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We put the GOOD in GOOD dog!

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.

Manhattan
Salina

Not Sure Where To Start?

Schedule an evaluation today!

During an evaluation, we meet you and your dog, listen to any challenges you may be having with your pet and get started on managing those behaviors. You and your trainer will discuss canine learning theory, marker training, behavior modification and will devise a long term training plan that fits your time constraints and budget.

Evaluations are $115 for 90 minutes. We can come to you or we can meet at one of our facilities. For at-home lessons, there may be an additional travel fee if you are outside of our standard travel range.


MANHATTAN | Evaluation
SALINA | Evaluation
Why Choose MuttSchool?
CCPDT Certified Dog Trainers


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.

Experience Counts


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.

Personalized Programs


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!

Educated Instructors


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.

Method of Training


Using scientifically-based methods, MuttSchool's instructors teach you along with your dog. You and your dog will establish a system of lifelong communication through building behaviors and strengthening skills. We teach so that it's a fun, positive experience for both of you. We are dedicated to provide you with the tools you need to have a confident, well-mannered and happy canine. MuttSchool follows the LIMA approach for dog training and DOES NOT use training equipment that imparts pain, fear or intimidation on your dog.
Licensed, Bonded and Insured


MuttSchool is licensed as a training kennel by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. We are bonded and insured. And, due to the fact that even the best-behaved dogs can sometimes be unpredictable, we carry worker's compensation for our valuable employees. If you are searching for a dog trainer, these are important subjects to talk about with other trainers you interview. Not all dog trainers are licensed and bonded or carry insurance. If anything happens with an uninsured trainer, the liability could fall on you.
Affordability


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.

Flexible Scheduling


Enjoy flexible scheduling—We know you have busy lives and dog training isn't always on the top of your to-do list. We want to train your dog, so we offer flexible service options to fit with your lifestyle. With private lessons, we can bring the classroom to your home or other convenient location and you pick the time and date. If your schedule is tight and you have no time to train at home, we also have Day School or Boarding School where you drop your dog off and we do the training for you.
First aid prepared


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.

Get to know our team of instructors. We combine our love for animals with education, experience and scientific-based training methods. You may notice the credentials at the ends of our names. Not all dog trainers have certifications. MuttSchool's instructors are either certified or are working toward the training hours required to take the rigorous Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) exams. This certification demonstrates that your instructor has mastered humane, science-based dog training practices. To maintain our certifications, we are expected to complete yearly continuing education. The more MuttSchool instructors learn, the more we can pass on to our clients. You can rest assured that you and your dog are receiving the most recent, effective training methods when you bring your dog to MuttSchool.


Below are a few of the organizations we are associated with and certifications our trainers have achieved:

Certified Dog Training Professionals
Mary
B.A. • CPDT-KSA • KPA CTP • CGC EVALUATOR • SDC • FFCP • BEHAVIOR CONSULTANT


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).

Ashley

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.

Dawn
CPDT-KA • ABCDT • CGC EVALUATOR • BEHAVIOR CONSULTANT • IAABC-ADT

Dawn started with MuttSchool as an Animal Behavior College (ABC) extern. Throughout her time at MuttSchool, she found her passion is working with dogs with behavioral challenges. Dawn also teaches private lessons, group classes, day training and works with our therapy and service dogs. She is certified CPDT-KA and is an AKC CGC evaluator. She has also volunteered for Helping Hands Humane Society training dogs with behavior issues to make them more adoptable. She is an accredited dog trainer with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC).
GraceAnn
CPDT-KA • CGC EVALUATOR • KPA FOUNDATIONS   

GraceAnn completed college with a degree in Equine Sciences. She has worked with horses for over 20 years. Her love for animals brought her to dog training. In 2018, she started teaching group classes for MuttSchool. GraceAnn is a certified CPDT-KA, an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator and temperament tester and a Fear Free Professional.
Jenna (Topeka)
B.S., ANIMAL SCIENCE • CPDT-KA • BEHAVIOR CONSULTANT

Jenna has been working in the animal industry for over a decade, starting in the Veterinary Care industry as a kennel tech where she learned the foundations of working with dogs, reading their body language, and understanding how they communicate with each other and with people. She then volunteered with a trainer in Topeka focusing more on the training aspect of the dog industry. After finishing a Bachelors degree in Animal Science she found her passion working with training dogs through foundational skills as well as behavior modification training.
Kate
B.S. • CPDT-KA • CGC EVALUATOR • KPA • SERVICE DOG COACH (SDC)


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.

Plern

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.


Alley
STUDENT, ANIMAL SCIENCE • CPDT-KA • KPA FOUNDATIONS


Alley has been working with animals since she was very young. She has worked with many species, but dogs are her favorite. 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. She has been working at MuttSchool since August of 2020 and earned her CPDT in November of 2021.

Mariah
B.S., ANIMAL SCIENCE • CPDT-KA • KPA FOUNDATIONS


Dog Training Professionals

Carissa
B.S., ANIMAL SCIENCE • KPA FOUNDATIONS


Carissa has worked with all kinds of animals from farm animals to Orangutans and Elephants. She hails from the flint hills of KS on a beef cow-calf ranch and farm. Her passion for training dogs started early in high school when she took her farm dog, Max through a therapy dog program and was able to escort him to school and nursing home visits for the next 2 years. She ended up writing her senior thesis on the affects of therapy dogs used in nursing homes and graduated Kansas State University with a Bachelor's of Science in Animal Science and Industries. She started her training here as an intern and is furthering her education in applied animal behavior through the University of Washington. Her favorite part about working at Mutt School is getting to know all the dogs and their personalities while watching them grow and learn.


Marcia (Salina)
B.S. • CGC EVALUATOR

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 (Salina)
M.S. •   CGC EVALUATOR 


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

 


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.

MuttSchool's animal behavior interns will receive both online and hands-on experience working with our dog training and behavior programs. The intern will learn to train, rehabilitate and modify behaviorally-challenged dogs using LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) training methods under the direction of MuttSchool's certified trainers. In addition, the intern will assist with daily care and training, group classes and private lessons learning how to instruct clients. As interns progress in their understanding of dog behavior and their skill at working with dogs, there may be the possibility of paid positions with the company depending on the performance of the intern and the needs of the company. The internship requires a commitment of 10-20 hours a week. Preference will be given to those enrolled in a dog training educational program or university-level animal behavior or veterinary courses. This is an unpaid position.  Apply Today!

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MuttSchool-KS serves towns in northeastern Kansas along the I-70 corridor, including Manhattan, Junction City, Ft. Riley, St. Marys, Wamego, Silver Lake, Topeka, Abilene, and Salina. Travel fees may apply.
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