4 Paws Obedience Training

4 Paws offers a 6-week group class structure for Puppy Kindergarten and Adult Good Manners, with weekly sessions held at Downers Grove Animal Hospital. Classes focus on basic obedience cues like Sit, Stay, Come, Leave It, and Heel, along with behavior management for common issues. A Continuing Education class (5 weeks) and K9 Games Event are offered seasonally for advanced skill-building. Private in-home lessons are customized to the dog’s needs and can target specific problems like separation anxiety or leash pulling. The AKC Canine Good Citizen test is offered as a certification evaluation after training.

Pricing Summary

Private lessons are available as single hourly sessions or as a discounted 5-lesson package. Group classes are 6-week courses with small class sizes; pricing not explicitly listed. Continuing Education and K9 Games events have limited enrollment and require direct contact for registration and pricing.

Policies

Proof of vaccinations (Rabies, Distemper, Bordetella) and a fecal test are required for all group classes. Puppies do not attend the first class. Class sizes are limited to three dogs. Registration for Continuing Education and K9 Games events requires direct contact due to limited availability. No cancellation or rescheduling policy is explicitly stated.

4 Paws Obedience Training is a dog training business led by certified trainer Meghan Frantik-Skalak, offering positive reinforcement-based training for puppies and adult dogs. Services include group classes held at Downers Grove Animal Hospital and private in-home lessons tailored to address specific behaviors like potty training, jumping, barking, leash manners, and separation anxiety. Group classes are small, with no more than three dogs, ensuring personalized attention and off-leash practice in a secure environment. The business also offers continuing education classes and K9 Games events to build on foundational skills. Meghan is an official AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator and has been training dogs since 2007, with over 15 years of experience working with animals. She is a full member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) and regularly attends professional development seminars to stay current with training techniques.

All group classes require proof of vaccinations (Rabies, Distemper, Bordetella) and a fecal test for safety. Private lessons allow families to train in the comfort of their own home, making it ideal for addressing behavioral issues in context. The program emphasizes building a strong, happy bond between dogs and their owners through reward-based methods, with no use of punishment or aversive tools.

Meghan’s approach is family-centered, encouraging all household members to participate in training. The business also provides a mailing list for updates on class schedules and events, and offers the AKC Canine Good Citizen certification test as a final evaluation for dogs who complete the training.

The business is located in Downers Grove, IL, and serves local pet owners seeking ethical, effective, and science-backed dog training.

Meghan has trained dogs since 2005, beginning with an internship at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and graduating with honors from Animal Behavior College in 2007.

Accomplishments

Meghan Frantik-Skalak is a Certified Dog Trainer (Animal Behavior College, 2007), a full member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) since 2007, and an official AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator. She has over 15 years of hands-on experience working with animals, beginning in 2005 at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and continuing at Downers Grove Animal Hospital since 2006.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients can contact Meghan directly by phone or email to discuss private lesson options or register for group classes. For group classes, registration is required in advance, and proof of vaccinations must be brought to the first session. A mailing list is available for updates on upcoming class dates and events.