Darn Good Dogs Chicago Inc

Home
Darn Good Dogs Chicago Inc

Helping busy Chicago dog owners raise calm, confident dogs ready for city life. Reactivity, jumpy/mouthy behavior, separation anxiety, and fear specailists

Offering R+ day training+in-home sessions to make real-life training fit your real-life schedule.

30/12/2025

These tips will make your dog’s New Years Eve experience a whole lot less stressful

Alongside the above, if your dog struggles with fireworks or festive noise, it’s always worth talking to your vet in advance about medication that can help with situational anxiety on the night or during the holiday season.

There’s absolutely no shame in pharmaceutical help, just like with humans, the right support can take the edge off and make a huge difference for your dog’s comfort and wellbeing 💙

From all of us at Darn Good Dogs Chicago, we wish you and your dogs a calm, safe, and happy New Year! We can’t wait to share the exciting things we have planned for 2026! Thank you for your continued support in 2025 and the amazing dogs and their parents we have had the pleasure of working with!

29/12/2025

When life’s already chaotic, dog training can feel like one more impossible task.

Start 2026 strong with reward based, force-free, science-based dog training in Chicago that fits your busy life and gets real results.

Perfect to Jump Start your training journey, or to brush up on your own skills - especially if you have specific training goals in mind you need to work on, and fast!

Book your free discovery call today with the link in our bio to grab your slot for 2026!
Don’t spend another year just existing with your dog, start enjoying life together!

28/12/2025

Johnnie is a 2½-year-old Standard Poodle, and a show dog, who spent his first two years living on a farm. He had never worn a leash, met children, or encountered things like delivery robots, strollers, scooters, or noisy garage doors.

When his new parents brought him home to Chicago, everything seemed to go smoothly at first. But after a few weeks, an overwhelmed Johnnie began barking and jumping at people, anything with wheels, and loud garage doors.

He simply lacked the exposure and skills needed to navigate his new urban environment. On top of that, Johnnie is a big, strong guy, so without any leash experience, he naturally charged ahead, not yet understanding what the leash meant or how his humans wanted him to move with it.

Johnnie’s mom enrolled him in our most comprehensive Day Training Package, giving Joan Marie plenty of one-on-one time to work with him. Because Johnnie loves learning and thrives on training, his progress has come quickly. He’s checking in more while on leash, choosing to “go sniff” instead of reacting when wheels or noises appear, and enjoying his outdoor adventures much more.

Not to forget, DGDC also welcomed a new junior trainer-in-training with Audrey, a fifth grader with plenty of experience handling large, enthusiastic dogs as the “big sister” to two Goldendoodles.

Audrey joined us to help introduce Johnnie, calmly and safely, to a child for the very first time. It was an instant connection for both of them.

We’re thrilled with how far Team Johnnie has already come and are excited to wrap up the final sessions of his package before adding a few bonus sessions with Audrey! 💙

24/12/2025

Merry Christmas 💙

We hope you all have a fantastic Christmas break and we’ll see you in the New Year.

Thank-you for all your continued support in 2025, and we can’t see what 2026 brings! 💙

24/12/2025

Christmas is the time for joy... and dog bites. 😬

With visitors coming and going, kids running around, new decorations, and changes to routine, it’s easy for stress to build up. This is called trigger stacking, and it’s one of the main reasons dogs bite more during the holidays.

Even the calmest dogs have a limit. Small stressors stack up until your dog can’t cope anymore, and that’s when a bite can happen.

To help prevent it:
✅ Give your dog a quiet space to relax
✅ Keep their routine as normal as possible
✅ Supervise kids and guests and advocate for your dog
✅ Watch for signs of stress early

It can feel awkward advocating for your dog’s space, but it’s worth it to protect everyone. 💙

Share this to a friend, or family member that needs to see this before the big day or repost to your story!

22/12/2025

If you’ve been putting off training because of the cost… we made this for you.

One of the most searched questions about dog training is “Is dog training expensive?” And we totally get it, money plays a huge part in deciding whether to invest in training, even when you know it's needed. Things crop up, something else needs paying for first, we understand.

That’s why we created our brand new Jump Start Package, designed to make quality, science-based dog training more affordable without cutting corners. You’ll get real results, from a qualified trainer, at a price and time-frame that fits your life.

Perfect for busy dog parents who want to see change fast with experienced professionals you can trust, without breaking the bank.

Book your free discovery call today (link in bio!) and find out how our Jump Start Package can help you and your dog start off on the right foot (or paw!) for your 2026 training goals!

19/12/2025

Unpopular opinion: You don’t need to walk your dog every day!

