Senior Dog Training
8 years and older
Gentle Support, Smart Structure, and Care That Grows With Your Senior Dog
Senior Day School in Chicago for dogs 8+ low-impact exercise, cognitive enrichment, and age-appropriate training that keeps them comfortable, confident, and connected as they get older
As dogs enter their senior years, their needs change physically, mentally, and emotionally.
They may slow down, become less tolerant of chaos, or pick up new habits that leave owners wondering how to help.
Senior dogs don’t need high-intensity work, they need thoughtful structure, gentle guidance, and predictable routines that support their changing needs.
They need gentle structure, clear communication, light exercise, and predictable routines that support aging bodies and minds.
We help senior dogs stay:
Comfortable
Confident
Engaged
And connected to their families
through thoughtful enrichment, mobility-focused activities, and senior-friendly training that respects their changing abilities.
Our Senior Day School programs are designed specifically for senior dogs who’ve trained with us before and now need gentle, supportive structure as they age.
We focus on:
Light mobility work
Senior safe enrichment
Cognitive support
Maintaining established manners
Addressing new senior behaviors
Keeping dogs emotionally regulated as they age
Every dog receives individualized care, consistent routines, and a weekly personalized coaching session for owners — as brief or in-depth as you prefer.
Real Life Support for Aging Dogs
Senior dogs still deserve to enjoy the world — just at their own pace.
We practice senior-safe skills in real environments like neighborhood sidewalks, quiet park spaces, and dog-friendly shops.
We focus on calm walking, predictable routines, and stress-free exposure, so your dog stays confident and comfortable both at home and out in the city.
Senior Day School
Gentle Support for Older Dogs
Low-impact exercise, cognitive enrichment, and senior-friendly training — tailored to your dog’s comfort and pace.
Our Senior Day School is designed specifically for aging dogs who need gentle structure, thoughtful routines, and supportive enrichment as their needs change.
This is not a high-intensity program — it’s a calm, steady rhythm that helps senior dogs stay comfortable, confident, and engaged in daily life.
Each Day Includes:
Light movement ( slow treadmill, balance & stability work)
Senior paced neighborhood sniff walks
Cognitive Enrichment ( sniffing games, puzzles, pattern work)
Senior Friendly training refreshers (place, polite greetings, loose leash walking)
Emotional support and gentle behavior guidance
Rest breaks and quiet decompression time
A curated environment that supports aging joints and minds
You’ll receive a weekly personalized coaching session at pickup (as brief or in-depth as you prefer) plus a weekly report card with notes, suggestions, and home-support tips.
Choose Your Frequency
• 1 Day/Week → For gentle enrichment, light exercise, and maintaining skills
• 2 Days/Week → For dogs who benefit from more routine, cognitive support, and hands-on guidance
This program is available exclusively to existing CSDT clients, ensuring we build on established training and a known behavioral history.
Program Details & Pricing
Gentle structure, enrichment, and mobility support for aging dogs at a pace that feels good to them.
Format: Drop-off senior support program
Eligibility: Dogs 8+ who have completed a CSDT training program
Duration: Ongoing weekly schedule (choose 1 or 2 days per week)
Choose your Schedule
Once a Week
x per week
y per month
Ideal for dogs who benefit from gentle enrichment, light exercise, and steady routine without overexertion.
Twice a Week
x per week
y per month
Perfect for seniors who thrive with more consistency, more cognitive support, and more hands-on guidance as they age.
What’s Included:
Light mobility work ( slow treadmill, balance and stability equipment)
Cognitive enrichment ( sniffing games, puzzles, pattern exercises)
Senior friendly training refreshers ( place, polite greetings, polite leash behavior)
Neighborhood walks & field trips
Low impact play designed for aging bodies
Emotional regulation support + gentle behavior guidance
Quiet rest breaks in a calm, senior-safe environment
Emailed Senior Report Cards with notes and in home suggestions
Weekly personalized coaching session at pickup (length varies based on your preference)
Best For:
Dogs slowing down physically
Dogs developing new age- related behaviors
Dogs needing predictable routines for comfort
Families wanting proactive support during the aging process
Frequently Asked Questions
About Senior Day School
Is my dog too old for training?
No. Senior dogs can absolutely learn — they just need calm structure, predictable routines, and age-appropriate enrichment.
Our Senior Day School helps dogs stay comfortable, confident, and engaged in ways that support their changing needs.
What Does Senior Day School Focus On?
Gentle mobility, cognitive enrichment, senior-friendly training refreshers, calm behavior, and helping dogs navigate new age-related changes with confidence.
Everything is tailored to your dog’s comfort and ability level.
Do you work with dogs who have medical issues?
We work with seniors who are medically cleared for gentle exercise and enrichment.
We are not a medical program, and we don’t diagnose or treat conditions — our work complements your veterinarian’s care by supporting behavior, comfort, and mental engagement.
Can my dog join if they haven’t trained with you before?
Not at this time.
Senior Day School is for existing CSDT clients only, so we can build on established training foundations and a known behavioral history.
How Physical is the exercise?
All movement is low-impact and senior-safe.
We tailor everything to your dog’s mobility, using slow treadmill work, balance & stability exercises, and gentle conditioning designed for aging joints.
What if my dog is starting to show new behaviors at home?
That’s very common for senior dogs, and we can help.
Each week includes a personalized coaching session at pickup where we discuss any changes you’re seeing and offer senior-friendly strategies and home adjustments.
What’s the difference between 1 day a week and 2 days a week?
The program is the same — the frequency is what changes.
1 day/week is great for enrichment and maintaining comfort.
2 days/week provides more routine, more cognitive support, and more hands-on guidance for seniors who benefit from extra consistency.
Do you offer overnight stays or boarding for senior dogs?
Yes — for senior dogs who are already enrolled in our programs or have trained with us before.
We’re happy to offer overnight stays and vacation boarding in our trainer-owned facility, where your dog can rest comfortably and follow a calm, predictable routine.
We do not offer Board & Train programs for senior dogs.
Seniors do best with low-impact structure and sleeping at home, so Senior Day School remains a daytime-only training program, while boarding is available as a separate, gentle, enrichment-based service.
Will my dog rest during the day?
Absolutely.
Senior dogs receive scheduled rest breaks and quiet decompression time throughout the day. We follow their pace, not ours.
What People Are Saying
Milo had started hesitating on walks and often stopped halfway down the block, unsure of himself.
Senior Day School gave him slow treadmill sessions, gentle enrichment, and predictable routines that built his confidence back up. His family says he now walks the neighborhood at a comfortable pace and seems genuinely brighter and more relaxed.
-Milo, Ravenswood
Archie’s arthritis made him stiff in the mornings, and he was losing interest in activities he used to enjoy.
With gentle mobility exercises, balance-and-stability work, and slow sniff-based enrichment, he began moving more comfortably and showing sparks of his old enthusiasm. His family says he’s more engaged and “seems lighter on his feet.”
-Archie, Andersonville
Penny was having trouble settling when the house was busy — too much noise, too many moving parts.
Through calming pattern games, place work, and senior-friendly enrichment at Day School, she learned how to regulate herself again. Her owners say evenings feel peaceful, and Penny seems more in control and confident.
-Penny, Wicker Park
Nola was friendly but easily flustered by new sounds and changes in routine.
Day School provided structure, slow-paced confidence-building exercises, and emotional support that helped her stay grounded. Her family says she’s calmer at home, handles transitions better, and looks forward to her senior “school days” every week.
-Nola, West Loop