Creating Companions

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Creating Companions Dog Training Around the Saint Louis Area

Creating confident, capable companions for those who want more from their canine.

10/01/2026

Recently I referred one of my clients to a fellow trainer for boarding. I called the trainer to check in while the dog was there and she said “I can tell you trained her because of how she enters a heel, it’s a signature”. To me that was a big compliment. A trainer I respect can recognize when I was the one that trained a dog based off of the dog’s demeanor and accuracy. That’s my standard. That’s what I put my company name on.

In the video is Finley and her owner. Finley is a roughly one year old mix. She has struggled with reactivity, lack of confidence, overstimulation, and overall manners.

Yesterday I did a lesson that truly warmed my heart.Charlie got booted out of the grooming salon until she could become ...
09/29/2026

Yesterday I did a lesson that truly warmed my heart.
Charlie got booted out of the grooming salon until she could become safer to groom. Before calling me, her owner had reached out to another trainer in the area. Without meeting Charlie, the trainer recommended euthanasia…
I was appalled to hear that.
Charlie panics when touched. She panics and bites… hard. The bite gloves saved my hands numerous times throughout her previous lessons. I couldn’t pet her, touch her, brush her, and neither could her owner.
After weeks of grooming practice and training she was finally ready to generalize her new skills to an applicable environment. Yesterday her owner and I did a lesson at Sommer Dog Salon where we made her training round more realistic. Her owner and I had such a great moment reflecting on how far she has come. Charlie was happy, willing to explore, and play in the environment she used to be so scared of. Her owner said “ya know, she used to growl when I would try to tell her by before heading off to work in the morning. She hasn’t done that in two weeks.” Watching Charlie allow us to grab her face and brush her tail, and trim her, all without a single bite warmed my heart. It also deeply bothered me that another trainer recommended euthanizing her. I truly enjoy Charlie. She is an extremely motivated dog that has a lot of trust in her owner and has an owner that is willing to do the work.
I’m so grateful for Sommer Dog Salon for letting me use the salon for training rounds, but also for Brooke recognizing when a dog needs some help and referring to her training connections in the area. I am thankful that Charlie’s owner found me instead of taking such crude and misplaced advice. I’m thankful for the opportunity to help people and their dogs.

These pictures are from an artist named Briton Riviere.I have been a bit under the weather the last week and my own dogs...
09/22/2026

These pictures are from an artist named Briton Riviere.

I have been a bit under the weather the last week and my own dogs have been cuddling me through it. This reminded me of an artist I love. There are few artists who have as honestly captured canines as well as Briton Riviere. I figured I would share some of my favorites with you all. I love the way he captures the relationship between man and dog, and the honest expressions of our canine companions. As dog lovers, I think we can all relate to at least one of these photos.

These are not my paintings or photos, and I have cropped them to size, I encourage you to check out his work.

Max has been doing private lessons to work on potty training, obedience, and his occasional snapping. He made best frien...
09/12/2026

Max has been doing private lessons to work on potty training, obedience, and his occasional snapping. He made best friends with Zara during his boarding visit with me while his owners went out of town so it only made sense to bring her as his distraction. Max tends to leave all of his brain cells behind when he gets excited, especially if he looses focus around another dog. In the video we got Zara out and had him do recalls away from her while she held a down stay (props to her for the help, she is only four months old). At first he pulled on the leash and barked, after a few repetitions he was able to walk by her and turn away from her before even being called. Of course we let them play after he demonstrated some calmness and neutrality in her presence. During their play we talked about appropriate play and how to navigate socializing him. Max has already come so far. I enjoy this little guy.

09/11/2026

I hope this helps clarify my previous video. Even more I hope this helps demonstrate that training does not have to be boring and robotic. Training isn’t always just a 10 minute round you do with some treats.

Rewards and punishment aren’t just treats and leash pops. Learning moments, don’t have to be some big event either, it can be subtle. I encourage all my clients to read their dog. Dogs are rarely ever stubborn or intentionally disobedient. Often times dogs are confused and need further input for clarity. That input could be guidance with a leash, a hand gesture, an interrupter, etc. Give your dog some grace, specifically when in the learning phase. Be someone your dog wants to do things for not someone that has to force your dogs to do things.

09/07/2026

Training rounds should be mixed into real life. My little puppy came up to me wanting to play after she went potty, obviously I agreed to play. Instead of just letting her get mindlessly over aroused and lost in the sauce I made it a learning moment that will make a big difference in her life (with practice repetitions of course). I taught her 1. how to manage her arousal, 2. that I require follow through when I ask something, and 3. that when she gives me what I ask for, I will give her what she asks for. That third one is super important.

I make trades with my dogs all the time, they ask to play, I play. I ask for a command during play, the perform it, we play again. They want to run free and sniff while hiking, I let them, then I ask to heel when we pass people on a trail, they heel, I reward with letting them run free after we pass. Exchanges and trades all day long. This builds relationship, trust, behavioral standard, and reliability.

Your dog is your companion. Not some subordinate. It’s a living breathing being with wants and desires. Learn how to navigate the world together and have a great relationship in the process.

Address

Arnold, MO
63010

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 7pm
Saturday 9am - 7pm
Sunday 9am - 7pm

Telephone

+17316301050

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