Professional Dog Training in Gladstone, MO

4.9 ⭐ rating from 600+ Google reviews across our three locations, AKC certified evaluators, trainers educated through Michael Ellis, Karen Pryor, Starmark, and STSK9, multi-year Best of KC finalist, and a Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave.

KC Dawgz’s Gladstone academy at 4902 NW Old Pike Rd is our home base north of the river. Board & Train, Day Training, puppy training and private lessons for Gladstone and the surrounding Northland all run from this location, with trainers who coach you alongside your dog so the results hold up at home. Group classes meet at our Overland Park academy.

Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–7:30 PM · Saturday–Sunday: Closed

Dog Training Expert in Gladstone

Gladstone sits in the middle of Northland, a short drive from North Kansas City, Liberty, and the Briarcliff and Parkville areas. Families bring us everything from new puppies to dogs with serious leash reactivity or aggression. Every dog starts with a free evaluation, so we can see the behavior firsthand and recommend the program that actually fits, not the most expensive one.

Our Clients Say It Best

“Our big baby had zero manners and was for sure a wild one with destructive puppy behavior. Huey was trained by Richard and we saw an almost immediate change. After a months training he listens and is able to do things we never thought possible. With consistency and patience it’s a great program! We’ve decided Huey will continue to see Richard for a check up.”

Laramo

Gladstone, MO

“A friend recommended KC Dawgz Gladstone to us and specifically Richard as a trainer. We did a 4-week training program with Richard and our now 3yo German Shepherd is a new dog. Granted he is still a big goofball but listens to commands even when at the dog park with 20 other dogs around.”

Bob Ewy

Gladstone, MO

Built for Gladstone Dogs

Gladstone dogs deal with real-world distractions every day: busy roads, neighborhood walks, and parks that fill up on weekends. Here’s where we see Gladstone dogs struggle most, and how we fix it:

Leash pulling on neighborhood walks. Dogs that drag toward every dog, squirrel and passing car. We build a loose leash that holds up around real distractions, not just in a quiet training room.
Reactivity at the park. Busy parks draw dogs, kids and joggers, which is where leash reactivity shows up fastest. We use structured, gradual exposure instead of avoidance.
Recall that quits outdoors. “Come” works in the living room and falls apart once there’s a squirrel. We proof recall in stages against real distractions.
Door manners and barking. Jumping on guests and barking at delivery drivers are some of the most common requests we get. We teach a settle and calm greetings that hold up at the front door.

Our Services

Board & Train

Our Board & Train program is our most popular, and the fastest path to real change. Your dog lives and trains with our team at the Gladstone academy for an immersive stretch, with daily repetitions a weekly class can’t match, then comes home with the habits already built. Before your dog goes home, we coach you on the same commands and handling so the results carry over.

Obedience: Everyday manners and reliability: sit, stay, come, and heel, practiced until your dog responds consistently around distractions.
Behavior Modification: For tougher cases like aggression, severe anxiety, fear, and leash reactivity. We identify what triggers the behavior first, then build a calmer, more reliable response.

Day Training

Day Training gives you board-and-train style repetition without the overnight stay. Drop your dog at the Gladstone academy in the morning and pick up a tired, better-behaved dog in the afternoon. Our trainers do the hands-on work during the day and coach you at pickup, so progress doesn’t stall on evenings and weekends.

Puppy Training

Get your puppy started on the right track with our Puppy Training program, available from 8 weeks old. We focus on early socialization, housebreaking, crate manners, early leash skills, and bite inhibition.

Our approach is balanced: we reward the behaviors we want with food, play, and praise, and we teach clear boundaries only after your puppy understands what’s expected. The result is a happy, confident puppy that knows both what to do and what not to do, and a foundation that carries into adulthood.

Group Classes in Overland Park

Group classes meet at our Overland Park academy, not in Gladstone. They prove your dog’s skills around real distractions: other dogs, other handlers and a busy room. Many Northland families train one-on-one in Gladstone first, then add a class as a budget-friendly next step.

Private Training

Our Private Training sessions are one-on-one, built around your specific goals, and held at our Gladstone academy or in your home. In-home lessons are available for addresses within a practical drive of the academy. Private lessons are a strong fit for one specific problem, like leash pulling, jumping, resource guarding, or barking. Dogs with aggression or severe anxiety usually do best in Behavior Modification.

