This is a list of the top dog trainers in Illinois, based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public.
CPDT-KA, CGC Evaluator
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Chicago neighborhoods and some nearby suburbs
I am a Chicago-based trainer that believes training should be fun, sustainable, and kind. I want to help you and your pup better understand each other and use training and management solutions that work with your individual needs and lifestyle. I rely on positive reinforcement training with a focus on science-based methods.
CDBC, FDM, KPA CTP, CTDI
Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Board and train, Puppy training
Huntley, IL
Ali is a graduate of The Karen Pryor Academy, earning her Karen Pryor Certified Training Partner title (KPA CTP). She is a certified dog behavior consultant (CDBC) and a certified family dog mediator (FDM). Ali continues her education and professional growth by attending several seminars each year. She makes every effort to provide her clients the individual training solutions their dog needs....
Deaf dog training, Agility training, Off leash training
Training at Numerous Chicago area training facilities, and Evanston, IL
I have been teaching Agility full-time and competing with my GSDs for over 25 years, and teaching and competing in Scentwork for the past 10 plus years. My dogs and I also enjoy DockDiving and we dabble in herding.
I am the founder (and still chair) of Chicago's first dog park, Wiggly Field, spending years working to change local city, county and State ordinances and laws to allow the desi...
ABCDT
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training, Puppy training
Chicago suburbs, Rockford, roscoe, rockton, south Beloit, Beloit.
I am certified through Animal Behavior College (ABCDT) and have a wealth of continued education since my certification. I specialize in Reactive/aggressive dogs. And love the Canine sports as I hope to be adding more sporting options to clients.
My training outside of Canine sports is focused more on everyday application of obedience cues and applying them to everyday manners.
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CTC with Honors from Jean Donaldson's Academy for Dog Trainers, PMCT1 from Pat Miller's Certification academies, CPDT-KA, Fear Free Certified Professional
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training, Puppy training
Northwest Suburbs of Chicago including but not limited to Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Buffalo Grove, Roselle, Itasca, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, Park Ridge, Edison Park, and more.
Hi! My name is Mary Thompson, I have been working with dogs for almost my entire life and have owned by own training business, Happy Hound University LLC since 2017. I got into training the way most of us get into training: because of my problem dog Regis. Regis had dog reactivity, stranger directed aggression, barrier frustration, handling issues, resource guarding... pretty much everything wo...
CBCC-KA, AKC Evaluator, Certified Canine First Aid and CPR Instructor
Reactive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Puppy training
Chicago and north shore suburbs
I have been training dogs for close to 20 years. I started my career teaching all levels of basic through advanced obedience. Immediately I realized my love for working with anxious and fearful dogs, and how using positive reinforcement methods helps change the emotions behind the behavior. My goal is always to help dogs become more confident in their environment and to feel more comfortable an...
CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, AKC CGC Evaluator
Board and train, In home training, Puppy training
Illinois: Park Ridge, Wilmette, Barrington, Winnetka, Inverness, Long Grove, Lake Zurich, Glenview, Hawthorn Woods, Naperville, Geneva, St. Charles, Glen Ellyn, Chicago, Wisconsin: Lake Geneva
I have been dog training professionally for over 10 ten years. I am certified in dog training and behavior consulting. I also am an AKC Evaluator and have so much fun working with the AKC programs. I love creating working relationships with my clients and their pups and watching them attain their goals whether it may be becoming a therapy dog team or entering trick competitions.
CTC - Certificate of Training and (behavior) Counseling - with honors - Academy for Dog Trainers - 2000 CTDI - Certified Trick Dog Instructor CCFC - Canine Conditioning Fitness Coach
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Chicago and Chicago-land suburbs
Debbie has worked as a professional dog trainer for over 20 years.
Her group classes are taught at For Your K9 - where she teaches Puppy, Basic, Canine Life and Social Skills/Canine Good Citizen, Tricks, and Rally Free.
Debbie is a long-time member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the Pet Professional Guild.
She is one of just 70 trainers worldwide...
IAABC-Accredited dog trainer (ADT), IAABC-Shelter Behavior Affiliate (SBA) and Family Paws Parent Educator
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training, Puppy training
Western suburbs of Chicagoland
I have been professionally providing dog training and behavior consulting for the past 4.5 years. I also work in an animal shelter as a member of the training/behavior team. I have a BA in Psychology and a background in case management for a social service agency as well as many years of teaching in a Montessori school that served students from 3-6 years old. I consider myself a lifelong learne...
