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

n

The Dog Wizard St. Louis is a local dog training company that strives to create a positive training experience for pups and their owners. We provide a variety of dog training services and programs near St. Louis, St. Charles, St. Peters and Chesterfield Missouri. No matter the age of your dog, they have the potential to learn something new with our dedicated programs. At The Dog Wizard, we know that all dogs have the potential to be great companions, and we will help you achieve just that.

The Dog Wizard in St. Louis offers concierge training services including obedience training, reactivity training, social anxiety training, and more. Contact us to learn if our services are a match for your dog!

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.

tdw pic l min

Free Evaluation

We assess your dog’s needs and create a personalized plan that fits your lifestyle.

dogwizard min

Customized Training Plan

Certified trainers guide you and your dog through proven, positive methods for behavior improvement.

img min

Hands-On Training

Choose from in-home or mobile programs designed for lasting results.

dogwizard min

Ongoing Support

Receive tools, guidance, and follow-ups to maintain progress and reinforce skills at home.

Our Dog Training Programs
and Services

n

Dog Training Obedience Programs

  • Dog Day Training
  • Lifetime Support
  • Private Dog Training Lessons
  • Board and Train Dog Training
  • Puppy Training Programs

Dog Behavior Training Services

  • Problem Solving: barking, chewing, jumping, begging, counter surfing, digging, leash pulling, play biting, marking, door bolting, housebreaking
  • Resource Guarding Training
  • Dog Aggression Training
  • Dog Separation Anxiety Training
  • Adopted/Rescue Dog Training Program
  • Dog Socialization Training
n

Meet Your Dog Trainers

Every dog trainer on the The Dog Wizard St. Louis 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.

AAA Badge
Amanda Gain

Amanda Gain-Meyer

Advanced Trainer and Operations Manager

Amanda has been behind the scenes at The Dog Wizard STL since the 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-Chow Wheaten 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.

Years of Experience: 6 (professionally)

Certifications & Qualifications: Advanced Wizard; AKC CGC and Star Puppy Evaluator

Hobbies: Watching movies, creating handmade goods, and graphic design, antiquing

Notes: Prefers terriers for drive and tenacity; former professional florist with 20 years’ experience; advocates homeopathy and brings creative, aesthetic background to training.

Chris Hrivnak St Louis Dog Wizard

Chris Hrivnak

Co-Owner & Lead/Top Dog Trainer

In addition to being the son of Dog Wizard franchise owners Scott and Gale Templeton of Tin Woof Inn (Frankfort, Morehead, and Ashland, KY, respectively), Chris has been a resident and business professional in the St. Charles and St. Louis County area since 1984. He knows this area well, having watched its growing development as its population has grown and seen its communities’ needs change over those 35+ years.

Personally located in St. Charles city close to Highway 70 with facilities for boarding, training, and pet development, Chris has extensive entrepreneurial experience in customer service in the real estate and finance industries. In addition, he has been a loving and caring pet owner his whole life who is conscientious of pet owners’ concerns and knows how to answer any questions they may have.

In this regard, we look forward to serving our community and welcoming you to the Dog Wizard family!

Years of Experience: 7 (professionally)

Certifications & Qualifications: Top Dog Trainer; continuing education certificates

Hobbies: Watching movies, cooking, designing board games, reading true crime and war-related books

Notes: Passionate about helping owners and dogs communicate effectively; focused on keeping more dogs in happy homes.

See What Other Dog Owners are Saying

The Dog Wizard St. Louis
4.7
Based on 35 reviews
powered by Google
review us on
Cathryn Wilmott
22:25 09 Sep 25
I couldn’t be happier with the training we received from Amanda and Christoph The trainers did such a wonderful job working with our German Shepherd Luna, and I feel like they not only taught her, but also taught my husband and me how to be confident, consistent leaders for him. They explained things clearly, were patient with all of our questions, and made sure we understood how to practice at home. The difference in our dog’s behavior has been amazing, and we feel so much more connected as a family because of the guidance and support they gave us.
Hannah Lucht
21:22 26 Aug 25
We are so thankful for the incredible support Amanda and Chris have given us while working with our reactive pit/lab mix, Lainey. Before finding them, Lainey had gone through training elsewhere, but she was still very nervous and having a hard time. We often felt unsure of how to help her, and it was difficult to feel confident as dog owners.

Amanda and Chris didn’t just train Lainey, they trained us too. They helped us feel more in control and gave us the tools to understand her cues and behavior. Most importantly, they helped her feel safe. The two-week board and train program was a turning point, and the ongoing support through free follow-up classes has been amazing. These classes help us refresh our skills and get answers to any questions that come up.

