Spot on Dogs

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.

Happy Valentine’s Day!
13/02/2025

Happy Valentine’s Day!

28/01/2025

BIG Congratulations go out to...

Too cold outside to play with your pup? Why not join a Nose Work class. Nose Work gives your pup both a physical and a m...
04/01/2025

Too cold outside to play with your pup? Why not join a Nose Work class. Nose Work gives your pup both a physical and a mental workout as they learn to search for "odor". Nose Work 1: Introduction to K-9 Nose Work starts on Saturday, January 25, 2025. Go to our website for more information or to register. https://www.spotondogsillinois.com/
Learn more about this fun and positive class!

New Year, New Opportunities to create the best relationship with your dog!Let us help you achieve your dog training goal...
02/01/2025

New Year, New Opportunities to create the best relationship with your dog!

Let us help you achieve your dog training goals for 2025. The January-February class schedule is LIVE!

Visit www.spotondogsillinois.com to join in the fun!

Kat and Kim completed a whirlwind tour of NACSW NW3 trials today. Kat had a great trial yesterday at Think Pawsitive in ...
02/01/2025

Kat and Kim completed a whirlwind tour of NACSW NW3 trials today. Kat had a great trial yesterday at Think Pawsitive in Waukesha, WI and earned an NW3.

Kim was very happy!

Then Kim got even happier because it was Kat's third NW3, which meant she also earned her NW3 Elite title!

They now begin their journey through NACSW Elite level.

25/12/2024
Congratulations to the recent graduates of our AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy classes. You're all STARs now! ;-)
20/12/2024

Congratulations to the recent graduates of our AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy classes. You're all STARs now! ;-)

Recent Canine Good Citizen Advanced and Canine Good Citizen Urban graduates. Congratulations to all!!!
20/12/2024

Recent Canine Good Citizen Advanced and Canine Good Citizen Urban graduates. Congratulations to all!!!

A couple more students and their dogs. Our guys and their guys. ;-)
14/12/2024

A couple more students and their dogs. Our guys and their guys. ;-)

A few of our Scent Work students and dogs that recently trialed at an AKC Scent Work trial. Congratulations to all!
14/12/2024

A few of our Scent Work students and dogs that recently trialed at an AKC Scent Work trial. Congratulations to all!

You have a lot of options when it comes to dog training in the Stateline. What makes us different? -We train using scien...
14/11/2024

You have a lot of options when it comes to dog training in the Stateline. What makes us different?

-We train using science-based positive reinforcement methods. We understand how dogs learn best, and we are passionate about sharing that knowledge with you.

-Class sizes are intentionally kept small. You and your dog deserve individualized instruction that ensures your success.

-Whether your goal is to teach your dog basic manners, to compete in dog sports, or anything in between, we’ll give you the tools to develop the skills you need to get where you want to be. We want to be your biggest cheerleader!

New classes starting soon....

Click the link to learn more: https://www.spotondogsillinois.com/

Congratulations to Troy! Here he is showing off his recent certificates from AKC Scent Work. Troy has been training in ...
24/10/2024

Congratulations to Troy! Here he is showing off his recent certificates from AKC Scent Work. Troy has been training in Scent Work for a few years now and has reached AKC's Advanced level and soon will be moving onto the Excellent level. For more info on our Scent Work program go to: Spotondogsillinois.com

Look what Garm did! This cute Husky mix recently earned his Canine Good Citizen title! WTG!
24/10/2024

Look what Garm did! This cute Husky mix recently earned his Canine Good Citizen title! WTG!

Hey all! Look what Daisy Mae, the Bernese Mountain Dog, did - she earned her Canine Good Citizen Advance title. What a g...
23/10/2024

Hey all! Look what Daisy Mae, the Bernese Mountain Dog, did - she earned her Canine Good Citizen Advance title. What a good girl! Woot Woot!

Addendum - Daisy Mae also earned her Canine Good Citizen Urban (CGCU) Way to go!

A better friend we could not have had. The sad passing of our beloved friend, Joe Love, really took the wind out of our ...
18/10/2024

A better friend we could not have had. The sad passing of our beloved friend, Joe Love, really took the wind out of our sails here at Sniffy School. Joe was a tremendous influence on our little operation here at Spot on Dogs. He's been with us since the beginning, before it even remotely looked like a training studio. He helped me realize my dream and I am forever saddened that he passed too soon. We all love you, Joe.

View Joseph W. Love's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

08/10/2024

Smooth Collie "Betty" and her person Jey learning how to skate board. To enroll in our "Tricks!" class go to: www.spotondogsillinois.com

Last week Loretta Swanson collaborated with Canine Companions for Independence puppy raisers and handlers in a Service D...
07/10/2024

Last week Loretta Swanson collaborated with Canine Companions for Independence puppy raisers and handlers in a Service Dog Awareness event at Kishwaukee College. Here are a few photos from the event.

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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

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BIG Congratulations go out to...

Smooth Collie "Betty" and her person Jey learning how to skate board. To enroll in our "Tricks!" class go to: www.spotondogsillinois.com

This "Trick of the Day" is brought to you by Nugget the Great Dane. To learn this trick and others enroll in our "Tricks!" class at: https://www.spotondogsillinois.com

Our "Trick of the Day" is the best trick ever! Brought to you by Fancy. To register for our Tricks class go to: https://www.spotondogsillinois.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFqKmZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHdIedmOjaEWQJVJHBxeqC08G9NYJWHRy7kvPbWT6kt5C9Ygegk0hgv2xAQ_aem_F1EiQbVU0BG_nZT0vAUVwQ

"Trick of the Day" - now this is a great trick for your dog to learn! To enroll got to: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spotondogsillinois.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1LSR3w2hi_fvVIFyzwe12Ic-sJd7PHJ6cPVhBH8gp04uISRhglYvfn8JI_aem_Bv0vQkQI3UcdLxKF44Jb-w&h=AT3KrlaRauqs8wECuWMs3eUOZrUaUMH1yGAUFkfgXhhLwpKNrCBNou0F3WIswsExxIVCEvjDaBwD7oZS0NVBOlFlZ1VJussRpomKlM6RHkF0flNT3FVwWNI9DrFNOMsJcDAuPgfNw_nMP9GEQQ&__tn__=-UK*F&c[0]=AT2i-HxXahUjSzcuzBF0H1eAtDP4ZSTP9Bv6el0oQQfKToO2DGWokKQ1SjknP-v6BJyQow4hPgH6OyLegU1sFhqUdyMXkqIQ4OpNoNw0HLEeJymvlguF0tr16W7Lh7LkI2h3mqY_KWdDrW6yPLlFWWrMkDZApWHEjWxtlajVeMZuHB6JZGukEmea-Gm8tGTZkeO1axhX-alRIdP_WhdQWsnNuBYy

"Trick of the Day." Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to name this trick. ;-) Our Tricks class starts October 20. Enroll here : https://www.spotondogsillinois.com/service-page/october-tricks?fbclid=IwY2xjawFjlJJleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHUahwcqvS5gDwkymXImxob1c4ZKCC-m6VxlGQ8z4v-ezfYQ8syIetbZ2DA_aem_xwi_hCEa_PJ77qCx_buHAA&referral=service_list_widget

It's "Trick of the Day" time. This trick would come in handy for any allergy sufferers when in need of a kleenex or hanky. Brought to you by talented Fancy and her person. Enjoy! Our Tricks class begins October 20th!

It's "Trick of the Day" time! So here we have Fancy doing a counterclockwise maneuver around her person. I wonder if Fancy got dizzy. 😁 If you'd like your dog to learn this cool trick register for the Sunday afternoon Tricks class starting on Oct. 20th.

It's "Trick of the Day" time presented to you by Fancy and her person. We'll call this trick "Hoop Dog." If you are interested in teaching your dog some new tricks, be sure to enroll in our Tricks class starting October 20th.

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