Professional Dog Training in Chicago
Dog training in Chicago at K9 University gives dogs and their owners a clear path to better behavior. K9U has provided professional dog training in Chicago since 1992, working with all breeds and temperaments. Programs include group classes, private lessons, board-and-train bootcamps, agility, and nose work, all delivered from a 14,000 sq ft indoor facility in Chicago.
Professional dog training is strongly recommended by veterinarians. At K9U Chicago, we believe training is necessary for the safety of your pet and those around you in a busy city like Chicago. We provide dog training classes in Chicago at every level of ability. We practice positive reinforcement training methods to build and nurture desired behavior and build the confidence of your dog.
We speak the language of dogs. We train dogs by educating people. We believe the best way to build a bond between a dog and its family is to share knowledge about dog behavior and dog body language. Our training programs take many forms, including classes, private sessions, and boot camps:
- We offer group classes for puppies and adult dogs.
- We have board and train programs that help establish a strong foundation on which to build future skills.
- We offer day train packages to reinforce learning.
- We provide specialized training to work on select areas like leash reactivity and separation anxiety.
Our expert trainers work with you to help your dogs reach their full potential, either in a group setting or private dog training lessons. They work with dogs of all ages (puppies and adults) and tailor the training and group classes to the dog’s individual needs and age. Our spacious, and climate-controlled 14,000 sf indoor facility provides plenty of room for dogs at every level of ability.
We offer a wide range of dog training options to provide you and your dog the best education, tools, and training at all stages.
- Group classes aimed at every stage of your dog’s life
- Puppy training to give your sweet puppy a great start
- Group obedience classes for a strong foundation
- Advanced obedience work to hone in on good dog citizen manners
- Intensive bootcamps for behavior modification
- Focused daycare-and-train daycamps
- Specialized nose work, agility, or group socialization programs
- Private one-on-one training at our facility or at home
- Group classes aimed at every stage of your dog’s life
- Puppy training to give your sweet puppy a great start
- Group obedience classes for behavior modification
- Advanced obedience work to hone in on good dog citizen manners
- Intensive bootcamps for transformative results
- Focused daycare-and-train daycamps
- Specialized nose work, agility, or group socialization programs
- Private one-on-one training at our facility or at home
Meet Our Professional Dog Trainers
Pablo Maldonado
Dog Trainer
Pablo Maldonado
Pablo is an established trainer and business founder of multiple dog care companies with specialties in training, boarding and canine nutrition.
As a participant in several highly regarded training seminars, Pablo enjoys working with all dog breeds including high energy dogs where he uses soft sports, such as Agility Training, to provide these active dogs with a positive way to focus their energy and modify unwanted behaviors. Along with his customized approach to training based on each dog’s individual needs, Pablo creates a unique comprehensive training environment for every client.
Born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, Pablo offers Private Training and all levels of Group Obedience Training in Spanish. He is also very active with Board and Train camps providing Spanish commands for dogs as needed for those clients who prefer to speak Spanish at home.
Jonathan Polich
Lead Dog Trainer
Jonathan Polich
Jon has been in the dog industry in Chicago for 13 years. He started off running his own dog walking company and made his way into dog training close to 10 years ago. Jon is CPDT-KA certified and has been training dogs in the Chicago land area for around 10 years in doggy daycares and also privately. Jon believes training dogs is not only about working with your dog and their needs, but also being able to properly communicate dog behavior so you the dog owner can better connect with trust and understand how to work with your dog throughout its life.
Jon is a believer in the humane hierarchy of dog training and working with positive reinforcement-based training. Jon works with most behavioral needs such as puppy training, basic obedience, loose leash walking training, impulse control, relaxation protocol, dog reactive/people reactive training, as well as socialization training in small and large dog groups
Joshua D. Johnson
Dog Trainer
Joshua D. Johnson
Joshua D. Johnson is a seasoned dog trainer with over nine years of professional experience, specializing in obedience, behavior modification, and high-drive working dogs. He holds multiple industry certifications, including Animal Behavior College Dog Training Certification, and police and sport dog decoy certification. His skillset spans from foundational pet obedience to advanced working dog applications, with a proven ability to bring out the best in each dog through a balanced, results-driven approach.
