Dog Training in Chicago: How to Help Your Pup Thrive in the City
So your dog’s pulling your arm off on walks, ignoring you at the park, or maybe barking at every bike, bird, and breeze? Guess what? You’re not a bad dog parent. You’re just raising a pup in Chicago, and that’s basically the Olympics of dog training.
Here, dogs don’t just need to know “sit.” They need to know “sit while a skateboard flies by, someone drops a sandwich, and a pigeon explodes out of a bush.”
The good news is that you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Whether you’ve got a new puppy, a goofy adult, or a rescue with big feelings, our trainers can help.
Let’s talk about what dog training really looks like in the city (hint: it’s not one-size-fits-all), and how to help your pup feel confident, calm, and connected, even when this city is anything but.
City Life Is Noisy, Messy, and Full of Distractions. Your Dog Notices.
City dogs deal with a lot.
There’s nonstop noise, food smells everywhere, people popping out of no where, and don’t even get us started on squirrels. Dogs in Chicago have to learn how to tune out all that chaos and still listen to you. That takes practice.
It’s totally normal if your dog listens great at home but acts like they’ve never heard their name before on the street. That doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong! It just means city training needs to happen out in the real world, one small step at a time.
Calm Copilot group training class working on their walking u-turn skills when walking near other dogs
What Kind of Training Does Your Dog Need?
Every dog is different but here’s a quick rundown of what we offer and who it helps:
Puppy Training – For the little guys who are still figuring everything out. We cover potty training, crate time, social skills, and how not to eat your shoes.
Group Classes – Great for dogs who need to practice around distractions and want to make a few new dog friends.
Private Lessons – Ideal for pups who are shy, reactive, or just need some one-on-one love and attention.
Behavior Support – For dogs with big feelings. People and dog reactivity, aggression, separation anxiety, nervousness, excessive barking and much more.
Not sure where your pup fits? That’s okay. We’ll help you figure it out and come up with a plan that works for both of you.
Common Chicago Dog Struggles That Are Totally Fixable
City dogs face unique challenges. We hear this stuff every day:
“My dog is so good at home, but loses it outside.”
“He barks at every. single. dog.”
“He loves people. TOO much.”
“She freezes on the sidewalk and won’t move. Even for treats.”
“She jumps on everyone that comes up to her”
“We just adopted another dog and now our other dog is acting like they’ve never had training”
“We just had a baby and now our dog seems less social”
We’ve worked with dogs in tons of neighborhoods and we’ve seen every version of “Why can’t my dog stop doing that??”
Group training loose leash walking skills guiding with high value treats!
We Train Using Kind, Modern, Reward-Based Methods
At Copilot, we only use positive reinforcement. That means your dog gets rewarded for the good stuff—not punished for messing up. It’s fun, fair, and backed by real science.
We teach your dog how to make good choices and feel safe in new situations. You’ll be amazed at what a confident, connected dog can do.
Plus, it just feels better for you and your pup!
Dog training pup working on her relaxation skills
Tip: You don’t need a perfect dog. You just need a starting point.
You don’t need a perfect dog. You just need a starting point. Here’s what we recommend:
Think about what’s going well and what’s driving you nuts
Pick a trainer who feels like your teammate, not a drill sergeant. A good trainer will love your dog like they’re their own 🩷
Practice a little every day and keep it fun
Celebrate the wins, even the small ones. Especially the small ones!
Small dog playgroup gang working on fun, safe socialization
If you’re totally overwhelmed, that’s okay too.
We’re happy to chat and help you figure out the next best step based on your pup and family needs.
Whether you’ve got a baby puppy, a reactive teen dog, a nervous rescue, or a big-hearted goofball who just needs some structure, we’d love to help. We promise to always be your biggest cheerleader and dog advocate.
We offer private sessions, group classes, and behavior help right here in the city. Let’s work together to help your dog feel more comfortable, confident, and connected—to you and to the world around them. Our training plans are tailored to your dog and easily flexible around your schedule. We’ll never recommend training plans that aren’t realistic for your lifestyle.
Reach out here to schedule your free consult. We can’t wait to meet you and your pup!!