Dog Training
Training the human is the most important part!

CALLING ALL DOGS - LEVELS TRAINING HAS ARRIVED!

Class Descriptions | Register and Pay Online
Macklind Training Schedule | Chesterfield Training Schedule

Click to Calm – Healing the Aggressive Dog with Emma Parsons A two-day seminar designed to give you the necessary tools for managing a reactive dog. REGISTER NOW!

All of our Macklind Avenue obedience classes are offered through a partnership between the Greater St. Louis Training Club, Inc and the Humane Society of Missouri.

Classes at our Chesterfield Valley location are taught by Humane Society of Missouri instructors, many of whom began and continue training with Greater St. Louis Training Club, Inc.

Classes at both locations employ the same curriculum and follow the same format.

Class Descriptions

BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING 101

Behavior and Training 101: This class meets the needs of all dog owners, whether they are enrolling a pet dog class, starting in competition obedience, or looking for help with behavior problems. The session last between 2 to 2-1/2 hours and provides important information and advice about preventing, managing and correcting common behavior problems using modern, humane and scientifically proven methods. Owners are also introduced to positive reinforcement training and commonly used training equipment

DOGS DO NOT COME TO THIS CLASS!

Cost for this session is $20 and includes the presentation, printed handouts and an optional Question and Answer session after the presentation.  All family members are covered under a single registration fee, but the length and format of this class makes it unsuitable for children under the age of 10 .  Once the Behavior and Training session is completed, owners will have an opportunity to register for a class and receive their class materials immediately following this presentation. (Please allow an additional 30-45 minutes for the entire registration process). Instructors are available to answer questions and help direct owners to classes that best meet the owner's and pet's needs.

Chesterfield Valley obedience students can attend any of the Behavior
and Training 101 Classes at Macklind and start classes at
Chesterfield Valley immediately!

Behavior and Training: 101 is a great gift for friends and family
that are new or first-time dog owners!

FAMILY DOG SERIES OF CLASSES
                                                                     
Prerequisite: Behavior and Training 101 All of the classes in this series operate on a punch card system where owners purchase a punch card for 5 classes that they have 8 weeks to complete. The initial cost for one of the Family Dog Classes is $95.00 and includes all of the books and written materials you will need for the entire series. Future punch cards are available for only $75.00. New Humane Society of Missouri Adopters receive a 20% discount on their first punch card.
                                             
For more information and specific class dates, see our Training Schedule.

Puppy Classes00000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000 000000000000000 Pre-Kindergarten : This 45 minute class is for the very young, very small or shy puppies that need a more controlled play environment. Emphasis is on building confidence, dog and people socialization, bite inhibition and a few basic obedience commands. Puppies must be at least 8 weeks of age and have received their first series of immunizations at least 10 days prior to the start of class.

Puppy Kindergarten This hour long class was developed to provide puppies with more opportunities for socialization with other puppies and people. Special emphasis is placed upon developing good bite inhibition. A wide range of puppy issues from house training to chewing and nipping are addressed, and basic skills introduced include sit, down, and come when called. Puppies must be under sixteen weeks of age the first day of class and have received their second set of shots.

Puppy Primary Continues training and socialization where Puppy 1 left off while increasing the emphasis on obedience skills. This class is open to puppies that have attended at least four sessions of our Puppy Kindergarten and begin Puppy Primary less than four weeks after the last day of Puppy Kindergarten.

Puppy Graduate These puppies have mastered all of the basic skills introduced in Primary Class and are working on some of the Family Dog 2 exercises. Students in this class are still enjoying group play sessions with other, similarly schooled puppies. Puppies can remain at this level as long as they continue to demonstrate appropriate play behavior.

Family Dog Basics-Levels 1 through 4: This series of classes takes dogs and their owners from the foundation of all training – attention – to advanced skills such as heeling, sit/stay and a reliable “Come When Called.” Level 1 teaches focus and attention to owner, introduces basic obedience commands, and offers solutions to common behavior problems such as barking and jumping up. Levels 2, 3, and 4 build on the basic commands introduced in Level 1. A dog who graduates from Level 4 is ready to move to competition obedience training, prepare for and take the Canine Good Citizen Test, or just provide well-mannered companionship for its owner.
With this series, as soon as a dog and handler are able to pass the skills test for each level they may move up to the next. 

