FAQ

What behaviors we DON’T address is a better question. Currently we take everything BUT clinical Separation Anxiety. There is a big difference between confinement/separation distress and clinical-level anxiety, and we recommend reading more about our Separation Anxiety stance. If you are unsure whether or not you’re dealing with clinical-level separation issues, please feel free to email us directly to discuss.

We strictly use positive reinforcement-based training techniques that include things such as counter conditioning and desensitization. There is nothing to read between the lines here - pain, force, intimidation, or punishment are NOT a part of our program. We pride ourselves in gentle, mindful methods to increase trust and repair the human-animal bond. Peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated repeatedly that positive reinforcement training is the best way to learn and we recommend visiting the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior to read more about training methods.

While some of our add-on services do have options to go to the trainer’s location, primary services are held in the client’s home. We believe that training in the environment where the behavior is happening allows for the best outcomes in behavior modification.

We actually have the ability to help anyone, anywhere through our virtual services. For in-person sessions, we cover the greater Chicagoland area and each trainer has their own radius. You can read more about our team, their qualifications, and travel areas.

No - and you should avoid any trainers that promise quick fixes and guarantee outcomes. We can never fully predict the behavior of a living being capable of independent thought. Our resource on training expectations covers this in depth.

Too many factors go into making a proper prognosis such as breeding background, breed/genetics in general, prior learning history, medical issues, and even prenatal development. A prognosis will be discussed and provided to you in the initial consult, if necessary.

What we CAN guarantee is that we prioritize continuing education so that we can ensure you are getting the latest, most up-to-date, evidence-based behavioral training. We also have a multidisciplinary approach - often working together as a team within our own program and (with your permission) working with other trainers, mentors, veterinarians, and specialty providers, as needed.

Of course! Unlike many programs, we DO have a refund policy for unused sessions, up to a certain point and that varies by package. We understand that sometimes things do not go as planned and pride ourselves on ethical business practices. You will be required to sign an acknowledgement of terms and conditions upon booking.

Training is a massive investment - we understand. We want you to be happy, too! You are always welcome to start with a single consultation and we are happy to upgrade you into a package after we sit down together. Alternatively, we usually have minimum recommendations on package sizes once we gain more information on your issues. We offer free, 15-minute discovery calls to everyone. Please give us a call at 630-835-7947.

That depends on many factors including your availability and what trainer you are going to work with. Virtual sessions can often be booked faster and provide for more flexibility with trainers. Please reach out to us directly for more info.

Your inquiry will be answered swiftly, within 1-2 business days. From there, we will need you to fill out an info sheet so we can get to know you and your companion better. After we review, we will reach out for scheduling and get a date on hold with you. We can hold this date for 48 hours before services need to be paid in full. This holds your slot in our itinerary to ensure we do not overbook ourselves and we can serve paying customers in a timely manner.

After payment is received, you will get a firm confirmation in the email with instructions to prepare for the session - and that’s it! Please visit our terms and conditions for full details.