In-Home Dog Training and Behavior Modification in Columbia, MOChoose the trainer your dog would choose.

54 years, 30,000+ dogs, and every plan starts with your dog. Howie trains in your home, where the problems actually happen.

Book an appointment Call (573) 746-9300

4.7 out of 5 stars on Google,Howie’s Happy Dog · 78 reviews
Certified Master Dog TrainerThe Tom Rose School

Howie Shucart with Sleek Ebony von Groneman, first place at the 1992 USRC National Championship — 1992USRC National Championship · First PlaceHowie with Sleek Ebony von Groneman

1992USRC National Championship · First PlaceHowie with Sleek Ebony von Groneman

Diplomas and certifications

Six diplomas behind every session.

Cornell University

Master Dog TrainerThe Tom Rose School
Solving Canine Behavior ProblemsCornell University
600-hour Professional Dog TrainingWest Virginia Canine College
Canine Behavior and TrainingSt. Louis College of Animal Science
Obedience Theory and InstructionSt. Louis College of Animal Science
Canine Olfactory TrainingSt. Louis College of Animal Science
Master Dog TrainerThe Tom Rose School
Solving Canine Behavior ProblemsCornell University
600-hour Professional Dog TrainingWest Virginia Canine College
Canine Behavior and TrainingSt. Louis College of Animal Science
Obedience Theory and InstructionSt. Louis College of Animal Science
Canine Olfactory TrainingSt. Louis College of Animal Science

Behavior modification

Serious behavior problems, worked on where they happen.

AggressionToward people, other dogs, food or space.
Fear and reactivityThe lunge and bark on every walk.
Separation anxietyPlus housebreaking older dogs.

Board and train

ThousandsYour dog leaves home for weeks

Howie, in your preferred location

A few hundredYour dog never leaves homeStarts at $85 an hour

Get your dog started Text about your dog

How behavior work runs

Two short reads before you call

01Shaping early canine behaviorThe puppy weeks that decide the adult dog 02Establishing positive leadershipWhy your dog follows a calm, fair leader

Howie's Rottweiler wall plaque, a dog clearing a jump — The real trick is getting the dog to want to do what you want them to do.
**Howie Shucart**Certified Master Dog Trainer

How it works

Three steps, all in your home.

1
Call or text
Tell me what your dog is doing. In a few minutes we know if it is training or behavior work.
2
First session at your home
Four hours, mostly for you. I meet your dog and pick the method that fits it.
3
Weekly lessons
One hour a week, homework in between. You send me videos and I correct what I see.

Call (573) 746-9300 Send a text

Programs

Three programs, priced up front.

Certified master trainerTom Rose School, Cornell
54 years30,000+ dogs trained
Every lesson with Howie himselfNo assistants, no front desk

Basic Obedience results

A 30-minute sit-stay with you out of the room. A 3-hour down-stay.

Call any other trainer and ask what results to expect.

Sit-stay

Howie’s average client30 min

You out of the room

Typical elsewhere10 min

Owner standing right there

Down-stay

3hours

Howie’s average client, in your own home

All prices and options Call (573) 746-9300

Reviews

Problem dogs, in the owners’ words.

