Chicago accounts for 40 of the 261 dog trainers listed in Illinois, with the rest spread over 147 cities in total. 229 trainers have a Bark Score, and 3 are Platinum Certified. 91 are labelled Force-free, 14 Balanced and 9 E-collar-centric, while 147 don't state their methods. Group classes are offered by 130 trainers and private 1:1 sessions by 138, and 25 run a day school.
Find the right trainer in Illinois
Ranked by member recommendations, then Bark Score. Narrow the list down to what your dog needs.
Of the 40 trainers in Chicago, 13 say they train force-free, 4 balanced, 2 e-collar-centric and 21 don’t say how they train. 25 offer private lessons, 23 group classes and 10 board and train. 7 name a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 5 trainers in Highland Park, 2 say they train force-free and 3 don’t say how they train. 4 offer private lessons, 2 group classes and 1 board and train. 1 names a credential such as KPA-CTP.
Of the 4 trainers in Antioch, 1 says it trains force-free, 1 e-collar-centric and 2 don’t say how they train. 3 offer group classes, 3 private lessons and 2 board and train.
Of the 4 trainers in Arlington Heights, 3 say they train force-free and 1 doesn’t say how they train. 4 offer group classes, 3 private lessons and 1 in your home. 1 names a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Highest Bark Score in Arlington Heights: Phil’s Pup Camp, 4.5.
What the 261 trainers listed in Illinois offer, how to check them, and what to ask before you book.
01
What training methods do dog trainers in Illinois use?
Of the 261 trainers listed in Illinois, 91 say they train force-free, 14 balanced, 9 e-collar-centric, and 147 don’t say how they train.
It’s worth knowing a trainer’s method before you book, rather than finding out in the first session. Every trainer on this page carries one of four labels, and nobody is hidden because of their method:
Force-free
Rewards and positive reinforcement, with no aversive tools such as prong, choke or shock collars.
Balanced
Rewards combined with corrections when a dog gets something wrong.
E-collar-centric
Training built around an electronic collar.
Not stated
The listing doesn’t say, and we couldn’t check it yet.
If a trainer’s method isn’t stated, ask them what happens when a dog gets something wrong. Their answer will tell you more than any label.
02
How do you check a dog trainer’s qualifications in Illinois?
Look for an independent credential. 25 of the 261 trainers listed here name one on their listing.
A credential doesn’t guarantee a good trainer, but it means someone outside their business has tested what they know. That’s why credentials make up a quarter of the Bark Score.
The credentials held by trainers in Illinois:
CPDT-KA (20 trainers)
Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed, from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). Passed an independent exam on training and behaviour, after logging hours of training experience. Kept up with continuing education.
KPA-CTP (7 trainers)
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, from the Karen Pryor Academy. Completed the academy’s dog trainer programme, which teaches reward-based training, and passed its practical assessments.
IACP (2 trainers)
International Association of Canine Professionals, from the International Association of Canine Professionals. A membership association for dog professionals. It also runs its own certifications, so ask which one, if any, the trainer holds.
CBCC-KA (1 trainer)
Certified Behavior Consultant Canine, Knowledge Assessed, from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). Passed an exam focused on behaviour problems such as fear, aggression and anxiety, after logging hours of behaviour consulting.
03
Private lessons, group classes or board and train: which suits your dog?
It depends on the problem and on how much time you can give it. In Illinois, private lessons are offered by 138 trainers, and group classes by 130.
Private lessons (138 trainers)
One to one with the trainer, so the whole session goes on your dog’s problem. A good fit for a specific issue, or a dog who can’t cope around other dogs yet.
Group classes (130 trainers)
A class with other dogs and owners. Your dog learns to listen around distractions, though each dog gets less of the trainer’s time.
Board and train (61 trainers)
Your dog stays with the trainer for a set time and is trained for you. Ask how they will hand the skills over, because a dog who listens to the trainer won’t automatically listen to you at home.
Online (35 trainers)
Sessions by video call. Handy for puppy questions and coaching you between visits, harder for problems a trainer needs to see in person.
Day training (25 trainers)
You drop your dog off and pick them up the same day, with the trainer working with them in between. Ask how many handover sessions with you are included.
In your home (22 trainers)
The trainer comes to you, so you work on problems where they happen: at the front door, in the yard or on your usual walk.
Whichever you choose, the training only sticks if you practise between sessions, so ask what you’ll need to do at home and how long it should take each day.
04
What can a dog trainer in Illinois help with?
195 of the 261 trainers listed in Illinois help with basic obedience, 141 with puppy training and 139 with recall.
Fewer take on behaviour problems: 38 list reactivity, 26 list aggression, 22 list fear and 21 list separation anxiety. 1 holds a behaviour credential (CBCC-KA or IAABC-CDBC), which means they’ve been tested on exactly this kind of work.
If the behaviour is new, or your dog has started growling, snapping or hiding, see your vet before you book a trainer. Pain and illness can cause behaviour changes, and a good trainer will ask about it anyway.
05
What should you ask a dog trainer before you book?
Ask these before you pay for anything. A good trainer will be happy to answer all of them.
1How do you train, and what happens when a dog gets something wrong?
2What training or credentials do you have?
3Have you worked with dogs like mine, with this problem?
4What does it cost, and how many sessions are included?
5What will I need to practise between sessions?
6What support do I get once the sessions are over?
Questions people ask
Who has the highest Bark Score in Illinois?
Three trainers share a Bark Score of 4.8, including Anything Is Pawzible and Copilot Dog Training, both in Chicago. All three are labelled Force-free. In the state as a whole, 3 trainers are Platinum Certified and 29 are Gold Rated.
Are there online dog training sessions available?
Yes. 35 trainers in the state offer online or virtual sessions. In person, 138 offer private 1:1 training, 130 run group classes, 61 offer board and train and 25 run a day school.
Which specialist skills can I find a trainer for?
Beyond basic obedience (195 trainers), puppy training (141), recall (139) and lead walking (136), 40 trainers teach agility and 40 offer AKC CGC Test Prep.
How much does dog training cost in Illinois?
We don’t show prices for Illinois yet, because none of the 261 trainers listed here publish prices on their listing, and we’d rather show you nothing than a guess. When you ask for a quote, check how long each session is, how many sessions are included, and whether help after the program ends is part of the price.
How many dog trainers in Illinois offer board and train?
61 of the 261 trainers listed in Illinois offer board and train, where your dog stays with the trainer for a set time. 25 offer day training instead, where you drop your dog off and pick them up the same day.
Can I find a dog trainer in Illinois who trains online?
Yes. 35 trainers based in Illinois also train online by video call, so you can work with them wherever you live in the state.
Are there dog trainers in Illinois who help with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. 38 trainers listed in Illinois help with reactivity and 26 with aggression. 1 hold a behaviour credential (CBCC-KA or IAABC-CDBC). Filter the list above by what you need help with to see them.
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