AnimalSense - Dog Training Classes, Chicago IL
Dog obedience classes and training in the Chicago area

All classes (except Puppy Pre-School) will close for enrollment one week following class start date. If you are interested in a class but have missed our cut-off date for enrollment, please let us know so we can place you on the waiting list.

And don't forget. . . Private lessons are always available to help you and your dog prepare for classes!

Our fee for most group classes is $180.00 for a six (6) week session. Some classes have a slightly higher fee and require instructor permission to enroll. Rescue dogs receive a 15% discount off most group classes. Fees are payable by cash or check at Orientation or the first class. We also take PayPal and will send you the link for that when we confirm your registration in class.

CLICK HERE for a current schedule of available classes.

Class Offerings
Adult Advanced Field Trip (summer only)	"Field test" your handling and obedience skills with this class! Every week we meet at a new location to train, practice and have a ton of fun. First week meets at Training Center. Instructor permission needed to enroll.
All Ages Advanced	Is your dog ready for the "next step"? If so, this class is for you. Along with review of basic skills, we will focus on off-lead training, stays with heavy distractions, as well as introduce a few advanced tricks to add to your dog's growing repertoire of skills. Dog must be well versed in basic obedience including a reliable sit, down and come. Class concludes with a prize-filled competition! It should be great fun for everyone!!
All Puppy-City	All Puppy-City is a beginner puppy class. Socialization happens naturally during class as your puppy is exposed to many new dogs and people while focusing on the basics of manners and control.  We cover many elelments of puppy-raising and addressowner questions and concerns.  This class serves puppies up to 1 year old.
All Puppy-Oak Park	See All Puppy-City description.  However, All Puppy-Oak Park only serves puppies 7 weeks to 6 months old.
Basic Manners	Polish up those skills and learn how to have a polite, well-mannered dog who is welcome anywhere. We'lll introduce and strengthen basic cues and commands and problem-solve for common issues such as jumping, "counter surfing" and pulling on leash. A great class for all dogs to enhance obedience and be challenged! For dogs 1 year and up. Basic Manners is a good choice for those dogs who have never taken a class
More Basic Manners (Intermediate)	NEW! Never stop working on manners! This class picks up where Basic Manners left off. In addition to polishing already learned skills, we will add new ones such as “go to your place” and long distance and duration stays. This is a good intermediate skill class.
Bowser & Baby: For Expecting Parents	NEW! When your baby comes home, your dog’s life will change, too. This class addresses the concerns of dog owners expecting a new baby or child in the home. (A great class for adoptive parents too.) Learn how to peacefully prepare yourselves and your dog for the adjustment. We will also teach skills directly related to life with a baby, such as walking nicely alongside a stroller and greeting and interacting with many guests.
Canine Communication	Ever wondered what's going on inside that furry little head? This class will give you insight into the incredibly complex world of canine communication, including social and play behavior, body language and calming signals, and typical communication breakdowns between the human and canine species. Class fee includes a copy of Turid Rugaas' seminal book Calming Signals: On Talking Terms with Dogs. To maximize learning, human students only will meet for discussion on classes 1, 3 and 5 and our dogs will join us for classes 2, 4 and 6. Come learn to "talk dog"!
Canine Good Citizen (CGC)	This class teaches the skills necessary to pass the AKC's Canine Good Citizen test. It is highly recommended for people interested in animal-assisted therapy or for dogs who would like recognition for their skills! The class concludes with CGC testing and evaluation, included in the cost of the class. Please contact us if you have any questions about your dog's readiness for this class. All ages are welcome. Special Fee Class - $200.00
Dog Gone Issues	Special class designed for those pooches who need extra work in areas such as dog aggression, poor manners, or any kind of unwanted behavior problems. Instructor permission needed. Please contact jamie@animalsense.com.                 Special Fee Class - $200.00
Golden Years (For Senior Citizens Only)	NEW!  People over 55 and dogs of all ages are invited to join this special class.  We'll have fun while focusing on the training concerns of senior handlers.
Introduction to Agility	Thic classes offers an introduction to various agility obstacles, including jumps, open and closed tunnels, weave poles, and the seesaw.  Great for confidence building!  Dogs must be under good off-leash control and get along well with other dogs.
