Transform your dog into the pet you've always wanted by utilizing the power of behavioral science to train your dog. MuttSchool instructors teach by building lasting bonds based on mutual trust and respect instead of fear and intimidation. Utilizing our many different services, we can custom design a training plan to help you achieve your goals for training your dog. Even if you've tried training your dog before with a different company and were disappointed in the results, just know, MuttSchool's professional trainers have the experience and education to set goals and get the results you've been looking for.
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The dog training industry is unregulated with no licensing requirements or regulatory oversight. This makes it difficult to know who to trust when searching for training for your furry family member. That's why MuttSchool believes that a certification from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers is so important for our staff. A CPDT certification gives you a way to distinguish dog training professionals whose education, experience, knowledge and skills have stood up to rigorous testing.
We are dedicated to helping dogs and their people build relationships based on trust, compassion, and understanding. MuttSchool instructors have trained over 5,000 Kansas dogs since our business began in 2007. Together our team has over 170 years of combined experience working with animals. Our owner, Mary, has more than 30 years of dog training experience and imparts this in designing MuttSchool's curriculum and training plans. That's experience you can trust.
There is not a one size fits all dog training solution. Every dog has individual training needs. And, each owner has their own lifestyle requirements. Finding a way to meld these together so you and your dog can be successful is why MuttSchool offers a variety of services for you to choose from. Let us develop an individualized training plan just for you and your dog!
MuttSchool's instructors have completed professional dog training schools, have university degrees or are in the process of completing their formal education. Several of our certified trainers are graduates of the prestigious Karen Pryor Academy. Other instructors have completed their education from Animal Behavior College (ABC) MuttSchool is also an ABC Mentor Training Facility. In addition, all of our instructors are expected to attend yearly professional development seminars to stay on the forefront of the dog training field.
Training your dog makes good financial sense. Untrained dogs can be a risk to other people and dogs. If you think training is expensive, simply envision the veterinary bill if your dog is hit by a car because he refused to come to you. Or the civil court payouts if the dog bites someone or attacks another dog. You risk lawsuits, medical care, veterinarian care, legal fees and animal control fines. You are investing in training for your dog now to prevent challenging behaviors and to avoid those costs later.
While we are not veterinarians, we spend time with your dog and can be a watchful eye to report if we see health concerns that may require veterinary care. All of our employees are required to complete the American Red Cross Cat & Dog First Aid course as part of our on-boarding process. Rest assured that your MuttSchool trainers are knowledgable on what to do for a pet in an emergency situation prior to getting veterinary care.
You have a team of professional trainers
working for you and your dog.
Below are a few of the organizations we are associated with and certifications our trainers have achieved:
For over 30 years, Mary has taught private lessons and all levels of group classes in obedience, rally, conformation, trick training and agility in Phoenix, AZ, Seattle, WA and now with MuttSchool. She has worked with a wide range of canine behavioral challenges including shyness, reactivity, aggression, and separation
anxiety. Mary is certified CPDT-
KSA, a Karen Pryor Academy
honors graduate and a KPA
Certified Training Partner. She is
also a Cooperative Paws Service Dog Coach, Certified Trick Dog
Instructor, an AKC CGC
evaluator, a Certified Fear Free
Pet Professional and a member of the Association of Professional
Dog Trainers (APDT) and the International Association of
Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC).
CPDT-KA • KPA CTP • ABCDT
Ashley is one of our original MuttSchool trainers starting with us in 2010. She moved away briefly but lucky for all of us at MuttSchool, found her way back! Ashley teaches group classes, private lessons for both foundation skills and behavioral challenges. She has coached our service dog clients. She is also working with dogs in MuttSchool's day training program. Ashley has graduated from the Karen Pryor Academy for Professional Trainers and is certified CPDT-KA and is a graduate of Animal Behavior College.
Kate is a former Kindergarten teacher who has gone to the dogs. She has always enjoyed working with animals. While teaching, Kate spent her summers working as a naturalist and mammal rehabilitation provider for Kansas Wildlife and Parks. She completed the Karen Pryor Academy for Professional Trainers, is a CPDT-KA, a Cooperative Paws Service Dog Coach and an AKC CGC evaluator. Kate heads up our non-profit for assistance dogs, MuttCare.
M.F.A • CPDT-KA • ABCDT
After owning a reactive dog, Plern started taking interest in dog training and decided to pursue her education through Animal Behavior College (ABC). She did her ABC externship with MuttSchool and was hired on as a dog trainer after completing her education. Plern is a CPDT-KA certified trainer. She is also a Thai native speaker.
Dog Training Professionals
Alley has been working with animals since she was very young! She has been around all kinds, but dogs are one of her favorites. When she was a child, she even ran a small business taking care of people's pets while they were on vacation. Alley is currently majoring in Animal Science at Kansas State, and is also working on obtaining her CCPDT. Alley has been working at Muttschool since August of 2020.
Emily fell in love with dog training when her personal dogs stopped getting along and she went to MuttSchool for help. MuttSchool inspired her to become a dog trainer. She has attended the Karen Pryor Academy and Animal Behavior College. Emily loves working with reactive dogs and helping dogs and their owners become a certified therapy dog team. She also volunteers at The Junction City Animal Shelter as a dog trainer.
STUDENT, ANIMAL SCIENCE
Liz is attending Kansas State University for a degree in Animal Science. She has always been passionate about animals and has experience working with both domestic and wild animals. She has enjoyed volunteering at the Sunset Zoo since middle school where she helped guests interact with ambassador animals. MuttSchool has provided her with her first exposure to a job in dog training, however she has always loved owning and working with dogs.
Marcia is a retired teacher who trained two therapy dogs and brought them into her classroom. Her first dog was a yellow lab she started training at 10 weeks. This dog was part of the school community for 14 years. She also trained a saint bernadoodle who spent several years in school and, after her retirement, assisted as she taught her dog training classes. She found many ways for her dogs to play strong support roles with her special needs students as well as students that just needed a friend to hug, read to or sit with while taking a test. She has been a strong advocate for the importance of dogs in the schools and was a leader in setting up the bi-laws for her school district and educating staff on how therapy dogs can support students. These experiences led her to a new career teaching dog training classes as well as training and certifying therapy dog teams. Marcia is a CGC evaluator and continues to attend workshops, and trainings to perfect her skills and earn additional certifications. She has found great satisfaction in helping people grow in a positive relationship with their canine friend.
McKayla has always had a passion for dogs and dog behavior and has over 10 years of dog training experience. As a child and young adult, McKayla enjoyed showing and training her first dog in 4-H, exhibiting various breeds for others in the AKC show ring, and volunteering in many other capacities, including animal shelters, 4-H Dog Project Leader, and more. McKayla currently owns two Australian Shepherds and enjoys training for MuttSchool. Her favorite part is educating families about dog behavior and helping them implement practical solutions to find success and harmony in their home.
Riley has exhibited multiple species of livestock through 4-H and FFA. Some of which include dogs and other companion animals. He is currently a student at K-State and majoring in Wildlife Outdoor Enterprise Management (WOEM).
Want to become a dog trainer?
Learn animal behavior through a MuttSchool internship.
