About Us
Live your best life. Together.
Whether you need help with the basics or bigger behavior stuff, we’re here to teach real skills in a way that actually sticks.
Thoughtful training, clear communication, and a better connection between you and your dog.
Copilot Dog Training helps dogs—and their humans—navigate life together with confidence, calm, and connection. We're based in Chicago and specialize in real-life, reward-based training for dogs of all ages, backgrounds, and behavior challenges.
From wild puppies, nervous rescues, or reactive sweethearts who just needs a little help adjusting to city life, we’ll meet you where you are and move at your dog’s pace.
Our Approach
Why choose Copilot
We Train with
Kindness
We Know Every Dog’s Different
Training should be kind, clear, and fun, for dogs and their people. We use positive reinforcement to help dogs learn and feel good doing it.
At Copilot, our trainers bring a variety of specialties so your dog gets support and tailored training plans that fits their unique needs.
We Love Our Chicago
Community
Flexible Training Options
Training should be kind, effective, and fun—for both dogs and their people. We use positive reinforcement methods to help make that happen.
Sign up for group classes at our Avondale location or take advantage of in-home training. Not within our service areas? Try virtual sessions!
Private training service areas
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Andersonville
Boystown
Buena Park
Edgewater
Irving Park
Lakeview
Lincoln Park
Lincoln Square
North Center
Old Town
Ravenswood
Rogers Park
Roscoe Village
Uptown
Wrigleyville
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Albany Park
Jefferson Park
Mayfair
Norridge
Norwood Park
Old Irving Park
Portage Park
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Avondale
Logan Square
Wicker Park
Bucktown
Hermosa
Humboldt Park
Illinois Medical District
Ukrainian Village
West Town
Noble Square
Palmer Square
Pilsen
East Humboldt Park
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Downtown
River North
South Loop
West Loop
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Addison
Berwyn
Brookfield
Elmhurst
Elmwood Park
Forest Park
Franklin Park
Glen Ellyn
Hinsdale
Jefferson Park
La Grange
Lombard
Norridge
Oak Brook
Oak Park
Villa Park
Westmont
Western Springs
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Neighborhood or city not listed? Book a free consultation to learn more about our virtual lessons!
Our team
Margaret Fraser
Hello! I am a Chicago-based trainer (she/her) 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.
I first became interested in training when I adopted my dog Bea 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.
I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and certified in fear free methods.
Areas of interest
Reactivity, training in urban environments, enrichment/ lifestyle, therapy dog training
Jess Kupsik
Hi there! My name is Jess (she/her) and I am a certified professional (CPDT-KA) dog trainer in Chicago.
I began training as a hobby when I adopted my first dog, Kona, in 2017. My favorite aspect of training quickly became how positive reinforcement enhanced our bond and relationship.
Kona and I fostered over a dozen bully breed dogs before adopting Francine, a deaf bully mix. My favorite part of fostering was always using training to build confidence and teach life skills that made dogs more adoptable and adaptable.
My approach to training is backed by science using positive reinforcement methods. My goal is to better your relationship with your dog by teaching to you speak their language.
Areas of interest
Reactivity, special needs pups
Ronnie Gutierrez
Hi, I’m Ronnie (she/her)! (CPDT-KA, Cert. SAPT, CCDT)
As a multi certified dog trainer in the Chicago area, I have a great deal of sympathy for dog guardians who find it difficult to connect with their pets. I want to show you how to handle your challenges with kindness, compassion, and gentle dog training techniques.
In 2018 when I adopted my two dogs, Lilly and Boost, I was hooked on learning more about animal behavior and how best to live and learn with dogs. Now, I take education very seriously to ensure that I am always offering dog guardians the best training information that uses modern methods for teaching dogs.
Areas of interest
Separation Anxiety and Predation Substitution Training
Hello, my name is Susy (she/her) and I am a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA, Fear Free) in Chicago.
I started training dogs several years ago, and fell in-love with the bonds I was creating using positive reinforcement methods. I learned many of my skills working with my own dog, Canelo. He is a sensitive Golden Retriever who wasn’t thriving in a city environment. Using this method allowed us to bond, have fun, and start to enjoy our surroundings and each other.
I want to help my clients learn how to communicate with their dogs, but most importantly, how to listen to their dogs as well. I want to help create special bonds so that not only the pups life will thrive, but the parent(s) will as well.
Areas of interest
Reactivity, enrichment, confidence building
Susy Vallejo
Megan Green
Hi! My name is Megan (she/her) and I'm currently an Assistant Dog Trainer and Marketing Manager here at Copilot!
I've worked with Copilot since 2023, helping out with group and private sessions. You can currently find me assisting in classes with Margaret, Jess, and Ronnie, or running playgroups! I've been a dog lover my entire life—I'd take my Swiss Mountain dogs to obedience and agility classes when I was a kid, I walked dogs to put myself through college, and I'm so glad I found Copilot once I moved to Chicago!
I'm on the Young Professionals Board for Chicago's Canine Therapy Corps, where I'm also training my golden retriever Dakota to become a therapy dog. You can also find me behind the camera taking Copilot's cute videos, trick pics, and snoot shots. I love seeing dogs grow, have space to play, and learn to live the city life!
Areas of interest
Trick training, Canine Good Citizen & all-things puppies
Hailey Mott
Hi! I’m Hailey (she/her), Assistant Dog Trainer here at Copilot, where I help with group classes and playgroups.
My path into training started with my late rescue pittie, who had big feelings about people and other dogs. Working through his fear, reactivity and aggression—alongside some incredible trainers—changed my life and led me to dog training school. I’m passionate about helping reactive and nervous dogs feel safer in their world and love finding fun, fulfilling ways to meet the needs of high-drive breeds.
Outside of Copilot, I’m a UX designer, mom of 4 amazing dogs, Caretaker at One Tail at a Time and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. I’m always learning something new—whether it’s through social, fosters, continued education or Copilot pups.
Areas of interest
Leash walking, calming skills, newly adopted rescue dog (shelter-to-home) transitions
Cailin Patracon
Hi! My name is Cailin (she/her) and I’m a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA, CPT) in Chicago.
My soul dog Mambo sparked my love of dog behavior and training back in 2010. Initially starting as a hobby, it progressed to me going to dog training school and eventually my passion turned full time profession. I’ve had a multi dog household for well over a decade now and have always been entranced watching dogs communicate and witnessing their relationships evolve.
My approach to training is force free and science based. I’m here to help you better understand your dog, improve communication, and teach you ways to reduce stress in both you and your dog’s lives through the use of positive reinforcement methods, daily habit changes and management solutions.
Areas of interest
Reactivity, stranger danger, confidence building