How We Train

KC Dawgz uses a balanced, reward-based approach built around your dog’s temperament, not a script. In plain terms:

We reward what we want. Food, toys, play, and praise build motivation, so your dog wants to work with you.
We teach what not to do, fairly. Corrections are added only after your dog clearly understands what’s expected, and always alongside rewards for the right choice.
We find the trigger first. For problem behaviors, we identify what sets the behavior off, manage it, then teach a better response. Reactive dogs practice at a comfortable distance before working closer to distractions. Learn more about Behavior Modification.
We check the basics. Exercise, nutrition, and physical health come first, since they affect behavior before any training does.
We train until it sticks. Every skill moves through four stages: learning it, making it automatic, practicing it in new places, and maintaining it for life.

Read more on our training philosophy page.

How It Works

1. Free Evaluation

We meet your dog, hear your goals, and see the behavior firsthand. It helps to write down the problems you’re having before you come in, so we understand your dog from day one.

2. The Right Program

We recommend the program that fits your dog and your schedule, with clear pricing up front.

3. Hands-on Training

Your dog trains with our team at the Gladstone Academy in three to five short sessions a day, spread out so they stay fresh and focused. Board-and-train dogs check in with Digs, our Gladstone boarding partner, on Sunday afternoon, or on a weekday we set together. You’ll get progress updates by email, and you can text us anytime for a photo or video of your dog working with their trainer.

4. Go-Home Coaching

On the last day of the program, you come in for a 60- to 90-minute private session. We show you what your dog learned and demonstrate each command, then hand you the leash and coach you hands-on, with a trainer right beside you.

Which Program Fits Your Dog

Board & Train if you’re short on time, past training didn’t stick, or you’re dealing with aggression or severe anxiety.
Day Training if you want board-and-train repetition without the overnight stay.
Private Training for one specific problem, at the academy or in your home.
Puppy Training if your dog is under six months old.
Group Classes at our Overland Park academy, once the basics are solid and your dog needs practice around distractions.

Not sure? That’s what the free evaluation is for. We’ll look at your dog and your goals and tell you which program fits.

Why Gladstone Families Choose KC Dawgz

4.9 stars from 600+ Google reviews across our three locations. One of the highest-rated dog training academies in the Kansas City metro. Read more on our Testimonials page.
Credentialed trainers who keep learning. AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluators on staff, with education through Michael Ellis, Karen Pryor, Starmark, and STSK9. See Highlights & Awards and Our Team.
Local, not a franchise. Founded in 2017, a multi-year Best of KC finalist and Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave, with academies in Overland Park, Olathe, and Gladstone.
A balanced approach built around your dog. The plan fits your dog’s temperament and your household, not a script. Read our training philosophy.
You’re part of the training. Every program includes coaching for you, so results carry over at home.

Training a Specific Breed?

Some breeds come with their own set of problems. If you are north of the river with a working breed or a doodle, start here:

German Shepherd Training in Kansas City · Doberman Training in Kansas City · Goldendoodle Training in Kansas City

Gladstone Dog Training FAQs

Is there dog training near me in Gladstone, MO?

Yes. Our Gladstone academy is at 4902 NW Old Pike Rd, Suite 200, and it serves Gladstone and the Northland, including North Kansas City and Liberty.

Where would my dog actually train?

Board & Train and Day Training happen at the Gladstone academy. Private lessons can be held there or in your home. Group classes meet at our Overland Park academy.

Is in-home dog training available?

Yes, through private training, for addresses within a practical drive of the academy. We’ll confirm during your free evaluation.

What age should my puppy start training?

As early as 8 weeks old in our Puppy Training program. Building good habits early is much easier than fixing them later.

What training methods do you use?

A balanced, reward-based approach. We reward the behaviors we want, teach what not to do only after your dog understands what’s expected, and work on the triggers behind problem behaviors. Read our full training philosophy.

What do I need to do after my dog finishes training?

You’ll get go-home coaching on every command and how to practice at home. Consistent daily practice keeps the results, and group classes at our Overland Park academy are a good next step.

Do you work with aggressive or reactive dogs?

Yes. Our Behavior Modification Board & Train track is built for aggression, severe anxiety, and leash reactivity.

How much does dog training cost?

It depends on the program, so we start with a free evaluation. You’ll get clear pricing before anything starts. Check Promos & Specials for current offers.

Ready to Start? Book Your Free Evaluation

Meet our Gladstone team, tell us what’s going on with your dog, and find out exactly which program fits. No cost, no pressure.