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4912 Skyway Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502
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Professional dog training to fit your lifestyle

Transform your dog into the pet you’ve always wanted by utilizing the power of behavioral science to train your dog. MuttSchool instructors teach by building lasting bonds based on mutual trust and respect instead of fear and intimidation. With the flexibility of our many different services, we can custom design a training plan to help you achieve your dog’s training goals:

Affordability

Training your dog makes good financial sense. Untrained dogs can be a risk to other people and dogs. If you think training is expensive, simply envision the cost if your dog were to escape your yard and get in a fight with another dog or injure someone. You risk lawsuits, medical care, veterinarian care, legal fees and animal control fines. MuttSchool has many dog training options and we are happy to help you find affordable ways to train your dog.

Flexibility

Enjoy flexible scheduling—on your time and at your chosen location. We know you have busy lives and dog training isn’t always on the top of your to-do list. We want to train your dog, so we offer flexible service options to fit with your lifestyle.

Community

Join a community of pet parents that also want quality, positive reinforcement training for their dog. VISIT MuttSchool’s Booster Club on Facebook.

Group Classes

MuttSchool’s group class instructors teach you along with your dog. You and your dog will establish a system of lifelong communication by building behaviors and strengthening skills. We teach so that it’s a fun, positive experience for both of you. We are dedicated to provide you with the tools you need to have a confident, well-mannered and happy canine.

Puppy kindergarten

Start your puppy off on the right paw! This class meets twice a week on Sunday and Wednesday nights at 6pm. Attend until your puppy turns 16 weeks old.
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Grades 1-5 group classes

Purchase credits to use in our open enrollment foundation group classes. Earn AKC Canine Good Citizen certificates as you attend class!
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Focused skills group classes

A continuous 8-week course that focuses on specific skills you want to train such as recalls, loose leash walking and impulse control.
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Dog sports group classes

Interested in doing something fun with your dog? Try our 8-week beginning agility, trick training or rally obedience classes.
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Private lessons

Private lessons offer a personalized way to train your dog or puppy. Enjoy the flexibility of working one-on-one with a MuttSchool instructor based on your schedule and availability. These lessons can be held at your home, our training center or another agreed upon location.

How do you get started? Sign up today for an evaluation!

Evaluation

During your dog’s evaluation, a MuttSchool instructor will meet with you and your dog to observe your dog’s behavior first hand. Together we will devise a training plan that meets your dog’s training needs.
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Foundation private lessons

Build a solid foundation for your dog while training on your own schedule. Work on your dog’s manners while including the entire family in your training sessions.
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Behavior modification private lessons

Is your dog’s challenging behavior upsetting the balance in your household?
Behavior private lessons are for dogs that are exhibiting behaviors that are difficult to live with.
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Rowdy Rover behavior program

MuttSchool’s Rowdy Rover program is a multifaceted behavior program for dogs with separation anxiety, fear, aggression, reactivity, or obsessive-compulsive behaviors.
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No time to train your dog? Let our professionals train your dog for you!

Let MuttSchool take the stress out of training by letting us train your dog while you are busy during the day. Allow MuttSchool’s instructors to give you the peace of mind that your dog is getting the right foundation training, manners and socialization while you go about your daily life. MuttSchool offers several different options for people who want a professionally trained dog:

Day Training

With our day training program, you drop your dog off in the morning and pick your dog up in the evening. In between, Muttschool instructors follow your dog’s individualized training plan and do all the work!
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Manners Camp

MuttSchool’s Manners Camp is a structured all day activity for dogs that need a little help remembering their manners. Drop your dog off with us for fun and first grade level training while you go about your day.
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Boarding School

This is a very popular option if you want your dog professionally trained but can’t bring your dog to day training. Contact Renee at Wildcat Pet Resort, 785-539-1515, for questions or to schedule your dog for boarding school.
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Field Trips

Does your dog need work outside your house? Are walks difficult because your dog is too distracted? Let our trainers take your dog on field trips while you are at work to reinforce good leash behaviors around distractions.
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Why choose MuttSchool?

CCPDT Certified Dog Trainers

A dog trainer certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers shows the trainer is a qualified professional that has tested and passed the rigorous standards of knowledge and skills in the field of science-based dog training. MuttSchool supports testing dog trainer’s knowledge and skills to show competency. Read the CCPDT mission statement to see why we believe your dog trainer should be certified.

Experience Counts

MuttSchool instructors have trained over 4,000 local dogs since our business began in 2007. Before moving to Kansas, our owner, Mary, taught classes and trained dogs in both Arizona and Washington state. Mary has over 30 years of training experience and imparts this in designing MuttSchool’s curriculum and training plans. That’s experience you can trust.

