Adult Dog Training Classes in Chicago

• Classes per course: 6 classes (once per week)
• Duration per class: 1 hour
• Price: $275 for the 6-week course. You pay when you enroll.
• How to enroll: Either by clicking the Enroll button below, or calling us at 312-829-8787
• Maximum dogs per course: 6 dogs
• Prerequisites: None
• Requirements:
• 6 months or older once the course starts
• Not overly reactive towards other dogs or people (unless it's a Leash Reactivity class) - "Reactive" means snarling, aggressively lunging, trying to bite, and for forth - excitement or simply trying to jump is not considered reactive
• No contagious conditions
• Proof of vaccinations for Rabies (if 7+ months), Distemper, Parvo, and Bordatella (these are standard vaccinations)
• Missing a class: If you need to miss a class, that's OK!
  
• You will have access to TrainTrack, so you can watch videos of any exercises covered in class.
• You could attend another class for the one you missed, without your dog.
• We don't recommend missing the final class, as this is the graduation. If you do, it is still possible to get your certificate.
• Parking: There is typically free parking available on the streets directly north of us - otherwise, there are parking meters
• If two people: If there are two of you, we encourage both to attend
• If two dogs: You would need one adult per dog
• Seating: Chairs are available
• Graduation certificate: You'll receive a graduation certificate, which could be helpful to show a landlord, condo association, or homeowners insurance

Is there off-leash playtime in the Adult Manners class?

Off-leash playtime is not guaranteed for Adult Manners classes. This is because some dogs don't handle it well, and things could get out of control quickly. However, if the trainer believes it is possible because all of the dogs can likely handle it well, and if everyone in the class agrees, the trainer can make the decision to offer it in a particular class. If you still didn't want to participate, it would not be mandatory, but you would need to sit outside of the room during that time.

What if my dog is not learning?

Your dog should start to get the hang of everything pretty quickly. You will be amazed at how fast they can learn, and most people are blown away at their dog's progress by the time graduation comes. But most importantly, we give you home exercises, and that is where the real learning takes place, with lots of repetition.

What if my dog does not have all of the vaccinations completed?

All dogs in Adult Manners class must have their full rounds of the vaccinations we require, which you can see by clicking the link above. This policy is for the health and well-being of all of the dogs who attend our classes.

What if I need to miss a class?

All of the exercises taught in class are available on TrainTrack, our online portal. Just watch the videos of the exercises, practice the exercises during the week, and you should be fine. We don't recommend missing graduation, just because it is so fun! Please not that you cannot bring your dog to a makeup class, because most of our classes are full, and this would cause too many to be in the room at once. In addition, the dogs get used to each other throughout the course, and it can be disruptive if a newcomer enters the class.

Are you going to train my dog in class?

Yes and no. Yes, we will be practicing a lot of important exercises in class, and your dog will be getting trained by virtue of participating in them. However, we are training YOU how to train your dog, because the classes last an hour but much more repetition is needed through the week. That is why we assign you homework exercises and give you the videos to rewatch if necessary.

Is there a guarantee that my dog will learn all of the skills?

No trainer in the world can make such a guarantee. However, we can say with certainty that if you come to every class, follow the trainer's instructions carefully, and practice at home, your puppy should really start to learn the behaviors quite well. Some dogs take longer than others due to factors such as anxiety or genetics, but just be patient and positive - you should be amazed at the results.

Can I get a refund if my dog can't handle it, my schedule changes, etc.?

Classes are non-refundable if they start within 14 days. This is because by giving a space to you, we took it away from someone else. If your dog can't continue in the class, you can still attend without him. In addition, there is still great value in following the home exercises on our TrainTrack online portal.

Can I transfer to another course once I enroll?

As long as it at least 14 days before the course starts, you can transfer to another with no problem. If there is less than 14 days but the course hasn't started yet, call us to discuss. Once the course starts, you are not able to transfer.

• Affordability: Classes have a lower cost per session than private lessons. You get a lifetime of skills for a very low price.
• Group exercises: Sometimes in class there are group exercises that cannot be simulated at your home, such as your dog walking past all of the other dogs in class without becoming distracted. This adds a level of difficulty that helps strengthen the behaviors.
• Hear other questions: Hear questions from other people, some of which you may also have, and some of which you may not have thought of yet.
• Regularity: Classes are on a weekly schedule, which can be helpful for many people and dogs due to its regularity. With private lessons, you may not be able to get the dates and times that you want due to the trainer's schedule.
• Distraction-based learning: It can be very beneficial for your dog to learn in an environment with distractions, instead of just your home, as this strengthens the skills and is a better representation of real-world scenarios.

• Avoid wasting many hours sifting through conflicting, incomplete advice that is often detrimental — follow a structured, proven plan instead
• Get immediate expert feedback on your technique and what your dog is actually experiencing
• Avoid common mistakes that can severely limit your dog's progress
• We'll show what adjustments to make when your dog isn't responding
• Use TrainTrack to rewatch videos of the exercises, plus track progress
• Stay consistent with guidance and accountability throughout the process
• Eliminate the frustration of trying different methods that don’t consistently work

• Do I need to carry treats for the rest of my dog's life? Treats are for teaching behaviors - once your dog can reliably perform, treats can be phased out at your discretion.
• Do I need to carry treats at all times? No. If there are times where you are not carrying treats, our methods can still work.
• Can I use a different type of reward than treats? It may be possible to use something else your dog values, such as a favorite toy.
• Is positive reinforcement too soft for my dog? Not a bit. The best way to build reliable skills is through trust and motivation. Being tough with your dog can cause him to shut down, have anxiety, ignore you, and not truly learn.
• I have tried treats, but they don't work for my dog. You were likely using low-value treats, including from a store. We will recommend high-value treats that are irresistable for most dogs, including in high-distraction environments.
• Will it take longer to achieve results? This is a common myth. Positive reinforcement can create faster results than aversive methods, because your dog is motivated to listen to you, and truly wants to learn.
• Is it bribery? No! All animals learn behaviors from being rewarded, including humans. You wouldn't go to work for free, would you? Motivation + repetition = new behaviors.