Phil’s Pup Camp

Phil’s Pup Camp provides a range of training programs. Puppy Classes, a 6-week program for puppies 8 weeks to 5 months old and under 30 lbs, focus on socialization, basic behaviors like come, sit, down, and leash walking, and strategies for house training, teething, and jumping. It uses positive reinforcement and marker training and includes AKC All Star Puppy testing.

Obedience 101 Class is for older, bigger dogs over four months, promoting skills for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test and aiding through the adolescent period. It covers basics such as come, sit, down, look, leave it, leash walking, greetings, and stay. Advanced Obedience Class reviews basic behaviors with an emphasis on off-leash performance, incorporating games and distractions, and helps dogs and owners through the adolescent stage.

The Therapy Dog Class, for dogs one year and up, includes two classes on rules and behaviors followed by six classes in challenging environments to educate owners and dogs for therapy work, preparing them for a separate free ATD (Alliance of Therapy Dog) test. Leash Walking Class teaches force-free leash walking, greeting humans and dogs with a loose leash, and addresses reactive situations with distractions.

Private In Home Training offers personalized services tailored to individual needs, addressing behavior challenges and teaching obedience in the comfort of the client’s home. Phil also provides free 15-minute phone consultations for advice on dog challenges or new puppies. Additionally, Phil’s Pup Camp hosts Community Playdates with specific house rules, including a maximum of 12 dogs per session, supervision requirements, vaccination clearance, and a strict policy against dogs with a history of biting or resource guarding. A separate area is provided for small dogs during playdates.

Pricing Summary

Phil’s Pup Camp offers various classes with set prices: Puppy Classes are $175, Advanced Obedience Class is $200, Obedience 101 Class is $250, Therapy Dog Class is $250, and Leash Walking Class is $150. Private in-home training is available at $100 per hour. A free 15-minute phone consultation is offered to discuss training options and fees. Gift cards are also available for purchase.

Policies

Phil’s Pup Camp has a strict policy against aggressive dogs in all classes, stating they are “not tolerated.” For Community Playdates, specific rules apply: dogs must never have bitten a human or another dog, and dogs that are “resource guarding” food or toys are not allowed. If a client misses a class, they can schedule a make-up session.

Phil’s Pup Camp, led by Phil, is a dog training business dedicated to helping owners develop outstanding relationships with their dogs, fostering unconditional love, respect, and companionship. Phil brings over 40 years of passion for dog training, combining fun, excitement, respect, and boundaries into a system of consistent rewards and growth.

The business offers a variety of services including group classes, private in-home training, and phone consultations. Phil’s Pup Camp emphasizes humane, scientifically proven methods such as positive reinforcement, capturing, luring, shaping, targeting, and marker training, all without intimidation. They also incorporate proofing with added distractions and pack/instinct mentality based on personality and necessity.

Phil actively involves the owner and family in the training process. He lives in Arlington Heights, IL, with his deaf Great Dane, Blue, and they volunteer as a therapy dog team at various locations including schools, homes for the aged, and a naval training center. Phil’s Pup Camp is committed to outstanding service, support, and owner satisfaction with results.

Accomplishments

Phil has 40 years of passion for dog training, accumulating thousands of hours training dogs, 500 hours in Animal Assisted Therapy in hospital environments, and countless hours of behavior training and pro-bono work. He has volunteered, apprenticed, and consulted with dog rescues and top Chicagoland trainers.

Phil is a Professional Member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), an American Kennel Club (AKC) All Star Puppy Instructor, and an AKC Canine Good Citizen and Community Good Citizen Evaluator. He is also a member and Tester/Observer (Evaluator) for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Phil has achieved certification by being “Tested” by the CCPDT-KA (Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers). He actively volunteers with his deaf Great Dane, Blue, at various schools, homes for the aged, and the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, and visits children with learning disabilities.

How to Get Started!

To get started with Phil’s Pup Camp, clients can book a class directly through the website’s registration links for Puppy Class, Advanced Obedience, Obedience 101, Therapy Dog Class, or Leash Walking Class. For private in-home training, a “Scheduled Private Training” option is available. Clients can also schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss training options and fees. For non-urgent questions, a contact form is provided, and for immediate help with class registration or ordering issues, clients can call Phil directly. To join an existing class, clients are advised to text Phil.