About Greater Saint Louis Training Club

What they do

The Greater Saint Louis Training Club is a non-profit 501c3, founded in 1940, that offers force-free dog training classes, sponsors AKC competition events and runs continuing education for dog owners. Its published class structure covers puppy classes, family dog training and a course aimed at owners rather than dogs, with a class calendar and flexible enrollment.

How they teach

The club's own line is that it does not teach your dog, it teaches you. It uses reward-based techniques and clicker training, and says the aim is to work with each dog's personality and build a relationship based on trust.

Who teaches

Instructors are volunteers. The club states that many hold professional certifications, and that its members range from family pet owners to competitors active in dog sports. The classes page also carries an unusually candid passage about the dog training industry being unregulated and about how to choose a trainer.

Beyond classes

The site publishes training resources on puppy socialization at home, canine body language and child-dog safety, and maintains a referral list of private trainers.