What We Offer
How does your training work? How many SESSIONS does my dog need?
We offer two different formats: Team Training and Day Training.
Team Training is what we call traditional coaching: One of our DGDC trainers teaches YOU to train your dog. This format is very hands-on for the owner. Team Training is available with Joan H. & Joan Marie.
Day Training or "Train for You" is where we do most of the training. If you are a busy pet parent with important training goals, this is the format for you! Day Training is available with Joan Marie.
FIRST, we start by coming to you for an in-person 60 minute consultation.
CONSULTATION* (in home or virtual)
The consultation will include the following:
- gathering a complete medical, socialization, and training background
- reviewing your goals and the current situation
- creating one or more training plan proposals
- getting to know you and your darn good dog
- making recommendations for in-home training support modifications
- *required before purchasing a package
$150/$145 (shelter/rescue pricing)
10 Pack Team Training
- 10 fifty minute sessions in-person or virtual
Beginner clicker training with printed and online guides
Training printouts and access to online training resources
3 months post training email and phone support
Graduate certificate upon completion
- Our trainer works with you and your darn good dog each session to learn skills that will last a lifetime.
Puppies: create house training plan and guide to dealing with the darn naughty puppy behaviors (biting & destructive behaviors), puppy socialization and creating force free handling skills for grooming and leashing, etc.
Puppies and adult dogs: some foundation behaviors like sit, down, or stay, and coming when called
Adult dogs: LLW (loose-leash walking) fundamentals taught in home for 6-8 sessions, then we take it outside
- Address behavior issues like LEASH REACTIVITY, NOISE SENSITIVITY, JUMPING & MOUTHINESS, RESOURCE GUARDING, and OVERAROUSAL holistically.
Create a training schedule for your training goals.
Recommend supportive tools and equipment.
Our trainer will help you understand what is causing this behavior and how we can both address needs and canine stress.
$1500/$1360 (shelter/rescue pricing) $140 in savings!
Packages can be purchased in full, or in two or four installments.
5 Weeks+ Day Training with Joan Marie
- 17 fifty minute sessions in-person
Two weekly sessions with your dog and our trainer - you do not need to be there.
One weekly Transfer Session with you to learn how to keep up the darn good dog progress. These sessions can be done virtually.
Two Follow Up Sessions scheduled two and four weeks after the core five weeks of training.
Our trainer does most of the work, spending two sessions a week alone with your darn good dog, fast tracking progress for the busy dog parent.
Puppies: create house training plan and guide to dealing with the darn naughty puppy behaviors (biting & destructive behaviors), puppy socialization and creating force free handling skills for grooming and leashing, etc.
Puppies and adult dogs: some foundation behaviors like sit, down, or stay, and coming when called
Adult dogs: LLW (loose-leash walking) fundamentals taught in home for 6-8 sessions, then we take it outside
Adult dogs: some behavioral modification training for mild cases of fear, reactivity, noise sensitivity, and resource guarding.
- You have access to all the support and resources that our Team Trainers have.
Training printouts and access to online training resources
3 months post package email and phone support
Graduate certificate upon completion
$2550/$2300 (shelter/rescue pricing) $250 in savings!
Packages can be purchased in full, or in two or four installments.
8 Pack Team Training
- 8 fifty minute sessions in-person or virtual
Beginner clicker training with printed and online guides
Training printouts and access to online training resources
3 months post training email and phone support
Graduate certificate upon completion
- Our trainer meets with you each time in-person or virtually.
Great for foundation training of behaviors like Sit, Stay, Wait/Let's Go, Place, and Look.
OR use your 8 Weeks Team Training to focus on one or two important goals, like calm greetings with guests and managing dog-to-dog interactions.
Puppies: get started on the right paw with a socialization plan and guide for puppy development.
- This package can lay the groundwork for behavior modification training for LEASH REACTIVITY, NOISE SENSITIVITY, JUMPING AND MOUTHINESS, RESOURCE GUARDING, and OVERAROUSAL.
Most pet parents with dogs who have behavioral issues require at least 10 sessions - clients can purchase 4 Session Add-On Packages or A la Carte Single Sessions after completing an 8 or 10 Week Package WITH a alumni lifetime 10% discount on training!
If you are a pet parent who is very hands on and invested in learning about using positive reinforcement training to help our behaviorally challenged dog, then this package will be a great fit.
$1215/$1100 (shelter/rescue pricing)
$115 in savings!
Packages can be purchased in full, or in two or four installments.
4 Weeks+ Day Training with Joan Marie
- 14 fifty minute sessions in-person
Two weekly sessions with your dog and our trainer - you do not need to be there.
One weekly Transfer Session with you to learn how to keep up the darn good dog progress. These sessions can be done virtually.
Two Follow Up Sessions scheduled two and four weeks after the core four weeks of training.
- Our trainer does most of the work, spending two sessions a week alone with your darn good dog, fast tracking progress for the busy dog parent.
Puppies: create house training plan and guide to dealing with the darn naughty puppy behaviors (biting & destructive behaviors). Our trainers can help with puppy socialization and creating force free handling skills for grooming and leashing, etc.
Puppies and adult dogs: some foundation behaviors like sit, down, or stay, and coming when called
Adult dogs: some behavioral modification training for mild cases of fear, reactivity, noise sensitivity, and resource guarding.
- You have access to all the support and resources that our Team Trainers have.
Training printouts and access to online training resources
3 months post package email and phone support
Graduate certificate upon completion
$2125/$1925 (shelter/rescue pricing)
$200 in savings!
Packages can be purchased in full, or in two or four installments.
Not ready to commit that big yet? No problem!
TRAINING INTENSIVE: 4 Pack for $650!
First session INCLUDES the in-person consultation + three 50 minute training sessions
Great for pet parents who have previous training experience AND who are brand new to positive reinforcement training
Perfect for the pet parent who needs a refresher or has a specific training issue to work on
If at the end you'd like to keep going, great! Buy a 4 Session Add-On Package for only $595!
PLUS if you've already completed any of the packages above, you can sign up for 4 SESSION ADD-ON PACKAGES for $595!
After your darn good dog has graduated, you can now choose to keep training by purchasing only 4 sessions at a time to work on specific goals.
These Add-On Packages are customized to your training goals - we can work on one particular issue, continue building on a behavior we already started, or just have fun with Tricks and Fitness training!
*Clients who have completed at least 8 DGDC Training Sessions receive a 10% discount on all future training with Darn Good Dogs Chicago.
"Ability to work with even the most difficult dogs."
"Joan Marie is very knowledgeable and patient with pups, and I really respect her ability to work with even the most difficult dogs. She loves to teach dogs commands and shape behaviors through positive reinforcement." - Beth F.
"A true gift."
"Joan (Harrris) has a true gift when it comes to obedience training and behavioral issues." - Lorie M.
