Become a nationally certified dog trainer with in-person training, personalized attention and career mentorship
Earn the area's most comprehensive dog training
certification and become a professional dog trainer
Fast-track your way to a professional dog training career in the pet industry
Attend classes (limited to 20 students) at our campus in St. Charles, MO
Get job placement assistance, as well as access to resources for starting your own dog training business
Learn how to launch
your dog training career
in as few as 60 days
Receive a program guide and a free 10-minute call with our admissions team.
Contact Us - Training School
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In-person dog training school in Missouri
The dog training school at The Academy of Pet Careers offers a range of professional dog training courses and certifications, depending on your career goals. We teach basic obedience to get you started, or advanced techniques to give you a competitive advantage in the industry.
Our focus is different because we not only help you become a dog trainer, we show you how to succeed in a career as a dog trainer. With our courses, your career goals come first. Whether you want to work for someone else or start your own pet business, we have options for you.
Learn basic and advanced obedience
skills and troubleshooting problems
Understand canine body language
and how to effectively communicate
Specialize your skills in
Service Dog Work or Dog Sports
Learn through reward-based,
force-free methodology of training
Why hundreds of students have
trusted The Academy of Pet Careers
to become a dog trainer in Missouri
Hands-on learning
This program is hands-on and simulates a real working
environment, ensuring you can jump right into the industry from
Day 1.
Small class sizes
You get one-on-one attention from instructors and career-specific
guidance that sets you up for success.
Modern & optimized curriculum
We constantly update and revise our curriculum in accordance with
the trends and demands in the pet industry.
Financial aid
We are approved by many organizations to help with school
expenses. Our admissions team helps you through the application
process.
Dual certifications
We offer dual certification opportunities for you to study multiple trades: dog training, pet grooming, and vet assisting, providing added job stability and increased income potential.
You are set up for success
Our programs are designed to set the students up for success. We focus on teaching you the skills you need to excel in your desired field.
Job assistance
We connect you with businesses needing dog trainers. So most graduates are hired shortly after getting their certification.
Job ready in 3-5 months
This program is designed to move fast and give you valuable hands-on experience. Once complete, you're ready to immediately use your new skills in the industry.
100% Money-back guarantee
Our money back guarantee is also known as our “drop window”. It is a 14 calendar-day period at the beginning of their program, that allows students to be sure that they have picked out the perfect program for them.
We are so sure that you will be happy with your schooling that we offer a “Money Back Guarantee” to ensure your satisfaction. If for any reason you wish to discontinue your attendance at The Academy of Pet Careers, a refund will be issued with no questions asked.
What our certified graduates say
about their training at The Academy of Pet Careers
It is great to get hands-on experience learning how
to teach the dogs in a positive way. It is nice with both
teachers dividing their attention answering any
questions we have and getting help from highly
experienced professionals. I recommend this school
to everyone who is interested in learning
how to train dogs.
Ellie Buntenbach
I graduated from Training, Grooming, and PEP.
I use the skills I learned at the APC ever single day.
The training portion of the school is well worth the
money. The instructors are the best kind of people.
They are patient and kind and make sure you truly
understand how to train, the process of how
they learn, different techniques, etc. The grooming
portion is good too. I have my own successful
business now, and part of that is because of the APC.
If you are considering a career in this field this is a good place to see if training or grooming is your passion.
I sure found mine! Also, the administrative people are great. Very helpful and made everything as easy as possible.
I made a lot of friends here and it has opened a lot of doors for me and my business, Medlin Pet Company.
Taylor Rose Medlin
During my time at The Academy of Pet Careers,
I had the opportunity to work hands on with dogs and
learn how to communicate with pet parents. Working
hands on with different breeds, ages and behavior
types allows you to learn how to train all dogs
and gain invaluable experience. I would highly
recommend this school to anyone interested in dog
training, dog behavior, or working with animals.
Toni Alaimo
Pet companies that hire our graduates
Wages and employment outlook for dog trainers
In recent years, dog trainers have seen increasing demand for their services. This career path provides
several perks, such as flexible hours, options for specialization and, if desired, the ability to be your own boss.
2,900
Active dog trainer job postings
(Glassdoor)
$41,820
Average dog trainer salary
(US Bureau of Labor Stats)
28%
Projected job growth by 2030
(US Bureau of Labor Stats)
This certification gives you the skills and industry
experience to excel in a dog training career
Professional Dog Trainer Program
A Trainer's Toolkit
30+ Basic & Intermediate Skills
Basic Tricks
Luring/Shaping/Capturing
Troubleshooting & Skill Maintenance
Solving Problem Unwanted Behaviors
Creating a Training Plan
Group Class Instruction
Client Evaluation & Communication
Starting a Training Business
Learning Theory
Canine Communication
Canine Body language
Pet Safety & Enrichment
Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
Pet CPR & First Aid
I highly recommend studying professional training at The Academy of Pet Careers! It is a lot of hands-on which is very helpful. The teachers and staff are so amazing and you can almost pretty much make your own schedule. You can go to school and still have a job and the staff is very understanding about your goals.
Katarina Ziegler
I absolutely love attending school here! I am a student in their dog training program at the moment. Everyone is very kind and welcoming and Jody is an outstanding Teacher! I could not imagine a better place to learn about something I'm so passionate about.
