Positive Reinforcement Dog Training in Chicago, IL

Our Services

Chicago’s Trusted Puppy & Dog Trainers

Services

  • Puppy Services

    Puppy Services

    Congratulations on your new puppy!! We are here to help with everything you need to survive (and thrive) throughout puppy-hood and into adult.

    Puppy Classes
  • A woman with long dark hair and glasses bends down to pet two dogs lying on a sidewalk beside a river, with an industrial bridge and greenery in the background.

    Group Classes

    Check out our group class options. Our classes are designed to develop focus and engagement in busy environments.

    Group Classes
  • A woman with long dark hair in a white shirt and jeans bends down to feed a small brown dog on a leash. They are standing on cobblestone pavement in front of a large blue and white mural featuring flowers and butterflies.

    Private Training

    Let’s work 1x1 to tackle some of your training goals. We offer individual sessions or packages.

    Private Training

  • In-Home Day Training

    Jump start your training by having us do some of the heavy lifting. We offer 4- and 5-week options that include trainer sessions and group sessions to transfer skills

    Day Training
  • A small, fluffy dog with tan and white fur and dark eyes, wearing a black bandana with white bone prints, sitting on a black floor. In the background, a person sits on a chair and another person stands nearby, and a tan dog in a harness is seen in the corner.

    Drop-Off Training

    We offer 3 customizable options for this program. All options come with half or full day options.

    Drop-off Training
  • A woman feeding a small beige and white puppy to a woman in a yellow shirt while two other small dogs a brown one and a light brown one are on a black elevated platform.

    Playgroups

    All playgroups are supervised by training staff to make sure play is appropriate. We will also talk to you about body language, play styles, and when to take breaks.

    Playgroups

Success Stories

  • Two cream-colored dogs lying on a bed, resting with their eyes closed. One is nearby with a slightly curly coat and a red, white, and blue bandana, while the other is further back with a similar bandana. The bed has a brown blanket, and hallway curtains with a fan and window are visible in the background.

    "She provided us with so many tools to help support them while walking, and their reactivity has diminished significantly."

    Vicki & Brenton

  • A gray and white dog with pointed ears sitting outdoors on grass and dirt, with trees in the background, wearing a blue harness and collar.

    "She is incredibly knowledgeable and she provided him (and us!) the one on one attention we needed. "

    Lizzy & Laura

  • A happy brown and white dog with a pink tongue, sitting in the backseat of a car.

    "Margaret’s calm and positive style creates an environment where dogs and humans can bring their imperfect selves to grow rapidly and approach challenges with curiosity, not fear or embarrassment."

    Dana & Kevin

  • A fluffy black and white dog with a tennis ball in its mouth sitting on a brick patio in a backyard, with outdoor furniture and a wooden fence in the background.

    "Under Margaret’s leadership, we learned many techniques that helped all enjoy Hank on walks and in social situations. She was professional and friendly."

    Steve & Karen

  • Close-up of a young dog with brown and white fur, large dark eyes, pink nose, and floppy ears, standing on green grass.

    "Margaret's training methods are based on years of experience which is centered around understanding the underlying behavior and correcting it using positive reinforcement. "

    Alyssa

  • A small dog with tan, black, and white fur sitting on grass with scattered brown autumn leaves, wearing a pink harness and a leash.

    "Margaret meets you and your pup wherever you are in your journey and makes the training fun, realistic, and achievable."

Logo with blue and yellow colors, features a drawing of a person and a dog with the text 'Canine Good Citizen' around the top and 'Evaluator' at the bottom, associated with the American Kennel Club.
Graphic announcing support as a top dog trainer in Illinois, sponsored by Sniffspot, with a green and white color scheme, including a dog face logo and a large number one in the background.
Logo of Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) with orange and gray text.
The logo of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) featuring a silhouette of a hand and a dog within a blue circular badge.
Logo of Business Insurers of the Carolinas featuring a blue paw print with five animal icons inside: a dog, two fish, a bird, and a horse, with the large letter 'B' and the words 'Business Insurers of the Carolinas' underneath.