Our dog training classes are designed to accommodate your needs. Many of our courses are ongoing and you can join at any time. This means weekly attendance, although recommended, is not mandatory; if you miss a week or two, you can come back and pick it up exactly from where you stopped, without falling behind. Advancement to the next level is based on completion of a task sheet. We are here to provide you and your dog with quality instruction in a flexible, supportive and low pressure learning environment.
Puppy Kindergarten
We think this is the most important class your puppy will ever attend! We introduce basic obedience skills including coming when called, greeting without jumping, leave it, and leash walking. We also discuss puppy challenges such as house training, nipping, and more! Puppies benefit from intensive socialization by positively interacting with a variety of people, dogs, and novel equipment.
Puppies should be 7-20 weeks old at the start of class.
Sundays 2:30-3:30 pm
Meets in the basement of St. Paul and the Redeemer Church
4945 S Dorchester Ave, Chicago, IL 60615
Park in the parking lot on the north side of 50th St
Between Dorchester and Blackstone
Enter through door on 50th St, closest to the parking lot.
$195 for 8-week course.
We think you will get the most out of your classes if you finish your 8 lessons in 4 months — but if you can’t manage that for whatever reason, please continue to come after the 4 month deadline.
Puppies can continue to come to class without an extra charge until they are 6 months old; we think this is an easy time to stop unwanted behaviors before they become a habit.
We have rolling admission so you can start whenever it is convenient for you.
Puppy First Grade
Is your puppy no longer just a puppy but instead has grown into an adolescent puppy? Congratulations! And ... hang in there! At this age, training remains vitally important to ensuring your puppy grows into a well-trained and content dog. Dogs at this age are highly excitable and their self-control is only beginning to develop. At this age, we strongly recommend enrolling your dog in Puppy First Grade. We work outdoors to strengthen your dog's obedience skills in a more challenging, real-life environment. These skills include loose leash walking, coming when distracted and "leave it" exercises. Additionally, we will begin to work towards your Canine Good Citizen title. This AKC certification is the first step towards becoming a therapy dog and allows your to show off your dog's good manners. This class is for dogs 6 months or older that have completed an introductory training class.
Saturdays 12:00-1:00 pm
Meets just South of the East entrance to the
Museum of Science and Industry, near the stone restroom
$195 for 8-week course
We think you will get the most out of your classes if you finish your 8 lessons in 4 months — but if you can’t manage that for whatever reason, please continue to come after the 4 month deadline.
Puppies can continue to come to class without an extra charge until they are 6 months old; we think this is an easy time to stop unwanted behaviors before they become a habit.
We have rolling admission so you can start whenever it is convenient for you.
Introduction to Reward-Based Training
Perfect for older puppies and newly rescued dogs! In addition to 10 basic obedience behaviors, we also teach your dog to pay attention to you and politely greet strangers. We limit the class size so, if needed, we can help with your pup's special problems, such as:
being uncomfortable around some dogs
being uncomfortable around some people
separation anxiety
the inability to relax
This class is for all dogs over 5 months old.
Sundays 1:30-2:30 pm
Meets in the basement of St. Paul and the Redeemer Church
4945 S Dorchester Ave, Chicago, IL 60615
Park in the parking lot on the north side of 50th St
Between Dorchester and Gladstone
Enter through door on 50th St, closest to the parking lot.
$195 for 8-week course
We think you will get the most out of your classes if you finish your 8 lessons in 4 months — but if you can’t manage that for whatever reason, please continue to come after the 4 month deadline.
Puppies can continue to come to class without an extra charge until they are 6 months old; we think this is an easy time to stop unwanted behaviors before they become a habit.
We have rolling admission so you can start whenever it is convenient for you.
Inclusive Agility
(for puppies, small breeds and older dogs)
Dogs and Humans agree that Agility Class is very fun but it also is a great place to work on off-leash control in an environment full of distractions. Once you have the basics of obedience down, you are ready to enroll in our Agility class. This class is also great for building confidence in dogs that are less than enthusiastic about tackling agility obstacles. You can continue your agility training by practicing new courses and handling techniques each week. This class includes flat surfaces and low jumps; some equipment is designed for small puppies and small breeds, and we modify courses for older dogs and large puppies.
Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm
Meets in the basement of St. Paul and the Redeemer Church
4945 S Dorchester Ave, Chicago, IL 60615
Park in the parking lot on the north side of 50th St
Between Dorchester and Blackstone
Enter through door on 50th St, closest to the parking lot.
$180 for 6-week course, starting November 8, 2023.
Introduction to Agility
Dogs and Humans agree that Agility Class is very fun but it also is a great place to work on off-leash control in an environment full of distractions. Once you have the basics of obedience down, you are ready to enroll in our Agility class. This class is also great for building confidence in dogs that are less than enthusiastic about tackling agility obstacles. You can continue your agility training by practicing new courses and handling techniques each week.
Wednesdays 7:30-8:30pm
Meets in the basement of St. Paul and the Redeemer Church
4945 S Dorchester Ave, Chicago, IL 60615
Park in the parking lot on the north side of 50th St
Between Dorchester and Blackstone
Enter through door on 50th St, closest to the parking lot.
$180 for 6-week course, starting November 8, 2023.
Intermediate Obedience
Based on Sue Ailsby’s Levels.
Thursdays 4:30-5:30pm
Meets in the basement of St. Paul and the Redeemer Church
4945 S Dorchester Ave, Chicago, IL 60615
Park in the parking lot on the north side of 50th St
Between Dorchester and Blackstone
Enter through door on 50th St, closest to the parking lot.
$195 for 6-week course.
Please plan to finish your 6 sessions within 4 months of beginning.
K9 Nose Work®
This new and exciting sport develops a dog's natural scenting abilities to search and locate hidden odors, just like police detection dogs - except we don't use drugs! In addition to being fun, this class builds your dog's confidence and strengthens their focus while amazing you with their talent. This mentally challenging sport is perfect for ALL types of canines, regardless of breed, age, or physical condition.
$150 for 6-week course
ON HIATUS
CONTACT US IF INTERESTED
Pup Crawl
Do you need help with your dog at YOUR house or in YOUR neighborhood? In Pup Crawl, class members (human only) visit each other's homes or neighborhood to work on the challenges you are experiencing there. These could include barking at people who walk past your yard, problems when guests visit including jumping on guests, begging from guests at the table, barking or pawing guests if they do not give your dog non-stop attention or threatening every new person who visits your home. Perhaps your dog exhibits undesirable behavior on walks when you see skateboards, suitcases, children or men! Whether your dog is too friendly or not friendly enough, all are welcome in this class. This is a great compromise between group classes and private lessons that will provide in-home training that is focused on your individual needs.
Class is restricted to people who can meet in the Hyde Park area.
Dates and Times based on your needs.
$100 for 4-week course
Outdoor Manners
Frustrated by your dog's outdoor manners? Does your dog dash after squirrels, pull to other dogs, or eat garbage? Does your dog bark at dogs, people, bikes, skateboards, or trucks? This outdoor manners class is for you!
If your dog is strongly reacting to dogs, people or other moving objects even when they are a long ways off, this is a great starter class because the location allows for training at a distance and shortening that distance only when your dog is ready.
Saturdays 12:00-1:00 pm
Meets just South of the East entrance to the
Museum of Science and Industry, near the stone restroom.
Class will not meet if outdoor temperature is lower than 35° or higher than 80°, or if it is raining.
$195 for 8-week course
We think you will get the most out of your classes if you finish your 8 lessons in 4 months — but if you can’t manage that for whatever reason, please continue to come after the 4 month deadline.
Puppies can continue to come to class without an extra charge until they are 6 months old; we think this is an easy time to stop unwanted behaviors before they become a habit.
We have rolling admission so you can start whenever it is convenient for you.
In Private Lessons your dog can work on:
learning basic obedience
walking on a loose leash instead of pulling
greeting visitors politely in the home
walking past other dogs calmly
learning new behaviors to replace attention seeking behaviors like barking, pawing and nipping
being calm instead of anxious or fearful
Private Lessons
Sometimes dogs need one-on-one attention from a trainer. We provide Private Lessons in your home or neighborhood. Private Lessons can be arranged when it is convenient for you.
Hour-Long Private Lesson: $75.00 (To sign up, click here.)
4 Hour-Long Private Lesson Package: $276.00 (To sign up, click here.)
2.5 Hour Private Lesson Package: $185.00 (to be used in up to 4 Lessons)
* NOTE: the 2.5 Hour Private Lesson Package is ideally for dogs with ONE behavioral issue that needs specific attention (for example, a dog that pulls on the leash during walks or barks when friends come to the house, etc.). For dogs with multiple issues, sign up for one of our other Private Lesson Classes.
A note about our rates: While our rates are slightly lower than the average rate for Private Lessons, we understand that Private Lessons can still make a dent in your pocketbook. We try to be considerate of the needs of our clients and hope that among the various services provided by Canis Sapiens you are able to find one that fits your dog's needs as well as the limits of your budget.
Skype Private Lessons
We also provide Skype Lessons for those people who are not Hyde Park locals or who are looking for all the benefits of a private trainer without the inconvenience of leaving your home!