Just for Kids	Maybe Mom or Dad know what to do with Fido, but everyone else in the house gets taken advantage of? Well, this class is for you! We have specially designed a class for kids aged 5-15 to learn about and train your dog. Dogs (and kids!) must be free of aggression issues to enroll.
K-9 Teen Time	For adolescent dogs 8-12 months old. A "survival course" for the sometimes difficult adolescent stage of canine development. Hone your handling skills while strengthening your dog's basic cues and commands, enhancing leash walking skills, training through distractions, and continuing socialization to encourage appropriate dog-dog interaction.
Mom & Dog	This class is designed specifically for stay-at-home moms (or dads!). Along with basic obedience and manners training, we will focus on the challenges of raising dogs with children and also talk about the challenges that expectant moms may face as they bring a new baby home to Fido. Young children welcome!
Open Play Group	Supervised play time at OPCLC for you and your dog! Limted to ten dogs per play group session, first come first serve.  Dogs MUST pass temperament screening before attending. Cost is $12.00 per session, or $100.00 for a package of 10 sessions.
Problem Solving 101	NEW! No dog is perfect, so we've designed a class to address common behavior issues. Each week we work on a different issue, such as barking, jumping, counter-surfing and mouthing. Class includes special take-home materials and LOTS of Q and A. Humans only, dogs will be invited to some of the classes TBA.
Puppy First Step	Your puppy is getting bigger and some of the behaviors that used to be cute suddenly aren't.  Come join us for Puppy First Step.  This class for puppies 4-8 months old focuses on socialization, basic cues and commands, and walking on a leash.  It also addresses owner concerns and questions about living harmoniously with a growing puppy.  Puppy First Step lays a solid foundation for your puppy's life!
Puppy Pre-School	This class is for new puppies up to 16 weeks. The single most important class you will ever attend. We spend six weeks focusing on extensive socialization, introduction to basic cues such as attention, sit, and down, plus information on life with puppy including housetraining and crate training, handling, mouthing, chewing and more. It's a must do for all new puppies and their people! GREAT experience for all!
Rally-O	This class introduces you and your dog to Rally-style obedience, which incorporates both traditional and new skills into a smoothly-flowing performance.  We will also include some agility obstacles.  An enjoyable and challenging way to build on your dog's skills!  Rally-O is for dogs with intermediate level obedience skills who can sit, down, stay and recall on cue. See www.apdt.com/rallyo for more details.
Recall & Leash Manners	So you're almost "there" with your canine friend, huh? Just want to work on those two last obstacles of the perfect "come" and better leash manners? Then this class is for you! We will work on all the technical aspects of recall (come) and leash walking, and then we will put our hard work to the test in real life situations. It's a "don't miss" class!
Semi-Private Lessons	Designed as a more affordable alternative to private lessons, this class offers a tailored training program in a setting with built-in distractions. Each student will receive maximized one-on-one time with instructors. Highly recommended for dogs with anxiety issues; however, all dogs will benefit from this type of learning environment. 5 student limit. Special Fee Class - $300.00
Sit 'N Stay!	More than just a trick or a simple obedience command, "sit" is the most useful and powerful behavior your dog will ever possess. We will work towards the perfect sit and apply it to problem behaviors like jumping, counter surfing, and object stealing.  We will also reward your dog for holding a sit or down and incorporate "stay" into real-life situations such as door bolting, meal preparation, and dinner table begging.
Small Dogs Only	So your dog isn't a Labrador Retriever or Great Dane? That's okay because now there's a class specifically designed with your little one in mind! This class will cover all aspects of basic obedience with a focus on small dog skills and issues. All ages, 10 pound weight limit.
Tricks & Clicks	Clicker training is a fun and enjoyable way to introduce new behaviors and enhance already existing ones! Join us in this class as we explore the many uses for clicker training, while we teach you to teach your dogs tons of fancy (and useful) tricks. No prior training required.
Welcome Home	Did you just adopt an adult dog? Or is this your dog's 5th home in 5 months? We are here for you. Based on our extensive  experience and knowledge of shelter dog behavior, we have designed a class specifically for you and your dog. Re-homed and rescued dogs 8 months and older are invited to join us. We will learn basic handling and obedience skills while paying special attention to the needs of recently-adopted dogs by working to enhance communication and trust while creating new and improved behavior.  All rescued dogs receive a 15% discount!

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