After Graduation
Support that Lasts a Lifetime
Your training doesn’t end at graduation — it grows and adapts. Our alumni programs provide ongoing support and real-world practice so your dog stays consistent and confident, even as life shifts and routines change.
Alumni Programs
Exclusively for Lifetime Support Graduates
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Polishing Class
Twice a month adventures + real-world skills
Read more below
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Vacation Boarding
Trusted boarding with trainers who know your dog
Details and add-ons below
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Alumni Day School
Training + enrichment for alumni
Full details below
Polishing Class
Real World Practice for Graduates
Field trips, skill sharpening, and structured adventures across Chicago
Polishing Class is our ongoing training group for graduates who want to keep their dog’s skills sharp out in the real world — not just in a training room.
Classes are upbeat, supportive, and hands-on. We use long lines and drag lines to simulate off-leash reliability while remaining fully compliant with Chicago leash laws. You’ll train alongside other graduates in safe, structured setups designed to build confidence and consistency.
Every session focuses on real-life skills — better leash manners, steadier engagement, smoother greetings, stronger recall foundations, and calm behavior in busy or unfamiliar places.
It’s the perfect way to maintain progress, challenge your dog appropriately, and keep training fun and relevant as your life (and your dog) continues to change.
How Often We Meet & Locations
We meet twice a month at rotating locations to practice calm behavior, focus, and reliability around everyday distractions.
We host Polishing Classes at:
Our exclusive access to private training lots in the city
Forest Preserves
Hiking Trails
Dog-friendly patios
Public Parks
Dog-friendly stores
Vacation Boarding
A Trusted Home Away From Home
Comfortable boarding with trainers who already know your dog
Our vacation boarding is available exclusively to lifetime-support graduates — dogs who know us, trust us, and thrive in our structured environment.
Whether you’re traveling for a weekend or a longer trip, your dog stays in our trainer-owned facility where they can rest comfortably, follow familiar routines, and be cared for by people who understand their individual needs.
Each boarding stay includes:
A calm, predictable daily routine
Personalized enrichment
Outdoor walks and neighborhood exploration
Quiet rest in comfortable sleeping areas
Supervision from trainers your dog already knows
Consistent handling and cues that match their training history
Training Add-On Available
For owners who’d like their dog to work on specific skills while boarding, we offer a customizable training add-on. This can include tune-ups, polite greetings, leash manners, confidence-building, real-world practice, or behavior-specific refreshers — all tailored to your dog’s age, ability, and goals. Training intensity is always age-appropriate for seniors; the focus is on clarity, comfort, and consistency.
Vacation Boarding is designed to give you peace of mind and your dog a safe, structured, trustworthy place to stay — without the stress or unpredictability of traditional boarding facilities.
Alumni Day School
Ongoing Training, Tailored for your Graduate
Training refreshers, enrichment, and structured support — built just for graduates.
Alumni Day School is our drop-off training and enrichment program for dogs who’ve completed a CSDT program and benefit from occasional tune-ups, routine support, or just a structured day with trainers they know and trust.
Each day is tailored to your dog’s age, goals, and energy level. We focus on maintaining your dog's existing skills, refreshing behaviors that need a little extra attention, and keeping their mind and body engaged in safe, age-appropriate ways.
A day may include:
Targeted skill refreshers (leash manners, greetings, focus)
Cognitive enrichment & problem solving
Calm, structured, real-world practice
Emotional regulation support
Light physical conditioning (as appropriate)
Rest breaks and downtime, according to your dogs’ needs
Alumni Day School is perfect for:
Training Tune Ups
Extra training to support life changes
Busy weeks when you want your dog engaged and supported
Dogs that thrive with regular training sessions
Maintaining progress after graduation
You’ll receive a personalized update with details on what your dog worked on and how to maintain consistent skills at home.
It’s training, enrichment, and support — available anytime your dog needs a little extra structure.
Additional Alumni Services
Small Conveniences + Big Life Moments
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Bath + Nail Trim Add-On
Add a bath or nail trim to any Vacation Boarding or Alumni Day School visit. We offer standard nail trims and a Spicy Nail Trim option for dogs who need a little extra teamwork and patience.
Simple, convenient, and handled by trainers your dog already trusts.
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The Wedding Singer
If you want your dog in your wedding but need the logistics handled, we’ve got you. We’ll board your dog the night before, bring them to the ceremony, and walk them down the aisle with a designated wedding party member or us. After the ceremony, we will take them back to our facility so you can enjoy the celebration stress-free.
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Baby on Board
As your due date approaches, drop off your dog for boarding. We’ll keep them safe and comfortable for as long as you need, whether that’s a smooth delivery or an unexpected extension. Then, we’ll bring them home once everyone is settled.
We’ll guide the first introduction to the new baby, review important dog and baby safety tips, and follow up a couple of weeks later with a check-in and a free support lesson if needed.
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Special Requests
If your family has an unique situation, event, or transition coming up, reach out to our team. We’re happy to discuss personalized support options for CSDT graduates.