Personalized Programs

There is not a one size fits all dog training solution. Every dog has individual training needs. And, each owner has their own lifestyle requirements. Finding a way to meld these together so you and your dog can be successful is why MuttSchool offers a variety of services for you to choose from. Let us develop an individualized training plan just for you and your dog!

Educated Instructors

MuttSchool’s instructors have completed professional dog training schools, university degrees or are in the process of completing their formal education. Several of our certified trainers are graduates of the prestigious Karen Pryor Academy.  Other instructors have completed their education from Animal Behavior College (ABC) MuttSchool is also an ABC Mentor Training Facility. In addition, all of our instructors are expected to attend yearly professional development seminars to stay on the forefront of the dog training field.

Method of Training

Using scientifically-based positive reinforcement methods, MuttSchool’s instructors teach you along with your dog. You and your dog will establish a system of lifelong communication by building behaviors and strengthening skills. We teach so that it’s a fun, positive experience for both of you. We are dedicated to provide you with the tools you need to have a confident, well-mannered and happy canine. MuttSchool DOES NOT use training equipment that imparts pain, fear or intimidation on your dog.

Licensed, bonded and insured

MuttSchool is licensed as a training kennel by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. We are bonded and insured. And, due to the fact that even the best-behaved dogs can sometimes be unpredictable, we carry worker’s compensation for our valuable employees. If you are searching for a dog trainer, these are important subjects to talk about with other trainers you interview. Not all dog trainers are licensed and bonded or carry insurance. If anything happens with an uninsured trainer, the liability could fall on you.

You have a team of professional trainers working for you and your dog.

Get to know our team of instructors. We combine our love for animals with education, experience and scientific-based training methods. You may notice the credentials at the ends of our names. Not all dog trainers have certifications. MuttSchool’s instructors are either certified or are working toward the training hours required to take the rigorous Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) exams. This certification demonstrates that your instructor has mastered humane, science-based dog training practices. To maintain our certifications, we are expected to complete yearly continuing education. The more MuttSchool instructors learn, the more we can pass on to our clients. You can rest assured that you and your dog are receiving the most recent, effective training methods when you bring your dog to MuttSchool.

Certified Dog Trainers

Mary Hager, BA, CPDT-KSA, KPA CTP, CTDI

Mary

B.A. • CCPDT-KSA • KPA CTP • CGC evaluator

For over 30 years, Mary has taught private lessons and all levels of group classes in obedience, rally, conformation, trick training and agility in Phoenix, AZ, Seattle, WA and now with MuttSchool. She has worked with a wide range of canine behavioral challenges including shyness, reactivity, aggression, and separation anxiety. Mary is a Karen Pryor Academy honors graduate and a KPA Certified Training Partner.

Dawn

CCPDT-KA • ABCDT • CGC evaluator

Dawn started with MuttSchool as an ABC extern in 2015.  Now, she teaches private lessons, group classes, day training and works with our therapy and service dogs. Dawn is also an AKC CGC evaluator. She has also volunteered for Helping Hands Humane Society training dogs with behavior issues to make them more adoptable.
Jen Gfeller

Jennifer

KPA CTP

Jennifer has always been captivated by the human-animal bond and enjoys helping people learn how to communicate better with their dogs. She is a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy for Professional Trainers, and has worked in both municipal animal shelters and non-profit organizations.

Kate

B.S. • CCPDT-KA • CGC Evaluator • KPA

Kate is a former Kindergarten teacher who has gone to the dogs. She has always enjoyed working with animals. She completed the Karen Pryor Academy for Professional Trainers, is a CCPDT-KA and a CGC evaluator. While teaching, Kate spent her summers working as a naturalist and mammal rehabilitation provider for Kansas Wildlife and Parks.

Dog Training Specialists (Manhattan location)

GraceAnn

CGC Evaluator • KPA Foundations • AKC Temperament Tester

Mariah

K-State Student, Animal Science • KPA Foundations

Dynah

Two time AKC European Open Junior Team USA

Jenna

B.S., Animal Science

Alena

K-STATE Student, Entrepreneurship

Emily

Andrew

Kennel Technician

Jared

Kennel Technician • KPA Foundations

Want to become a dog trainer? Learn animal behavior through a MuttSchool internship.

