01 / PUPPY DEVELOPMENT
Confident from the start.
Engagement, thoughtful exposure, life skills, and a foundation for the places you hope to go together.
Private dog training · Greater St. Louis
More than
good behavior.
From calmer everyday routines to your next training challenge, build skills and confidence together. Your starting point matters more than having an impressive goal.
Request your $50 assessmentThe approach
Built around your dog. And your ambitions.
Some people want a puppy who can confidently join them everywhere. Others dream of advanced heeling, dependable off-leash work, retrieving, tricks, or stepping into dog sports. There's room for both here.
Private training is designed around your dog's needs and your goals. We determine an appropriate lesson plan after meeting you and your dog, rather than assigning everyone the same package.
Lesson frequency can be adjusted to suit your schedule and help you manage the pace of your investment. The total training needed depends on your goals and progress.
Where we can go
From first steps to extraordinary skills.
Practical training, technical precision, and a little ambition. We focus on what will make life with your dog more rewarding.
02 / ADVANCED OBEDIENCE
Precision with purpose.
Advanced heeling, distance work, off-leash reliability, retrieving, and polished responses beyond the basics.
03 / SPORT FOUNDATIONS
Find your next challenge.
Develop engagement, handling, and advanced foundations for activities such as rally, obedience, tricks, and other suitable pursuits. Specific sport coaching depends on the discipline.
04 / SPECIALIZED SKILLS
Teach something remarkable.
Complex behavior chains, purposeful retrievals, and individualized task-training skills informed by service-dog training experience.
Select behavior modification cases are considered individually. Serious safety concerns and aggression histories require screening before an assessment can be offered.
How it works
A clear path. Your own pace.
STEP 01
Tell me about your dog.
Complete the application about your dog, your goals, and what you’re hoping to accomplish. I’ll follow up within three days to answer questions and discuss an assessment. You’re welcome to call or email, too.
STEP 02
Meet for an assessment.
I’ll help arrange a one-hour, $50 assessment, typically at your home, and supply the client intake and vet record forms directly. No obligation to enroll in training.
STEP 03
Build your training plan.
If we're a good fit, we'll recommend a personalized program. Lesson count and pacing reflect your needs, goals, and availability.
Training should be something you look forward to
Not just a better-behaved dog. A better partnership.
Our aim is to help you enjoy the process as much as the progress, whether you're working toward an exceptionally reliable companion or your first advanced performance goal.
Plan your investment
Clear costs. Individual goals.
Lessons are $150 each. Most new-client programs include 6–12 lessons ($900–$1,800), plus approximately $50–$300 in equipment. The $50 assessment and any applicable travel fees are additional. Your recommendation and costs are discussed before you enroll.
New clients begin with a personalized program. Standalone lessons are available to existing clients only.
Training where life happens
At home and out in the world.
Based in Arnold and serving Greater St. Louis, with other locations considered by arrangement. Travel beyond 30 minutes from Arnold carries an additional commute fee; contact me to discuss your location and travel costs.
Current and past clients may also join occasional group practice and outings when offered. These opportunities are announced separately and are not a guaranteed part of a private program.
Learning at both ends of the leash
Understand it. Practice it. Make it yours.
My job is to teach you as well as your dog. I explain the purpose of each exercise, demonstrate it, and guide you through practice so you can keep building skills independently.
Train the dog in front of you.
Your dog's motivation, comfort, environment, and daily routines help shape the plan. Your time, confidence, and ability to practice matter, too.
Keep learning worthwhile.
We practice in manageable steps and build useful skills for daily life. I adapt the work when the dog or person needs a different explanation or a more manageable exercise.
Build a partnership.
Ask questions, practice, and celebrate useful progress. A relaxed walk or a reliable everyday routine deserves as much care as a polished advanced skill.
Good to know
Questions before you begin?
Do I need to know what kind of program I want?
Not at all. The assessment is where we'll talk through your goals, evaluate your dog's starting point, and determine a sensible direction together.
Can I book a standalone lesson?
Standalone lessons are available to existing clients only. New clients start with an assessment and a personalized program, typically 6–12 lessons. Recommendations depend on your dog, goals, and progress.
Where do assessments take place?
Most assessments happen in your home so we can understand the everyday environment and dynamics. A public location may be arranged in select situations.
Do you work with behavior challenges or aggression?
Some behavior modification cases are accepted after individual safety and suitability screening. Not every aggression case is appropriate for an in-home, one-trainer service, and referrals may be recommended.
Can you help me get into dog sports?
We can help develop strong foundations for several disciplines and discuss the specific activities you're interested in. For discipline-specific coaching beyond my experience, I can discuss an appropriate next step or referral.
Your first step
Let's see what your dog can do.
Begin with a 60-minute assessment, typically in your home. We'll discuss your dog's behavior, your goals, and the best path forward. You're never obligated to enroll in training afterward.
One-hour assessment
$50
Personalized discussion and observation · Usually in-home · No obligation to enroll
Request your assessmentComplete the application and I’ll follow up within three days to answer questions and arrange an assessment.