CPDT-KA, ABCDT, Fear Free Certified
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Puppy training
Belvidere, Cherry Valley, Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Poplar Grove, Caledonia, Marengo, Garden Prairie, DeKalb, Kingston, Genoa
"I have been training dogs using positive training techniques since I was a child, luring my first dog with hot dogs through an agility course made of dressers, plywood, ladders and hula hoops."
Gina is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). She graduated Animal Behavior College with honors, where she earned her Animal Behavior Certified Dog Trainer (ABCDT) certification. She ...
CDBC, CPDT-KA, SBA
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training
Remote
Allie Bender, CDBC, CPBT-KA, SBA has been working and volunteering in various animal welfare-related fields since 2006 and professionally training since 2012. She is the founder and co-owner of Pet Harmony animal behavior and training, co-author of Canine Enrichment for the Real World, co-host of the Enrichment for the Real World podcast, has made TV & commercial appearances, and is a national ...
CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Agility training, In home training, Puppy training
Chicago
I'm one of a handful of certified behavioral consultants in Chicago and have been invested in the rescue community since 2009.
ABCDT, CPDT-KA
Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Agility training, In home training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Chicago
When I was younger, I was always told " you only get one more chance". Even at a young age, I felt the pressure of having to get it right by the second time. As I went through life as an adult, I noticed so many names of companies called "second chance..." and it brought me back to that feeling of defeat when I was a child. I made it my mission to give humans and dogs as many chances as it t...
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Agility training, In home training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Northside of Chicago
Judit was only 17 years old when she found herself in over her head with her first dog, Puffy. Always a timid pup, at two years old he became very aggressive and reactive towards people and other dogs. Not willing to give up on her dog and not able to afford training Judit was determined to learn the art of dog training. In 2002 she launched her career as a professional dog trainer when he appl...
LDFM-T, CPDT, CAP 2
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Puppy training
Chicago, Orland Park, Homewood, Tinley Park, Aurora, Oak Park, Aurora, Frankfort, Schereville
I started training professionally over 2 decades ago after adopting a Coonhound mix and soon thereafter ending up crying on the floor, surrounded by puddles of pee, not sure what to do! My commitment to learning and growing my knowledge has not stopped since then. I have multiple certifications, have completed many in-person and online courses, and have attended many learning expos and seminars...
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, In home training, Puppy training
Chicago
I am the owner of Anything Is Pawzible Dog Training in Chicago, Illinois. I created this company 23 years ago and it has grown to the largest dog training company in Chicago. With 19 trainers on staff and 4 locations I am proud to offer so many unique classes and offerings to our clients. Anything Is Pawzible has classes ranging the entire span of a dog's lifetime from puppy classes to senior...
CPDT-KA
Reactive dog training, Agility training, In home training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Bartlett, Batavia, Campton Hills, Downers Grove, Elgin, Geneva, Maple Park, Naperville, St. Charles, South Elgin, Streamwood, Wayne, West Chicago, Wheaton, Winfield
Julia Lane, CPDT-KA, has been a professional dog trainer specializing in agility, obedience & reactivity for over 15 years. She owns Spot On K9 Sports, LLC, a 17,500 sq. ft. dog sports training facility featuring group classes, private lessons, seminars & agility trials. She also provides in-home dog training.
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Board and train, In home training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Northwest Suburbs of Chicago
Randa has been training dogs for 23 years and began her journey as a professional by spending 8 weeks at Arizona Canine Academy. Randa takes every opportunity to soak up knowledge and has studied under many experts in the field and attended conferences and intensives all over the country. Randa developed a training based enrichment daycare program that focuses on the mental wellbeing of dogs ...
Wag! Certified trainer
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Agility training, Board and train, In home training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Chicago area and surrounding suburbs
As a lifelong animal lover, I finally decided to take the leap and start my own training business. I am especially passionate about rescuing animals (currently I have two rescues of my own) and exploring the many benefits of the animal-human connection.
CPDT-KA
Reactive dog training, In home training, Puppy training
Glenview, Wilmette, Winnetka, Northbrook, Northfield, Golf, Morton Grove, Park Ridge, Niles, Skokie, Evanston, Highland Park, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Wheeling
Nancy Paolucci, CPDT-KA did not discover her passion for dogs and training until she adopted her first dog in her 20's. Nancy graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa with a degree in Marketing and found herself in the world of promotional products where she met her husband. They adopted their first dog, Abby an English Setter, in 2007 and Nancy never looked back. She delved into trainin...
