Does your dog have any of the following problems: Jumping, Barking, Aggression, Destruction, House Training, Marking, Fighting, Chewing, Biting or Separation Anxiety? Or do you just need a brush up on basic commands?
If so then Pet Care Plus is the training place for your dog to learn the skills needed to be your little Angel. Our trainer, Mary Scheffke, was a Senior Trainer at Anti Cruelty Society here in Chicago where she worked for over 10 years. While at Anti Cruelty she not only led training classes for the general public, but also taught those that were interested in becoming trainers themselves. In addition, she also saw a need for many different types of classes that were not being offered there or other facilities in the city which is why we have our extensive selection of classes.
Animal training has always been part of Mary’s life as she assisted her father in his animal training career from the age of 8. Mary believes that both animals and humans should learn in the way that they know best. For people that means through reading, seeing or doing and for dogs that could mean learning to sit several different ways.
That also means offering several different classes based on what you and your pet need and want from the training. Our classes run either 5 or 7 weeks and we offer both night and weekend hours to accommodate your busy schedule. You can also call about our private classes if you and your pooch want a little more in depth and focused training.
Our classes include some of the following, but be sure to call as we are always coming up with more great ideas.
• Puppies Rock! – This class is for all puppies that are between 8 weeks and 6 months old. This is the best time to make your puppy a super star for life. Some of the topics we will discuss and work on are proper socialization with other dogs, greeting other dogs and people politely, learning about body language of your puppy, mouthing and teething, housetraining and many other puppy related subjects. Don’t wait until your puppy is older and a terror- get them started off on the right paw now!
• Hyper Dog – Does your dog have so much energy that you don’t know what to do? Not after this class - we will explore ways to channel their energy creatively and get them under control. This class, with weather permitting, will also utilize the in ground swimming at Pet Care Plus! We will also teach some tricks to make bad habits into fun tricks instead. Watch out David Letterman for graduates of our Hyper Dog class!
• Outdoor Dog – Don’t let the title fool you- this class is for dogs that love to be in the outdoors playing a lot. We will work on focus work so they pay attention to us humans –which can be boring to them when outside, as well as work on their come command and utilize the water at Pet Care Plus. Do you own a summer home, take your dog on camping trips with you, or take them to the lake here in Chicago? If so this class is perfect for you and your dog.
• Me and My Dog (Advanced Obedience) – This class is for owners who want to go a little further with training their dog. We will work off-leash for part of the class and do a lot of distraction work, stay work and whatever else you would like to cover during this 7 week class, because, well- it is really all about you and your dog! Your dog must have had previous training experience and know sit as well as a reasonably good stay- we will work on making it a really great stay and much more!
• Supermodel – This 5 week class is getting your dog to pose for a personal photo shoot. This course will get them to look where you want for the camera, stay put for the photo shoot and act well behaved so you get some really great photos. The last week will be your actual photo shoot with a photographer as your graduation. So brush those canines, get ready for your head shots and smile! All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up.
• Etiquette 101 (Behavior Correction)– Does your dog jump up on people, paw you for attention or to be pet, or push to get out the door first? Do you hear your friends whispering when you are around saying you own a rude dog? Your dog will be a regular Miss Manners after this 7 week class.
• Sink or Swim - Ever been curious if your dog could swim or not? Well this 5 week class is just for you then! You will need to bring a life jacket with you to class for your dog if they are a breed that is known to not be swimmers, (such as a French or English bulldog) as well as wear clothes for you to go into the water with your dog. We will help your dog with swimming and getting confident around water - as well as teach them to wait to go into the water till you give them permission. On days with bad weather-we will work in the classroom inside on some commands to help them when they are in the water.
• Smarter Than a 5th Grader! (Basic Obedience) – That is how smart your dog will be at the end of this 7 week training class. We will work on sit, down, stay, wait and much more with both verbal and hand signals. You and your dog will both love the attention you get when you are asked where you went for training.
• Look at My Dog Come! – This 7 week recall class will have your dog coming to you quickly and having fun at the same time. If weather permits- we will also do a few classes in the K-9 Oasis to get them to come out of the water as well! Some of this work may be done off-leash so all dogs must be sociable and get along with other dogs.
• Are YOU Talking to ME? (Distraction Training) – Is your dog easily distracted? In this 7 week class we will do a lot of focus work with many distractions to get your dogs to pay attention to US. Your dog must know the command, “sit”, to take this class. We will help you with the rest!
• Fear Factor! (Overcoming Fear Issues) – Do you have a shy dog or one that is afraid of new experiences, sounds or people? In this 5 week class we will build up your dog’s confidence to handle these kinds of situations and get them to be more comfortable around new things.
• Tiny Tots (Basic Obedience for Small Dogs Only) – You won’t have to worry about the big guys getting in your way here. We will work on issues that small dog owners have and encourage them to act as the brilliant little dog we know they are! We will also cover the basics or training as well.
• Tricks of the Trade (Dog Tricks) - In this 5 week class we will work on teaching the dogs to take a bow, shake paw, roll over, give hi –fives and many more tricks.
Form(s) you will need to fill out:
