NorthShore Canine Academy
Service area: Serves North Shore Chicago suburbs including Wilmette, Evanston, Glencoe, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Winnetka, Northbrook, Skokie, Deerfield, Glenview, Lincolnshire, and surrounding areas.
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Family Dog
- Service Dog
- Therapy Dog
- Behavior Modification
Specialty Focus Areas
- Puppy Training
- Leash Pulling
- Reactivity / Aggression
- Jumping on People
- Barking Excessively
- Separation Anxiety
- Biting / Nipping
- Potty Training
- Resource Guarding
- Fearfulness
- Recall
Training Formats Offered
- Private Lessons
- In-Home
Program Formats
- Sessions Package
- Ongoing Weekly
Types of Dogs
- Small
- Medium
- Large
- Giant
- Working
- Sporting
- Doodles
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Positive Reinforcement Only
Equipment:
- ✓ Clickers
- ✓ Food Rewards
- ✓ Harnesses
- ✓ Obstacle Courses
Sophie offers one-on-one private in-home training sessions tailored to each dog’s needs. She begins with an evaluation to assess behavior and goals, then creates a customized plan. Sessions focus on teaching desired behaviors through positive reinforcement, with follow-up support and resources provided. Training includes basic obedience, behavior modification, service dog preparation, and socialization. Clients receive guidance on tools, toys, and techniques to continue training at home.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
Pricing details are not publicly listed on the website. Clients are encouraged to contact Sophie directly for customized pricing based on individual training plans and session packages.
Policies
No cancellation or rescheduling policy is explicitly stated on the website. Clients are advised to contact Sophie directly for details regarding appointment changes.
Testimonials
“Sophie did an excellent job helping train our pup; with a consistent and a fear free approach. Being first time dog owners, and with kids at home, it was very important to us to have a trainer that understood the challenges and was there to support and structure the training process, and we couldn’t have been happier with the result. Our pup loves Sophie; and is super delighted to see her every time.”
– Gautham Sadhir (Posie’s dad), Wilmette
“Sophie is the dog whisperer. In just two sessions she managed to teach our pup (and most importantly – us!) a number of key behavioral principles that will serve us well in many different areas. Her approach is very thoughtful, and she explains and demonstrates techniques that apply across the board.”
– Anna de Silva (Duke’s mom)
“Sophie is absolutely AMAZING! She conveniently came to my home for a few training sessions with my puppy, who was nearing the end of her ‘critical socialization period’ and we had massive success! So grateful to have learned more about my pup from Sophie and train her to be the best she can be!!”
– Nicole Levin (Butter’s mom), Winnetka
About the Trainer
Sophie Melissa Amphlett is a force-free, fear-free, positive reinforcement dog trainer based in Wilmette, IL, serving the North Shore area of Chicago. She specializes in puppy training, behavior modification, therapy dog training, and service dog training, using science-based methods that are fun, humane, and pain-free. Sophie helps owners overcome common issues like house training, biting, leash pulling, separation anxiety, fearfulness, and resource guarding by teaching new desired behaviors and rewarding them consistently. She also offers whistle training, scent games, and tricks to enrich the dog-owner bond. Sophie provides in-home private lessons tailored to each family’s needs and emphasizes educating owners as much as training the dog. She connects clients with resources like toys, treats, and socialization opportunities, and has helped families with multiple dogs, reactive dogs, rescue dogs, and households with children.
She is certified as a Certified Canine Behavior Technician (CCDT), Service Dog Consultant (SDC), Certified Therapy Dog Instructor (CTDI), and more, and has been training since 2016 after volunteering with Adopt-A-Pet. Her approach is grounded in empathy, consistency, and positive reinforcement, making her a trusted choice for first-time dog owners and experienced handlers alike.
Accomplishments
Sophie is certified as a Certified Canine Behavior Technician (CCDT), Service Dog Consultant (SDC), and Certified Therapy Dog Instructor (CTDI). She has over 8 years of hands-on experience since beginning volunteer work with Adopt-A-Pet in March 2016. She has successfully trained numerous service dogs, therapy dogs, and puppies, and is recognized by clients as a trusted expert in positive reinforcement methods across the North Shore.
How to Get Started!
Prospective clients can contact Sophie via email or phone to schedule an initial evaluation. She conducts an in-home assessment to understand the dog’s behavior, family dynamics, and training goals before creating a customized training plan. She may recommend specific tools or resources prior to the first session.
Contact Information
Availability
- Weekdays
- Weekends
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
Hours
7am-9pm
Certifications
- CCDT
- SDC
- CTDI
- ANWI
- DN-FSG1
Associations
- Accredited
Languages
- English
Misc Features
- wheelchair accessible entrance
- wheelchair accessible parking
Other Services Offered
- Pet trainer
Location
415 Romona Rd, Wilmette, IL 60091Listing Tools for Trainers
For NorthShore Canine Academy Only
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