Choose the best program for improving your dog. Keep up to date with news and cancellations. Dog World articles and other writing by Peggy Moran. Dog students and their people having fun. Come sing your dog's praises and chat with other Dog Improvement students! Meet several of my star students, like Kathi and Cisco who really ARE stars! For those who think joking about dogs is funny.
Services
We offer a six-week comprehensive training program - our 101 level course - which covers socialization, manners, house training, and response to cues. You, your family, and your dog can participate in small group classes or complete the program through weekly private lessons. Back in the "bad-old-days, so-called dog training involved "showing dogs who was boss" using heavy-handed, domineering methods.
We offer private dog training by appointment at our facility in Manteno, Illinois or at your home in the Chicago and Chicago suburban area. Private training allows customization of your dog's training, with lesson plans that focus upon exactly what you and your dog need to achieve. Shy, aggressive, recently adopted, or poorly socialized dogs benefit from individualized assessment and customized dog behavioral modification.
Our group training programs provide socialization, peer support, and friendship opportunities for both pets and their people. Dogs of all ages (over ten weeks) benefit from exposure to other people and pets. While following a general curriculum, lessons are custom tailored to help each dog and family member learn based on their particular abilities.
The list is long and I'm sure you might even be able to add to it, if you know a dog in need of improved manners! Rude Rovers may find themselves taking a one-way ride to the local animal shelter if they fail to learn self-control. The shame of it is, no matter how naughty the dog, the dog can't be blamed.
Some dogs seem to be afraid of their own shadows, and they suffer for their lack of confidence. Others develop fear-based aggression, causing them to become dangerous. Socialization is the training process that helps dogs develop social confidence. Dogs ideally are gently, systematically exposed and desensitized to environmental and social stimuli throughout their lifetimes.
Reviews (9)
Tim Desler
Aug 20, 2021
Geralyn Howard
Apr 04, 2021
Lori Suski
Jun 08, 2019
We approached Peggy at a fund raiser for 1Pet1Vet expecting the same answer every other service dog trainer "sorry we specialize in specific illness/injury service" Peggy immediately told us she'd be willing to meet with us. After the meeting we left there knowing the best is yet to come. Our puppy is 6 months old and the future is bright. Wayland is smart and we are learning so much about allowing him to be the best he can be as he proceeds towards his certification.
Our puppy gets so excited to spend time at her facility. We couldn't thank her enough for working with us. The skills Wayland has now & will continue learning are laying the groundwork to reach our goal of service. Thanks Peggy & her entire family for teaching this mom & dad how to be the best humans! After all Our puppy deserves it
Our puppy gets so excited to spend time at her facility. We couldn't thank her enough for working with us. The skills Wayland has now & will continue learning are laying the groundwork to reach our goal of service. Thanks Peggy & her entire family for teaching this mom & dad how to be the best humans! After all Our puppy deserves it
Kristen Brown
Jan 17, 2018
Tom Moureau
Jun 06, 2016
Wow! Where do I begin! We've been bringing our pair of rescued dogs to Peggy for a few weeks now and the improvement in their behavior is remarkable. The dogs (Lucy and Jute) were rescued as sick puppies from the streets of Delhi, India, and came to us as part feral. They are extremely intelligent, athletic, independent and high energy, which combined with the part 'feral' presented unique training problems.
And although, we are experienced dog owners, plus foster for a rescue group, we recognized that we needed more help than a traditional trainer could provide--we needed a professional dog behaviorist. Peggy's techniques and the theories they are based on have helped us to be much better dog parents and allowed Lucy and Jute to really blossom! Their stress has virtually vanished and they are now fully integrated into our family.
I can't say enough about Peggy! We love her! The dogs love her! One last point--we invariably bring our dogs with us when we travel, largely because we've learned that most boarding facilities are not capable of dealing with our street dog's unique issues, but with Peggy we've FINALLY found a place we can trust completely! Thanks, Peggy!
And although, we are experienced dog owners, plus foster for a rescue group, we recognized that we needed more help than a traditional trainer could provide--we needed a professional dog behaviorist. Peggy's techniques and the theories they are based on have helped us to be much better dog parents and allowed Lucy and Jute to really blossom! Their stress has virtually vanished and they are now fully integrated into our family.
I can't say enough about Peggy! We love her! The dogs love her! One last point--we invariably bring our dogs with us when we travel, largely because we've learned that most boarding facilities are not capable of dealing with our street dog's unique issues, but with Peggy we've FINALLY found a place we can trust completely! Thanks, Peggy!
Cynthia Krejci
Nov 06, 2015
Peggy changed my dog from a barking, lunging, growling, biting mess of fur and teeth to a sweet gentle curious dog - in a matter of 2 months. We adopted Pumpkin from a rescue, knowing only that she had been rescued from a kill shelter in Indiana. The first day we had her, she was sweet and just wanted to crawl into your lap. Turns out, she had kennel cough from the shelter and was only docile because she didn't feel well.
As she get better, her personality shifted very rapidly to aggression towards other dogs, people, cars, squirrels, and even birds and planes flying by. I was at the end of my rope, and Peggy came very highly recommended. Her training was frankly miraculous. Many dog trainers will use only a clicker and treats to try to shape a dog's behavior, but Peggy showed us how social rewards can build more trust between a dog and its owner and as soon as we started using her methods, we saw results.
My dog no longer barks at every passing dog, and even plays nicely with the neighbor's dogs. Peggy quickly moved us from the more expensive private classes to the much cheaper group classes, and never tried to pressure us to spend more money with her. It is well worth the time and money to drive to her training complex in Manteno. I'm insanely happy with the change in my dog in only 2 months. I'll definitely continue to go to Peggy's classes, and would recommend her training for any reactive dogs.
As she get better, her personality shifted very rapidly to aggression towards other dogs, people, cars, squirrels, and even birds and planes flying by. I was at the end of my rope, and Peggy came very highly recommended. Her training was frankly miraculous. Many dog trainers will use only a clicker and treats to try to shape a dog's behavior, but Peggy showed us how social rewards can build more trust between a dog and its owner and as soon as we started using her methods, we saw results.
My dog no longer barks at every passing dog, and even plays nicely with the neighbor's dogs. Peggy quickly moved us from the more expensive private classes to the much cheaper group classes, and never tried to pressure us to spend more money with her. It is well worth the time and money to drive to her training complex in Manteno. I'm insanely happy with the change in my dog in only 2 months. I'll definitely continue to go to Peggy's classes, and would recommend her training for any reactive dogs.
Lynn Sebek
Jun 14, 2014
Gisela Baralt
Jun 13, 2014
Heather Debelak
Dec 29, 2013
As the owner of a rescue dog with behavioral problems, I couldn't be happier or more grateful that I was recommended to Peggy Moran. Within two years she has helped me to learn skills to manage my dog, begin to socialize her, and ultimately form a bond that goes beyond simple obedience classes. Peggy's training methods are easy to understand and apply and I was pleased to see results in my dog and our relationship very quickly with hard work. Peggy also has helped to make my dog and I feel included and safe in all training classes despite some of the limitations my dog has that other groups would have excluded. I will continue to use Peggy for training for years to come and highly recommend her to others.
