Private Training Lessons in Chicago

Will you be able to train my dog in 1-2 lessons?

We can certainly come over for 1-2 lessons to start working together, but that would not be sufficient for getting results for most behaviors such as loose leash walking. Most dogs need at least six lessons in order to learn a behavior like that, and with our program, we give you harder and harder exercises each week in order to build your dog's skill level. Having said that, sometimes people need less than six because it's a much more simple behavior they are trying to address. When we book the lessons with you, we would discuss your options and let you know what is the recommended plan based on your goals.

What schedule would the lessons generally follow?

We would typically recommend one week in between sessions in order to achieve results for most behaviors such as leash walking. This gives you time to practice the home exercises, but the ability for us to give feedback on your technique before you go further. It can also be great accountability for you when you know you have a week to make progress. Having said that, it may not always be possible to go exactly one week later each time, and there may be times where you skip a week due to travel or other reasons. It's very flexible, and you can discuss the overall plan with your trainer. We have found it best to try and schedule as many lessons in advance as possible, so you get the dates and times that you want.

What if my dog is reactive when guests come to my home?

First, we would need you to be very upfront about this when contacting us, so the trainer is not walking into a risky situation. In addition, we would likely ask you to follow certain safety protocols. Also, it may be best to start working at our training facility first, or at least outside of your home on the sidealk, and get your dog acclimated to the trainer before going into your home. One way or another, we could likely make it work. If you are trying to address fear-based behaviors such as stranger danger or guest anxiety, that would likely fall into the category of our Behavioral Modification program. See the Training Overview page for more information.

What if it is during the winter, or in the middle of the summer?

Private lessons can be effective during any time of the year. When the temperature is too hot or cold, we can find alternative places to work, including inside your home, high-rise hallways, retail stores, dog-friendly hotels, one of our training locations, and others.

What days and hours are available for private lessons?

Our trainers work during the day through early evening, including weekdays and weekends. We want to make it easy for you.

Is it better to work at my home or at your facility?

The answer to that question depends on your goals and your dog. Coming to our facility can be beneficial because we have an enormous amount of resources and equipment to help the training process, it can be helpful to get out of the home environment, and can be a good solution if your dog is not thrilled about a stranger in the home. Coming to your home can be helpful because we can work in your home environment and help you make adjustments, plus it may be more convenient for you. We can also work in both places, so your dog gets the benefit of both.

How will I remember everything the trainer told me?

Our TrainTrack online portal will have the exercises, recommendations, videos, and products that the trainer has assigned to you after each lesson. It keeps everything handy in one place, and can be easily accessed from any device with a browser.

What if my dog needs some listening skills (e.g., loose leash walking), but I also want to include behavioral modification for some more complex, fear-based behaviors?

We can certainly tackle both types of behaviors, and can have a blended price that takes both formats into consideration. Adding the behavioral modification training will likely add more sessions, as this is typical for fear-based behaviors.