Puppy 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 puppies
• Prerequisites: None
• Requirements:
• 11 weeks to 6 months old when 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 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

What if my puppy is not learning?

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

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

It is OK if your puppy is still in the process of getting vaccinations, as long as your veterinarian believes that he is on track. The benefits of the class experience and socialization outweigh vaccination risks, especially since they are all puppies in the room.

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 note that you cannot bring your puppy 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 puppy in class?

Yes and no. Yes, we will be practicing a lot of important exercises in class, and your puppy will be getting trained by virtue of participating in them. However, we are training YOU how to train your puppy, 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 puppy 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 puppies 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 puppy 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.

Is off-leash playtime mandatory?

Off-leash playtime can be a fun and important part of puppy classes, as it can help teach socialization in a safe environment. However, it is not mandatory - if you do not want to participate, you can wait outside of the room during that time.

• 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.