rated 4.5★ or higher on Google, with a meaningful review history (981 reviews combined) and currently operating. Request a call back and the company will phone you directly.
“Everyone there is so wonderful and kind. Both to me, and to my dog Rip. The three day training classes provided has seen immediate improvement in his temperament. Would recommend to anyone looking to get some…” — Google review
“Training with Rick has made a world of a difference for our dog and us. He showed so much dedication to our dog and our personal growth in helping him succeed, and was constantly accessible to us over the course of…” — Google review
“The Club is a great group of folks with an excellent and well-run facility. Like most AKC affiliated dog clubs, they are a volunteer organization that offer training classes in dog obedience, agility and a host of…” — Google review
“Amazing doggy daycare, grooming, and training! Does great with my reactive dog. Staff are very knowledgeable about dog behavior and reactivity. My dog absolutely loves going here! Her favorite word is “daycare.” We…” — Google review
“10/10 daycare for your dog. Very friendly and attentive staff, clean environment, regular updates (if needed), clear communication on training classes or holiday closures. Close to SU and hours support most working…” — Google review
“We cannot thank Rose our trainer enough for the amazing work she did with our pup to work on all the basic and advanced commands. She is like a new pup. Take the time to get training and ask for Rose you won’t regret it.” — Google review
“Leah is amazing! She helped my very nervous boy, who was afraid to leave the house, be a happy, confident dog! She also helped my drama queen husky get over his reactivity and play well with others. Leah taught me…” — Google review
We scan Google Maps for dog trainer listings in and around Syracuse, keep only open businesses whose main category matches the service, and require a Google rating of at least 4.5 from at least 20 reviews. Companies are ordered by a confidence-weighted score that balances rating and review volume. We do not accept payment for placement.
Sit Means Sit Dog Training Syracuse has the highest Google rating on our Syracuse list: 4.9 out of 5 from 443 reviews (as of November 3, 2026).
Sit Means Sit Dog Training Syracuse has the most Google reviews among the companies listed here: 443, with a 4.9★ average.
Only open Syracuse-area businesses whose Google category matches the service, rated at least 4.5★ from at least 20 Google reviews. They are ordered by a confidence-weighted score of rating and review volume. Placement is never paid.
Analyzing 8,043,4988M ReviewsFor 22,80322.8K Experts