Recommended Professional Dog Trainers

– Revised January 2023 –

This page contains contact information for dog trainers in the St. Louis and Metro East areas. These trainers have all worked with the Humane Society of Missouri and utilize effective, humane methods that make training fun. Many hold multiple certifications with a variety of organizations. For serious problems such as aggression, always contact your veterinarian first to schedule an examination and any appropriate medical tests.  Your veterinarian may also recommend consulting with a Veterinary Behavior Specialist.

The Greater Saint Louis Training Club offers group puppy and family dog training. Contact them at gsltc.org. Trainers are volunteers who attend Continuing Education events throughout the year. Many hold certifications from well-known training organizations. They follow guidelines set by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.

Bob Brasses is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner. Bob owns The Pawsitive K-9 and offers private as well as group sessions. He serves the Southwest St. Louis County area. Bob can be reached by phone at 314.651.7364 or visit his website: thepawdog.com.

Michelle Charboneau is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and owner of Pooch Positive Training. She serves St. Louis and St. Charles Counties. She can be reached at 314.277.9075 or visit her website PoochPositiveTraining.com or email her at [email protected].

Gail Czarnecki-Maulden is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and a Karen Pryor Academy Training Partner. Gail serves the Metro East area of Illinois. She can be reached at 618.960.9920 or visit her website: GailCzarneckiDogTraining.com.

Bill Giese owns By My Side Dogs Training and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. He offers group and in-home private lessons. Bill serves the St. Louis Area and can be contacted at [email protected] or visit his website: bymysidedog.com.

Sarah Hoth owns The Persuaded Pooch and is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner. She serves the St. Louis and Metro East area offering private in-home training. You can contact her at 314.609.1094 or visit her website: persuadedpooch.com.

Camelia Isbell is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner and owns Savvy Dog’s Choice, LLC. Camelia teaches group classes and can be contacted at [email protected] or visit her website savvydogschoice.com for more information.

Beth Newcom is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner who owns Talented Tales Training. She serves the Rosewood Heights area (Bethalto, Alton, Wood River, etc.). Beth offers private in-home sessions. Visit her website: talentedtails.com, email her at:  [email protected], or call 618.258.7448.

Shelley Pryor is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training partner who owns Spry Dog Training. Her website is  spry.dog or email her at [email protected] or call 314.616.8959. Shelley offers private lessons in the St. Louis area.

Marc Scher is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Certified Behavior Consultant Canine and owner of The Way of the Dog. He offers private, in-home training in the greater St. Louis area. Email Marc at [email protected] or call 314.218.0565.

Although the Humane Society has experience with each of the above trainers, owners should always talk to the trainers personally, visit one of their classes, and then decide if that trainer is one they are comfortable working with.