In addition to his individual accomplishments, Joshua played a key role in developing and launching Canine Kingdom, a successful dog daycare and training business. His hands-on expertise extends to creating training programs, managing client relations, and building a thriving canine community. Whether working with family companions, service dogs, or sport competitors, Joshua’s training philosophy blends precision, clarity, and strong handler communication to ensure lasting results.
Joshua’s foundation in discipline and performance comes from his military background, where he served as an infantryman and worked alongside military working dogs. This experience instilled a deep understanding of canine capability, drive, and teamwork under pressure. Today, he continues to combine his military precision with a passion for helping dogs and handlers succeed, making him a trusted figure in both pet and professional working dog circles.
What Do We Need to Get Started with Dog Training
The following are the required Vaccinations for any K9U service:
- Distemper, Parvo, Rabies, Bordetella, Lepto.
- Up-to-date fecal test.
Please be sure to upload to your profile or to fax or email us a current record of these for our files.
- Register online and create a profile for you and your puppy
- Review the K9U Waiver Form above. You will sign the form electronically when you register online.
- Upload vaccination records to your online profile
- Fill out the free training evaluation form.
Your Questions About Dog Training in Chicago, Answered
Dog training classes in Chicago at K9 University cover every level of ability. Programs include puppy socialization, basic obedience, intermediate obedience, leash reactivity management, nose work, agility, and the Canine Good Citizen program. Classes run in group settings and private one-on-one sessions at our 14,000 sq ft Chicago indoor facility. We also offer intensive board-and-train bootcamps for dogs that need focused, immersive, or behavior modification work. Every new dog starts with a free evaluation so our trainers can recommend the right program based on age, temperament, and the owner's goals.
Dog obedience training in Chicago teaches dogs the foundational behaviors that make them safe and easy to manage in a busy city: sit, stay, come, down, leash manners, and recall. At K9 University, obedience training works through positive reinforcement: dogs are rewarded for correct behavior with treats, praise, or play rather than corrected through punishment. This builds reliable behavior that dogs repeat willingly. Programs run from basic obedience for puppies and adult dogs through to advanced work for dogs preparing for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test.
Private dog training lessons in Chicago are available at K9U's facility or at your home. One-on-one sessions are the right choice for owners who cannot attend scheduled classes, dogs that are not yet ready for group settings, or owners who want focused work on a specific behavioral issue. K9U offers two categories of private sessions: foundational skills (sit, stay, come, recall, watch, down, leave it, off, name recognition) and behavioral sessions targeting challenges such as leash reactivity, separation anxiety, or resource guarding. Contact K9 University to book your first session or request a free evaluation.
Positive reinforcement dog training is a method that rewards dogs for the behaviors their owners want to see, rather than punishing unwanted behavior. K9 University uses positive reinforcement across all training programs; dogs receive treats, praise, or play as a reward when they respond correctly. This builds confidence, strengthens the bond between dog and owner, and creates behaviors that last because the dog genuinely wants to repeat them. Positive reinforcement is recommended by veterinary and animal behavior organizations and is K9U's method across every program, from puppy classes through to board-and-train bootcamps.
Dog behavioral training in Chicago addresses problems that go beyond basic obedience. Behaviors like leash reactivity, separation anxiety, aggression, excessive barking, resource guarding, or fear-based responses need more advanced work. At K9 University, behavioral training starts with a free evaluation where a trainer assesses the dog's history, triggers, and current behavior. A program is then recommended, combining private sessions, group socialization, specialized classes, or a board-and-train program, depending on the issue. K9U's trainers have worked with hundreds of reactive and behaviorally complex dogs in Chicago since 1992.
Get Started with Dog Training in Chicago
Our talented professional dog trainers care about dogs and their owners and will work tirelessly to achieve exceptional results. With each group class or private session of dog training in Chicago, our goal is for you and your dog to have a fun, successful experience while learning obedience or addressing any special challenges you may be experiencing with your dog of any age.
Request Your Free Dog Training Evaluation
Please complete the contact form below for one of our trainers to answer your questions and schedule your Free evaluation. We’ll show you which training program and approach is best to properly socialize your dog and build mental strength.
Give Your Dog the Gift of Great Training to Become a Great Pooch
Improve your relationship with your pup, develop their manners, and build their confidence with the right dog training program at K9U Chicago.
Free Training Evaluation