Spot on Dogs

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Spot on Dogs

Spot on Dogs incorporates progressive, scientifically proven methods of dog training while striving

GROUP CLASSES:
•Puppy Socialization and Basic Manners Class
•Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Manners Classes
•Rally Obedience Classes
•Therapy Dog Preparation Classes
•Canine Nose Work Classes

Loretta (some folks prefer to use her nickname, Lori) Swanson began what has become a lifelong love affair with dogs when she was very young; training her first dog, a mixed breed Collie-

type, to an obedience title when she was 12 years old and part of her local 4-H program. After learning and competing with this dog for several years, Loretta became involved with show horses. A couple decades or so filled with all kinds of equestrian events and several show horses passed quickly and after completing graduate school, Loretta adopted a mixed breed rescue pup and went back to her former dog training club to teach the pup some manners and maybe even perform a little obedience work with him. She was rather dismayed to find they were still advocating the use of “choke” and “pinch” collars (although they now couched them as “training” collars). So, despite the dirty looks she got from instructors and once even having the trainer tell the rest of the class “Oh, that’s Loretta over there, she does her own thing so just try to ignore her,” Loretta trained her new dog as she had her horses, by giving him rewards for his good behavior. This led to a succession of dogs trained and shown in obedience trials using positive methods (and several frustrated teachers!). In 2006 Loretta adopted a young adult Dalmatian, Jack, who was very fearful, so fearful in fact that he didn’t respond well to her usual methods of training. She made the rounds of canine behaviorists in the Midwest with Jack and one suggested using a clicker to work on his issues. While she had heard about clicker training before, she had never used it but she loved Jack and was willing to do anything she could to help him live a less fearful life. That began her immersion in all things clicker (as well as all things behavior) which eventually led her to completing the Karen Pryor Academy in the spring of 2012 and earning the distinction of Certified Training Partner, or KPA CTP. As a lifelong educator (in her previous career she was the Undergraduate Coordinator for the School of Art at Northern Illinois University), helping folks learn to understand their dogs and train them to live together in harmony comes naturally to her.

11/11/2025

What's this you say? Well, I'll be...it's the long-lost photos of our Spot on Dogs booth at the Belvidere's Halloween event. Enjoy!

28/10/2025

Winter is coming… and your dog is already bored.

When cabin fever hits, our winter group classes are the cure!

With options such as Puppy Kindergarten, Adolescent Dog Manners, Canine Good Citizen, Nose Work, Tricks, and Rally Obedience —there is something for every pup.

We can help you turn your dog's pent up energy into well-behaved brilliance.

The Winter Class Schedule at Spot on Dogs is now live.
Spots fill faster than your dog steals socks... grab yours now!

👉 www.spotondogsillinois.com

26/10/2025

The "Cody" Club visited Klehm Arboretum in Rockford to practice obedience skills in the real world. A beautiful day and a beautiful dog! What better way to spend your Saturday!

04/10/2025

Hey everyone, just a reminder that if you or someone you know has a new puppy, Spot on Dogs still has openings in our Saturday morning classes. We offer Puppy Kindergarten and Puppy Essentials. Start date is October 11th. Check them out on our website at https://www.spotondogsillinois.com/

02/10/2025

Last weekend also saw these brave teams earning their Canine Good Citizen Advanced (CGCA) AND their Canine Good Citizen Urban (CGCU) titles too. Why brave? They had to finish their tests outside in a thunderstorm! Good going teams!

01/10/2025

Congratulations are in order for our most recent group of handlers and dogs for having passed their Canine Good Citizenship test last weekend. Way to go teams!

16/09/2025

Dogs don't generalize the behaviors we teach them, so it's important to get them out into the world to practice in new and sometimes strange situations.

05/09/2025

The kids are back in school... now it's your dog's turn!

Our fall class schedule is now LIVE: https://www.spotondogsillinois.com/

From puppy kindergarten to advanced obedience, nose work, and tricks- there's something for every pup!

02/09/2025

At the Belvidere Farm and Fleet. A CGCA lesson in handler focus while off leash. Nicely done teams!

13/08/2025

Congrats to our newest CGC recipients.

06/08/2025

Add 2 more pups to the AKC Star Puppy Brigade for 2025! Congratulations to both. 😄

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Opening Hours

Tuesday	07:00 - 19:00
Wednesday	07:00 - 19:00
Thursday	07:00 - 19:00
Friday	07:00 - 19:00
Saturday	07:00 - 19:00
Sunday	15:00 - 19:00

Website

http://www.spotondogsillinois.com/

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