About West Plains Canine School

What they offer

West Plains Canine School is owned and run by Barbara Gordon, and its site says it has been helping families train their dogs since 1993. The goal is a well-behaved family companion and good canine citizen through private instruction, whether that means starting a new puppy, polishing skills with an older dog or solving a troublesome behavior.

Competition training

For owners who want to test their skills, the school teaches competitive obedience and rally at all levels with step-by-step individual instruction. The site describes the instructor's long record in the obedience ring with Bouviers, Golden Retrievers, a Border Collie and Miniature Pinschers, including obedience trial champion titles.

How she trains

The approach is balanced, 'neither too gentle or too harsh': teach first, then insist, then test that the results are consistent. Appointments are set by phone or email.