4.7★★★★★★★★★★78 Google reviewsRead them on Google →

Fear reactive rescue German Shepherd
“Just the mention of Howie’s name or the sound of Howie’s voice had my dog squealing with excitement.”
Working with Howie changed my life as a dog owner. Howie had a solution for every problem we encountered while doing behavior modification with my fear reactive rescue German Shepherd. The knowledge Howie has is truly a gold mine for any dog owner looking to better improve their relationship/partnership with their dog. Your dog will love him too! Just the mention of Howie’s name or the sound of Howie’s voice had my dog squealing with excitement! It was a privilege to work with Howie, and I am so thankful I made that first call. Thank you, Howie, for changing mine and Harley’s lives!
Skyler Graywith Harley★★★★★
Two shelter dogs
“I called Oni and Armani from different rooms in the house, and they both went straight to their beds.”
Howie completely transformed our home and our dogs' lives!
My wife and I adopted both of our dogs, Oni and Armani, from a shelter. They came to us a few years old with unknown backgrounds, and their behavior reflected that uncertainty with constant leash pulling, jumping on guests, ignoring every command, and a shyness that made them difficult to manage and hard to connect with. We loved them deeply, but we knew they deserved better.
Since January, Howie has been coming to our home for in-person sessions, and the difference is nothing short of remarkable. He has been consistently timely, thorough, and patient not just with Oni and Armani, but with us as their owners. He took the time to understand our dogs as individuals and gave us the tools and confidence to carry that work forward between sessions.
The moment I knew something truly special had happened? I called Oni and Armani from different rooms in the house, and they both went straight to their beds and stayed calmly, willingly, and stayed on their bed!. That had never happened before. Ever. It sounds simple, but for us it was everything.
The value Howie has delivered far exceeds what he charges. If you are on the fence about professional dog training especially for a rescue with a complicated or unknown history do not hesitate. Howie is the real deal, and our family is better for having found him!
Jordan Herethwith Oni and Armani★★★★★
Severe separation anxiety
“With Howie’s guidance and therapies, we are all now enjoying a quieter and calmer dog.”
Howie’s training was amazing. We had rescued a black lab who had behavioral issues and severe separation anxiety (one of us had to be home at all times).
With Howie’s guidance and therapies, we are all now enjoying a quieter and calmer dog who can now tolerate several hours in his kennel while we are out of the house.
He will sit & wait for attention from us. He will also lay peacefully on the couch now too.
We can’t recommend Howie enough.
Steve D.Google review★★★★★
Fear reactivity to dogs
“My dog made an actual friend and got to play.”
Howie has been working with my husband and I and our dog Otto since July, training for fear based reactivity to dogs. My dog made an actual friend and got to play because of Howie's instruction to correct my dog with "STOP" then immediately turn my dog to face me and give him treats and tons of praise until he calms down while getting closer to the other dog. Eventually my dog is very close to other dogs with no reaction. This technique has allowed room for hope for my dog. HE USES POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT. Also once I told Howie that I corrected my dog when he destroyed something in the house and he asked "did you praise him for stopping?' And I said well, no I guess I didn't and Howie made it very clear that praise must always be given so the dog doesn't think he's a bad dog. Howie is an excellent trainer and loves dogs and my dog loves Howie! He gives us actual results and hope!
Jessica Milburnwith Otto★★★★★

1 / 4

One trainer. Police K‑9s to your family dog.

Certified master trainer from the Tom Rose School, with Cornell behavior training. He has trained police K-9s, scent detection dogs and a national champion. Today he trains family dogs, in your home.

Police K-9sObedience, crowd control, building and field search
Scent detectionSpecific odor detection and tracking
National champion1992 USRC, Sleek Ebony von Groneman
Your family dogIn your home, today

Howie's story Call (573) 746-9300

Questions

Before you call.

Not sure if it is training or a behavior problem? Describe what your dog is doing. It takes a few minutes to tell.

Call (573) 746-9300 Send a text

Mon to Sat, Sunday by appointment. Calls welcome every day.

01What happens after I call or text?

We talk about your dog for a few minutes. If it sounds like a fit I set up the start session at your home. For a behavior case I will ask you to read two short pieces I wrote first, because they answer most of what people ask. If you get my voicemail, I call back by the end of the next day, generally sooner.

02Do you do board and train?

No. I do not take your dog away for weeks and hand it back. You and your dog learn together, in your home, because you are the one who lives with the dog. It costs a fraction of board and train, and you were there for every lesson, so you know how to keep it going.

03What methods do you use?

Whatever the dog in front of me needs. No two dogs are the same, so I evaluate yours at the start session and pick the method then. Almost everything is positive reinforcement; any correction is humane and explained to you first. If an approach is not working, we switch.

04What do I have to commit to?

45 minutes a day with your dog, every day, broken into short sessions. If you cannot do that, the program is not for you and I will tell you so. The people who do the homework get the results above. The people who do not, do not.

05Where do you train?

In your home, within 35 miles of Columbia.

All questions

Start here

Your dog comes first.

Tell Howie what your dog is doing. He builds the plan around them, in your home.

Call (573) 746-9300Talk it through in a few minutes Send a textText is best Send the formDescribe your dog, get a call back

In-Home Dog Training and Behavior Modification in Columbia, MOChoose the trainer your dog would choose.

Six diplomas behind every session.

Serious behavior problems, worked on where they happen.

Three steps, all in your home.

Call or text

First session at your home

Weekly lessons

Three programs, priced up front.

Puppy Training

Basic Obedience

Tracking and Scent Work

A 30-minute sit-stay with you out of the room. A 3-hour down-stay.

Problem dogs, in the owners’ words.

One trainer. Police K‑9s to your family dog.

Before you call.

Your dog comes first.