About

About the Trainer & Experience

With over 50 years of experience Howie has done many different types of training, unlike the majority of trainers that are typically only experienced in Obedience, and/or maybe Scent work or Agility. Occasionally someone might have experience with tracking or Lure Coursing.

For many years Howie worked as a working dog trainer. During this time frame he did not work with the public. Instead only worked with dogs to be used for a specific working purpose. In that time Howie trained numerous Police K-9s, teaching Obedience, Crowd Control, Building & Field Search, protection and more. He trained and certified drug and bomb detector dogs.

He trained protection dogs for private securities companies and individuals. He trained and title/certified Tracking Dogs & Mantrailers.

He trained and certified Therapy Dogs, Emotional Support Dogs. and Service Dogs, specializing in Psychiatric Service dogs.

Why does that matter if you only want obedience for your family pet??

One thing that Howie has said many times is that how in his “early years” he was frequently surprised at how working in one area of training gave him insights on ways to do things better in seemingly unrelated fields. For example, how building drive in a protection dog could be applied to obedience, tracking, or even specific scent detector dogs, like drug or bomb detector dogs. This range of varied experience has helped Howie develop the ability to choose the correct training method for each individual dog, as well as to know when it is time to switch to another method!

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Professional dog training backed by 50+ years of experience.

Contact Info

Working Hours

Monday - Friday:

8.30 am - 7.30 pm

Saturday:

09.00 am - 6.00 pm

Sunday:

By Appointment

Emergency Care

+1 573-746-9300

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Special Offer!

10% OFF for Students, Seniors, Military & First Responders.

Special Offer!

10% OFF for Students, Seniors, Military & First Responders.

Working with an experienced dog trainer helps ensure this balance between structure and compassion, creating the foundation for a lasting bond. Positive leadership is about fostering a bond based on mutual respect and positive reinforcement. It means you're the benevolent leader who sets clear boundaries while rewarding desired behaviors, helping your dog thrive emotionally and physically. This approach aligns with modern behavioral science, drawing from studies like those by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, which emphasize reward-based training over punishment. For a dog, this translates to a world where good choices lead to joy—think treats, play, and praise—rather than fear or confusion. To achieve positive leadership, start with self-awareness. As a consultant, I often tell clients that true leadership begins with you. Dogs are expert readers of human emotions; if I'm a dog, I can sense when my human is stressed or inconsistent, which makes me anxious or rebellious. Aim to be calm and assertive, not aggressive. This means managing your own energy: take deep breaths, stay patient, and avoid yelling or physical corrections. Research from the Journal of Veterinary Behavior shows that dogs respond best to leaders who exhibit "predictable control," providing structure without intimidation. An experienced dog trainer can teach you how to model this calm, consistent energy effectively.

Working with an experienced dog trainer helps ensure this balance between structure and compassion, creating the foundation for a lasting bond. Positive leadership is about fostering a bond based on mutual respect and positive reinforcement. It means you're the benevolent leader who sets clear boundaries while rewarding desired behaviors, helping your dog thrive emotionally and physically. This approach aligns with modern behavioral science, drawing from studies like those by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, which emphasize reward-based training over punishment. For a dog, this translates to a world where good choices lead to joy—think treats, play, and praise—rather than fear or confusion. To achieve positive leadership, start with self-awareness. As a consultant, I often tell clients that true leadership begins with you. Dogs are expert readers of human emotions; if I'm a dog, I can sense when my human is stressed or inconsistent, which makes me anxious or rebellious. Aim to be calm and assertive, not aggressive. This means managing your own energy: take deep breaths, stay patient, and avoid yelling or physical corrections. Research from the Journal of Veterinary Behavior shows that dogs respond best to leaders who exhibit "predictable control," providing structure without intimidation. An experienced dog trainer can teach you how to model this calm, consistent energy effectively.