Adult Dog Training
18 months and older
Structure, Clarity, and Calm — For Dogs Who Are Ready to Level Up
Adult dog training in Chicago that focuses on leash manners, polite greetings, and reliable recall—building the skills that make everyday life easier, calmer, and more connected for both of you.
Even the best dogs pick up habits that make daily life harder — pulling on leash, jumping on guests, tuning out in busy environments.
Many of our adult clients have either been through training that didn’t stick or are adopted dogs starting fresh in a new home.
Adult training isn’t about fixing a “bad dog.”
It’s about creating clarity, confidence, and calm, so your dog can navigate real life with you instead of working against you.
This stage is where structure meets maturity — the sweet spot for building lasting habits and deepening your relationship.
We focus on:
Polite leash manners and calm walks through the city
Reliable recall in parks, patios, and distracting environments
Relaxed, polite behavior when guests arrive
Consistency and follow-through for both dog and owner
Whether your dog needs a tune-up, a fresh start, or a confidence rebuild, our training helps you move from frustration to trust — and from managing your dog to truly enjoying them.
how it works
Every adult dog — and every family — has their own story.
Some are starting fresh after adoption. Others need a reset after training that didn’t stick.
That’s why we offer three proven programs, each designed to rebuild structure, strengthen communication, and restore calm through real-world practice.
Whether you want an immersive transformation, steady day-to-day support, or a guided small-group experience, our programs help you and your dog move through Chicago life together — calmly, confidently, and in sync.
real life practice
Because good behavior should happen everywhere
Your dog doesn’t live in a training room — they live in Chicago.
That’s why every adult training program includes structured practice in real environments: neighborhood walks, dog-friendly patios, parks, and stores.
We teach your dog how to stay calm and responsive in the same places you actually spend time together — from the busy sidewalk outside your apartment to weekend brunch on a patio.
This real-world exposure builds true reliability: your dog learns to listen, regulate, and make good choices even when life is exciting.
If it’s part of your daily routine, we practice it — so your dog’s training works where it actually matters.
🥇Board & Train🥇
Immersive structure and calm connection for lasting reliability in real life
For adult dogs who need clear expectations and consistent guidance, our Board & Train program provides a full reset in a structured, supportive environment.
Your dog stays with our trainers for 3–5 weeks, learning through daily lessons, enrichment, and real-world exposure.
We practice calm leash walking, reliable recall, polite greetings, and environmental neutrality — both inside our trainer-owned facility and throughout the neighborhood. Field trips to parks, dog-friendly stores, and patio spaces help your dog learn how to focus and respond in real-life situations.
You’ll receive regular photo and video updates, plus transfer lessons that teach you how to maintain your dog’s new habits and confidence at home.
Best For:
Recently adopted dogs
Dogs needing a full reset or refresher
Families ready for faster, lasting progress
Includes:
Daily immersive training + enrichment
Real world field trips & social exposure
Owner transfer lessons
Lifetime trainer support
🥈Day School🥈
Reliable results through structured repetition and guided coaching.
Day School is perfect for dogs who learn best with frequent practice and predictable structure — without overnight stays.
You’ll drop your dog off three days a week for focused lessons on leash manners, polite greetings, impulse control, and recall.
Trainers reinforce calm, consistent behavior throughout the day, and every pickup includes a progress update.
Weekly homework plans ensure your dog’s skills transfer seamlessly into your daily routine.
Best for:
Dogs who thrive on consistency and routine
Owners who want to be involved in the learning process
Families looking for dependable, steady progress
Includes:
Structured daily sessions
Weekly recap and practice plan
Trainer communication & support
Lifetime trainer support
🥉Group Class🥉
Polish skills, strengthen focus, and enjoy learning together
Our small-group adult classes are a great fit for dogs who already have the basics but need to refine manners, focus, and reliability around distractions.
Classes are upbeat, supportive, and practical — we work on leash skills, calm greetings, recall, and engagement with other dogs and people nearby.
You’ll gain confidence in how to train in real environments while building your dog’s ability to stay connected and responsive around everyday Chicago distractions.
Best for:
Social or moderately distracted dogs
Owners who enjoy hands-on learning
Families wanting structure with community
Includes:
Weekly trainer guided sessions
Personalized feedback and trouble shooting
Homework plan for at-home reinforcement
not sure which option fits best?
Contact us and we’ll help you choose the program that fits your dog’s history, goals, and lifestyle.
