Dog Training Chicago, Illinois (IL)

At stayyy.com dog training Chicago, we provide professional puppy and dog training in the Chicagoland area. We offer a range of programs, including our most popular Board & Train, a form of immersive learning, in-home private training, and group classes. Our professional trainers work with dogs of any age, breed, and temperament, whether you’re interested in obedience training or want to address problem behaviors.

The “Why” Behind Stayyy – Dog Training Chicago

Stayyy began like many other businesses do—with a need that required a solution. Realizing how difficult it is to find qualified, reputable, and professional dog trainers, Thomas Niemczewski decided to start his own company that would help owners unearth excellent trainers. There are a lot of dog training misconceptions, distortions, and other issues that get in the way of proper, ethical, and humane dog training. The goal of Stayyy is to cut through all of the noise and become a reliable resource for those that need help with their furry friends.
Most pet owners want what’s best for their dogs but might have a hard time understanding the nature of their needs, learning abilities, and overall psyche. This leads to problems with communication and providing the support the dog needs to thrive, such as establishing proper leadership. While well-meaning, such relationships based on little hierarchy and a lot of chaos will adversely impact a mutual bond, learning processes, behaviors, and many other areas of shared life. Adding to the equation the array of misinformation present online, dog training is slowly downgrading from art to harm. Terms like “behavioral disorder” have become mainstream over the years, leading to detrimental misconceptions and the widespread consensus that we need “science” to help us co-exist with our animals in harmony – all of which are a symptom of inconsistent and improper dog training, or lack thereof. Unfortunately, we dog owners are also the victims of inaccuracy and lack of structure that we then introduce to our homes, often transforming into something much bigger, even dog or human-related aggression. Understanding your dog’s behavior patterns and motivations provides a stable ground for dog trainers to correct the undesired and teach new behaviors required for a happy and healthy bond. When able to better connect with our furry friends, we can begin guiding them towards mastering skills they were born to perform. Dogs come to this earth understanding the pack mentality, but it is often us humans that distort this innate ability. Once we establish clear expectations, the “disorders” will stop on their own.
Stayyy provides professional dog training services and resources designed to help YOU build a strong relationship between you and your dog through education, guidance, and implementation. We strive for excellence, continuously improving our understanding and methods related to dog training and dog mentality. Lack of structure is a red flag that relationship issues might be present – the most significant culprit behind your dog’s behavioral problems.

Private Lessons

If you are hoping to be as involved as possible with your dog’s training from start to finish, opt for our Private Lessons program. You will be working one-on-one with one of our professional dog trainers who will help you determine the most important skills for you and your dog to learn. Dog trainers not only teach new tricks and commands but also create a safe space for you and your dog, making sure you are comfortable properly correcting undesired behaviors and rewarding the ones we favor. You can have lessons either at your home or in a designated training facility where our trainers will teach you the skills you need to successfully train your dog. Any issues that arise before, during, or after the program will be addressed to help you achieve a dog that you can rely on both at home and in public.

DAY CAMP

If you want to take advantage of the best of both worlds, our unique Day Train program combines both inclusive and private dog training classes. While you’re at work or getting on with your day elsewhere, leave your dog in the care of our experienced trainers for eight hours, while they work on immersive and fun training in a range of environments and pay special attention to any specific issues you have been experiencing or the goals you’d like to achieve with your dog. The program is available seven days a week and we offer flexible drop-off and pick-up times. At the end of the day, you’ll be provided with the resources you need to keep the good work up at home.

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Aaron Rice, 33

15+ Years of Experience

Chicago Dog Training + Board & Train

If you’re struggling to find the time to build a solid foundation of work while training your dog at home or have a dog who is anxious, aggressive, or skittish and would benefit from some intensive, one-on-one training, our Board and Train program could be the ideal choice for you. Your dog will be left in the care of our certified professional trainers for a pre-determined number of days, where they’ll be fully immersed in a fun, attention-based training program to teach them how to become well-behaved, well-mannered member of your family. The Board & Train is a program that combines the excellence of dog training, the social aspect of group classes, establishing a routine of a dog’s life while working on obedience training, housebreaking, building structure and confidence, and eliminating problem behaviors. The Board & Train is the most reliable and consistent dog training in Chicago.

Obedience

It’s imperative for your dog to obey you. Obedience is a broad term describing a type of dog training necessary for a well-behaved pup. While there are many different types of professional obedience training, such as competition-style obedience, many dog owners are happy with basic obedience training. Obedience training provides a foundation for a stronger bond formed between the handler and their dog, full understanding, and mutual trust. A dog that isn’t obedient may jump on people, pester other dogs, and even attack; this, in turn, often leads to fearfulness, aggressive behaviors, lack of hierarchy, filled shelters, rehoming, and lawsuits.
We focus on the basics of obedience training first and foremost, and we study your dog as the training progresses to address your dog’s specific training needs. While we work with all dogs – puppies, seniors, working dogs, or regular pets – our trainers always take the breed into consideration when establishing a plan. It helps us understand certain behaviors. If your dog does not represent any specific breed, we observe its characteristics and personality to assess the training needs.

The Training Process

Our training process is comprehensive and involves a variety of different methods that are designed to break your dog of bad habits and encourage positive habits. First is teaching your dog the basic commands that every dog should understand and drilling them on these commands—even if they already know them coming in. This enables our trainers to provide the dog and its owner with a necessary structure. We also focus on:
· Mental stimulation
· Exercise
· Socialization
· Breaking bad habits
There are some behaviors that your dog should not engage in, and our training program addresses those issues head-on. Some of the negative behaviors we address include:
· Leash pulling
· Jumping on people
· Excessive barking
· Rushing in or out of the door
· Charging at other animals
· Stealing food from other animals
· Eating off the counter/counter surfing
Socialization, or exposure to various situations, is critical for your dog’s ability to behave at home and in public in a healthy manner. We provide plenty of socialization opportunities for your pup, and we arrange significant distractions during training to make sure your dog stays focused.

What to Know About Dog Boarding

You may be worried about your dog being in an unfamiliar place, but you have nothing to worry about! Our program is designed to keep your dog occupied and happy. Your pup will have many opportunities to socialize, burn off energy, and play.
We understand that your dog needs plenty of time outdoors to stretch their legs, potty, and sniff around. We don’t believe in a “one size fits all” approach, so the type of walk your furry friend goes on is tailored to their specific needs. Beyond walking, we also have a three-acre space for your dog to run around in and stay active.
In order to board your pup, we’ll need current vaccination records and written proof of DHLPP and Bordetella before check-in. If your dog is over four months old, we’ll also need rabies vaccination records. This is for the protection of our dog trainers, staff, and other furry guests.
When you are preparing for your pet’s vacation, consider these things:
· We provide food for our trainees unless your dog requires special nutritional accommodations
· Your pup’s favorite toys and blankets
· Bedding
· We provide kennels of all sorts for crate training/quiet time
We look forward to hosting your furry friend at our doggy hotel!

Group Classes

Group Classes
Once you and your dog have completed one of our training programs, you are not on your own. You’ll have access to group classes for your dog’s lifetime, where you can join us in a safe, controlled, social environment to work on your new training skills, get the support of our dog trainers and learn from other dog handlers. Group classes give your dog the chance to socialize and practice their new skills around more distractions. We hold them in a variety of public places, including local parks and dog-friendly stores. Group classes can be held anywhere dogs are allowed: professional facilities, parks, hiking terrains, and other recreational and private sites.

Pack Leadership Training

Every pack needs a leader. In order for your dog to stay emotionally and mentally balanced, your dog needs to know who is in control. If not, there will either be a constant battle back and forth, or they will try to take over the leadership position themselves.
What many people don’t understand is that a lot of poor pet behaviors are due to a lack of leadership. They don’t listen because they don’t see you as the alpha. In order to ensure obedience and provide your pup with the security and confidence they need, you’ll need to understand what a pack leader is and how you can become a more effective guide. Obedience training is one step toward establishing a healthy and balanced relationship – another is the dog handler’s own comfort level and execution.

What is a Pack Leader?

You may look at your dog as a friend on equal footing, but they don’t look at you the same way. There will always be a master-subject relationship with your dog, and if you are constantly focused on putting your dog above you or other family members, you will often fall into the “subject” part of the relationship.
Dogs need and love rules. While you may think that strict rules and structure will make your dog’s life boring or miserable, the truth is that dogs want to have a leader they can obey. It creates an order in a dog’s life. Like human leaders, you can be kind and compassionate while still being in control. You just need to make sure you are the one with the power in the dynamic between your pet and you. Your leadership will give you the role of “pack leader,” and your dog will want to listen because they respect your authority and position.
While human and dog behavioral patterns differ, our children also thrive when they have a consistent set of rules to follow as compared to total chaos and lack of guidance. The rules we set and the boundaries we create make a dog’s life more predictable and hence less stressful. Consistency is key as dogs don’t understand exceptions to the rules we previously set.

Our Leadership Program

Leadership isn’t about fear and negativity. The alpha of a pack doesn’t tend to provoke conflict. Instead, they gain respect by being calm, stern, and confident. Dogs pick up on the energy that you put out, and if they see you as being worthy of the leadership role, they will fall in line.
With our leadership program, you will learn what you need to know to become the leader of the pack. We’ll help you to become a pack leader both mentally and physically in order to communicate better with your dog and “speak” their language.

Puppy Training

Puppies are amazing! They are little bundles of joy and unconditional love—and, let’s be honest, they are adorable. It’s no surprise we are drawn to them. With that being said, puppies can also be tricky. They want to get into everything, go to the bathroom wherever, and listen when they feel like it. If your puppy doesn’t learn what they need while they are young, it will be that much harder to retrain them later and break the bad habits they have formed. As we always say: it’s easier to teach good behaviors than to eliminate bad habits.
Puppy training is an integral part of raising the best companion you can imagine, and because of this, you’ll want to consider professional puppy training services in Chicago. Proper training will ensure your puppy grows to be a good dog with boundaries. Whether you opt for board and train with consistent obedience training, private training classes, or group classes, our range of services in the field of dog training in Chicago will guide you through the entire process.

Preschool Puppy Training

Our preschool puppy training is tailored for puppies as young as 12 weeks of age. At this age, they’ll be ready to properly socialize with others and get the most out of their training. Our preschool puppy training includes:
· Scheduled and effective potty training
· Scheduled feeding as part of training
· Problem-solving education
· Obedience training
· Socialization
The goal of our puppy training program is to give your puppy the tools they need to succeed at home and in public. This, in turn, will improve their quality of life and yours!

What You Need to Know About Our Puppy Training Program

Our puppy training program is designed to address the development stages of a young dog and related problems. We help modify undesirable behaviors in the program, and we encourage socialization.
Some of the things your puppy will be learning in our program include:
· Focusing their attention on you
· Sit, down, and place commands with an implied stay
· Coming when called (recall)
· Off-leash freedom
· Hand signals for commands
· Housebreaking/potty training
· Calmly welcome other dogs and people to your home
· Tolerating the behavior of children
· Letting go of items
· Prevention of anxiety and aggressive behavior
Crate training
With our puppy training program, your pup will stop the following behaviors:
· Leash-pulling
· Jumping on people and things
· Chewing
· Digging
· Scratching doors and windows
· Food guarding
· Nipping and biting
· Whining and barking
· Running out the door
If you are having trouble training your puppy or you would simply like assistance, we are here to help! A well-trained puppy will grow up to be a well-trained dog—which will increase the stability and happiness of your home!

Can My Breed be Trained?

Whether you have a tiny Chihuahua or a large Rottweiler, your dog can be trained. People have a lot of misconceptions about breed behavior, what each breed can be trained to do, and more. In reality, a lot of the limitations people believe about breeds are due to poor training.
Smaller dogs (like Chihuahuas) have a reputation for being rule-breakers. Sometimes they bark, snap, or otherwise don’t listen. Many times, this is due to the owner treating them as an accessory instead of a pet. It is also an evolutionary trait that smaller dogs had to acquire to survive. Small dogs, like big dogs, still need to be properly trained and socialized.
Pit bulls (in the United States, an umbrella term for different types of terriers and bulldogs) have a reputation for being aggressive—especially with other dogs. Because of this, owners avoid exposing them to different situations. While originally bred for fighting (an unpopular fact), they can become happy and social dogs provided the right tools and training techniques. Here at Stayyy, we never give up on a dog despite many challenges, personality traits, genetics, past, or other factors that led to behavioral issues.

Bringing Home Your
New Dog

Bringing a dog into your home is an exciting and emotional moment for you and your new family member. You may be concerned about how the new tenant will adjust to the unfamiliar environment and surrounding people. It’s also normal for your new shaggy friend to be a little afraid of the changes and anxious within the new environment. Young puppies who were separated from their mothers days before coming to your home or adopted shelter animals who have already experienced many life changes might be especially having a hard time adjusting. Preparing in advance for this joyful occasion will help you and your dog relieve stress and enjoy this transition from day one. Here are some practical solutions to help ensure your dog’s arrival at your home is a positive, happy experience.

Have Everything You Need in Advanced

Buy your new family member their own food and water bowls and place them in a carefully chosen location. If you’re planning dietary changes, introduce new foods gradually over a week. Don’t forget about an extra water bowl outside the house.
To make sure your dog feels comfortable, prepare a bed that can be washed. Initially, you might consider placing his bed in a puppy crate or kennel to give him a sense of security and allow him to be left unsupervised in a controlled environment. Crate training through classical conditioning and small approximations are beneficial from day one.
Don’t forget about other accessories, such as a brush to care for their coat or poop bags and toys. Remember to buy a brush suitable for the type and length of your pooch’s hair. Not only will the act of brushing keep your dog’s coat healthy and shiny, but it will also strengthen your existing bond.

Give Them a Chance to Settle

Discuss your dog’s arrival with family members and share the new responsibilities together. Determine who will feed him, who will take him for walks, who will clean up the messes, and other important chores related to owning a new puppy. Training should be a part of it.
In the first days, avoid being overly excited and overwhelming the dog with novelties – let him adapt to the environment in his own rhythm. Gradually expose him to the new surroundings, including other family members and pets, without forcing interaction with everyone on the first day.

Safety First

Be sure to remove any items that may be potentially dangerous or toxic to your dog. Certain substances, such as medicine and household cleaning products, are harmful when ingested, but other, less obvious, such as chocolate, tea, coffee, raisins, grapes, and some plants, contain toxins that are harmful to dogs.

Take Them Out Often!

Your dog may not be potty trained. Even if they are, they aren’t used to your house or where to do their business. Take them out often, preferably as a structured routine: crate, potty, train and/or play, potty, crate.

Set Appropriate Boundaries

It’s best to stop your new dog from forming bad habits. Make sure you clearly set boundaries for your new pup and stick to them. Over time they will learn what is and isn’t okay, and where they can and can’t go.
Once your dog has settled in, expect to see their personality more. They may become more energetic, stubborn, and curious.
As long as you set boundaries, become a pack leader, and allow your new dog to get plenty of physical and mental stimulation, you’ll be able to enjoy your pup without worries. As your dog settles in, you can begin planning dog training classes, obedience training, and puppy or group classes.

Aggressive Dog?

Do you have an aggressive or reactive dog? Do they bark, growl, and bare their teeth at people or other dogs? If so, they need help. Despite unpopular opinion, genetics do play a role when it comes to your dog’s personality, and some breeds are more prone to reactivity issues than others. German Shepherds are fantastic service dogs and legendary human companions, but they tend to be notorious when it comes to reactivity. While some dogs have a grumpier personality than others, there is no excuse for growling, barking, or especially biting.
There are a few reasons why your dog may be aggressive, either in the short-term or long-term. Below are some of these reasons:

Fear

Dogs that are afraid can be aggressive. It makes sense—if they feel like they are in danger, they are going to want to lash out and protect themselves.
If you have saved a dog and adopted them, you’ve done your duty and helped the canine species! With that said, many dogs that are adopted are afraid. This may be due to poor training, lousy socialization, or trauma due to neglect or even abuse. This fear can cause them to react at other dogs, people you know, or even you!
Whether you have recently adopted a dog from a shelter or you’ve had a dog that has developed fear-based aggression over time, it’s important to address these fears. Stayyy helps owners and dogs to build trust that trumps anxiety. Your dog will learn that there is nothing to fear, and you will learn how to show signs of ease so your dog doesn’t have an unhealthy response.

Dominance

There are a few ways dogs express dominance. One way is through aggression. With the proper dog training, dominant behavior can be addressed and resolved without sacrificing their personality and confidence.

Possessiveness

If your dog snaps at you when you try to take their food, water, or toys, this is unacceptable behavior. You may let it go because you want to pick your battles, but this is a huge mistake. It is dangerous for you and any potential guests that may want to play with your dog (hint: if you’re unsure about your dog’s reaction, don’t let others pet him or her). The same goes for dogs that are territorial. Barking, growling, and even snapping often goes unchecked. This leads to your dog getting bolder—which can cause major issues.
Stayyy provides possession aggression dog training. You’ll be able to pick up your dog’s toys, food, and water without fear. They will also learn to be less territorial, which will stop barking, snapping, and growling.

Injury or Illness

If your dog has suddenly become aggressive and they are limping, throwing up, or showing any other signs of sickness or injury, the problem may not be a dog training issue. As much as they love you, if they are injured and you touch the spot, they can react.
If you notice aggression and your dog seems under the weather or injured, take them to the vet before dog training. If the reactivity persists after their illness has been treated, reach out to Stayyy so we can help you out.
REMEMBER: Reactive behavior needs to be addressed promptly through the right correction tactics carefully tailored to your dog’s specific needs. Both your dog and you deserve peace. By removing their fear, possessiveness, and other issues, your dog will spend more time wagging their tail and less time growling.

Puppy Energy?

All dog owners are aware of “puppy energy.” It’s cute at first. The zoomies are funny and entertaining. It’s also a blast playing with your puppy. With that said, puppy energy isn’t an excuse to skip dog training and allow destructive behaviors to form. Just like with children, puppyhood is a time for learning.
Below is more information about what to expect with your puppy’s energy, how to calm them, and how to encourage good behavior as they grow.

The First 10 Weeks

This early on, you won’t get a ton of energy from your pup. They are still weak and are learning to move about. As they start to grow, though, they will become much more curious and fuller of energy!

10 to 16 Weeks

At this point, expect your puppy to become a rocket! They will have a ton of energy and a short attention span. With that said, stick with their dog training but don’t get upset with them. They are still babies and are learning as they grow. It’s a good idea to start correcting unwanted behaviors in a ethical and humane way. Keep your dog training sessions short but frequent.

4 to 6 Months

At this age, it’s important to get your dog immunized and start socialization. Getting them socialized early on will help a ton with potential aggression issues later down the road. Keep in mind that dogs do not need other dogs to socialize – dog parks are a breeding ground for unnecessary injury and behavioral problems. Dogs are not human babies. They need exposure to various stimuli and situations that will help them thrive in the long run.

6 Months and Beyond

Your dog will start to reach its full size and should be in the swing of things at this phase. With that said, they still aren’t fully developed and may not be for upwards of a couple of years. Make sure to keep up with their dog training and socialization.

Calming Your Pup Down!

While high energy levels should be expected with puppies and young dogs, there are things you can (and should) do to calm them down. They shouldn’t be energized all of the time. If they are, you probably aren’t giving them the opportunity to release some of their pent-up energy. Below are a few things you can do to calm your puppy down!

Exercise

Make sure your pup is getting plenty of exercise. They need a chance to stretch their legs, run around, and work out. If they are old enough, taking them to the park (not necessarily a dog park) is an excellent way to help them to burn energy and socialize. While exercise is a good way to wear your pet out, sometimes it can backfire and energize your dog even more. Instead of running with them, you can take a slow stroll around the block. Before bedtime, opt for a mini-training session.

Routines

Dogs thrive on routine and structure. Routines make a dog’s life more predictable, harmonious, and tranquil. In the beginning stages of owning a pet, implement a rigid routine that includes dog training and looks similar to this model: crate, potty, train, play, potty, crate. You’re building the foundation for a confident and well-mannered dog that gains more freedom around the house as he earns your trust.

Mental Stimulation

Learning is fun for dogs, and it helps to calm them down as well. Dogs need mental stimulation, just like people. You may consider interactive toys, games, and puzzle feeders. Dog training, however, is the best way to stimulate your dog’s brain and establish a stronger bond with your pet.
In order to get some exercise, socialize, and stimulate their mind, consider signing your puppy up for our puppy training program. There they will learn tricks, socialize, learn discipline, and more! They’ll come home tired, happy, and calm.

ABOUT stayyy.com

Stayyy is an Stayyy is an organization made up of dog lovers. From the leadership level down, everyone involved with Stayyy believes in our mission to help dogs and their owners.
The owner of Stayyy, Thomas Niemczewski, started Stayyy after struggling to find a dog trainer for his dog Kropek (a Giant Schnauzer). He couldn’t believe how difficult it was to find the right and professional trainer that is also breed-specific. With this in mind, he decided to found a company in which dog enthusiasts can find amazing, knowledgeable trainers to help meet their needs.
The team at Stayyy understands the emotional, physical, and mental needs of dogs. They also understand that most “behavioral issues” with dogs aren’t generally mental disorders—they are a problem with the environment and leadership. The lack of a pack leader often leads to poor behavior and a lack of respect on the part of the dog. The right leadership tools, though, can lead to a massive improvement in behavior in a short period of time.
With this insight, the experts at Stayyy have designed programs to help dogs be their best furry selves and help owners be the pack leaders their pups need them to be. We only work with the best trainers in the industry, and we are highly selective when it comes to cooperating with experts.
Stayyy is committed to teaching dogs and their owners the tools they need to better communicate and live together in harmony.

ABOUT CHICAGO, IL

Chicago is located in the US state of Illinois, and with an estimated population of almost three million, it is the third-most populous city in the US. It is located on the shores of freshwater Lake Michigan and is an international hub for commerce, culture, finance, education, technology, transportation, and telecommunications. Conde Nast Traveler voted Chicago as the best large city in the US for four years in a row, and the city broke records with 58 million tourist visitors in 2018. There are several key landmarks in the city including Navy Pier, the Willis Tower, the Museum of Science and Industry, Museum Campus, the Art Institute of Chicago, Grant Park, and Lincoln Park Zoo.

We’re Here to Help!

Stayyy is here to help! It is our mission to build bonds between dogs and their owners. We love dogs, and we want them to be happy! We also want their owners to be happy, of course…
Reach out today if you have any questions. We’d be happy to answer them for you!

Dog Training Chicago Chicago , Illinois (IL)