MuttSchool’s animal behavior interns will receive both online and hands-on experience working with our dog training and behavior programs. The intern will learn to train, rehabilitate and modify behaviorally-challenged dogs using LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) training methods under the direction of MuttSchool’s certified trainers. In addition, the intern will assist with daily care and training, group classes and private lessons learning how to instruct clients. As interns progress in their understanding of dog behavior and their skill at working with dogs, there may be the possibility of paid positions with the company depending on the performance of the intern and the needs of the company. The internship requires a commitment of 10-20 hours a week. Preference will be given to those enrolled in a dog training educational program or university-level animal behavior or veterinary courses. This is an unpaid position.

Cigi

Animal Behavior Intern

Carissa

K-State Student, Animal Science

After School Events

FREE WOOFshops

Want to learn about pet-related topics from experts in their fields? Watch our facebook event page for topics like pet first aid, massage, nutrition and acupuncture.

SymPAWSiums and Seminars

Staying current with recent developments and innovation in the dog training and behavior world is very important to your MuttSchool trainers. We want to pass that on to you by bringing internationally renowned speakers on topics that you may be interested in to the Manhattan area. Whether you are a pet owner or professional in the industry, you are welcome to join us for our SymPAWSiums.
See our facebook events page

Testimonials

Amazing, talented and extremely knowledgeable staff. When you want a facility to treat your dog like it was their own, this is the place for you! Have had 2 dogs trained here and am always amazed at the bond and trust training a dog properly builds. Dash & Padme approve!
— , Stacey K.
Mary and her staff are some of the best trainers I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. I’ve been using their service for four years. They have never not been willing to work with me on any issue I have, training my dogs. They are the most experienced and knowledgeable trainers, I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with.
— Sam R.,
My family has used Mutt School for various training over the past five years, and my experience has been nothing less than amazing! From a group leash manners class to private sessions for BAT (behavior adjustment training) - and even a tricks class for fun! - our dogs have benefitted greatly from Mutt School's expertise. They may not be the cheapest in town, but their highly experienced and credentialed staff are certainly the best value.
— Robin B., Manhattan Mutt Company, LLC
Mutt School is wonderful. I couldn't imagine anyone choosing anyone other than this 5 star place. They are very knowledgeable, obviously love what they do and are so polite. We were made to feel welcome and our dog is doing great! Their certified trainers ROCK!
— Michelle I.,
The trainers have years of experience and explain what we need to do in easy to understand terms. Before Muttschool I thought you had to be dominant over your dog. That made me feel uncomfortable and my dog would growl at me. Mary explained that I should build a positive training relationship with my dog and my dog will want to work for me willingly. I am amazed. No more growling and my dog never takes her eyes off of me. She is always ready to try something new! Thanks Muttschool.
— Danielle K.,
Mutt School is a 5 Star training facility that is very professional. 2 years ago we had them train our toy Klee Kai, and she is the best trained and most well behaved dog we've ever owned.
— Diana N.,
Couldn't be happier with our decision to use Mutt School for our puppy. We've done both group classes and private training sessions. I highly recommend doing both. The classes were a terrific, safe environment to socialize our puppy and the private sessions helped tremendously to work on specific training situations we had. For some of the private sessions, we were there working along with the trainer and for others she came while we were out and worked with our puppy one on one, in those cases it was always fun to read his report card when we got home and sometimes have a video of his progress to watch. Having Mutt School as a reference when we have questions is invaluable. Beware, you might get addicted to training and classes with Mutt School, it's so much fun to see all the cool things your dog is capable of!!
— Megan E.,
Edited to add a review in 2018: I rated Mutt School as 5 stars in 2013. Now in 2018 I would STILL rate them as 5 stars & am therefore updating my rating. I began working with the Mutt School trainers in 2010 to help work with my spitz mix's reactivity. Since then I have taken my border collie through all their classes and under the guidance of Mary Hager, he received his DMWYD Champion Trick Dog & his AKC Trick Dog Performer titles. & now I have taken my high drive border collie puppy through their Puppy Class and their day training program. For 10 years, Mutt School has been my go to training school. The trainers are experienced in dog training AND dog behavior, a combination that can be difficult to find. They are diligent about staying up to date on the best practices in the reinforcement-based training field. Their trainers maintain their continuing education and have more certifications than any other program in the area. I always recommend Mutt School to any of my friends who get new dogs or are needing a little extra help.
— Jenn A.,
Manhattan is very lucky to Mutt School here in our community! They are very knowledgeable and have the ability to offer a large variety of classes and private training. In this industry you definitely get what you pay for and Mutt School always goes above and beyond. They have a great newer facility and are locally owned which is a huge plus in my book.
— Jennifer L.,

MuttSchool-KS serves towns in northeastern Kansas along the I-70 corridor, including Manhattan, Junction City, Ft. Riley, St. Marys, Wamego, Silver Lake, Topeka, Abilene, and Salina. Travel fees may apply.