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5 Best Dog Trainers in Chicago (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Fenris Morrow
By Fenris Morrow, Expert in Professional Services · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 8 min read

A reactive dog that lunges at every stranger on the sidewalk is the specific problem most of these Chicago trainers are built to solve, and the reviews back it up: K9 University Chicago has logged 695 reviews, the most of any trainer on this page, while Back to Basics Dog Training posts a perfect 5.0 across 223. Between them, reviewers describe transforming dogs that used to bark, lunge, and pull on every walk.

Short answer: K9 University Chicago has the most reviews of any Chicago dog trainer at 695, rated 4.6, and has run boarding, daycare, and training since 1992. Found Chicago Boarding & Training Center (4.8, 610 reviews) and Back to Basics Dog Training (a perfect 5.0, 223 reviews) are the other standout picks, the latter specializing in in-home and behavior-modification work. Board-and-train reactivity programs typically run several weeks.
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Chicago Dog Trainers, Compared

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Found Chicago Boarding & Training Center 4.8 ★ 610 Reactivity / board-and-train View ›
2 K9 University Chicago 4.6 ★ 695 Longest track record / most reviewed View ›
3 Back To Basics Dog Training 5.0 ★ 223 Behavior modification / in-home View ›
4 Urban Pooch Training and Fitness Center 4.8 ★ 266 Puppy classes / agility View ›
5 Anything Is Pawzible 4.9 ★ 140 Reactive dogs, in-home consults View ›
5 Best Dog Trainers in Chicago (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

Found Chicago Boarding & Training Center logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Found Chicago Boarding & Training Center

4.8610 Google reviews

Found Chicago Boarding & Training Center is a Rockwell Street facility that has provided dog training for over 17 years, alongside boarding and daycare. Its board-and-train programs range from a boot camp for basics to a rehabilitation track built for more serious behavioral issues, and it uses e-collar training alongside positive reinforcement. Reviewers consistently describe it as their choice for dogs with real reactivity problems, not just basic obedience.

What people praise

  • Detailed video and photo updates throughout board-and-train stays
  • Handles serious reactivity, including protective and aggressive behavior in large breeds
  • In-person follow-up sessions to teach owners how to continue the training at home
  • Coordinates with a vet directly if a medical issue comes up during a stay

Worth knowing

  • E-collar training is part of the program, which isn't the right fit for every owner
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume610 · 93th
Confidencehigh
Recency8 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown91% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The second-most-reviewed trainer here and the one reviewers reach for specifically when a dog's reactivity has become a real problem, not just a training tune-up.

Website+1773-539-3880 Directions

4108 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618

K9 University Chicago logo
#2🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

K9 University Chicago

4.6695 Google reviews

K9 University Chicago has provided dog training, daycare, boarding, and grooming since 1992, making it one of the longer-running names in Chicago pet care. It runs group classes, agility training, and specialized programs for reactive and non-social dogs alongside its core training work. Its review count is the highest on this list by a wide margin.

What people praise

  • Longest track record on this list, operating since 1992
  • Daily report cards with photos during boarding and training stays
  • Handles reactive and aggressive dogs specifically, not just basic obedience
  • Wide range of programs from puppy classes to agility

Worth knowing

  • One reviewer noted pickup and drop-off windows are limited, which can mean paying for an extra day around flight schedules
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.6 / 5
Review volume695 · 98th
Confidencehigh
Recency3 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown84% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: It ranks second here on rating but first by far on volume, with over four decades combined of reviewer trust behind it. A safe, well-established choice if you want a full-service facility rather than a solo trainer.

Website+1773-992-1804 Directions

2945 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60612

Back To Basics Dog Training logo
#3🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Back To Basics Dog Training

5.0223 Google reviews

Back To Basics Dog Training is an Elston Avenue business focused specifically on puppy training, basic obedience, and behavior modification, including in-home sessions and a board-and-train option. Reviews describe a specific trainer, Wen, working directly with reactive dogs over multi-week courses, with regular text check-ins between classes. It holds the highest rating of any trainer on this page.

What people praise

  • Perfect 5.0 rating, the highest on this list
  • In-home sessions available, not just at a facility
  • Reviewers describe real behavior change in reactive and anxious dogs over a matter of weeks
  • Regular text check-ins between sessions to track homework progress

Worth knowing

  • Smaller review base than the two larger boarding-and-training facilities above it
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating5 / 5
Review volume223 · 83th
Confidencehigh
Recency2 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown99% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The rating leader here, and the reviews read like real behavior transformations rather than boilerplate praise. A strong pick if you want dedicated one-on-one work rather than a larger facility.

