River Forest Dog Trainers
Do you need help getting your pup to pay attention better? Or to be less distracted when guests visit or when you take him or her out? Or maybe you have a brand-new puppy that is in need of help getting on the right track with crate training, potty training, and obedience training. Regardless of age or type of dog, our dog trainers at Midway Dog Academy are here to help you get the dog you always dreamed of.
Every one of our dog trainers are passionate about canine development and constantly strive to keep up to date with the current innovations in dog training approaches. We believe in a customized approach, acknowledging that every pup , and their training plan need to reflect their individual personality and learning style.
YOUR DOG WILL:
- Walk calmly on the leash
- Come back when called
- Stop unwanted behaviors
- Ring a bell to go potty outside
- Learn a ‘place’ command to relax
- Practice socialization skills
- Learn essential manners
- And much more!
How Can We Help You?
OUR SERVICES
Puppy Training
Our puppy training programs focus on every one of the most fundamental parts of raising a young, impressionable dog. We work on potty training, crate training, manners, no barking, no nipping, and much more. We’ll help you raise the dog of your dreams!
Dog Training
Board and Train programs are a great choice for dog owners that want their dog trained by the best trainers in the River Forest area. This is an ideal program for most dogs because it allows your dog to live with us and practice a lifestyle.
Private Lessons
Private dog training lessons are a great way to work with a professional dog trainer one-on-one without the distractions of other people or dogs. This style of training allows your dog to be the main focus and will get way more out of the dog training lesson.
Midway Dog Academy of River Forest
The unique training at Midway Day Academy uses your dog’s natural pack member instinct to create a healthier, happier, more balanced pet. With the correct training, your dog can achieve its complete potential. Our unmatched training programs will help your dog re-establish its natural order– your dog will be taught to socialize with other dogs and become a healthy family companion. At Midway Dog Academy, we care greatly about the well-being and happiness of your dog. We understand that no two dogs are alike, therefore we modify our dog training programs to individually address their needs. Prior to joining any training activity, your dog will receive a free evaluation from one of our dog training behavioral specialist. Based on this evaluation, we’ll establish realistic goals for your dog. We know that dogs have a natural, genetic drive to operate within packs, much like their wolf ancestors. Even when you have a single dog, you and your family end up being the “pack”; and as a result play a very important role in your dog’s life.
That’s why at Midway Dog Academy, we help re-establish the natural pack mentality of your dog by promoting proper socialization and interaction with other dogs. Because dogs are natural pack animals, we can accelerate their learning by training them with other dogs, focusing on play time and socialization with other dogs. Midway Dog Academy provides a variety of programs to accommodate your dog’s needs– we offer boarding, doggy daycare, dog rehabilitation, puppy training camps, and customized training that consists of behavior modification and problem-solving. We provide a variety of class sizes from private lessons to small group settings in some of our locations. No matter your needs, Midway Dog Academy can meet them. In fact, upon successful completion of any of the programs, we provide continued support and a life-time follow up guarantee of our training.
Our Philosophy
Midway Dog Academy offers dog training in River Forest and the surrounding greater Chicago area. We are a widely recognized dog training resource and are committed to delivering dogs and their owners with what they value most: training excellence, top-quality care, with lasting companionship built on trust and respect. We understand that each dog is unique and has different needs, which is why we offer a variety of dog training programs with boot camps and puppy board and train programs for dogs from River Forest and from neighboring towns near. In as little as 10 days, you and your family can have the perfect dog!
Our services include various board and train programs, group classes, private lessons, doggy daycare, and boarding services which is offered exclusively to our dog training clients – even during the busy holidays. Overall, we believe that dog and puppy training is not only about obedience but also about optimizing physical and emotional wellness. Therefore, you can have the confidence that your beloved pups will receive the highest level of care and love as if they were our own.
Clients Reviews
Our Loyal Customers
We also provide dog training in the following cities:
More About River Forest
River Forest is a suburban village adjacent to Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 11,717.[2] Two universities make their home in River Forest, Dominican University and Concordia University Chicago. The village is closely tied to the larger neighboring community of Oak Park. There are significant architectural designs located in River Forest such as the Winslow House by Frank Lloyd Wright. River Forest has a railroad station with service to Chicago on Metra’s Union Pacific West Line.
Selecting The Best Dog Trainer in River Forest
Discovering a wonderful dog trainer in River Forest, can make a substantial difference to the overall outcome of your dog’s training. No matter if it is teaching your dog basic obedience through advance obedience or helping a dog overcome fear or aggression– working with a dog trainer that knows how to work with each behavior is crucial to your dog’s success. A professional dog trainer can help you recognize challenges that you may be dealing with and also enhance the dynamic you have with your dog. The question is how can you tell that you have found the right trainer for your dog? The dog training industry is largely unregulated industry unfortunately; which means you really need to do your due diligence and see to it that you are choosing a legitimate professional dog trainer. It is important to assess the possible trainers before you trust them with your precious dog and invest your hard-earned money. Do proper research to determine whether a particular trainer is the right match for both you and your dog.
Dog Training Approach One of the first things we suggest that you ask your trainer is about their training philosophy and methodology to make sure that you are content with their process. It is vital to find a trainer that has prior experience and knowledge using different training tools since all dogs are different and what works for one dog may not work for another dog. Finding a dog trainer that has experience training with a variety of training tools is also crucial because it means that the trainer can find the most ideal training tool for your dog and not use the ‘one size fits all’ method for their dog training experience.
