Services

PRIVATE LESSONS

Private Lessons take place in clients homes, neighborhood or nearby parks. The first lesson should always occur at your property unless there are extenuating circumstances. *I now offer private lessons at Bark BBQ as well! This is ideal for people who don’t want their other dogs distracting the learning client and for inclement weather.*

These are a few of the common topics I help with:

  • Basic obedience
  • Puppyhood help
  • Loose leash skills
  • Recall
  • Problematic barking
  • Jumping
  • Housebreaking
  • Crate training
  • Grow confidence in nervous dogs
  • Build self control for exuberant dogs
  • Reactivity*
  • Resource guarding*
  • mild separation issues*
  • Adjustments for newly adopted
  • Nail trimming and lessons Nail Trimming

*If these behaviors appear to be severe or with a heightened element of aggression, you may be referred to a specialist or behaviorist.

Making adoption a smoother process

After volunteering with rescue and fostering for 7 years, I have developed a special interest in counseling owners with newly adopted dogs. Whether it be before, during, or after the adoption process, bringing an adult dog into your home can come with just as much preparation and work as a puppy. Thus, helping out with the transitioning of a new adult into a household is something that I especially love to help with. If you are considering adopting an older puppy, adult or senior and need help preparing then I’m happy to help!

As well, dogs recently adopted from a reputable rescue group or shelter will be considered for a discount of my services upon the first visit.

GROUP CLASSES

Puppy Classes – for dogs 8-20 weeks of age

These classes run for 6 consecutive weeks and are ideal if you have a new puppy in your family! The faster you get them into classes, the better. In this class we focus on basic behaviors with reward based methods and helping build confident resilient young dogs! Puppies learn a variety of skills as well as bonding, environmental exposure, discussing important life topics and developmental phases as well as safe social playtime. Classes are limited to 6 puppies.

$225

Adult Classes – for dogs 6+ months of age

This class is for all levels, especially beginners who need help learning basic skills and learning to work around distractions in a safe environment. Practice and learn skills such as impulse control, engagement, loose leash walking, sit, down, stay, come when called and emotional regulation. This class also runs for 6 consecutive weeks.

(This class is not ideal for dogs with moderate to severe reactivity. Please reach out to schedule a consultation if you aren’t sure or a private lesson first before proceeding with adult classes).

$225

Classes are held at Bark BBQ
4240 N Arlington Heights rd

SPECIAL EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS

I hold one time or occcasional events at Bark BBQ in northern Arlington Heights! Keep an eye on the instagram page or inquire for further details on when these events take place!

Game night: Held in the evenings usually during hot or cold weather, game night provide physical and mental stimulation for dogs like access to a variety of puzzle toys, snuffle mats, a ball pit tunnel and more!

Puppy socials: Ideal for dogs ages 8 weeks – 5 months. This is a controlled social event with direct trainer supervision where puppies can learn to interact and play politely with other puppies off leash and carefully chosen adult dogs who have good social skills. Owners get to learn about what to look for in body language and how and when to stop play. Puppies also get the opportunity to explore various novel objects for confidence building and exposure.

Purchase Puppy Social

Dog socials: Similar to the puppy social but open to all ages of dogs. This is ideal for owners wanting to learn more about social interaction and giving dogs a chance to interact in a safe and structured environment lead by a trainer. This event is not suitable for dogs who struggle with significant fear, anxiety, reactivity or any excessive shyness. Dog and/or human aggressive dogs are not allowed to attend these events.

One topic workshops: Each event covers a different topic, such as recall(come), stay, loose leash walking or jumping. Workshops can be attended with a working spot for you and your dog to work one on one with the trainer or you are welcome to come and audit without a dog.

  • That face! Its Ernie!
  • Ernie made incredible strides in his crate training and learning to feel more comfortable being alone.
  • This little guy is practicing engagement out and about
  • Howie is a happy fellow.
  • Howie is doing a fantastic job with his leash walking skills!
  • Checked in and getting his reward
  • Making friends. Lulu and her human are a great team
  • This special girl is working on confidence building, leash skills and reactivity towards cars, dogs and bikes. Great job Lulu!
  • Foster dog Boris learns that a jolly ball is an good opportunity for mental stimulation and mouthiness
  • Obi practicing some downs and self control
  • Slowing down on walks and checking in with her human.
  • Leo in adult group class! Practicing sit stays on an elevated target. Go team Leo!
  • Puppy class client Louis and his human working on offered eye contact.
  • Adult class team Zuzu getting a hand on her downs from a standing position!
  • Mable learning to check in with her humans on leash before going out for walks.
  • Harley and his human practicing place.
  • Puppy class client Jibby building confidence and making his way through the long tunnel like a rockstar!
  • Bogie making incredible progress on feeling safe going into the crate and doing it on his own!
  • Puppy class client Jibby working on downs.
  • Chloe working on impulse control around wildlife on walks.

Stephanie C. – Harley

Principled Dog Training was a huge success for our family with training our nearly 1 year old Aussie Shepherd mix!  Sophie was incredibly knowledgeable and a joy to work with on basic and advanced behaviors. 

Sophie accomplished positive training for the family and our pet in a joyful and loving manner.

We would highly recommend Principled Dog Training and Sophie !

 

Sherry D. – Sara


Sophie is the best trainer I have ever used. She researches different methods to meet the needs of the dog. Her communication and training skills with the owner are excellent to keep the dog with consistent behaviour. I highly recommend Sophie

 

 

Elizabeth A. -Gracie

Sophie has been training my Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier for 2 years since she was 4 months old. I can’t say enough about the amazing job that Sophie has done. I have a well behaved and happy dog that listens and easily obeys commands. Since Sophie has been her only trainer, the success is 100% because of her efforts. I would highly recommend Sophie as a trainer. She will not disappoint.

Proudly serving the North Chicagoland Suburbs of Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Lake Forest, Long Grove, Hawthorn Woods, Lake Bluff, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Buffalo Grove, Wheeling, Northbrook, Glenview and more!