Website+1872-359-6627 Directions

3232 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

Urban Pooch Training and Fitness Center logo
#4🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Urban Pooch Training and Fitness Center

4.8266 Google reviews

Urban Pooch Training and Fitness Center runs two Chicago locations offering puppy training, agility, nose work, and enrichment daycare, alongside a retail pet supply store. Its Paw Star Academy puppy program and Sunday puppy socialization classes come up repeatedly in reviews, and several customers describe using the same trainers for seven-plus years across training, daycare, and grooming.

What people praise

  • Long-running relationships; one reviewer described seven years with the same trainers
  • Specific puppy socialization and agility programs beyond basic obedience
  • Trainers described as patient and good coaches for enrichment daycare
  • Two locations across the city

Worth knowing

  • One reviewer noted recency of updates on the facility's website could lag
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume266 · 88th
Confidencehigh
Recency4 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown89% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A well-rounded pick particularly strong for puppy owners who want structured socialization early, with a track record of keeping the same families coming back for years.

Website+1773-961-8880 Directions

5400 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

Anything Is Pawzible logo
#5🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Anything Is Pawzible

4.9140 Google reviews

Anything Is Pawzible is a Pulaski Road dog training business running both in-studio group classes and in-home private training, with a strong focus on reactivity and behavior modification. Reviews describe an initial in-home consultation before recommending a program, and named trainers like Claire, Lin, and Jamie come up repeatedly for their work with rescue dogs and reactive breeds. It also runs a location in Austin, Texas.

What people praise

  • In-home consultations to tailor a plan before starting classes
  • Small class sizes, capped around five dogs per session
  • Reduced pricing available for rescue dogs
  • Reviewers describe meaningful reactivity improvement in multi-week courses

Worth knowing

  • Smallest review base of the five trainers on this list
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume140 · 63th
Confidencemoderate
Recency3 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown95% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: It ranks fifth here mainly on review volume rather than quality; the reviews describe the same kind of real behavioral progress as the trainers above it, just from fewer total customers so far.

Website+1773-919-7297 Directions

3358 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60641

6

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How we score

Every number on this page comes from public Google data pulled on the date shown, not opinion or payment. Rating is the business’s live Google star average. Review volume is how many Chicago customers have rated them, measured against the others here. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.6 built on nearly 700 reviews carries more weight than a perfect score built on a couple hundred. Recency tracks how recently people are still reviewing. No business can pay to change these numbers.

How much does dog training cost in Chicago? (2026)

Pricing for dog training in Chicago varies widely by format, from single private sessions to multi-week board-and-train programs, and none of the businesses on this page publish a fixed public price list. Board-and-train programs generally run from a couple of weeks up to five weeks for serious behavior modification, based on the timelines described in customer reviews.

Serving dog owners across Chicago

These trainers cover the North Side and West Side, including Rockwell Street, Lake Street, Elston Avenue, Damen Avenue, and Pulaski Road, with some offering in-home sessions across the wider metro. Searching for dog training near me? Each listing includes a live phone number and address so you can compare distance and book a consultation.

What to ask before you hire a dog trainer

  • Do you offer an in-home consultation or evaluation before recommending a program?
  • What training methods do you use, and are e-collars or prong collars involved?
  • How long does a typical reactivity or behavior-modification program run?
  • Will I get updates and homework to continue training at home?
  • Is there a difference in pricing between in-home and in-facility sessions?
  • Do you offer a discount for rescue or shelter dogs?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these dog trainers?

We started from dog trainers in Chicago with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency, and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date, August 2026 on this page. We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

What’s the difference between board-and-train and private lessons?

Board-and-train means your dog stays at the facility for a set period while trainers work with them daily, then teach you the commands afterward. Private lessons happen with you present, either at your home or a facility. Several trainers on this page, including Found Chicago and Back to Basics, offer both.

Can these trainers help with a reactive or aggressive dog?

Yes. Reactivity and behavior modification for dogs that lunge, bark, or struggle around other dogs and people comes up repeatedly across reviews for Found Chicago, K9 University, Back to Basics, and Anything Is Pawzible.

The bottom line

K9 University Chicago is the safe default given its decades-long track record and review volume, while Back to Basics is worth a look if you want dedicated in-home, one-on-one work. Whichever you choose, ask about their specific approach to reactivity before booking if that’s your dog’s main issue.

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