Amanda and Chris are incredibly patient, kind, and knowledgeable. It’s clear they care deeply about both dogs and their people. We’re so grateful for everything they’ve done to help us build a stronger, more trusting bond with Lainey.
Lynn H
21:03 26 Aug 25
I highly recommend Amanda and Christoph from Dog Wizard STL as excellent dog trainers. They have trained two of our dogs, and have helped me learn as well.
Gibson came to us as a large older dog who didn't have much experience out in public or around other pups. Gibson and I learned how to be comfortable out in public, and best of all, he learned to run and play with other dogs. It all made the short time we had with Gibson even more special ❤️
Christoph and Amanda actually helped introduce us to Max when we were ready to adopt another dog. Max had been a stray, and was an 80 pound bundle of love who was completely terrified of cars. They helped Max overcome his fear, and now he jumps on in, ready for his next adventure!
I highly recommend Dog Wizard!
Ton Dav
12:13 26 Aug 25
Chris and Amanda trained our pocket bully at 14 weeks. We had just gotten her, and couldn't get her to walk on a leash outside of the house. She would lay down and not move no matter how hard we tried. Within a week we received videos of her running up stairs in public and walking around Lowe's. Luna has boarded with them twice and will continue to when we travel. She is just as happy to see them as she is to see us. Also the pickup and drop-off service is also amazing. They are very supportive after training and always available to answer your questions. I wish we lived closer so she could do daycare with them.
Meghan Semar
00:29 26 Aug 25
We have had AMAZING experiences with the Dog Wizard. Our rescue was terrified and didn’t know how to just be a dog. They have helped us so much. And continue to provide support! Honeybun has the best relationship with them and we won’t board her anywhere else.
S
22:24 25 Aug 25
disclaimer, I’m locked out of my g-mail with my actual name, and therefore am stuck in this one i’ve had since middle school— amanda and kris are fantastic and have been my saving grace. We adopted Isabel, a 10 month old Beagle/lab/other(?) mix about a month ago. She is the sweetest baby you’ll ever meet. The only issue was… she wouldn’t poop or pee outside! My husband told me I was on my own with getting her trained and housebroken, as he’s in his final year of a long residency and has NO time. I work from home and Amanda was able to work with my free slots during my workday to get in sessions. Isabel was absolutely terrified of doing anything outside and I couldn’t figure out how or why. This lovely couple helped us crack the code and got her using the bathroom outside in two weeks. Isabel was with us about 5 days before we were blessed enough to find the Dog Wizard family in STL. Although she was almost a year old, she had NO housebreaking whatsoever. Isabel hasn’t had an accident inside in a week! She also started developing other weird habits, but Amanda was quick to support from afar and helped us curb them before they could settle in. Isabel is now housebroken, she can walk past dogs with no reaction, and she doesn’t even jump on the couch anymore! What I loved most about our first round of training is that they are not only EXPERTS but they WILL figure out a plan to get you where you need to be. My husband and I are looking forward to completing this basic skill set in the next week or so and moving forward to more training with Dog Wizard. I cannot recommend them enough! I’ve attached photos of Isabel’s new elevator behavior and her attitude before and after Dog Wizard outside (yes, all she’d do before was sit and walk around for hours and wait till we stepped inside to pee!)

About The Dog Wizard St. Louis

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

Magical Methodologies

All of our trainers use balanced training techniques that are proven to be effective in and out of the classroom.

everywehre dogs are

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.

balanced training

Trained to Transform

Our knowledgeable trainers complete a rigorous dog training curriculum through The Dog Wizard Academy that teaches them methods that truly work

lifetime support

A Lifetime of Support

Those who complete our obedience programs have access to indefinite group class training support.

multiracial girl sitting with her dog outside in

Frequently Asked Questions

n
The Dog Wizard St. Louis offers a free evaluation. This enables our trainers to talk with you, in depth, learn about your dog, go over your training goals, and find a program that works for you. Give us a call and we will help you set one up.
The Dog Wizard trainers are well versed in a variety of training tools; from food to collars to remote collars. We know that not all dogs do well with every tool and we will help you decide what tool is best for your dog as well as what tools you’re comfortable with using. At the end of the day, whatever tool you’re comfortable in using will be the one you’re most consistent in using and that’s what’s most important to us.
It is never too late to start teaching your dog new habits. It will take more time and effort than teaching a new puppy but you will love the outcome.

In order to know how long it will take to train your dog, we will need to do a free consultation. During your consultation, we will get to understand what you are looking to gain from the training as well as evaluate your dog to see what we will need to do to get him where you would like him to be. At that point, we will be able to give you a timeline for his training.

We do not have a one size fits all approach to training. Each dog owner team that has a free evaluation will have a customized program designed to fit your specific needs. While the cost of training is a wide range depending on a myriad of factors and personalization to your and your dog’s needs, training programs start at $250.

Additional questions? We’d love to help.

The Latest From The Dog Wizard St. Louis