Recommended Professional Dog Trainers

– Revised March 2025 –

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.

Michelle Charboneau is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and owner of Pooch Positive Training. She serves St. Louis and St. Charles Counties. She provides private in home lessons for basic manners and offers a reduced fee for the initial consultation for shelter pets. 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, Karen Pryor Academy Training Partner, Fear Free Certified Professional, and Family Paws Parent Education Licensed Educator. Gail serves the Metro East area of Illinois. She provides private in home lessons as well as online lessons for a variety of situations including polite manners, advanced skills, dog interactions with kids, and dog preparation for a new baby. She offers discounts for newly adopted shelter dogs. She can be reached at 618.960.9920 or visit her website: familydogswithgail.com.

Bill Giese owns By My Side Dogs Training and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Fear Free Certified Professional. He offers in-home private lessons for a variety of situations including puppy training, basic skills, and fearful dogs. 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 as well as Fear Free Certified Animal Trainer. She serves the St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Northern Jefferson County, and Metro East area offering private in-home dog or puppy training, as well as group dog or puppy classes. You can contact her through her website: persuadedpooch.com.

Beth Newcom is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner and Fear Free Certified Trainer who owns Talented Tales Training. She serves the Rosewood Heights area (Bethalto, Alton, Wood River, etc.) and offers virtual training and consultations for those outside her service area. Beth offers private in-home sessions for a variety of situations including shy dogs, newly adopted dog training, basic skills, and behavior modification. Visit her website: talentedtails.com, email her at:  [email protected] or text 618.258.7448.

Shelley Pryor is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, and Fear Free Certified Professional 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 as well as virtual lessons. She offers training for a variety of situations including new adoptions, shy or anxious dogs, and puppy training.

Marc Scher is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Certified Behavior Consultant Canine, Fear Free Certified Trainer, and owner of The Way of the Dog. He offers private, in-home training in the greater St. Louis area for a variety of situations including basic manners, fearful dogs, and high energy dogs. Email Marc at [email protected] or call 314.218.0565.

Sue Schulze is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, CGC Evaluator, and owner of Best Behavior Pet Training LLC. She provides in home lessons dealing with behavior issues such as aggression, separation anxiety, housebreaking, and basic obedience training. Visit her website bestbehaviorpettraining.net or call/text 314.607.1913.

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.