Cassie Christensen
Specialized Dog Trainer Program
Everything In Professional Trainer
Intro to Service Dog Training
10+ Service Dog Skills
Advanced Retrieving
Service Dog Laws & Regulations
Dog Selection & Puppy Raising
Service Dog Business Models
Intro to Dog Sports
Dog Sport Safety & Equipment
Competition Rules & Regulations
Hosting Dog Sport Classes
Agility Practical Skills
Nose Work Practical Skills
Intro to Disc Dog, Treibball, and more...
Professional Dog Trainer Program
A Trainer's Toolkit
30+ Basic & Intermediate Skills
Basic Tricks
Luring/Shaping/Capturing
Troubleshooting & Skill Maintenance
Solving Problem Unwanted Behaviors
Creating a Training Plan
Group Class Instruction
Client Evaluation & Communication
Starting a Training Business
Learning Theory
Canine Communication
Canine Body language
Pet Safety & Enrichment
Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
Pet CPR & First Aid
I highly recommend studying professional training at The Academy of Pet Careers! It is a lot of hands-on which is very helpful. The teachers and staff are so amazing and you can almost pretty much make your own schedule. You can go to school and still have a job and the staff is very understanding about your goals.
Katarina Ziegler
Specialized Dog Trainer Program
Everything In Professional Trainer
Intro to Service Dog Training
10+ Service Dog Skills
Advanced Retrieving
Service Dog Laws & Regulations
Dog Selection & Puppy Raising
Service Dog Business Models
Intro to Dog Sports
Dog Sport Safety & Equipment
Competition Rules & Regulations
Hosting Dog Sport Classes
Agility Practical Skills
Nose Work Practical Skills
Intro to Disc Dog, Trebball, and more...
I absolutely love attending school here! I am a student in their dog training program at the moment. Everyone is very kind and welcoming and Jody is an outstanding Teacher! I could not imagine a better place to learn about something I'm so passionate about.
Cassie Christensen
The advantages you gain
with hands-on dog training
Hands-on courses are more personalized and comprehensive offering maximum value for your time.
Live courses can be customized to your learning style. Everybody learns at their own pace and we make sure no one is left behind.
You learn from experienced professionals in the industry who know how to teach and help you succeed.
They are more fun! You learn in a positive and friendly environment that consists of dog lovers such as yourself.
This hands-on dog training
program is for you if:
You wonder how to become a dog trainer and want to turn your passion and love for animals into a profitable career. The average dog trainer in the U.S. earns $41,820 with a potential to earn up to $67,000 per year (www.bls.gov).
Your goal is a fun, stable, and versatile career. These skills enable you to work in fields such as service dog training, scent detection, and competitive obedience.
You want to land an exciting job as a dog trainer. Since we connect you with businesses needing dog trainers, most graduates are hired shortly after getting their dog training certification.
You want to start a dog training business. We provide you with pet-specific knowledge and give you access to the resources needed to create a successful dog training business.
Frequently Asked Questions
The APC has funding options available to students that are eligible. Our students may be eligible for tuition assistance through certain government grant programs (does not include FASFA loans) as well as payment plans and scholarships through the APC. Contact our admissions director for more information.
We are located only 30 minutes from downtown St. Louis. Our facilities are conveniently located in St. Charles, MO right off Interstate 70, minutes from food, parks, and entertainment.
We offer APC housing located in St. Charles, Missouri. APC housing is furnished with private rooms. Living areas are shared with other APC Students. The cost per week for housing is $175 (other fees may apply). Students enrolled in a Training program are allowed to have dogs in housing with them. These options fill up quickly so apply your deposit to lock in your room.
Depending on your program, part-time options may be available. For semester based programs (Vet Assisting and Dog Training) full time attendance is required, but our Dog Grooming Programs offer a 3-day per week schedule for students who plan to work while in school. For more flexible options, check out our online dog training program.
We offer monthly, open enrollment for all Grooming programs! You may begin class on the first week of each month as long as our class capacity allows.
Veterinary assistant classes are on a Semester schedule with start dates available 2 times each year, in the spring and fall.
Dog training classes classes are on a trimester schedule with start dates available 3 times each year, in the spring, fall, and winter.
Equipment must be purchased through the APC. We have designed our equipment packages around each specific program. The equipment packages provide you with all the basic equipment needed to begin your career as a professional. Packages are given out on the first day of school.
Our training school requires you to have at least 1 dog to attend class. These dogs will be your demo dogs when you graduate and begin work as a trainer. If you need dogs or think your dog would not be a good fit, you will need to find one for the program. We have rescues and shelters that we recommend.
The APC provides all dogs needed to go through the grooming and veterinary school, but some students may choose to bring their own to practice specific modules.
You can begin the enrollment process any time but we recommend beginning after a school visit. The first step is completing the Student Enrollment Application with all necessary attachments and paying your $50 application fee. If accepted, you will receive notice from our admissions department. The next step to enroll is to pay your $900 deposit and sign your Course Contract. This is what with lock in your start date and program.
YES! We have Preferred Hiring Partners all over the country that ask for our graduates. We will help you find the right fit in this industry and get you in contact with as many options as possible. In addition, we have resources to prepare your resume and interviewing skills too! To check out opportunities in your area, visit our Preferred Hiring Partner Directory.
Our money back guarantee is also known as our “drop window”. It is a 14 calendar-day period at the beginning of their program, that allows students to be sure that they have picked out the most perfect program.
We are so sure that you will be happy with your schooling that we offer a “Money Back Guarantee” to ensure your satisfaction. If for any reason you wish to discontinue your attendance at the APC, a refund will be issued with no questions asked.
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