Especially in a Chicago winter!!! ❄️

If it’s freezing, slippery, or your dog clearly isn’t enjoying it, skip the walk and do something better instead. There are so many ways to keep your dog’s mind and body active indoors:

💙 Teach a new trick like “feet up”, great for building confidence and balance and working their core muscles.

💙 Set up a mini agility or obstacle course with things around the house.

💙 Do some mental work like puzzle toys, sniffy games, or training sessions - check out our last reel for FREE ideas!!! No expensive toys round here

Think of it like your dog’s own little physio and brain workout at home. These activities build focus, strengthen their core, and keep them happy, all without you and them forcing yourself to have a miserable walk in the cold.

It’s okay to stay inside. As long as your dog’s needs are being met through mental and physical enrichment, you’re doing great! 💙💙

14/12/2025

How I keep my dog entertained for FREE

Enrichment is more than the same peanut butter filled Kongs, and you wonder why they don’t really work anymore?

Around here, we like to get creative — and a little resourceful. My dog Letty’s favorite activities usually come from the things I’ve hoarded around the house. Think empty boxes, old towels, paper bags, egg cartons, soup containers, or toilet paper rolls.

It doesn’t have to be expensive, and the possibilities are endless. It’s about letting your dog be a dog — sniffing, shredding, searching, and problem-solving. These activities build confidence, calm the brain, and help your dog feel satisfied, as well as helping them relax after a stressful or intense interaction (like over the holidays!)

Especially during the colder months when walks might be shorter.

So before you toss that cardboard box, ask yourself…
What enrichment could I make out of this?

What’s your favourite free enrichment activity you do with your dog? Let us know, Letty’s always looking for more ideas from your darn good dogs!

11/12/2025

Want results without committing to the time or cost of a full training program?

Our brand new Jump Start Package is designed for busy Chicago dog parents who want to start seeing progress but without the time, or cost of a long-term plan.

It’s perfect if you:
✅ Have a specific training goal in mind but don’t know where to start
✅ Want a helping hand to build solid foundations
✅ Are curious about working with us before committing to a full package

We know how hectic life (and budgets) can be, so we’ve made this package accessible, affordable, and effective, because every dog deserves great training.

Book a FREE Discovery Call today with one of our trainers to enquire about your tailored Jump Start Package and take the first step toward a calmer, happier, and more confident dog ready for 2026!

Message us on here for the link to book a call or head to our website!

10/12/2025

3 simple things I do with my own dog

Let your dog breathe.
Teach your dog how to just be. Slow down, take a moment to relax, and let them learn that it’s OK to settle and take a deep breath. (I think this is what you meant when you said letting Letty take a deep breath?)

Do a mental scavenger hunt.
Engage your dog’s brain with nose work and enrichment activities. Scatter a handful of treats around the room and let them sniff, forage, and explore. It’s a great way to meet their natural needs, and will help mentally tire them out!

Add physical exercise. Right now, for Letty a lot of this is inside. That’s right, it’s okay not to walk your dog everyday!
For dogs who don’t love the cold (looking at you, Chihuahua mixes), swap long walks for mental and physical games inside. Roll frisbees, practice training cues, or set up small challenges to keep their brain busy when it’s too cold to go out.

Little things like this help build confidence, reduce boredom, and improve your dog’s overall well-being, especially when long walks aren’t an option!

What are some of your non negotiables that you make sure you do with your dogs each week? Let us know!

07/12/2025

Dogs We Saw in November 💙

We love our broad range of clients! Working with different breeds, personalities, and the specific behaviors their owners want to improve!

That’s why both our Day Training and Team Training packages are completely bespoke to the dog in front of us. Training isn’t one-size-fits-all, and we celebrate that here at Darn Good Dogs Chicago!

From loose leash walking, to reactivity toward children, to learning independence from another dog in the home, these are just a few of the things we’ve worked on this month alone!

Ready to finally fix those behaviors you’ve been putting off in 2026?

Book a Discovery Call today to find the perfect training plan for your darn good dog! Link in bio or send us a message!

chicagodogtraining

Address

Opening Hours

Monday	14:30 - 21:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 21:00
Thursday	09:00 - 21:00
Sunday	14:00 - 20:00

Telephone

+13127341015

Website

https://linktr.ee/darngooddogschicago, https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd82sjyZLVjsRjN-ysWwUSoY4M4RAFhgr5DmGGwE

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Darn Good Dogs Chicago Inc posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Darn Good Dogs Chicago Inc:

Shortcuts

Address
Telephone
Opening Hours
Alerts
Contact The Business
Claim ownership or report listing

Want your business to be the top-listed Pet Store/pet Service?

Country:

City: