Live a Happier Life with Your Furry Friend
Certified
balanced trainers you can trust
Since 2005
helping families nationwide
Lifetime Support
to keep training on track
National Network
of local trainers near you
Free Evaluation
to start your dog’s training
How It Works
We offer a wide range of dog training programs designed to fit your goals, whether you need board and train, private lessons, puppy training, or group classes. Each program is led by certified trainers, with flexible scheduling and lifetime support after graduation.
Free Evaluation
We assess your dog’s needs and create a personalized plan that fits your lifestyle.
Customized Training Plan
Certified trainers guide you and your dog through proven, positive methods for behavior improvement.
Hands-On Training
Choose from in-home, mobile, or facility-based programs designed for lasting results.
Ongoing Support
Receive tools, guidance, and follow-ups to maintain progress and reinforce skills at home.
Our Dog Training Programs
and Services
Meet Your Dog Trainers
Every dog trainer on the The Dog Wizard Frankfort team is extensively trained and experienced in balanced training techniques that address a range of behavioral issues to help your dog reach their full potential.
Scott and Gale Templeton
Owners
Scott and Gale Templeton both had successful careers in corporate America prior to focusing their skills in the pet industry. Scott was a division manager for 7-Eleven and held senior operating and marketing positions with Tosco, Phillips 66, Conoco Phillips, Shell UK and Mobil. He did consulting work on four continents for Shell International, Exxon Mobil and ERG Petroli. He did strategic marketing work for GTech and Intellimat, an $18-million Virginia start-up. He started his professional pet career in 1993 with Petropolis, a $2-million-a-year, 22,000 square-foot facility, capable of boarding more than 300 pets daily. Over the years, he has designed, built or operated nearly 20 professional pet facilities, including the Rowan County Animal Shelter and the Boyd County Animal Shelter. In his career, he has supervised more than 260,000 pet stay days.
Gale Templeton began her professional career with grocery facilities. She worked for Kroger and other grocery companies in a retail, wholesale and vendor role. While at Kroger, she served as a store manager and moved into a corporate merchandising role. She also worked in sales and marketing in the staffing industry and the food service and supply industry. In 1994, Gale joined Petropolis in a management and marketing role, overseeing nearly 10 PetCare Advisors on staff, the Grooming Academy School and Hidden Fencing Division.
Her dog Asa (ASCA CH, ATCH Shalako's Windchaser) is a ASCA Hall Of Fame Sire. He has direct off-spring that have garnered more than 22 advanced titles in five competitive disciplines. Her dog Yuma (Asa's son) is a North American Dog Agility Council Hall of Fame Competitor, with six Champion Agility titles to his credit. Gale has 16 and counting agility championships to her credit.
Gale has competed in conformation (U.S. and U.K.) and titled in competitive obedience, rally, herding, barn hunt, dock dogs and agility. Gale has qualified and participated in ASCA Nationals and NADAC Championships 10 times. Over the years, Gale has put more than 100 titles on the dogs. She has been conducting training classes at Tin Woof Inn since 2007.
Johnathan Ballard
Trainer
Johnathan has worked with dogs and owners for 10+ years. Has a passion for helping people with their dogs and finding solutions to Benefit the owner and animal. Johnathan brings a positive attitude and patience to training. He enjoys teaching group classes and working with dogs that haven't figured out people yet.
Amanda Gain-Meyer
Administrator
Amanda has been behind the scenes at The Dog Wizard STL since our beginning. She’s always loved animals”especially of the canine variety?and has never been without at least one pup in all her years. Together, she and Chris share 4 incredible dogs. Her family dog, Chewie, the Chow-ChowWheaten Terrier and 2 Russian Blue felines, Dudley and Phoebe live in the STL metro with her mom and brother. After a 20-year career in floral design and small business management, Amanda made a wholesale change and ventured into the dog industry. She has years of education in business and marketing with a degree-in-progress at Lindenwood University. movie; antiquing and shopping, cuddling with her pups, and adventuring with her other half, Chris.
Sara Leadingham
COO
Sara, General Manager, has been with TWI since the very beginning, March 2014. She has two children, Katlyn and Gianni. She has 4 pets; Tillie the schnauzer, Violet Beauregard the French Bulldog and two cats; Azrael and Finley. Sara has an extensive background in retail, administration, and clerical duties. Before working in the animal industry, Sara worked as SRNA for almost 10 years. She spends her home-time with her fiancé Cory, and can be found snuggled in her bed with the animals reading a good book, watching TV, or cooking something delicious!
