The Tom Rose School

The Professional Pet Trainer Program is an 8-week intensive course held Tuesday–Saturday, 9am–3:30pm, with lectures, labs, and hands-on training. The Master Dog Trainer Program is a 20-week program with advanced training in protection, service, and sport dogs, including fieldwork with police K9 units. The 6-week workshops focus on IGP disciplines and behavior modification, with daily training from 9am–4pm, Monday–Friday. All programs require passing performance evaluations aligned with national and international standards. Students live on-site during intensive programs, with housing provided.

Pricing Summary

Professional Pet Trainer Program: $10,000; Master Dog Trainer Program: $18,000; 6-week workshops: $8,000 with an all-inclusive package of $8,500 including housing and utilities. A $100 non-refundable application fee is required. A $1,000 housing deposit is required for the all-inclusive package and is refundable upon departure if no damage occurs.

Policies

A $100 non-refundable application fee is required. Upon acceptance, a completed contract and full tuition payment secure the spot. A $1,000 housing deposit is required for the all-inclusive package and is refunded upon departure if no damage occurs. No mention of cancellation or rescheduling policies for enrolled students.

The Tom Rose School is a professional dog training institution founded in 1979 by Tom Rose, a pioneering figure in the dog training industry. It offers intensive, hands-on training programs for individuals seeking to become professional dog trainers, including the Professional Pet Trainer Program (8 weeks) and the Master Dog Trainer Program (20 weeks). The school also hosts 6-week workshops focused on IGP Protection, IGP Obedience, IGP Tracking, Scent Detection, and Behavior Modification. Instruction is led by Hayssam Chdid and Kirsten Chdid, seasoned trainers with decades of combined experience working with high-drive, aggressive, and working dogs. The curriculum emphasizes balanced training methods, including classical and operant conditioning, imprinting, and the use of both positive and corrective techniques. While primarily focused on training professionals, the school’s methods and materials are relevant to dog owners seeking advanced behavior modification or sport training. The school does not offer private lessons or group classes for pet owners directly, but its workshops may accept applicants with dogs exhibiting extreme behavior problems.

The school is located at 6701 Antire Rd, High Ridge, MO, and provides housing and meals as part of its all-inclusive packages. It does not offer grooming, boarding, walking, or daycare services for the general public. The school’s legacy includes Tom Rose’s innovations such as coining the term “Professional Dog Trainer” and promoting the Belgian Malinois as a K-9 breed. The programs are rigorous, with graduation contingent on passing performance-based evaluations aligned with AKC, UKC, and DVG standards.

The school is not currently offering certification to the public but focuses on immersive training experiences for serious students and enthusiasts.

Note: While the school’s programs are designed for aspiring professionals, dog owners with severe behavior issues may apply for the 6-week workshops, where their dogs could be selected as case dogs for live training demonstrations.

Accomplishments

Tom Rose, founder, was the first American to earn a perfect 100-point advanced tracking score, coined the term “Professional Dog Trainer,” and imported the Belgian Malinois to the U.S. as a police K-9. He holds the highest IGP score ever recorded by an American (298/300), won six “TOP Trainer of the Year” awards, and earned the VDH Gold Trainers Medal. Instructors Hayssam Chdid and Kirsten Chdid are graduates of TRS with honors and have trained over 240 dogs annually. Hayssam established the K-9 unit for the United Nations in Beirut.

How to Get Started!

Prospective students must submit a separate application via the online form. A $100 application fee is required. Applicants with dogs exhibiting extreme behavior problems are encouraged to mention this during application, as their dogs may be selected for live training cases. Upon acceptance, a contract is sent, and full payment secures enrollment.