Springfield has 12 of the dog trainers listed in Missouri, and Kansas City and St. Louis have 11 each. In all there are 134 trainers in 69 cities, 113 with a Bark Score. 44 are labelled Force-free, 11 Balanced and 3 E-collar-centric; 76 don't state their methods. Beyond the Dog, LLC in Kansas City has a Bark Score of 4.9. 62 trainers offer private 1:1 sessions and 58 run group classes.
Find the right trainer in Missouri
Ranked by member recommendations, then Bark Score. Narrow the list down to what your dog needs.
Of the 12 trainers in Springfield, 3 say they train force-free, 2 balanced and 7 don’t say how they train. 5 offer private lessons, 4 group classes and 2 board and train.
Of the 11 trainers in Kansas City, 4 say they train force-free, 2 balanced and 5 don’t say how they train. 6 offer private lessons, 5 board and train and 4 online. 2 name a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 11 trainers in St. Louis, 6 say they train force-free, 1 balanced and 4 don’t say how they train. 9 offer group classes, 6 private lessons and 2 in your home. 2 name a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 6 trainers in St Peters, 1 says it trains force-free and 5 don’t say how they train. 2 offer group classes, 2 in your home and 1 board and train.
Highest Bark Score in St Peters: K9 Sniff Club, 3.8.
Of the 5 trainers in Columbia, 3 say they train force-free and 2 don’t say how they train. 4 offer group classes, 3 private lessons and 1 online. 2 name a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 4 trainers in Jefferson City, 1 says it trains force-free and 3 don’t say how they train. 3 offer private lessons, 1 in your home and 1 group classes. 1 names a credential such as CPDT-KA.
What the 134 trainers listed in Missouri offer, how to check them, and what to ask before you book.
01
What training methods do dog trainers in Missouri use?
Of the 134 trainers listed in Missouri, 44 say they train force-free, 11 balanced, 3 e-collar-centric, and 76 don’t say how they train.
It’s worth knowing a trainer’s method before you book, rather than finding out in the first session. Every trainer on this page carries one of four labels, and nobody is hidden because of their method:
Force-free
Rewards and positive reinforcement, with no aversive tools such as prong, choke or shock collars.
Balanced
Rewards combined with corrections when a dog gets something wrong.
E-collar-centric
Training built around an electronic collar.
Not stated
The listing doesn’t say, and we couldn’t check it yet.
If a trainer’s method isn’t stated, ask them what happens when a dog gets something wrong. Their answer will tell you more than any label.
02
How do you check a dog trainer’s qualifications in Missouri?
Look for an independent credential. 13 of the 134 trainers listed here name one on their listing.
A credential doesn’t guarantee a good trainer, but it means someone outside their business has tested what they know. That’s why credentials make up a quarter of the Bark Score.
The credentials held by trainers in Missouri:
CPDT-KA (10 trainers)
Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed, from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). Passed an independent exam on training and behaviour, after logging hours of training experience. Kept up with continuing education.
KPA-CTP (4 trainers)
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, from the Karen Pryor Academy. Completed the academy’s dog trainer programme, which teaches reward-based training, and passed its practical assessments.
CPDT-KSA (1 trainer)
Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge and Skills Assessed, from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). As the CPDT-KA, plus a hands-on assessment of their training skills.
CBCC-KA (1 trainer)
Certified Behavior Consultant Canine, Knowledge Assessed, from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). Passed an exam focused on behaviour problems such as fear, aggression and anxiety, after logging hours of behaviour consulting.
03
Private lessons, group classes or board and train: which suits your dog?
It depends on the problem and on how much time you can give it. In Missouri, private lessons are offered by 62 trainers, and group classes by 58.
Private lessons (62 trainers)
One to one with the trainer, so the whole session goes on your dog’s problem. A good fit for a specific issue, or a dog who can’t cope around other dogs yet.
Group classes (58 trainers)
A class with other dogs and owners. Your dog learns to listen around distractions, though each dog gets less of the trainer’s time.
Board and train (32 trainers)
Your dog stays with the trainer for a set time and is trained for you. Ask how they will hand the skills over, because a dog who listens to the trainer won’t automatically listen to you at home.
In your home (18 trainers)
The trainer comes to you, so you work on problems where they happen: at the front door, in the yard or on your usual walk.
Day training (15 trainers)
You drop your dog off and pick them up the same day, with the trainer working with them in between. Ask how many handover sessions with you are included.
Online (13 trainers)
Sessions by video call. Handy for puppy questions and coaching you between visits, harder for problems a trainer needs to see in person.
Whichever you choose, the training only sticks if you practise between sessions, so ask what you’ll need to do at home and how long it should take each day.
04
What can a dog trainer in Missouri help with?
99 of the 134 trainers listed in Missouri help with basic obedience, 75 with leash pulling and 74 with recall.
Fewer take on behaviour problems: 19 list reactivity, 17 list aggression, 12 list fear and 10 list separation anxiety. 1 holds a behaviour credential (CBCC-KA or IAABC-CDBC), which means they’ve been tested on exactly this kind of work.
If the behaviour is new, or your dog has started growling, snapping or hiding, see your vet before you book a trainer. Pain and illness can cause behaviour changes, and a good trainer will ask about it anyway.
05
What should you ask a dog trainer before you book?
Ask these before you pay for anything. A good trainer will be happy to answer all of them.
1How do you train, and what happens when a dog gets something wrong?
2What training or credentials do you have?
3Have you worked with dogs like mine, with this problem?
4What does it cost, and how many sessions are included?
5What will I need to practise between sessions?
6What support do I get once the sessions are over?
Questions people ask
Who has the highest Bark Score in Missouri?
Beyond the Dog, LLC in Kansas City, with a Bark Score of 4.9. Dog Obedience Group in Blue Springs has 4.8. Both are labelled Force-free. 3 trainers in the state are Platinum Certified and 10 are Gold Rated.
Which credentials do trainers hold?
10 trainers hold CPDT-KA and 4 hold KPA-CTP, while 1 holds CBCC-KA and 1 holds CPDT-KSA. Credentials count for 25% of the Bark Score, alongside reputation, ethics and service breadth.
What formats are on offer?
62 trainers offer private 1:1 sessions, 58 run group classes and 32 offer board and train. 18 train in the home, 15 run a day school and 13 offer online sessions.
How much does dog training cost in Missouri?
We don’t show prices for Missouri yet, because none of the 134 trainers listed here publish prices on their listing, and we’d rather show you nothing than a guess. When you ask for a quote, check how long each session is, how many sessions are included, and whether help after the program ends is part of the price.
How many dog trainers in Missouri offer board and train?
32 of the 134 trainers listed in Missouri offer board and train, where your dog stays with the trainer for a set time. 15 offer day training instead, where you drop your dog off and pick them up the same day.
Can I find a dog trainer in Missouri who trains online?
Yes. 13 trainers based in Missouri also train online by video call, so you can work with them wherever you live in the state.
Are there dog trainers in Missouri who help with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. 19 trainers listed in Missouri help with reactivity and 17 with aggression. 1 hold a behaviour credential (CBCC-KA or IAABC-CDBC). Filter the list above by what you need help with to see them.
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