I adopted a puppy from PAWS, who requires training as part of the adoption agreement. I was skeptical because I have always owned dogs and never done any official training. Also, I was worried because I didn’t want my hilarious puppy to lose all of her personality. I enrolled her in the Fido Foundations course with Sarah that met at Soggy Paws South Loop.

I truly felt that the class and trainer worked with each individual’s situation and puppy personality. I actually found myself looking forward to the class each week!

After the 6-week course, our puppy has learned a lot and even more importantly, I have learned techniques to continue her lessons at home. I am happy to add my two thumbs (and my puppy’s four paws) up! Maybe it’s just that Sarah was extra great, but I have no regrets about using AnimalSense at all!

Lori A.

We took our dog to the All Puppy training class, our trainers were Sally and Erin. Each week Sally sent us supplemental readings, including things for us to practice with our dog.

Both Sally and Erin were knowledgeable about issues people were having with their dogs, and they had different approaches to offer to help solve any problems we were having.

I think we were lucky to have a class that represented lots of different dog issues, our dog being the spazz, others being shy, skittish or abrasive. We learned different problem solving techniques to help our dog in case he ever showed signs of being scared or aggressive like the other dogs demonstrated in class. I think what also helped is that during the week my boyfriend and I took time to actually practice what we learned in class so that our dog would form good habits instead of just doing something in class for a few weeks and then not being consistent.

Jennie S.

Last fall, my eight-month-old Beagle puppy, Pickles and I began taking classes with AnimalSense. Pickles and I had done some obedience training at home, but we had not attended a formal class. I realized that it was important for Pickles to be around other dogs, so we began taking classes.

When we first started, Pickles was a very timid, quiet dog. He spent the first several sessions clinging to the walls. The trainers spent the majority of our sessions luring him out from under the chairs with peanut butter and other treats. He did not venture out into the room until the middle of our second six-week session. When he did, the entire class let out a shriek.

I am so grateful to AnimalSense because of all the time and energy they have put into Pickles. He is now a confident, well-behaved dog. Without the training of AnimalSense, Pickles could have become an aggressive and violent pet. Instead, he is a wonderful part of our family.

Pickles is now a year and a half and we are still attending classes with AnimalSense. We have made many four-legged friends and have learned a tremendous amount about how a dog’s mind (especially a stubborn Beagle’s) works. When you say the word “school”, Pickles immediately runs to the back door, looks at his leash and sits. He is a changed dog because of AnimalSense!

Carolyn R.

I am glad to say that my dog Badger and I were one of the first clients of AnimalSense. Honestly, I expected some trial and error to go on when it came to the classes but the Oak Park location was so close to home and my dog REALLY needed some behavior classes. Badger was 2 1/2 years old when we started and we had already tried a local pet store training and none of it worked for him. Badger had issues beyond comprehension, and I was willing to try anything.

What I found at AnimalSense was everything that Badger needed.

There was no trial and error because the trainer did a complete assessment on Badger and knew exactly what class was appropriate for him, Doggone Issues. Badger had issues of biting, not allowing people to grab his tail, kids made him crazy and he would not even let a stranger get acquainted with him by smelling their hand because he would immediately bite! He did not like other dogs and showed clear signs of aggression toward anything but ME. AnimalSense worked with him and ME (yes I needed training too, probably still do) so that I could calm down.

Badger has drastically improved and so have I. I don’t feel the anxiety I used to feel with strangers approaching him and he knows that he is safe if I am calm.

Badger is great with babies but is still working on the toddlers. I am very happy with AnimalSense and am confident that when I decide to have my own human children, my son Badger and I will go back to AnimalSense to learn the next step. Badger will need to learn to not be jealous when sharing affection, and I will learn to give him the same or more love when the new arrival comes. Thanks to AnimalSense, I feel confident with Badger and so does the rest of the family and neighborhood.

Silvia V.

When we first brought Simon home, we knew he was cute. What we didn’t know was that he was also shy, anxious and aggressive. Enrolling him at AnimalSense is the best thing we could have done for our Polish Sheepdog, and for our sanity.

Six months ago, our puppy was out of control. He growled at and scared visitors and anyone else who came near our house. He was incredibly needy, demanding all our attention. He chewed everything and he barked constantly. With our first baby due in a few months, we knew a very chaotic situation was only going to worsen. Faced with the possibility of finding a new home for Simon, something had to change.

And it did. If it weren’t for AnimalSense’s patience, encouragement and commitment to helping us, we would no longer have a pet. They made us understand how Simon’s mind works and gave us the tools and knowledge we need to manage our dog.

Today, he’s friendly, calm and quiet. He’s still getting used to the 8 week-old baby but is very gentle and runs to find us when he hears a cry. We now have a happy, peaceful home – thanks to AnimalSense.

Diane R.