CUSTOMIZED CLASSES
                                                                      
These classes were developed to provide vital assistance to owners of dogs with a variety of specialized behavior issues that interfere with everyday life. They provide specialized training that cannot easily be found elsewhere. Some have a definite start and stop date and do not operate on a punch card system. Class instructors are highly experienced in their individual area of expertise. Specific class information is listed along with the class descriptions.

Dogs With Issues Class: This owner-only class was developed for both Growly and Shy Dog owners. The class consists of 2 individual three-hour classes where owners learn to recognize signs of arousal and management techniques. Special attention is given to each owner's situation. The cost for this class is $125.00 and includes a class binder with printed materials, appropriate comprehensive workbooks, class supplies, clickers to use in class and hands-on demonstrations with live dogs. PREREQUISITE for this class is the BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING 101 and a private evaluation of your dog by appointment with the class instructor.

Growly Dog Levels 1-3: Does your dog bark or lunge at other dogs or people? In Growly Dog class we will work to help dogs understand that they do not need to resort to aggressive displays in the presence of things that worry them. Once dogs are able to show self-restraint they will be ready to join the Family Dog Series. PREREQUISITE for this class is the BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING 101 and the DOGS WITH ISSUES CLASSES and a private evaluation of your dog by appointment with the class instructor. .

Shy Dog- Level 1:  Is your dog afraid of strange dogs, people or places? In Shy Dog 1 owners learn basic, Classical Conditioning techniques to help their shy dogs relax and gain confidence.  Once dogs have accomplished the skills necessary to become comfortable in the classroom setting, they can move on to the next levels.  PREREQUISITE for this class is the DOGS WITH ISSUES CLASS

Shy Dog - Level 2-3: class focuses more on training but also help the dogs to continue building self-confidence.  Dogs that complete the necessary skills for these levels are ready to move on into the Family Dog Class. Our Shy Dog instructors offer lots of expert, personalized attention tailored to the the needs of each student. The cost for these 8-week classes are $120.00.

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN CLASSES AND TEST

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN PREP CLASS: This is a three week long class that prepares owners to take the Canine Good Citizen (see below). We practice all aspects of the test and offer help in areas where the dog may need more work. Students in this class are able to register at no charge to take the next Canine Good Citizen Test we offer.

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN TEST: Is your dog a Canine Good Citizen? Here is your opportunity to prove it. Take the CGC Test. This test is open to ALL dogs of ALL ages; mixed breeds as well as purebreds. For information on the CGC test, check out the Humane Society of Missouri CGC Information Page. To print out a copy of the registration form, click here.

COMPETITION CLASSES

ADVANCED OBEDIENCE: Prerequisite: Family Dog Level 4, Equivalent Skill, or Trainer Recommendation

Novice for the Obedience Ring: Enter the world of advanced obedience! Graduates of this highly-structured class are ready to participate in obedience trials at the Novice level.

Competition Workshop: Join other experienced handlers and their dogs for open/utility training and practice. Participants must be members of the Greater St. Louis Training Club, Inc.

SPECIALTY CLASSES

Prerequisite: Family Dog Level 2, Equivalent Skill, or Trainer Recommendation

Rally Obedience-Novice and Advanced/Excellent: Rally is a fun and fast-growing sport. Dogs and owners navigate a marked course and perform various exercises as they go through. The fact that owners can talk to their dogs during competition makes this sport more relaxed than traditional competition obedience. This class is suitable for owners who would like to have fun with their dogs while practicing manners, as well as obedience enthusiasts who would like to compete in the sport.

Obedience for Agility Class: This class teaches you what you and your dog need to know and look for when running an agility course. There are many basics that come into play: obviously focus is the key. Sit, Down and Come are just a few of the essential commands. We will work on the course from start to finish and have fun!

Clicker Training Workshop: This class introduces owners to clicker training and how to use it in everyday obedience. It also helps owners become more consistent in rewarding good behavior.

Tricks Workshop:-Levels 1 and 2: Dogs and their owners have a great time learning tricks in these classes. Tricks include: shake hands, spin, roll over, and jump through a hoop. Dogs must have completed Tricks One Class prior to enrolling in the Tricks 2 Class.

Register and pay online for Behavior and Training 101. Need more information? E-mail our obedience department or call our training line at (314) 802-5709.