Leash Reactivity Dog Training Classes in Chicago

• Classes per course: 6 classes (once per week)
• Duration per class: 1 hour
• Price: $500 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:
• No age restrictions.
• 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

How do you keep the dogs from trying to go after each other during class?

The dogs stay behind large barriers spread far apart from each other. Throughout the course, we bring the dogs out from the barriers, starting one at a time, then two at a time, and so forth, so they learn to feel safe with each other. By the end of the course, most of the dogs can tolerate being around the others.

Is there such a thing as too reactive for the class?

If your dog has extreme reactivity to the point of being a danger to himself or you, this class may not be the right fit, and our Behavioral Modification program may be more appropriate. Talk with us about this if you are wondering, and we can even have an in-person assessment to see what makes the most sense.

What if my dog is reactive towards humans, including possibly the trainer?

If you feel that your dog may cause injury to the trainer, you would need to implement safety precautions such as having a muzzle on your dog during class (which we can help you with), and having two leashes, in case one gets loose. We would need you to discuss this possibility with us up front, and we may determine that our Behavioral Modification program is more appropriate.

Can this class truly help my dog?

Most dogs who have gone through this course have shown tremendous progress, because they learn that other dogs are not a threat, and you learn strategies to help reduce their fear and anxiety while avoiding potential issues on the sidewalk. It is possible that your dog doesn't progress much at first, but keep in mind that we are giving you exercises and showing what to do at home. You then need to implement the strategies every day and build your dog's repetitions and trust. Your dog should show progress over time. If not, you may need to consider other possible causes of your dog's behavior, such as genetics, a medical issue, or deep mental health issues.

Will the dogs be off-leash at any time?

Absolutely not. All dogs are kept on leash and at a safe distance from each other. There are on-leash exercises where they may be somewhat near each other, if the trainer determines that it would not cause an unsafe risk.

Should I take the class, or should I sign up for the Behavioral Modification program with private lessons?

Both formats can be very helpful, and each has unique characteristics. One challenge with private lessons is that you need to find other dogs so you can work on desensitization. This can prove challenging, and is not really fair to the other dogs. On the other hand, classes have multiple other dogs who are in the same boat, so it can be easier to create the desensitization. Private lessons are based on one-on-one instruction, which can be helpful, but in the class, there is benefit to group exercises. It all just depends on your goals, budget, dog, and more. Many people atually end up taking the class and enrolling in the ehavioral Modification program, since both are so helpful.

I use a prong collar / choke chain on my dog because I have a hard time controlling him otherwise. Can I keep this on him during class?

Prong collars, choke chains, and shock collars are not allowed in class, as these are aversive tools that are not part of the positive reinforcement system. They reduce your dog's trust in you, can cause injury to your dog, and aren't really teaching your dog anything. Because we want you to get the most out of this course, we will need you to not have any of these tools on your dog during class, and ask that you don't use them during the week either. We will show you how to get results without using them.

My dog gets so stressed that he doesn't respond to treats. How will this work in class, which calls for the use of treats?

A lot of times, dogs can't respond to training or treats because their brain is so panicked and stressed in the moment. In the beginning classes, your dog may still be in this mental state, and that is OK. The goal is to keep showing your dog, week after week, that other dogs are not a threat, and this should help reduce stress and fear. Hopefully by the final class, your dog will be able to think more clearly and be more responsive to treats. If not, we recommend to just keep working on the exercises at home, and you will likely start to have breakthroughs. We can help you along the way if necessary, with private lessons.

• 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.