I am a Chicago-based trainer that believes training should be fun, sustainable, and kind. I want to help you and your pup better understand each other and use training and management solutions that work with your individual needs and lifestyle. I rely on positive reinforcement training with a focus on science-based methods.
Ali is a graduate of The Karen Pryor Academy, earning her Karen Pryor Certified Training Partner title (KPA CTP). She is a certified dog behavior consultant (CDBC) and a certified family dog mediator (FDM). Ali continues her education and professional growth by attending several seminars each year. She makes every effort to provide her clients the individual training solutions their dog needs....
I am certified through Animal Behavior College (ABCDT) and have a wealth of continued education since my certification. I specialize in Reactive/aggressive dogs. And love the Canine sports as I hope to be adding more sporting options to clients.
My training outside of Canine sports is focused more on everyday application of obedience cues and applying them to everyday manners.
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I have been professionally providing dog training and behavior consulting for the past 4.5 years. I also work in an animal shelter as a member of the training/behavior team. I have a BA in Psychology and a background in case management for a social service agency as well as many years of teaching in a Montessori school that served students from 3-6 years old. I consider myself a lifelong learne...
Randa has been training dogs for 23 years and began her journey as a professional by spending 8 weeks at Arizona Canine Academy. Randa takes every opportunity to soak up knowledge and has studied under many experts in the field and attended conferences and intensives all over the country. Randa developed a training based enrichment daycare program that focuses on the mental wellbeing of dogs ...
Lisa is a Trainer at Over the Moon and has had a lifelong love of dogs. Her particular love affair with Bullmastiffs began when she read a book about dog breeds and found the Bullmastiff to be her perfect fit. That first book led to other books, videos, and anything else she could find to research the breed. She eventually found a wonderful breeder, and got her first Bullmastiff, Hemi, ten year...
Todd has been training dogs for five years. He completed coursework with training certifications including ongoing CEU. Notably, he is a Karen Pryor Academy certified training partner (KPA-CTP). Todd is also committed to bringing the most current, successful animal learning techniques (focused on positive reinforcement in a fear-free environment) to the Central Illinois area.
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Welcome to Illinois’s list of top dog trainers. The Illinois list is based on 2369 votes from the Sniffspot community. Only the Illinois dog trainers with the top number of votes made this list. Trainers are ordered by number of votes, with Margaret Fraser at the top of this list with 302 votes.
Our rankings include trainers certified by CPDT-KA and CPDT-KA. They also specialize in Puppy training, In home training amongst other training programs.
Illinois dog trainer services include:
Dog trainers in Illinois selflessly set pets up for success. Margaret Fraser shares why they chose this path: I first became interested in training when I adopted my dog Bea (Arthur) in 2013 while living in New York City. I had to quickly learn how to manage a behaviorally challenging dog in an urban environment. This led to a passion for rescuing, fostering, and training dogs. I have fostered over 20 dogs for local animal rescues and continue to volunteer my time helping animals in need.. All 135 trainers on this Illinois list are committed to positive reinforcement. Trusted Illinois trainer, Ali Evanson, uses the following methods: We first begin with an info sheet which has a lot of specific questions on it related to what the owners are seeing from their dogs which helps tell us which program would fit best for them as well as if they're right for our board and train program. We then get them on the books for their stay and set up an initial consult which is done at my training center. This lets me meet the dog and determine if they will likely be successful in our program. They would then begin their program which is usually 2-3 weeks long. We use all positive reinforcement methods and believe in treating dogs kindly. When they check in we let them decompress and work on basic behaviors and anything we think they should learn to be successful at their bigger goals. If they're working on reactivity we will systematically work with one of my neutral dogs to counter condition and desensitize before we begin working out in the real world. A follow up consult is included when you pick up your dog from their stay. We offer continuing education that can be added on to each package which can be done in home, virtually or at my training center..
Explore the top dog trainers in Illinois as voted by our community:
I first became interested in training when I adopted my dog Bea (Arthur) in 2013 while living in New York City. I had to quickly learn how to manage a behaviorally challenging dog in an urban environment. This led to a passion for rescuing, fostering, and training dogs. I have fostered over 20 dogs for local animal rescues and continue to volunteer my time helping animals in need..
Management is just as important (if not more!) as training..
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.