Jasmin Wheatley
Facility Manager
Jasmin began her professional career with The Dog Wizard in June of 2024. Starting as a kennel technician with Tin Woof Inn, she made her way to Assistant Manager and is now pursuing the art of dog training. She is very active with her 3 aussies and 1 border collie; dock diving, hiking, etc. Jasmin strives to help owners and pups understand each other more clearly so they can build even stronger relationships with their fur babies. During her free time, she spends as much time as possible with her family and does her best at keeping up with her active pups.
See What Other Dog Owners are Saying
We knew he was labeled anxious but we also knew we had patience and love. What we didn’t know was the shelters way of handling anxiety was to give him high doses of trazadone. As this information wasn’t relayed to us till after he went through horrible withdrawals, we were faced with a beautiful boy who not only was trying to decompress from shelter life but battling withdrawals. He was wild on a leash and was torn between wanting love or hiding under a chair.
Upon doing research, I was directed to call Dog Wizard and let John work with him. I am happy to say this was the smartest decision for our beautiful boy and my family.
Mojave graduated today and I can’t help but to reflect on evaluation day and each session leading up to today. We left on day one able to confidently walk our boy, on the leash with zero pulling.
I remember session two with patience and complete understanding of our dog’s behavior, John taught us how to meet his needs with confidence and patience. Our once stressed boy, confidently conquered each session. The environment was stress free and John’s knowledge and professionalism was well above my expectations. His methods and techniques certainly speak for themselves, as the results have produced a well mannered puppy, fresh out of a shelter, in a relatively short time.
My family is forever grateful.
Thank you ,
Susan, Kevin and Kayla Foster
Before training, Maddie struggled with barking, pulling on the leash, and some anxious behaviors when left alone. After her time with John, she is calmer, more confident, and so much easier to handle on walks. John clearly has a deep understanding of dogs and knows how to address a wide range of issues—from chewing and jumping to housebreaking and more.
We especially appreciated how John kept us updated throughout the week and gave us practical guidance to continue reinforcing Maddie’s progress at home. It’s clear he truly cares about both the dogs and their owners.
If you’re looking for help with problem behaviors or just want to set your dog up for success, we highly recommend John Ballard’s training services. Maddie is living proof that his methods work!
Wally was the only small dog in the class, but even so, the trainers always made it a point to mention things I might have to do differently (if needed) and included us. We were in a group of 6, and everyone had their own space, which was very important for Wally, as he is nervous/reactive to new and particularly big dogs. He took to the class better than I could have hoped. By the end, he was relaxed on a cot in a room of other dogs and people. The environment, clear instructions, and one-on-one time we had with trainers was fantastic. There were 6 people/dogs in our group and 2 trainers, so they were really able to help everyone individually for each exercise.
I feel like I have the tools to succeed with Wally now! As a first time dog owner, it has been a huge learning experience. I wish I had come to the dog wizard sooner. Additionally, I am so excited to embark in the lifetime training support! We have already had a lesson as part of the lifetime support to help us work on Wally’s reactivity to other dogs on walks and barking. He has definitely gotten better through the class, but we still needed some help. It was tremendously helpful. They came to my house for the lesson and even brought a dog to help with the training! Absolutely call up the Frankfort Dog Wizard!
About The Dog Wizard Frankfort
Our dog training goes beyond basic commands like Sit, Come, and Down. Our approach focuses on helping your dog make better choices and respond to you instead of their impulses.
We cover all the essential obedience commands you need to communicate effectively with your dog. But more importantly, we teach your dog to stay engaged and follow through with these commands, even in the most distracting environments.
Our goal is to enhance your dog’s understanding of obedience, making it a natural part of their behavior, not just a few tricks they perform when they feel like it.
Why Choose The Dog Wizard
Magical Methodologies
All of our trainers use balanced training techniques that are proven to be effective in and out of the classroom.
Everywhere Dogs Are
With over 100 locations — the majority of them being mobile — we have the ability to bring balanced dog training right to you.
Trained to Transform
Our knowledgeable trainers complete a rigorous dog training curriculum through The Dog Wizard Academy that teaches them methods that truly work
A Lifetime of Support
Those who complete our obedience programs have access to indefinite group class training support.