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Duration: 4-8 weeks
Format: Residental
Starting Price:
What’s Included:
Daily immersive training & enrichment
Structured social exposure and field trips
Focus on leash manners, recall, polite greetings, & calm behavior
Extra practice in our trainers’ home
Regular photo and video updates
Video lessons and skill reviews
Personalized coaching lessons
In home transfer lessons
Lifetime Trainer support
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Duration: 4-8 weeks
Format: Drop off training program
Starting Price:
What’s Included:
Trainer led daily sessions
Neighborhood walks and real world engagement practice
Weekly recap and at home practice plan
Personalized coaching and communication
Lifetime trainer support
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Duration: 6 weeks
Format: Weekly class, max 6 dogs
Price:
What’s included:
Weekly trainer led sessions
Real world practice around other dogs and distractions
Focus on leash manners, recall, and polite greetings
Weekly homework plan for on going progress
Supportive, encouraging environment
Frequently Asked Questions
about adult dog training in Chicago
Is my dog too old for training?
Never. Dogs are learning all the time — good habits or bad ones — and training simply helps them understand which is which.
We’ve worked successfully with dogs from 18 months to well into their senior years. As long as your dog is healthy enough to learn and move, training can make daily life easier for both of you.
What’s the difference between Board & Train, Day School, and Group Class?
Board & Train: Full immersion — your dog lives and trains with us, practicing real-world manners every day.
Day School: Drop off, train, repeat. Reliable progress through structured repetition and predictable routines.
Group Class: Weekly small-group sessions for polishing manners, building focus, and working calmly around distractions.
All three programs focus on real-world reliability — skills that actually hold up in city life.
Do you train rescue or adopted dogs?
Yes, often! Many of our adult clients are dogs adopted as adults or rescues with uncertain training histories.
We focus on relationship and structure first — helping dogs settle, decompress, and learn clear communication before adding new skills.
My dog’s had training before, but it didn’t stick. Why?
That’s the most common story we hear.
Usually, the dog learned skills in a quiet environment but never practiced them where life is distracting — like on sidewalks or with guests arriving.
Our programs prioritize real-life application, so your dog’s skills hold up in everyday Chicago situations, not just the training room.
Do you use e-collars or training tools?
We use modern, ethical tools to communicate clearly and fairly — never to intimidate or punish.
If we use tools like e-collars, you’ll learn how and why, with full transparency and hands-on coaching.
Our goal is clarity, not control, and every plan is tailored to the dog in front of us.
Will my dog’s personality change after training?
No — your dog’s personality is what we want to protect, not change.
Training simply helps them relax, make better choices, and express that personality without chaos or confusion getting in the way.
Do you work on greeting behavior when people come over?
Yes, absolutely.
Polite greetings are one of the biggest reasons clients call us. We teach dogs how to stay calm when guests arrive, resist jumping, and settle even with excitement around.
How long does it take to see progress?
Most clients notice positive changes within the first week of consistent training — especially with clear structure at home.
Full reliability takes time, repetition, and teamwork, but we’ll guide you through every step to make progress sustainable.
Where are you located?
We’re based in Chicago, serving the Chicagoland area
Our trainer-owned facility includes a full home environment upstairs — so your dog practices calm behavior both in structure and real life.
Do you offer support after training?
Yes — Board & Train and Day School clients receive lifetime trainer support.
You’ll always have access to advice, follow-up lessons, or polishing classes to keep your dog’s skills strong for years to come.
What People Are Saying
Riley was sweet at home but a full-on freight train on leash. Her family dreaded walks and avoided busy streets.
After a few weeks of structured training and real-world practice, Riley now walks with a loose leash, checks in often, and can pass dogs and people without exploding into excitement. Her family says walks feel “peaceful for the first time in years.”
— Riley, Lincoln Park
Cleo had a solid foundation from puppyhood, but her recall and focus fell apart anywhere outside.
Through structured field trips and engagement work in real Chicago environments, Cleo learned to stay connected even around distractions. She now comes when called, walks politely past patios, and her owners finally feel confident taking her everywhere.
— Cleo, Logan Square
Max was adopted as an adult with no clear training history — jumping on guests, ignoring cues, and barking at every new sound.
With consistent structure and calm guidance, Max learned how to greet politely, settle when people come over, and actually listen when things get exciting. His family says home life is quieter, calmer, and finally predictable.
— Max, Oak Park
Harper was friendly and affectionate, but her manners disappeared anytime someone knocked on the door. Guests were greeted with jumping, barking, and full-body enthusiasm.
With structured practice and clear expectations, Harper learned how to settle, wait calmly, and greet visitors politely. Her family says having people over finally feels enjoyable — not chaotic — and Harper still gets to be her happy, social self, just with better manners.
-Harper, Old Irving Park