Identifying Your Wants and Your Dog’s Needs You will also need to figure out what form of training will be the most useful for you and your dog based on what you need or want achieved. Do you need help with potty training your puppy? Or do you need your dog to have the best obedience training? Or perhaps you would like your dog be trained to be off leash? Finding out what your wants and needs are will help you find out what style of dog training program will be the best choice.
Recognizing and Correcting Dog Behavior Problems Not all dog behaviors are created equally nor are all dog trainers in River Forest. That is why it is so crucial to determine if your dog has specific behavioral problems that need specific attention. When working with these sorts of issues or problems it is imperative that you choose a dog trainer that has had lots of experience dealing and overcoming these things. Not just any dog trainer can do this– this takes many years of experience to be safe and successful accomplishing this.
Fixing Dog Aggression If you have a dog that has behavior troubles such as dog aggression or human aggression, then you will need to be sure you find a professional dog trainer that has expertise in working with these specific problems. It is equally important to find a dog trainer that has had successful results when working with dogs that have these issues that they need help overcoming. Looking for a dog trainer with the right kind of experience is important because they will need to first identify where the issue is coming from to first treat that issue. Dog aggression is often a symptom of a problem that has gone unaddressed. It is an external red flag to an internal issue.
Fixing Fearful Dogs Working with fearful dogs is another behavior concern that you will require an expert trainer if you want your dog to overcome it. When working with nervous dogs, it takes the right type of training in order to help that dog come out of their shell and begin trusting again. In my experience, when I have worked with frightened dogs I have always told the dog’s owner that the beginning is a slow process– and it has to be. No one can hurry a dog’s confidence building nor can they tell a dog when to be ready to move on. Finding a dog trainer in River Forest that will take their time is huge and it really shows the dog trainer’s dedication to helping the dog.
Styles of Dog Training There are several options of dog training programs in River Forest. Each form has their own unique perks so we will just concentrate on a handful of them. Depending on what you need your dog to learn or overcome, this can definitely influence what training program will be best suited for him or her. The dog trainer that you are interested in working with should be able to talk about their training programs with you and help you select what will be the best fit for your dog in order to accomplish the best outcome.
Group Obedience Training in River Forest, IL Group classes are a good way to socialize your dog with other dogs if you don’t have a stable pack around for your puppy to play with. It also adds the perk of distraction training (although this may be a very difficult thing with young puppies). Normally this is done only after your dog has received all their immunizations.
Private Dog Training Lessons Other dogs may learn a lot better in private lessons due to the fact that it’s a one-one training session and you don’t have the added distraction of other dogs; in addition, you get all the dog trainers attention to focus on only your dog. Private training might be provided in your home, at a dog facility, or out in the real world. Some dogs are simply not ready for a classroom or perhaps the dog’s problem just happens at the front door. However, not all trainers offer private lessons at your home, so you should ask if that is the style of training you are searching for.
Doggy Boot Camps in River Forest Another great possibility for having your dog trained is a doggy camp sometimes referred to as a Board and train or a doggy bootcamp. This approach is a great choice for busy dog owners, dogs with major issues, or for those who just want their dog’s training to be knocked out in one shot by an experienced trainer. Having this done by a professional, minimizes the mistakes that the dog will learn and therefore they will live in and practice living a balanced lifestyle.
Potty Training Puppies If you are considering potty training puppies in River Forest then a puppy camp will probably be your best option available. The reason a puppy camp is one of the most successful training programs for potty training is because the dog trainer can actually get your dog on a set schedule and provide your new puppy the consistency that they will need to understand exactly what you want them to perform in order to understand the puppy potty training process. Many dog trainers, including myself, will potty train puppies to ring bells on a door notify us they need to go outside to potty. This is very beneficial especially for puppies and dogs that are not barkers. Generally, puppy training camps will also concentrate on various other crucial puppy training skills such as crate training.
Education and Credentials Find out from potential dog trainers about their education and any credentials they may have. Some excellent trainers have learned through years of experience and apprenticeships while other dog trainers may have taken a more academic route, but may have less hands-on experience. Certifications with an organization such as the International Association of Canine Professionals isn’t a mandatory requirement for trainers, but it can reveal a dedication to their profession along with an interest in continuing their education.
Get To Know The Trainer Talk to the trainer to get a feel for their personality and people skills before you make a decision. It is usually not nearly enough to read the trainer’s website or brochure. Dog trainers actually teach people, so you must be comfortable being their student. Your dog trainer should be good at not only handling and working with dogs, but also be good at communicating with you on what you will need to do afterwards to maintain your dog’s newly taught training skills. The trainer should be respectful, encouraging, and patient. Try observing a training class or schedule a meet and greet, and watch the students and dogs to be sure that everyone is having a good time. You should also not forget to ask for references from former students. Find a trainer that offers more than just basic training techniques. Humans and dogs look at the world from a different perspective, and the better you understand the perceptions of the dog, the better equipped you are to meet his/her needs and live happily together. Training lessons must include information relating to dog communication, dog behavior, and how dogs learn. The significance of socializing is critical to a good puppy class, and advice on handling and grooming is an added benefit. A great trainer understands that it is their job to train your dog. While they may wish to work with one adult at a time depending on the dog’s issues, they should welcome the whole entire household including the children at some time in the process. First-rate trainers understand why it is important to get the entire family on board for consistency.
Ask Friends and Family You can get a referral for a professional dog trainer from many places including the people at the dog park to neighbors and family. Never skimp on your research despite how impressed other dog owners are with a particular trainer. The trainer should be the right fit for you, your dog, and your individual circumstances. A great dog trainer is a wise investment and ensures a lifetime of harmonious and happy living because you now have a well-behaved, trained dog. You can also reach out to people through social media using local facebook groups for recommended dog training in River Forest.