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Happy Hound University

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Elk Grove Village, IL
Happy Hound University

Dog training and behavior modification using positive, science-based, pain free methods to help you

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Happy Hound University offers certified, professional positive training for you and your dog in your home. I use force-free methods to manage and modify your dog's inappropriate behaviors, and replace them with new, desirable ones. Serving the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, IL. Email today to schedule your initial consult!

07/05/2025

Rocket had a great time on his socialization adventure a few weeks ago at Meacham Forest Preserve! The heat wasn't too bad, so they got some walking in, some fetch time in the field, and they got to check out this small lake!

Are you struggling to meet your dog's exercise needs with all of your other life commitments? Or did you just bring home a new puppy and you're finding the need to get out and socialize every single day overwhelming? Check out our enrichment and socialization adventures!

These aren't just any old "potty break" walks! During these appointments, Phil stops by, picks your pup up, and drives them to a local forest preserve, park, walking path, or store (depending on what your goals are currently!) Your dog will get the chance to sniff, run, explore, use their nose, and experience the environment, and you'll get to return home at the end of the day to a tired and enriched dog or puppy!

Interested in learning more? Email [email protected]!

07/04/2025

Wishing everyone a very happy and SAFE Fourth of July.

If your dog needs medication to cope with the fireworks, make sure give them the medication well ahead of show time so that they have fully kicked in by the time the fireworks begin!

If your dog is nervous about fireworks, make sure they go potty before it starts to get dark and do not try to force them outside if they won't go willingly. If you have access to a basement, make sure your dog knows they can go down there where it won't be as loud, and set up some white/brown noise such as a white noise machine or a loud movie!

If your dog is anxious, please do not try to bring them to a barbecue, party, or parade. I promise your dog will be much happier (and COOLER) at home! Animal shelters see a 30-60% increase in lost dogs around the fourth of July; just last year a dog brought to a fireworks show in Elk Grove Village was lost for several days! It's just not worth the risk to your dog.

If you do outdoor activities with your dog today make sure you both stay hydrated, it's going to be a hot one!

And one final note: if your dog struggles with this weekend, please do not wait to seek out help! This is a rough weekend for many dog parents, but having a solid plan in place can make a world of difference!

07/03/2025

Fourth of July PSA:

Your dog would probably prefer to stay home over going to the fireworks or the parade.

Unless you have a REMARKABLY unflappable and confident dog (if so, congratulations, this is not common!) your dog will experience genuine stress at these events, and even though you feel good about including your dog in a fun family event, your dog is likely not enjoying themselves.

Parades are for humans. Fireworks are for humans. Large, crowded, unpredictable events are almost always difficult for dogs to handle.

These are also not appropriate environments to socialize young puppies in; the environment is simply too unpredictable and you run the risk of creating fear if something scary happens.

Obviously, you know your dog. But when someone asks me as a professional trainer if I think it’s appropriate to bring a dog (other than a special case like a service animal) to events like these, my recommendation will almost always be to leave them home.

07/02/2025

"What's in your pouch?" Wednesday

I have had some people ask me for different treat recommendations, since I encourage my students to change up their reinforcers for the novelty factor and to keep introducing their dogs to new foods. So I decided one of the better places for me to post about this is on our social media!

Heads up, the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning that I will receive a small commission from these purchases at no additional cost to you!

The treats my dogs have been enjoying this week have been:

- Vital Essentials Salmon Bites: https://amzn.to/4ntM6VV. These are freeze dried and STINKY. If you can't stand the smell of fish... you might want to skip these ones lol.

- Wellness soft training treats: https://amzn.to/3I2dMkz. Although they're called "puppy" treats, my adult dogs love them! These aren't SUPER high value, but definitely a great "middle of the road" reinforcer!

- Delectables Lickable Cat Treats: https://amzn.to/3ZWMSk5. These cat treats work just as well for dogs! They're small (remember, they're made for cats) but POTENT and many dogs will go crazy for them!

How about you and your dog? Have you recently found a treat or food that has been working well for your training? If so, please comment below! And happy training!

07/01/2025

“I don’t know the science behind what I do haha, it’s just what I’ve observed in nature”

Ha.

Ha?

This is a direct quote from an Instagram account with over 27,000 followers. They posted a video of two large dogs being walked by someone, one of the dogs muzzled, wearing a shock collar, and with a slip lead high and tight around the dog’s neck.

When the dog lunges towards someone, he’s corrected so hard that his front paws lift off the ground. The dog in the video is easily 100+ lbs. 100 lbs, and lifted off the ground.

The dog continues to struggle towards the trigger and gets several more corrections after the initial one.

This is how this “trainer” plans to “rehabilitate” this dog. By setting the dog up to fail, and choking him out or shocking him when he inevitably does, because he was never given the skills to truly handle these situations.

27,000 followers. No credentials. No professional certifications. No proof of continuing education. And they even say they don’t know why their methods work. And yet here they are, instructing people on how best to handle serious behavior issues like aggression.

Please be careful with your dogs. Anyone can call themselves a trainer. Anyone can amass a huge social media following. Doesn’t mean you can actually trust them with your dog.

06/30/2025

Did you recently bring home a new puppy?

Don’t let their critical window of socialization pass you by!

Young puppies need to be socialized with other dogs and new people BEFORE their critical window of socialization starts to close around 16-18 weeks of age. There’s no better time to start puppy classes then NOW.

Our classes are rolling enrollment, which means no waiting for the next class date to start! You can jump in as soon as there’s an opening!

We also separate our puppy class by size and temperament, which means your puppy will be getting QUALITY socialization and our playtime isn’t a free for all. Our goal is that all puppies leave class more confident than they started!

Interested in learning more about our puppy program? Email [email protected] or see our website!

06/29/2025

A very happy birthday to one half of Happy Hound University, my husband Phil!

Phil answers new client inquiries, assists with classes and socials, offers our enrichment and socialization adventures, and helps me keep Happy Hound University running smoothly!

To say that I would be lost without him is an understatement!

Happy birthday, Phil! ❤️ Thanks for being an amazing husband, business partner, and dog and cat dad!

06/28/2025

"It doesn't hurt, it's just a tap"

"It doesn't hurt, it's like a tens unit"

And on and on and on it goes.

Euphemisms abound in dog training culture, and they're usually used to try and paint something potentially harmful in a more positive light.

If you're speaking with a trainer ask them point blank how the tool or technique they're using will motivate your dog. Don't be fooled by pretty words and weasel speak. If putting a piece of equipment on your dog will STOP a behavior, it means that that tool, by definition, has to function as an aversive, something the dog works to avoid. And using these aversive training tools has the potential for serious fallout, from learned helplessness on the dog's part, to decreased welfare for the animal, to increased potential for fear and aggression.

This industry needs regulation, badly. But until that happens, advocating for your dog is one of the most important things you can do.

06/27/2025

A HUGE congratulations to our sole graduate from this week, Puppy 3 graduate Milo the Barbet!

Milo is a very good boy who made great progress in his classes and will continue to learn and grow with his awesome family! Three cheers for Milo! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

06/26/2025

I have a confession: as a dog trainer, I never "command" my dogs to do something.

And I don't teach them "commands".

I teach them cues. And I ASK them to do things.

And if my dog chooses not to do what I asked them to, then I look at that as a failure on my training's part, rather than a dog being "disobedient".

I know it seems like semantics. And I know we've used the term "command" for EVER, so it's easy to use it without thinking. But I feel that the terminology and words we use can shape the world we share with our dogs.

If you look at training with your dog as "commanding" them to do things, and frame them not doing something as them deliberately disobeying you, you really have no choice but to look at that interaction from a place of willful disobedience and conflict. And that's not the relationship I want with my dogs.

But if you look at training as you teaching your dog what you would like them to do, and you look at your "commands" as cues requesting a behavior, then you understand that your dog choosing not to do what you ask is actually information for you to use. Maybe you're not ready for that level of difficulty yet. Maybe your dog is too distracted by the environment. Maybe they're worried! Maybe what you've reinforced them with in the past actually WASN'T reinforcing at all!

These are all things that we can do something about! We can work in less distracting environments, use more motivating reinforcers, and build confidence if our dog is stressed or worried. But if we just frame it as the dog being "bad" or "disobedient" because they didn't respect our "command"? Well, there isn't a ton we can do to change that!

So remember this next time you're talking about your dog's training:

We're cuing our dogs when we train them, leave "command" in the past where it belongs!

06/25/2025

We love to hear from our amazing clients!

"I met Mary two years ago when Frankie, the lab/border collie mix that we adopted from a local shelter, challenged me in ways beyond my imagination. Mary came to our house numerous times through the past couple years to help us with different issues/concerns. Each time, she asked questions, observed us with Frankie, and gave suggestions, all with much care, compassion and understanding to help us move forward in the most loving and effective way.

Mary has a deep respect for dogs and has taught us new ways to interpret and understand his behavior so we can continue to strengthen our bond and increase mutual respect. She remains my go-to when any new issues arise and I have never been disappointed! Her expertise and caring are immeasurable and deeply appreciated!!"

Thank you so much to Frankie's person for the kind words!

06/24/2025

I see you, day in and day out putting in the hard work with your dog.

Some days it's really hard to stay the course. Maybe your dog barks and lunges at other dogs or people and embarrasses you in public, or your adolescent dog is driving you up a wall with their constant need for attention. Everyone is telling you to buy a shock collar, send your dog off to board and train, to yell at or get physical with your dog.

"That's what we always did growing up, it's fine."

"Positive reinforcement isn't going to work, you need to show them who's boss, have a firmer hand."

"Haven't you been doing this for a long time? My buddy sent his dog to a board and train and they fixed the dog in two weeks, he's really calm now."

You hear it ALL. THE. TIME. The pressure is constant, and it's frustrating.

But you know what's right for your dog, and for your relationship. And you prioritize that. You prioritize your dog's behavioral welfare and emotions over a promised quick fix. And you celebrate the little wins you see every day, and know that in order to see long term, healthy behavior change, playing the long game is necessary.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You are doing a great job, even on the hard days. This world loves punishment and coercion to control behavior, and it's no different in the world of dog training. Standing strong in the face of the status quo isn't easy, but it's so worth it.

You're doing great. Keep going.

Address

Elk Grove Village, IL

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 8pm
Tuesday	9am - 8pm
Wednesday	9am - 8pm
Thursday	9am - 8pm
Friday	9am - 8pm

Website

http://happyhounduniversity.com/

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